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Past Events Page
Daniel Fonner will open the
ArtsLink Coffeehouse Concert Series on Thursday, August 5, at
7:00 pm. | 
|
Talented local percussionist Daniel Fonner will open the
popular ArtsLink Coffeehouse Concert Series with a concert on
Thursday, August 5, at 7:00 pm. The performance will take
place on the lawn of the Francis Creative Arts Center at corner of
Maple Avenue and Washington Street in New Martinsville. The
concert is free, and light refreshments will be served. In the
event of inclement weather, the program will take place inside the
center.
Daniel, the son of Linda and Richard Fonner of New Martinsville, is
pursuing a bachelor’s degree in percussion performance, has studied
for two years at Morehead State University in Kentucky, and will be
a junior at Duquesne University this fall. He has studied
under several nationally recognized musicians including Daniel
Druckman of the New York Philharmonic, Eric Charlston of the Lion
King on Broadway, Leigh Howard Stevens, international marimba
soloist, and Lee Vinson of the Boston Symphony Orchestra. He
attributes much of his success as a musician to his opportunity to
work with local teacher, performer, and ArtsLink Board of Directors
member, Bruce Ensinger.
Fonner has performed in many ensembles, including the Kentucky
All-Collegiate Percussion Ensemble, the Kentucky Intercollegiate
Orchestra, New Martinsville’s Lincoln Theater Musical “The King and
I”, and the Percussive Arts Society International Convention. He
also plays at the New Martinsville United Methodist Church and
helps instruct the drum line of the Magnolia High School
Band. His awards include qualifying as a recipient of an
ArtsLink grant to purchase instruments to educate the community
about percussion, the Rachael Worby Performance Award with the
Wheeling Symphony Orchestra, participant at the Leigh Howard
Stevens Summer Marimba Seminar, and participant at the Boston
University Tanglewood Institute.
Fonner enjoys playing music and working with audiences as well as
other performers. He plays classical percussion solos, jazz,
and orchestral percussion, utilizing instruments that range from
marimbas and xylophones to marching percussion and hand drums such
as congas and djembes. His August 5 performance will feature
the vibraphone, purchased via the ArtsLink grant.
ArtsLink is committed to providing universal accessibility wherever
possible. Persons with special needs may contact Donna Earley
at 304-455-2278 to request assistance. This year’s coffeehouse
concerts are sponsored by McDonald’s Restaurant in New
Martinsville, owned and operated by Nelson and Sandy Hachem. |

| ARTS IN THE PARK
SET FOR SUNDAY
JULY 4TH
|
Nearly two dozen local artists and
craftsmen will be on hand Sunday, July 4 to demonstrate their
skills to all who attend the annual Arts in the Park celebration at
Bruce Park in New Martinsville. This event, sponsored by
ArtsLink, the Monroe Artists Guild, and the New Martinsville Parks
and Recreation Department will begin at 1pm and conclude at 5 pm.
Visitors can expect to see oil, water, and acrylic painting,
engraving, quilting, fiber arts, marbleizing, jewelry and basket
making, and a variety of needlework projects exhibited. Many
artists who have participated previously will be returning, and
several new individuals may share their skills this year as
well.
Need a good laugh? At this year’s
Arts in the Park Magnolia High School student Christian Estep’s
comedy, “Love Psych”, a hilarious play, will be presented by the
Wayward Players—a popular local theatrical group. High jinks
in the psych ward plus a surprise ending. Also playing is “A Tale
of the Norse” by Heather Haskiell, a rousing romp through Norse
mythology. Both plays were finalists in the annual West Virginia
State Thespian Play Writing contest. Musical entertainment will be
provided throughout the afternoon and Uncle Sam will be on hand to
greet one and all. Games and face painting will be available for
the young and the young at heart. Free Pepsi will be offfered,
courtesy of the NM Parks and Recreation Department, and the New
Martinsville Lions Club will be selling a variety of food
items. All residents are encouraged to include a stop by the
park as part of their celebration of America’s
birthday. ArtsLink is committed to providing
universal accessibility wherever possible. Persons with
special needs may contact 304-455-2278 to request
assistance. Questions concerning Arts in the Park can be
directed to Barbara Vincent at 304-652-2939. Financial assistance has been
provided by West Virginia Northern Community College, Chesapeake
Energy, WETZ/WYMJ Radio and Ohio Valley Online. New
Martinsville Parks and Recreation Department, Wetzel County Chamber
of Commerce, and several local businesses serve as local sponsors
for ArtsLink events. This festival is supported in part by the
Ohio River Border Initiative, a joint project of the Ohio Arts
Council and the West Virginia Commission of the Arts.” |

| Local
filmmaker,
Preston DeFrancis, will
present and discuss his work
at the Lincoln Theater
on June 11 at 7:00. |
An area filmmaker who has found
success in Los Angeles will bring his early works to New
Martinsville for a one-night showing June 11. “The Films of Preston
DeFrancis (to date)” will be presented at 7 p.m. at the Lincoln
Theater by ArtsLink, the arts council of Wetzel and Tyler Counties.
This event is sponsored by HBO. Tickets at the door will be
$5.00.
Preston DeFrancis, son of Robert and Pat DeFrancis of Wheeling,
will bring three short films that will chart his development as a
filmmaker, culminating in his award-winning thesis film, “The Big
Production.”
