Bay School News

Hard Work, Small Dreams: Bentwaters Farm June 16 2017, 2 Comments

 Off the beaten path and nestled on the shores of where Pepper Creek and the Mobjack meet, Larry and Rosalie Brown have built a flourishing farm out of hard work and dreams. Their white farmhouse rises from the marsh to greet you with all of the charm and humility only found in times gone by. The farmhouse was built around 1895 by one of the Armisteads, a group of brothers who built each other’s homes. It then changed hands to the parents of Paul Blanock, former Commonwealth Attorney, and in 1980 was purchased by the Browns.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A romance story of the truest kind, Larry was serving in the Air Force, stationed in England, when he met Rosalie, a children’s nanny. The two soon fell in love and he whisked her away to the United States, settling in Gloucester and later relocating to Mathews. Rosalie had always dreamed of living on a farm, “Growing up in England, I’d always wanted to be a children’s nanny or a farmer, and I was a children’s nanny for a number of years. When we came here, I just knew I was going to get sheep. My father and mother were alive at that time, dad went with me to get sheep and that just started it.” Having been exposed to the processes of spinning, knitting and weaving in her childhood, the progression to raising sheep for the production of wool was a natural one. For Larry, growing up in Hampton and a self-proclaimed “gear head”, the farm life offered a chance for him to return to his roots, as farming ran in both sides of his family lineage.

 

 

From a small dream, blossomed Bentwaters Farm and the promise of a simpler life. The Browns soon evolved from raising Dorset and Hampshire sheep, which are mainly used for meat, to raising sheep for the production of fine wool and wool products, which are handmade and dyed onsite. Over the years, their farm has expanded to include Dwarf Nigerian goats, English Angora rabbits, a bevy of chickens, Guinea hens, quail, a llama and bees.

                          

Their love for their craft is evident, not only in the way they speak about what they do, but also in their passion to pass on their trade, both having taught in one capacity or another. Rosalie teaches a number of classes from dying to felting at The Bay School Community Arts Center, in Mathews and Rosalie and Larry have both done educational presentations at a number of historical sites in Williamsburg in addition to the programming conducted by Colonial Williamsburg.

                          

The Browns have a deep and abiding love and respect for their animals that is apparent when wandering the property. When Rosalie walks among the goats and sheep, she calls each one by name and stops to visit with them for a while, often stopping to play with the young kids.

                           

Bentwaters Farm is a member of the Middle Peninsula Artisan Trail and is open to visitors seeking to experience the hands on process of wool production. For more information or to visit Bentwaters Farm for yourself, visit their website: http://bentwatersfarm.webs.com: 


Outreach Programs 2016-2017 October 12 2016, 0 Comments

With the 2016-17 school year in full swing, the Bay School Outreach Programs have hit their stride. We've adjusted the scheduling of some classes and added an additional Outreach Instructor in order to best serve our community. 

The Bay School proudly welcomes Steph Brown back to our Outreach Program team! Steph has worked with the Bay School for years, offering classes to adults in a variety of media in addition to running our Free Weeks of Art throughout the summer. Steph will be taking over our YMCA Program, half of the programming at The  Active Lifestyles Center and half at The Mathews Riverside Convalescent Center. Creativity and compassion flow freely when Steph is teaching and she makes a wonderful addition to the team!

Virginia Coyle is continuing with her programs at Mathews Riverside Convalescent Center, The Puller Center, The Active Lifestyles Center, Kingston Parish and Head Start.

       

In addition to her duties as Outreach Coordinator, Saraya Cheney, has taken on the role of Gallery Coordinator for The Art Speaks Gallery at The Bay School. She will continue to teach many of our ongoing Outreach Programs (Laurel Shelter in Gloucester, Brambles Day Support, THMS Special Education, LJES Special Education, Coastal Christian Homeschool Co-Op, SAIL Program at THMS, Teen Open Studio, OpenArts After School) in addition to developing some of our newest programs this year.

We truly do our best to meet the creative needs of all members within our community. If you feel that there are additional ways that we can provide support within Mathews or Gloucester, please do not hesitate to let us know. We love hearing how we can support and enrich the lives of those in our area.

For additional information on our Outreach Programs, questions or suggestions, call or email Saraya Cheney, Outreach Coordinator: scheney@bayschool-arts.com.


Wildly Creative Week at The Bay School July 14 2016, 0 Comments

This week the Bay School has come alive with the amazing creativity of kids and teens from our local communities. Our Free Weeks of Art are in full swing and the attendees have been diving right in, exploring the world of myth & legend! Mermaids, dragons, Medusa masks and loads of Pandora’s Boxes line the shelves of the classrooms, adding splashes of color and touches of whimsy to the atmosphere. All of the work created in our Free Week of Art is eligible to be displayed in our Kids Art Show coming up in August, from the 12th-20th. Any kids or teens who wish to have their work in the gallery during that time can either leave their work at The Bay School or bring their work in from August 4th-6th.  Along with works from the Free Weeks of Art, we are encouraging those who currently attend, or who have attended, any of our Outreach Programs to participate, as well any children who have taken a class at the Bay School in the last year. The show is one of The Bay School’s proudest moments as we celebrate the imaginations of our community’s budding artists.

