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.
Wow, September was a busy month here at the Bay School! With Market Days, the Amazing Raise, and the Fine Art Auction all happening within fewer than 30 days, we were really kept on our toes. I am welcoming the slower pace of October. There's still lots going on at the Bay School, though, to keep your creative fires burning!
Are you finding inspiration in the peace and beauty of the changing season? Or the mystique of darker evenings and cooler temperatures? Fall makes me very aware of color and texture as I see the leaves turn and crisp up, and I want to snuggle into cozy knit and felted winter wear. Of course yesterday's 80+ degree temperature didn't require even a light scarf, much less my favorite holiday sweater.
Last week in the handbuilding clay class we pressed the texture and pattern of leaves into the pieces we made, and carved around the leaf shapes to create enduring testaments to nature. It will be fun to glaze them with glossy fall colors. The adventure inspired me to paint leftover leaves with fabric paint in glittering oranges, golds, and reds, and print them onto a black fabric - that's one of those things I used to do with the kids I taught, but hadn't done for myself in years. It was a wonderfully contemplative process seeing the veins come to life in vibrant color. Teen Open Studio always inspires my own creativity as I act like a kid at art.
We have lots of other creative opportunities coming up for kids and adults! Check out our class schedules - this weekend are exciting fall-inspired kids' classes in making Magical Masks and Spooky Trees. Next Saturday are adult classes in Kumihimo bracelets and rug hooking. Come get crafty!
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.
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!