The first film to be shown is “Weiner” (2003), about Michael, a
precocious twelve-year-old, who tries to cope with his father's
impending death by recalling a legend about the infamously logical
mathematician Norbert Wiener. The second film is “Making Space
Nazi” from 2005. In this mockumentary, set in 1984, filmmaker T.P.
Rollstein and his misfit crew try to make their magnum opus, "Space
Nazi." The third film is DeFrancis’ master’s thesis film entitled
“The Big Production”, from 2007. When the engagement ring goes
missing during Bryce's proposal, he must piece together clues from
divergent accounts of the evening's events - a sitcom, a musical,
an arthouse film, and more - to expose the culprit.
DeFrancis once believed that a career in the film and television
industry was out of reach. Raised in Wheeling, West Virginia, he
left home to study Electrical Engineering at Case Western Reserve
University in Cleveland, Ohio. There he connected with a small but
active filmmaking community and was encouraged to pursue graduate
work in film.
He moved to Los Angeles to attend the MFA Film Directing program at
the University of Southern California School Of Cinematic Arts. His
award-winning short film “The Big Production” has screened at film
festivals around the globe and has been honored by the Television
Academy of Arts & Sciences, the Caucus Foundation for
Television Directors, and USC’s First Look Film Festival.
Since graduating from USC, Preston has been working at HBO and
contributed to such programs as “John Adams,” “Into the Storm,” and
the fourth-coming series “Games of Thrones.” He also teaches a
course in cinematic sound at USC, previously taught by one of
Preston’s mentors, THX creator Tomlinson Holman. Preston is
developing multiple feature film screenplays, and his romantic
comedy “The Do-Over” is currently seeking talent
attachments.
Bart Cannizzaro will serve as projectionist and West Virginia
Northern Community College will provide refreshments. Mr DeFrancis
will be on hand to talk with the audience about his films and his
current projects. Support for this ArtsLink activity and others is
provided by West Virginia Northern Community College, the New
Martinsville Parks and Recreation Department, Chesapeake Energy,
WETZ/WYMJ Radio, and Ohio Valley Online. |
ArtsLink’s exhibit
on Sunday,
May 2nd will include
Quilts by Becky
Livingston and
Stained Glass Panels
by Karen Foster. | 
|
ArtsLink’s May exhibit will feature
two area artists on Sunday, May 2 at the Francis Creative Arts
Center from 2 pm until 4 pm. Quilts that have been quilted by
Becky Livingston of New Martinsville will be displayed, and stained
glass panels created by Karen Foster of Sistersville will be
exhibited and sold. This exhibit is free, and light
refreshments will be served.
Quilting has been a tradition in Becky’s family for several
generations. Her mother, who made all of their clothes and
quilts, taught her to embroider and sew when she was a young
girl. Her first creation was a Dutch Girl quilt made from
scraps of her own dresses. Her collection now includes her quilts
as well as several that were made by grandmothers and
aunts.
Ms. Livingston is a member of the WV Quilters, and she has
volunteered to help with the WV Quilt Show in June. She is
also a member of the Stitching Sisters quilt group. Projects
completed by this group include pillowcases for the Children’s
Hospital, dialysis quilts, bags and pillows for breast cancer
patients, quilts for foster children, and walker and/or wheelchair
bags.
Karen Foster recently moved to
Sistersville from Connecticut where she had an art studio for five
years. After teaching herself this art form, she has been
working with stained glass for fifteen years. She does
commission pieces, and she repairs and sells items at the Tyler
Artisan Co-op in Sistersville. Ms foster plans to open her own
studio in the near future. Her stained glass panels, in different
patterns and colors, will be available for sale at the exhibit.
ArtsLink is committed to providing universal accessibility wherever
possible. Persons with special needs may contact Donna Earley
at 304-455-2ART (304-45502278) to request
assistance. Additional information concerning ArtsLink
activities and events is available at artslink@artslinkwv.org. Funding for ArtsLink’s
activities is made possible with financial assistance from West
Virginia Northern Community College, Chesapeake Energy, WETZ/WYMJ
Radio, and Ohio Valley Online.
|

|
Bart Cannizzaro
shows off the new
lighting units. |
The Lincoln Theater is shining a
little brighter, thanks to a mini-grant from ArtsLink, the arts
council of Wetzel and Tyler Counties. Since its inception,
ArtsLink has been offering mini-grant opportunities to local
artists to expand opportunities for artistic training and
development and to contribute to the overall improvement of the
cultural climate of the two-county area. To that end, ArtsLink
awarded a mini-grant to the Lincoln Theater Restoration Council to
help fund upgrades to the lighting system. The lighting instruments
were very old and inefficient. A total of ten new lighting units
were purchased and will be used to replace the front-of-house
lights. The new lights were installed in time for the recent
production of “The Sound of Music”. According to Bart
Cannizzaro, technical advisor for the Lincoln Theater, “The new
lights use less energy and put out a brighter light. We’ll be able
to do a much better job of lighting the stage.”
The historic Lincoln Theater in downtown New Martinsville is owned
by the City of New Martinsville and administered by the Parks and
Recreation Department. The Lincoln Theater Restoration Council was
formed in 1988, consisting of seven volunteers and the head of the
Parks and Recreation Department. In the past 14 years, a new
roof was put on, the wall fabric replaced, the electrical wiring
upgraded, new carpeting installed, and the building was air
conditioned. In January 2000, all of the seats on the main level of
the theater were replaced and in 2009, the dimming system and
control of the stage lighting was upgraded (with help of an
ArtsLink mini-grant). Applications
for ArtsLink mini-grants are available for artists and artistic
projects in the Wetzel-Tyler county area. While funding for
2009-2010 is depleted, ArtsLink anticipates having funds available
after July 1 and will be distributed on a first come, first served
basis. For an application or further information, please call Donna
Earley at 304-455-2278 or e-mail artslink@artslinkwv.org.