                                 

Joining in on the creativity this week is the Virginia Cooperative Extension Mathews 4-H Program. Gallery and Outreach Coordinator, Saraya Cheney, has been joined by 30 Cloverbud Campers who are all incredibly excited to create works of art based on the theme of “water”. The campers have enjoyed learning about watercolors, making sea creature windsocks, exploring the deep with submarine silhouettes and creating ocean themed sculptures from clay. 

Though these past few weeks have been packed with activity within The Bay School walls, plenty of art has been taking place in other locations around Mathews and Gloucester. Many of our Outreach Programs are still inspiring members of the community with Bay School Teaching Artists visiting the Mathews Active Lifestyles Center, Riverside Convalescent Center in Mathews, The Mathews Boys and Girls Club, The Brambles Day Support Center and The Laurel Shelter. Each of these programs provide an artistic respite from the summer heat and a way to connect with the creativity within so many members of the local community.


Outreach Programs - OpenArts After School November 12 2015, 0 Comments

The Bay School not only provides a place for art enthusiasts to learn new techniques, but it also goes out into the Mathews/Gloucester communities to teach art enrichment programs to those who may not otherwise have the opportunity to explore the arts. The second week each month, we’ll give you a peek into the many educational programs that are powered by grants and other generous donors.     

Every Wednesday, from 3-5pm, the Bay School joins forces with the Mathews Family YMCA to teach the OpenArts After School Program. This special arts session introduces students to a different artist/technique each month and provides a much needed, “art break” for the students that attend. Led by Saraya Cheney, Bay School Outreach Coordinator, and Virginia Coyle, Bay School Teaching Artist, the students are welcome to explore, make messes and create something beautiful.  In past months, the student artists have explored the works of Vincent Van Gogh, George Rodrigue and most recently Roy Lichtenstein. This program has been generously funded by the Richard and Caroline T. Gwathmey Memorial Trust, making it open, and free, to the general public.  Elementary, middle, and home school students here in Mathews are welcome to join the YMCA campers in this art adventure!

 

 

  For more information about this or any of our other outreach programs, please contact us directly via phone or email – 804-725-1278 scheney@bayschool-arts.com.


Empty Bowls! November 25 2014, 0 Comments

The Bay School Community Arts Center is excited to host the Middle Peninsula’s first Empty Bowls Fundraising Event to benefit Hands across Mathews. Local artists have been busy making hand-crafted pottery bowls for several months in preparation for the event. Each ticketed guest will receive one of these unique bowls and a serving of soup, bread, and water, as a reminder of all the empty bowls in the world. Empty Bowls is an international grassroots effort to fight hunger and was created by The Imagine Render Group. Events vary greatly in size and character – some are extravagant soirees while others are relaxed lunch-time gatherings. This event, on Sunday, December 7, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 pm., will be informal and reflect Mathews’ small town community. Tickets are $15 and may be purchased at the Bay School in advance or at the door. Ticket sales will be limited to the number of bowls available, and other artwork and pottery will be offered for special sale as well. All proceeds go directly to Hands Across Mathews, so please bring cash or check.


Thank you for your support! September 19 2014, 0 Comments

A very huge THANK YOU from all of us at the Bay School to all of you who supported us and donated during The Amazing Raise! We were blessed with 122 donors from 13 states, D.C., and even London, U.K., for a total of $5680. Overall The Amazing Raise raised $1,741,376.92 from 20,421 donors for greater Richmond area non-profits. We were part of something huge! Thank you, community!

These generous donations will help us be able to continue our mission to bring art to the greater Mathews community through our gallery, specialized art classes for children and adults, our new teen open studio program, outreach programs to other community service areas, and our annual free week of art for children.


Market Days is almost upon us! September 02 2014, 0 Comments

Make sure to join us for the always exciting Mathews Market Days this coming Friday and Saturday!

There will be tons of fun to be had throughout the historic downtown area with funny parades and contests and the Art & Craft Show. 

We'll have our own mini-festival here at the Bay School, with several local artists on hand to show off their art!  Artists on site will include Katie Adkins (painting), Libby Boyer (glass jewelry), Carolyn Carpin (jewelry), Brenda Finley (pottery), Kevin Forsythe (stained glass), Kinn Kreckman (fiber smocking), Debbie LaFrance (painting), Brenda Mahoney (pottery), Cynthia Ray (painting and mixed media), and Jennifer Schroeder (jewelry).

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There will be hands-on art activities for the kids to unleash their creativity outside, including sand painting, mask decorating, bracelet braiding, and making artist trading cards.  There will be a special area for Teen Open Studio, which moves to Friday afternoons starting this week.  Teen artists can make artist trading cards and paint mini masterpieces on canvas.

            

And no Market Days would be complete without our fabulous photo opportunities!  Come check out who you can be this time.

Many thanks to Gallery Manager Suzanne Wheeler, who has put all of this together and will help you bring out your own artistic best all weekend!


Mathews Market Days poster judging July 01 2014, 0 Comments

The original artwork for the Mathews Market Days poster contest are arriving in the studio for judging.  A panel of creative judges will be evaluating the artwork this week and choosing this year's poster design.  The unveiling will take place in a public reception in the Art Speaks Gallery on Sunday, August 17 at 2:00 pm.