An Exhibit of Paintings by Skip Rohde

January 11th - February 22nd in the Lower Gallery
Opening Reception Friday, January 11th from 5 - 8 PM

The Arts Center
90 South Main Street in Downtown Marshall

The Madison County Arts Council is proud to present this exhibit of recent paintings by award-winning Madison County artist Skip Rohde.   He explains these powerful works in his own words—

       War is one of humanity's most defining experiences.
       Through the ages, we have spent much of our time and
       focus on events on the battlefield.  Today, movies
       show the chaos, violence, and confusion of combat.
       News reporters dash in and out of war zones, giving us
       30-second snippets before cutting to a commercial.  In
       our fast-paced world, we don't pay attention to
       anything unless it's equally fast-paced.

       During my two decades in the Navy, I found that the
       quiet things are just as important as the combat
       itself.  A street lined with destroyed buildings
       speaks silently of not only the violence that took
       place, but also of lives and dreams shattered.  A
       child playing soccer outside his shell-damaged
       apartment building evokes the hope that one day things
       will return to normal.  And a soldier may see his
       marriage crumble under the stresses of long separation
       and very different experiences.

       These paintings examine some of my own experiences
       with combat and military life.  Some are based on
       things I saw in Bosnia as part of the peacekeeping
       forces.  Some are based on experiences leading sailors
       at sea.  Others are based on events in my own personal
       life.  And still others are reflections on our society's idea of war.

Rohde earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of North Carolina at Asheville in 2003 after retiring from a 22-year career in the U.S. Navy.  Since then his painting, photography, as well as printmaking have all been critically acclaimed and exhibited in numerous museums and galleries across the Southeast.  In addition to maintaining a studio in Asheville’s historic River Arts District, he teaches classes in the College for Seniors at UNCA and is the courtroom artist for WLOS-TV in Asheville. 

Please join us to meet Rohde and view his paintings at an opening reception on Friday, January 11^th from 5 - 8PM.  Admission is free and light refreshments will be served.

This winter we are very pleased to be offering an extensive and diverse roster of classes.  Pre-registration is required--call the office at 649-1301.  Note - If a class does not fill to a teacher's requirement, it will be postponed and offered at a later date.  

We hope you will jump in and learn or refine a new skill while meeting new folks and having a great time in the process!   


Intermediate Watercolor with Katherine Graham

If you have already taken one of Katie’s wildly popular classes at the Arts Council or have some other previous experience painting with watercolors, this class is for you! 

Mondays, January 28^th – February 25^th from 5:30 – 7:30 PM  

$60 ($55 for MCAC members) + materials

Fiction Writing Workshop with Vicki Lane

Rumpelstiltskin's Workshop: Spinning Straw Into Gold.  Maybe you're an old hand at journaling but would like to try your hand at fiction -- a short story or a novel.  Vicki Lane, acclaimed local author of the Elizabeth Goodweather series including Signs in the Blood, Art's Blood, and the recently released Old Wounds, will lead a three hour workshop for anyone who wants to tell a lively story.  Turn everyday experience and observation into fiction.  Working from picture prompts, you'll write brief scenes--the building blocks of longer fiction--then read and discuss them in the group.  The focus will be on working with character, setting, and dialogue.  Kick start your creativity and have fun as you discover that inspiration is everywhere! 

Saturday, February 2nd from 10:00 AM - 2 PM with an hour break for lunch.
Box lunches available for $10
$25 ($20 for MCAC members)

Beginning Jewelry with Patti Blacknight

This exciting new class will offer instruction in basic bead stringing and beginning wire wrapping for earrings and pendants and continue to advanced wire wrapping.  Basic color, design, and making your own beads will also be covered.  Walk away with final products that you will be proud of! 

Tuesdays, January 29th to March 4th.  Class can be held either during the day or in the evening--please call the office at 649-1301 with your preference.

$60 ($55 for MCAC members) plus materials.  Call Patti at 680-1071 with any questions and for a list of recommended supplies.

Painting for People Who Think They Can't Draw with Patti Blacknight

Have you always avoided taking a painting class because you feet that you can’t draw?  If so, this six-week class is for you.  It begins with how to find drawing ideas and transfer those ideas into finished products.  Stenciling, projecting, stamping and collage are also explored.  The class culminates with a final project.

Wednesdays, January 30th to March 5th.  Class can be held either during the day or in the evening.  Please call the office at 649-1301 with your preference.