ArtsLink is committed to providing universal accessibility wherever
possible. Persons with special needs may contact ArtsLink to
request assistance. Additional information concerning ArtsLink
activities and events is available at artslink@artslinkwv.org.
Funding for ArtsLink’s activities is made possible with financial
assistance from West Virginia Northern Community College,
Chesapeake Energy, W E T Z / W Y M J Radio and Ohio Valley
Online. |

| KLEZMER MUSIC CONCERT SET FOR MAGNOLIA AUDITORIUM AT 2 PM ON
SUNDAY MARCH 14TH.
|
The auditorium at
Magnolia High School will be the setting for the next performance
in the 2009-2010 ArtsLink Concert series. On Sunday, March 14,
at 2 p.m., “The Fabulous Shpielkehs” will take the stage and
perform klezmer music—Jewish folk music which may be unfamiliar to
many in our area. Mother and daughter Elaine and Susan Hoffman
Watts, two of the nations’ finest klezmer musicians, will perform
music that has been passed down through the ages in addition to
original family compositions. Elaine, winner of the National
Endowment for the Arts prestigious Heritage Fellowship Award, hails
from the prominent Hoffman family musical dynasty. She is a
percussionist and her daughter Susan is a trumpeter, vocalist and
composer. Audience members will delight at the expressive melodies,
reminiscent of the human voice, complete with laughing and
weeping. Barb Thomaselli, ArtsLink president, stated,
“Watching this group perform is tremendously great fun. It
will make audience members want to get up and dance in the
isles!” Admission
for this concert will be $10 for ArtsLink members ($20for ArtsLink
member families). For nonmembers, the price will be
$15/individual or $25/family. Performances
in the ArtsLink Concert Series are presented with financial
assistance from the West Virginia Division of Culture and History,
the National Endowment for the Arts with approval of the West
Virginia Commission on the Arts and Pennsylvania Performing Arts on
Tour a program developed and funded by The Heinz Endowments; the
William Penn Foundation; the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, a
state agency; and The Pew Charitable Trusts; and administered by
Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation. Financial
assistance has been provided by West Virginia Northern Community
College, Chesapeake Energy, WETZ/WYMJ Radio and Ohio Valley
Online. The local sponsor for this performance will be Wetzel
County Hospital.
ArtsLink is committed to providing universal accessibility wherever
possible. Persons with special needs may contact us at
304-455-2ART (304-455-2278) to request assistance.
Information concerning ArtsLink performances and activities is
available at www.artslinkwv.org. |

| RUTH WELLS HONORED WITH CONCERT
BY PIANIST ROBERT THOMAS |
Retired teacher, artist and musician
Ruth Wells, who was honored at a concert March 7, is truly a
Renaissance woman. The 97-year-old New Martinsville
woman has mastered a variety of artistic skills in her long life
and still enjoys every day. Concert Pianist Robert
Thomas, former New Martinsville resident and Wells’ good
friend, performed at the concert, at 2 p.m. March 7 at the
First Christian Church. Ruth Wells started first grade in New
Martinsville during World War I and became friends with her future
husband, Ephraim, during high school. She began her career as
a first and second grade teacher in the two-room schoolhouse in
Steelton. She taught for more years than she can remember and
her first class of students is now around 84 years of age.
Upon being asked to share some of her fondest memories in the
classroom, she simply replies, “I never had any children myself but
I loved all my pupils. That’s what I remember.” Ruth
learned to silversmith at Oglebay and her niece, Kitty Campanizzi
still has many fine examples of her craftsmanship. In
addition, she played the piano under the tutelage of Elsie
Woodcock, learned to play the zither with her good friend and
fellow teacher Louise Oblinger, and mastered the banjo crafted
locally for her. The banjo is etched with autographs from
high school friends. Her father had a furniture
store on Main Street, Froelich and Wayman, and Ruth often made the
long journey with him by car to Michigan to assist him in picking
out the latest in good taste for his local customers. He also
supplied the townspeople with Frigidaire appliances. Ruth
continues to indulge her love for travel through audio books she
listens to daily at her home in the New Martinsville Health and
Rehabilitation Center. Ruth was a talented painter as
well; she painted numerous portraits in oil, her favorite being one
of her husband that she titled “Sourdough.” She also enjoyed
landscape painting and has kept a long, slender painting of Fishing
Creek. Ruth has touched countless
lives and loves to reminisce about the events that have made her
long life so enjoyable. ArtsLink is compiling a collection of
memories in honor of her and is requesting that anyone who has an
anecdote or story to share please send it to
artslink@artslinkwv.org or contact Tina Neil at 304-455-6662.
Cards and letters may be sent to ArtsLink, 141 Main Street, New
Martinsville, WV 26155. Her family and friends want to make this
benefit concert an occasion for her to treasure and hope that her
friends and former students and will take this opportunity to
attend the concert or send Ruth a note of appreciation with their
donation to the arts. Checks should be made to
ArtsLink. Tickets at the door for the
concert will be $10 for ArtsLink members and $15 for non-members.
