Arts Council Finds a Home 

The Hampshire County Arts Council, founded in 1994, has long been known for its concerts, celebrating local musicians as well as bringing a diversity of performers from further afield. Offerings including classical music and steel-drum bands (remember the belly dancer one summer?), have enhanced the local arts scene. 

Arts Council activities include the Hampshire Highlands Arts and Music Festival held the second weekend in September, the Spring Fine Arts Show in March, the Romney Project murals, Art in Public Places and the annual Words of Love with Cookies. Delayed due to covid, the Missoula (Montana) Children’s Theater finally made it to Romney this last summer with an entertaining and surprising version of Hansel and Gretel, with many local children in the cast. Joanne Snead, the project coordinator says, “We are planning for their return this coming summer with their version of The Secret Garden.”  

More recently, there has been an increased interest in offering classes for all of the arts. When the Board of Directors heard that the Brannon Building on the WV Schools for the Deaf and Blind campus might become available for outside use, they began negotiations for classrooms. Happily, a lease was signed recently for 4 of the rooms and the New Year will bring a flurry of activity setting up the rooms and finding teachers and students (of all ages). 

Ideas for classes include painting, drawing, sculpture, papier-mâché, paper-making, kite-making (and flying), fiber arts (weaving, spinning, quilt-making, knitting, embroidery and more), writing workshops, music lessons, dance, photography, quilling, alcohol ink art, seasonal decorations, basket-making, theatre, … 

Just one of the ideas being thought about is to have a corner where art can be created from “trash,” especially bottles and cans, as well as recycling paper into woven baskets, decoupage and more. 

There will also be times that people can gather to visit, work on art projects, make music, meet artists and make friends. 

One of the projects created already is an Art Club for students in grades 4-12.  Robin Pancake, one of the founders of the HCAC (along with Shari Gallery who is still involved as the Webmaster), started the club last March with students from the WVSDB and the home and public schools. “It has been amazing to see the talent and imagination of these young students,” shares Robin, who is known to many in the county from her years of teaching art at Hampshire High. “We will be evolving the Club program a little to adjust to the interest and abilities of the students. And we will be expanding offerings to include more advanced classes for school students.” 

“We are looking for people who would like to teach or learn any and all of the arts,” notes Dale Brady, president of the Board. “Dream the Big Dream and let us know what you would like to explore.” 

While teachers are being found, people who want to learn a particular art could form a class and study on their own. There are many sources now between books and YouTube to teach oneself, and working together with others can be very rewarding. 

If anyone would like to share their art through teaching or knows someone who would, please email classes@HampshireArts.com. Also, people who would like to learn about a particular art can send an email so the Project Manager can look for the appropriate teacher. 

See you in the New Year!