Art for Thought: Swing Dance Demo Thursday, June 17

“It don’t mean a thing if it ain’t got that swing.”

At least, that’s what John and Denise Bennett will tell you. Hailing from the Dallas, Texas metroplex, John and Denise brought their dancing ways to Mercersburg when they relocated for jobs at Mercersburg Academy.

They started swing dancing during the late 1990’s swing resurgence and fell in love. When asked what draws them to this pastime, John describes, “A hard beat and the determination of the music to offer joy to Americans who were struggling through two of the most trying decades in our history.”

When people think of swing, they see in their minds smiling faces and hard twirling skirts, but it’s easy to forget that swing was the driving joy of the youth culture during the Great Depression and the Second World War.

Denise continues, “Perhaps it required the entire nation to suffer the blues in order for swing to emerge as powerful and liberating as it was … and is. I think we each find a swing beat undeniable. We can’t hear one without as least doing some subtle but fancy toe tapping.”

Denise and John are for the most part self-taught; their skills forged from nights of hard dancing and from years of immersion in the study of the music and cultures of swing.

The couple sponsors Four on the Floor, a swing society at Mercersburg Academy.

On Thursday, June 17, you can see the dancing duo in action. They’ll demonstrate and teach the basics of East Coast Swing, the Charleston, and the Lindy Hop at MCFA’s Art for Thought Series.

The cost is $2.00 per person and free for students. Light refreshments will be served. Parking and entrance are around the back of the church. Reservations are not required, but are appreciated. RSVP to mcfainfo@gmail.com or by calling 328-4777.

Next Art For Thought Demonstration:
Thursday, July 15 featuring Printmaking with Lynda Beckwith.

Moon Dog Pottery Summer Art Camp

A Quality Summer Art Program for Children ages 6 - 15.

For the last three summers Moon Dog Pottery in Welsh Run has been the host to a summer art program that immerses children in the world of art.

Moon Dog Pottery Art Camp introduces children to a variety of artistic activities designed to develop ability and creativity.  Our 5-day program offers an introduction to wheel throwing, hand building, painting, drawing, sculpture, mask making and textile art.  Art Camp is for children ages 6-15.

Students are asked to bring their own bag lunch.  We provide daily snacks and drinks as well as daily physical activities and games to round out their day. 

2010 Art Camp Times: 
9:00 AM to 3:00 PM

Summer Art Camp Dates
June 21-25, June 28-July 2,
July 12 - 16, July 19 - 23, July 26 - 30
August  2 - 6, August 9 - 13, August 16 - 20

Payment $189 per camper per week

Moon Dog Pottery
11667 Mercersburg Road
Mercersburg, PA 17236
moondogpottery@aol.com
717-328-9993

Call to Register.

Summer Art Camp for Kids

3 fun days for kids ages 6 to 12!

Kids will be painting, sculpting and creating just like their favorite artist! This jungle themed camp will have the kids drawing animals, going on nature walks, sketching plants, learning about bugs, and making artwork from other cultures! We will make as many projects as we can fit into the day so there is never a dull moment. Students will be using a variety of media including paint, clay and oil pastels and should dress accordingly. Students should also bring a bag lunch along each day they attend camp. Hope to see you!

The teacher for this camp is Miss Gillespie. She is a certified Art Educator who recently did her student teaching at Mercersburg and Montgomery Elementary.

Cost: $55.00
July 27,28,29 2010 (Tue. thru Thur.)
9:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Where:
Charles Brightbill Environmental Center
James Buchanan High School campus
Mercersburg, PA

To Register call Dawn Beaumont at 814-659-2003 between 9am-7pm.
Registration deadline: July 23. Class Limit of 30.
Cancellation Policy: No refunds for cancellations after registration deadline.

This program was made possible through MCFA and TWEP (Tuscarora Wildlife Education Project).

Creative Highways Book Release

Local photographer and writer team Ryan Smith and Larissa Chace Smith are proud to announce the release of their new book, Creative Highways. You can view and order copies of the book online through Blurb.

Book Summary
In June of 2009, during the peak of the economic recession, Ryan and Larissa Smith set out on an epic journey from Pennsylvania to Oregon and back. They traversed 15 states across 4 time zones with a simple goal . . . to rediscover America and revisit that great Western spirit they once cherished.

CREATIVE HIGHWAYS by Ryan Smith and Larissa Chace Smith | Make Your Own Book