This is not part of the regular concert series, so season
tickets will not apply. The concert is supported by ArtsLink
partners, West Virginia Northern Community College, WETZ/WYMJ
Radio, and Ohio Valley Online. Local sponsors include
Witschey’s Supermarket and Mr. And Mrs. Warren Dean. The
First Christian Church is handicapped accessible. Persons with
special needs may contact Donna Earley, ArtsLink coordinator, at
304-455-2278. |

| ArtsLink Valentine Concert Scheduled
for February 20th,
at McKenna Shelter.
|
The annual Valentine’s Concert of the
ArtsLink Concert Series has become one of the brightest events of
the winter season in the Wetzel-Tyler area. The event, which
features popular and jazz music of the highest order, also boasts a
smorgasbord of gourmet desserts worth braving the cold to sample.
Local sponsor for this event is the Mensore Distributing Co.
This year’s Valentine’s Concert, scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Saturday,
Feb.20, at the PPG McKenna Pavilion in Proctor, just north of New
Martinsville, will feature cabaret singer Daphne Alderson of
Pittsburgh.
“
Daphne Alderson has a
great thing going...artistic shows that spotlight her personal
charisma and beautifully rendered love songs," wrote the
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Hailed as "an artist of dignified
passion," Daphne has brought her show to audiences of all ages.
Debuting at the acclaimed Eugene O'Neill Theatre Center, she's sung
at venues ranging from elegant New York cabarets to concert halls,
churches and museums in communities throughout the region. A warm,
radiant performer with a broad repertoire ranging from Irving
Berlin to the French chansons of Edith Piaf, Daphne paints a rich
palette infused with life adventures in a show that is intimate,
funny and often bittersweet. Daphne's repertoire of programs
include "Street Songs: The World of Hammerstein and Sondheim," "An
American Girl in Paris," "World War II," and "Dear Heart," a
program of American, French and Italian movie songs. Daphne
performs with 1-4 accompanists including some of Pittsburgh's
finest jazz and classical musicians. Residency activities include
master classes and educational programs including "Minstrels and
Dragons," and "Street Songs: The Music of Hammerstein and
Sondheim."
Ms. Alderson’s performance this year
is entitled “Songs that Oscar Taught Me”, and she affirms that
Oscar Hammerstein occupies a revered place in the annals for
musical theater. Daphne states, “Oscar Hammerstein was an
idealist who loved life and believed in people with all of their
foibles and strengths. When I read or sing his lyrics, I feel
enveloped in that love, that hope for humanity and the joy of
living, loving, and gratitude. He also was a fierce fighter
for the common good and abhorred injustice, racism and cruelty, a
gentle soul who was also given to fits of fury if the situation
demanded. I am in love with this wonderful guy.”
Brian
Feldmeier, a professional caterer and event planner, as well as an
ArtsLink Board member, will chair the Valentine’s Concert event and
will supervise the gourmet smorgasbord.
Admission is $10 for members and $15 for non-members; $20 for
member families and $25 for non-member families. Reservations are
requested and may be made by calling Donna Earley, coordinator, at
304-455-2ART (304-455-2278) or 304-337-9477.
Additional performances in the
ArtsLink Concert Series will include The Fabulous Shpielkehs at
Magnolia High School on March 14 and Resonance Percussion on March
28 at Tyler Consolidated High School.
Funding for this program made
possible with financial assistance from ArtsLink, West Virginia
Northern Community College, the West Virginia Division of Culture
and History and the National Endowment for the Arts, with approval
from the WV Commission on the Arts, Pennsylvania Performing Arts on
Tour (PennPat) and J. C. Mensore Distributing, local sponsor. West
Virginia Northern Community College and WETZ/WYMJ are also partners
in this event. ArtsLink is committed to providing universal
accessibility wherever possible. Persons with special needs may
contact us at 304-455-2ART (304-455-2278) to request
assistance. |
| “Mountain Music #2”
by Jacob Bucy |  |
“Organized Chaos” is a term that many
of us may be able to relate to; however, local artist Jacob Bucy
has actually assigned that title to his upcoming art exhibit at the
Francis Creative Arts Center at the corner of Maple and Washington
Avenues in New Martinsville. The free exhibit, sponsored by
ArtsLink, the arts council for Wetzel and Tyler counties, will be
open to the public on Sunday, February 7 from 2 until 4
pm. The show will include a variety of works done in oils,
watercolors, pencil, pastels, and mixed media. Mr. Bucy has had a strong interest in
art since he was a small child, and he started painting as a high
school student. His interest continued while he attended Concord
College from 1998-2003. He currently lives in New Martinsville and
works for Consol Energy. His approach to art is clearing his
mind and going where his subconscious takes him. He states
that many things influence his art, “. . .from cracks in the ice
and sidewalks to nature itself.” Artists who have influenced
him include Matisse, VanGogh, Munch, De Kooning, Johns, Krasner,
Pollock, Kandinsky, and others. Mr. Bucy’s work has been shown in the
Monroe Artists’ annual show, the Everybody Show at the Stifel Fine
Arts Center, and the ArtsLink juried show. It can be viewed at
www.putiton.com by searching
Jacob Bucy. ArtsLink is committed to providing
universal accessibility wherever possible. Persons with
special needs may contact Donna Earley at 304-455-2278 to request
assistance. Additional information concerning ArtsLink events
and activities is available at
www.artslinkwv.com.