$60 ($55 for MCAC members) plus materials.  Call Patti at 680-1071 with any questions and for a list of recommended supplies.

Beginning Relief Printmaking with Nancy Darrell

Learn the basics of relief printmaking from noted local artist Nancy Darrell through experimentation with different techniques in linoleum block carving and printing.  The focus of the class will be printing on paper, including making original and striking cards, but printing on fabric is also a possibility.  All inks will be water-based and nontoxic.  Call or e-mail Nancy for more information.   656-2731 or ndarrell@madison.main.nc.us

Saturday, February 16th – Saturday March 8th from 1 -3 PM

$90 ($85 for MCAC members) + materials   

Sound System Workshop with Eric Wilson

Have you ever wondered what that guy or gal is doing behind the sound board?  What are all those knobs for and what are they listening to in those headphones?   Just how do you hook all those gizmos together? Find out in this informative five hour workshop on beginning sound reinforcement techniques.  Whether you are an electronics geek or an acoustic musician that wants more control over your sound, come learn from Eric Wilson with this hands-on demonstration. 

Eric owns his own recording studio in the Asheville area and has worked with many famous artists and acts including Ricky Scaggs, Mountain Heart, and the Brevard Music Festival. 

Saturday, February 16^th from 1 – 6 PM at the Arts Center

$55 ($50 for MCAC members)

Our Junior Appalachian Musicians (JAM) Program is now in full swing after a very successful 1st semester last fall.  The purpose of JAM is to assist the children of our county in identifying and honoring our mountain heritage through first hand experiences with the musical traditions of our region.  We are incredibly excited that we are now able to expand the program to include at least eight different classes for local 4th through 8th graders.  While most classes will once again be held in the central location of Marshall this spring, we hope to offer a few classes in other communities throughout our county by this summer.  Twelve-week courses cost $60 and ten-week courses cost $50 but need-based scholarships are available.  Please call Delia at the Arts Council for more information, to sign up, or to donate a much needed traditional instrument so that students may practice at home. 

Beginning Old-Time Banjo and Guitar for 6th - 8th graders with Hillary Dirlam

Beginning Old-Time Fiddle and Mandolin for 6th - 8th graders with David Robinson

12 weeks at Madison Middle School: Thursdays, January 31st - April 24th from 3:15 - 4:45 PM

Advanced Old-Time Band class for 6^th – 8^th graders with Hillary & David

12 weeks at MMS: Tuesdays, January 29th - April 22nd from 3:15 - 4:45 PM

Beginning Clogging for 6th - 8th graders with Heidi Kulas

12 weeks at MMS: Mondays, January 28^th – April 21^st from 3:15 – 4:45 PM

Beginning Bluegrass Guitar & Mandolin with Adam Tanner

Beginning Bluegrass Banjo with Troy Harrison
 
10 weeks at the Arts Center: Saturdays, February 9th - April 12th from 1:00 - 2:30 PM

Beginning Clogging for 4th & 5th graders with Heidi Kulas

10 weeks at the Arts Center: Saturday, February 9th - April 12th from 1:00 - 2:30 PM

Make & Play Your Own Dulcimer Classes for 4^th & 5^th graders with Jon Cooley

Call the Arts Council for class times and locations. 

Here at the Arts Council we are always striving to better serve and strengthen our community through the arts.  It is our hope that you know we are YOUR organization and realize that we truly welcome and need your input and involvement in our endeavors.  The list of past and present volunteers and supporters who have made our many programs possible thus far is way too long to include here, but I'd like to briefly recognize our new and invigorated 2008 Board of Directors and staff.  Please do not hesitate to call on any of us with any questions or concerns or if you'd like to become more involved in all of the action!  And best wishes to everyone for what's sure to be a stupendous new year.  
Most sincerely,
Delia 


2008 Board of Directors

Officers

Cathy Hicks, President
Pat Franklin, Acting Vice-President
Carol Dixon, Secretary
Jim Mijanovich, Treasurer

Board Members

Elizabeth Ayers
Bob Carr
Gwen Clemens
Betty Hurst
Joanne Jackson
Ronald Knight
Melanie Kraft
Jerry Plemmons
Mike Stevenson
Rodney Sutton

Staff

Rodney Bowling, Executive Director
Delia Fantova, Program Director
Susanna Biro, Volunteer Coordinator