Support for ArtsLink activities is provided by West Virginia
Northern Community College, WETZ/WYMJ Radio, and Ohio Valley
Online. |
ARTS LINK SETS DECEMBER EXHIBIT |
A tour of five unique homes in the New Martinsville
area will be a feature of this year’s ArtsLink December exhibit.
The exhibit, scheduled for 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6, at the Francis
Creative Arts Center, will again feature Nativity scenes from
around the world. It will be followed at 3 p.m. by a self-guided
tour of five magnificent homes that capture the style of today and
yesterday. Four are classic Victorian homes in downtown New
Martinsville and one is a modern architectural gem in Beechwood
Estates east of New Martinsville.
The Beechwood Estates home belongs to John Charles and Trish
Mensore. The Victorian homes include the Magnolia House B & B,
the McEldowney house owned by Betsy Chandler and the Charles
Shepard home, all on Maple Avenue, and the home of Harry and Fran
Caldwell on Eliza Street, the only brick street left in the
city.
Advanced tickets for the tour, which will run from 3-6 p.m., may be
purchased from Occasions Gifts on Main Street, Off the Wall on
Third and Monroe, or from Fran Caldwell at 455-5092. Tickets are
$10 each and may also be purchased at the Francis Center on the day
of the tour. Visitors may view the Nativity exhibit, enjoy light
refreshments and head out on the tour. The Mensore home was one of the first homes built in the
Beechwood Estates development. This Georgian Colonial-style home
was custom built for George and Carol Couch. The Caldwell home on
Eliza Street was built at the turn of the century for an oil and
gas man. The Ingram Myers family bought it a few years later and
lived there until their children left the nest. The Caldwells
purchased their Victorian home in 1971. It has six fireplaces with
the original tile and mantels. The original woodwork remains except
for the floors, which were replaced after the 1936 flood. One of the oldest homes in New Martinsville is the
McEldowney house, located at 667 Maple Avenue, The original
McEldowney house was a log cabin out of the flood zone where the
McEldowney family would escape when flood waters invaded their
riverfront home. Around 1850 they moved into the house permanently.
The dining room and kitchen were added around 1880 and the side
porch and bedroom above were added in the early 1930s. Robert E.
and Elizabeth G. McEldowney, grandparents of the current owner,
Betsy Chandler, were living in “the big house” in the location of
the current Magnolia High School until 1910, when they moved into
the 667 residence.
The Magnolia House Bed and Breakfast is currently owned by Jerry
and Joan Adkins, the fifth owners of the house. It was built in
1903 for Edward Samuel and Elizabeth Umstead Duerr, who lived in it
until their deaths in the 1950s. It was bought by local contractor
John Burlingame, who made extensive renovations with the goal of
making it “the showplace of New Martinsville.” In the 1970s, it was
bought by local businessman Robert Corace, an avid tree fancier who
is responsible for the various types of trees on the property. In
2000, it became a bed and breakfast after more renovations by owner
Susan Strausser and it continues in that form today.
The Shepard home was built around 1901 by an oil man known as
Fishel. The three-story house has 4,000 square feet with a large
center hall and a four-flight staircase to the large open room on
the third floor. Two sections of a stained glass window in the
stairwell are visible from the rear and there is ornate woodwork
throughout.
The Shepards purchased the home from Charles and Edith
Coogle, whose family owned and operated the New Martinsville
Supply, an oil well supply company. Many old-timers still refer to
the property as the “Coogle House.” Proceeds from the event benefit ArtsLink activities,
including concerts, exhibits, classes, and many free school
activities. While the homes tour is not necessarily universally
accessible, the Francis Center is. Persons with special needs may
contact Donna Earley, administrative coordinator, at 304-455-2278
for assistance.
|

|
What color will
you choose for
your socks? |
Betty Tustin, local fiber artist, will be
teaching 2 knitting classes for ArtsLink this fall. The classes
will be held at the Francis Creative Arts Center, at the corner of
Maple Avenue and Washington Street, in New Martinsville. Beginning Knitting will be taught on
Thursdays, beginning on October 22 and continuing for the next
three Thursdays: October 29, November 5 and November 12. Classes
will begin at 10am and last for approximately 2 hours. The fee for
this class is $30 with students providing their own materials. A
materials list is available by calling
304-455-2278 or
e-mailing
artslink@artslinkwv.org. Students may enroll by sending a
check for the class fee to ArtsLink, C/O WVNCC, 141 Main Street,
New Martinsville, WV
26155. Class size is
limited, so enroll now. “Socks” is the theme of the second class, to
be held at the Francis Center on Thursdays – October 22 and 29 and
November 5 and 12 – at 1:00 and lasting for about 2 hours. Students
interested in this class should already be able to knit and purl.
The cost for this class, including supplies, is $42.60. Again,
students may enroll by sending a check for the class fee to
ArtsLink, C/O WVNCC, 141 Main Street, New Martinsville, WV
26155. Class size is
limited for this class, as well. Classes will be taught by Betty Tustin, local
fiber art teacher with many years experience teaching in the public
school system. She has devoted her time to working with
fibersand teaching fiber art classes since her
retirement in 1989 from public schools. She is agraduate of Salem International College with
64 hours earned at Fort New Salem in Appalachian Studies. Fran
Caldwell, ArtsLink president invites, “Come join Betty in a fun
& educational class. The skill of knitting will be a life long
talent that you can pass on.” The classes are sponsored by
ArtsLink, an organization whose mission is to promote the arts in
Tyler & Wetzel Counties. Please call Donna Earley, at the ArtsLink
office at
304-455-2278 for
further information. Enrollment in these classes is NOT insured
until the class fee is received at the ArtsLink office. The Francis
Creative Arts Center is universally accessible. When you enroll in
these classes you are supporting ArtsLink! |
ArtsLink Will
Offer Sewing
and Pottery
Classes in
October! | 
|
ArtsLink will offer a beginning sewing class
for those who would like to know how to hem, sew on a button, learn
how to place a pattern on fabric, and make an apron using your
machine. Each student will need to bring a sewing machine
with them to the second class and the instruction book for that
machine (if you have the booklet), pins, scissors, and item of
clothing that needs to be hemmed or a pair of pants that you can
hem again. The class will meet once a week for 5 weeks
beginning on Tuesday, October 6, from 6-8 pm. Cost of the
class for instruction will be $35 and Cindy Moore will be the
instructor. Pat Ordile will be teaching a Basic Hand
Building pottery class lasting 4 weeks starting on Monday, October
5, from 6-8 pm. The total cost for the class, including materials
is $65. All classes will meet at the Francis Creative
Arts Center, corner of Maple Avenue and Washington Street, in New
Martinsville. Class size is limited, and payment must be received
in advance. To enroll in any of these classes, send a check to
ArtsLink, C/O WVNCC, 141 Main Street, New Martinsville, WV
26155. For further information, please contact the ArtsLink
office at 304-455-2278. |
Two winning entries in ArtsLink’s
recent juried art show include
this “Sculpture of St. John” by Patrick McGuane and
“Medicine Pipe Carrier” by Dana Hall. |
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ArtsLink, the arts council for Wetzel
and Tyler counties, held its first juried art show in September,
and it was such a success that board members are already discussing
a second show for 2010.
The show, held at the
Francis Creative Arts Center in New Martinsville, was judged by
Brad Johnson, Director of Exhibitions at Oglebay Institute and
Director of Classes at the Stifel Fine Arts Center.
Mr. Johnson stated
that the show was difficult to judge because of the many pieces—53
in all—and because all of the artists had mastered their media.
After seeing the
quality of the pieces submitted, Mr. Johnson expressed surprise
that this was the council’s first show. Dana Hall of St. Mary’s submitted the
first place painting entitled “Medicine Pipe Carrier”, and
Friendly, West Virginia’s Debbie Anderson placed second in that
category with her creation “Midnight Moonlight”.
Fran Caldwell and
Yvonne Beaver placed first and second respectively in the “3-D”
category.
“Fiber Arts” winners
included Betty Tustin of Middlebourne who wove a table runner, and
Norene Ewers who created a Crazy Quilt. A “Sculpture of
St. John” by Patrick
McGuane from Reader was named “Best of Show” and a pastel by Hilda
Steen received a merit award. ArtsLink is pleased to showcase the
works of local artists and looks forward to additional
opportunities to do so.
ArtsLink is committed
to providing universal accessibility wherever possible.
Persons with special
needs may contact us at 304-455-2ART (304-455-2278) to request
assistance. |
Chatham Baroque
will perform at
2:00 pm on Sunday,
October 25 |
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The second concert of the annual
ArtsLink series will be presented at 2:00 pm on Sunday, October 25,
at the beautiful historic Durham Mansion in Sistersville, WV.
Concert goers will enjoy a performance by Chatham Baroque, a
talented string trio which was named “1999 Breakthrough Artist of
the Year” by National Public Radio.
This musical trio, western
Pennsylvania’s only Baroque ensemble, promises to deliver a
charming, vibrant performance in the equally charming mansion
setting. The baroque violin virtuosity, the rich fluid lines
of the viola de gamba, and the allure of the baroque guitar
transport audiences from the palaces of Peru to the court of Louis
XIV. Musical selections range from those of Baroque London to
works by Vivaldi and Purcell. In addition to the Sunday
performance, the trio will entertain the students and staff at
Sistersville Elementary School on Monday, October 26. Tickets
for the Sunday concert are available at the door, and the doors
will open at 1p.m. Tickets are $10 for members and $15 for
non-members. Family tickets are $20 and $25
respectively. This
performance would not be possible without the collaboration between
ArtsLink and the Tyler Revitalization Committee, which is serving
as sponsor for the concert. Many members of both groups share
the same goals and anticipate additional activities to promote a
better quality of life in the Wetzel-Tyler area. Additional
financial assistance comes from the West Virginia Division of
Culture and History and the National Endowment for the Arts, with
approval from the West Virginia Commission on the Arts.
The program is partially supported by a grant from
Pennsylvania Performing Arts on Tour, a program
developed and funded by The Heinz Endowments; the William
Penn Foundation; the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, a state
agency; and The Pew Charitable Trusts; and administered by Mid Atlantic
Arts Foundation. ArtsLink
is committed to providing universal accessibility whenever
possible. Persons with special needs may contact Donna Earley
at 304-455-2278.
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The
Mountain
Valley
Corn
Pickers |
The second in ArtsLink’s August Coffehouse
Series on Thursday, August 13, was the "MOUNTAIN VALLEY CORN
PICKERS". The group was established many moons ago by Tom and
TG Gray. This father and son duo digs down to the roots of great
music. According to Tom, “We pick and grin to the sounds of
Johnny Cash, the Allman Brothers, Grampa Jones, and Eric Clapton.
We also play original pieces which reflect songs on helping
save our environment. Our main goal is to play music, recycle
and have fun.”
The event began at 7:00, at the Francis Creative
Arts Center, which is located at the corner of Maple Avenue and
Washington Street in New Martinsville. Light refreshments
were provided. The Coffeehouse Series is sponsored by
Don Riggenbach, of Riggenbach Tile and Carpet, and his wife,
Jackie. |
Gary Eller,
formerly
of Proctor,
opened the
ArtsLink
Coffeehouse
Series. |
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|
ArtsLink presented
the annual August Coffeehouse Series. This year, the free
event is sponsored by Don Riggenbach, of Riggenbach Tile and
Carpet, and his wife, Jackie. “This year’s line-up features
some very exciting local talent. And Gary Eller returned from
the West to kick off the month on Thursday, August 6, and
entertained us with a program entitled ‘Early Songs of Northern West Virginia and the
Upper Ohio Valley’," according to Betty Tustin, the Projects
Chairperson for ArtsLink. August 13 will be Tom and TG Gray and the
Mountain Valley Corn Pickers. Carman Harman will be providing
a Karaoke event on August 20. Everyone’s invited to come out
and sing! Rounding out the month will be a return engagement
by John Shreve of Sardis.
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The final concert in the ArtsLink
2008-2008 concert series featured the Phoenix Jazz Project at
2 p.m. April 19 at Magnolia High School. “
Pianist
Tom Glovier and the
Phoenix Jazz
Project never seem to run out of good ideas, “ proclaimed
the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. “The group can do jazz classics such
as "Kind of Blue." But it also can present songs flavored by bebop
or contemporary bands. Or it might even do a song from "The Wizard
of Oz." The group's work also is enlivened by Glovier's wife,
Jessie, whose soprano voice sometimes sinks into a husky
sound. Leader Curtis Johnson
is a retired associate professor of music at West Virginia
University, Johnson was on the WVU faculty for 20 years. He is
currently an adjunct faculty member at Slippery Rock University and
West Liberty State College.
“We were really fortunate to be able to close
out our concert series with a class act like the Phoenix Jazz
Project,” Fran Caldwell, ArtsLink president, said. “Their treatment
of old standards and original works are designed to have their
audiences leaving the concert feeling mellow.” Major funding
for the concert series was made possible with financial
assistance from the West Virginia Division of Culture and History
and the National Endowment for the Arts, with approval from the
West Virginia Commission on the Arts.
|
ArtsLink Offered Pottery
Classes
|
ArtsLink offered a pottery class at theFrancis Creative Arts Center beginning on
Thursday, July 9 at 5:30 and continuing on each Thursday throughout
July.
The cost for the class
was $45 and included all materials for the projects of all four
sessions. Participants
worked on three different projects based on three basic
hand-building techniques: Pinch, Coil and Slab.
The first session will
focus on learning how to mold the clay using the pinch
technique. Instructor for this course was Pat
Ordile. |
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The Meistersingers, pictured
here,
will be one of the musical groups
featured at this year’s
Arts In The Park celebration |
ARTS IN
THE PARK, JULY 4TH |
Mark your calendars now to
plan to attend the annual Arts in the Park Festival at Bruce Park
in New Martinsville on Saturday, July 4.
Thisevent, sponsored
by the New Martinsville Parks and Recreation Department, the Monroe
Artists Guild and ArtsLink, will feature arts and crafts
demonstrations, exhibits by area residents, musical entertainment,
the Wayward Players, lots of games and face painting, and free
refreshments.
Uncle Sam will serve
as Master of Ceremonies for the festival, which will begin at 1p.m
and continue until 5 p.m. This festival is supported in
part by the Ohio River Border Initiative, a joint project of the
Ohio Arts Council and the West Virginia Commission of the Arts.
ArtsLink is committed
to providing universal accessibility wherever possible.
Persons with special
needs may contact ArtsLink at
304-455-2278.
For more information
concerning the festival, please contact Barbara Vincent at
304-652-2939. |
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The hand-hooked rug “Stone House”
was created by L. Lee Eddy
of Friendly, WV and was featured in Rug Hooking Magazine,
a national publication, in August 2008. |
The monthly exhibit sponsored by ArtsLink, the arts
council for Wetzel and Tyler counties, featured the work of
Tyler County resident L. Lee Eddy on Sunday, June 7, from 2 until 4
pm at the Francis Creative Arts Center in New Martinsville.
Mrs. Eddy is skilled in the art of rug hooking and
had one of her creations featured in Rug Hooking Magazine’s
Celebration of Hand Hooked Rugs XVIII in August of 2008.
That rug, depicting a stone house, was actually created from a
pastel drawing that had been a gift to her mother from a relative
in England. |
Thistledew Farms Exhibit
at Art Center on May 3rd |
The monthly exhibit sponsored by
ArtsLink, the arts council for Wetzel and Tyler
counties, appealed to individuals of all ages.
On Sunday, May 3,
between the hours of 2 and 4 pm, items from locally owned
Thistledew Farms were on display at the Francis Creative Arts
Center at the corner of Maple and Washington Avenues in New
Martinsville.
Steve and Ellie
Conlon, owners of the business, showed a variety of objects
ranging from decorative candles and handmade items to wooden folk
toys crafted by local men and women.
Thistledew Farms has
exhibited at fairs and festivals throughout the tri-state area, and
their products are sold internationally. ArtsLink is committed to providing universal
accessibility wherever possible.
Persons with special
needs may contact Donna Earley at 304-455-2ART (304-455-2278) to
request assistance.
|
ART EXHIBIT SET
Hillary Feldmeier was April’s featured artist
for ArtsLink’s monthly exhibit at the
Francis Creative ArtsCenter.
Maple & Washington Ave., New Martinsville
Sunday, April 5 from 2-4 pm
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The Big Read a big success in ArtsLink
territory !! |
Beulah Talkington gives a
demonstration of items that might be used to hunt in the wilds of
Alaska. She also talked about the wolf cub raised by her
son. | 
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Sonya Haught, left, is presented with a
certificate noting that 100 percent of the residents of Wick read
“The Call of the Wild” by Betty Tustin, Big Read Co-chair. |
The Jim Rice family look over “The Call of the
Wild.” AAA Homes was one of the sponsors of the project. |
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|
Barb’s Restaurant in Middlebourne was the
site of a book discussion group that read “The Big Read.” |
The Paden City Library Big Read
discussion group was inspired to begin meeting monthly
to discuss other books. |
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| Jessie Coleman of Proctor
brought her wire haired terrier to “Dog Paws,” one of the
Big Read events. |
Co-chairs Marianne Hughes and Betty Tustin reported
that the months of January and February found TBR committee members
distributing copies of
The Call of the Wild
and its companion Reader’s Guide, furnished by the National
Endowment for the Arts, all across Wetzel and Tyler Counties in
spite of frequent inclement weather.
Betty Tustin
organized readings and book discussions at a number of locations in
Tyler County, including The Jug, Barb’s Restaurant, and the
Meadville Mall.
Tina Neil coordinated
the efforts in Wetzel County, scheduling book discussions at The
Bookstore, New Martinsville Library, and the library at West
Virginia Northern Community College.
Paden City Library
also hosted a book discussion, and is making plans to do more on a
regular basis.
Raffle tickets were
given to participants at every event.
The kickoff event on January 25 at WVNCC was well attended.
Presentations by Dr.
Terry Craig, introduction of the NFL’s John Thornton of the
Cincinnati Bengals, Reader’s Theater, Ellen Pope’s Iditarod
stories, and Beulah Talkington’s presentation on life in the wild
delighted the audience.
Tasty snacks were
provided by Occasions.
The Big Read Finale was held at the Meadville Mall near Wick in
Tyler County on February 28.
Sonya Haught, owner
of the Meadville Mall, was presented with a Certificate of
Accomplishment for the communities of Meadville and Wick which
pledged 100% participation in The Big Read.
Beulah Talkington
repeated a section of her presentation on life in the wild,
followed by Liz Hartman’s presentation on Alaska, including the
training of sled dogs.
Those who attended
were treated to Klondike ice cream bars and hot chocolate.
The raffle tickets
were drawn for prizes which included backpacks, a genuine “Buck”
knife donated by Talkington’s Gun Shop, gift certificates donated
by The Bookstore, and an ArtsLink family membership.
“Many thanks to all who contributed and participated in any way,”
Hughes said. “The community response was wonderful.”
The Big Read is an initiative of the National Endowment for the
Arts in partnership with the Institute of Museum and Library
Services and Arts Midwest. Local sponsors were AAA Homes, New
Martinsville Rotary Club, Wetzel-Tyler Volunteers for Better
Reading, Radio Station WETZ/WAJR, and the Community Foundation of
the Ohio Valley. |
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The
beautiful stained glass windows in the Middlebourne United
Methodist Church
will serve as the
back drop for the Ferla-Marcinizyn Guitar Duo at 2:00 pm on Sunday,
March 8. The church is located on East Street in
Middlebourne. The concert, part of the ArtsLink ’08-’09
Concert Series, features John Marcinizyn and James Ferla playing
diverse musical styles dating from the Renaissance to jazz.
In addition to
performing in many
community concerts,
the duo has
performed for all
ages at schools, museums, clubs, and festivals.
They have recorded
five CDs including Kaleidoscipe, which features five centuries of
guitar music. Admission to the
concert is as follows:
ArtsLink Members--$10
per individual, $20 per family;
non-members--$15 per
individual and $25 per family.
A family is defined
as a couple and their children under the age of 18.
This event
is sponsored locally by the Wetzel County Hospital.
It is also partially
supported by a grant from Pennsylvania Performing Arts on Tour, a
program developed and funded by the Heinz Endowments; the William
Penn Foundation; the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, a state
agency; and the Pew Charitable Trusts; and administered by Mid
Atlantic Arts Foundation.
Financial assistance
from the West Virginia Division of Culture and History and the
National Endowment for the Arts, with approval from the West
Virginia Commission on the Arts also makes the performance
possible. Additional local support provided by West Virginia
Northern Community College, The Plaza Inn,
and W E T Z / W Y M J
Radio. ArtsLink is
committed to providing universal accessibility wherever possible.
Persons with special
needs may call
304-455-2278 to
request assistance. |
Join Betty Tustin on Thursdays,
March 5, 12, 19,
and 26, from 10 am - 12 pm
to learn basic knitting techniques.
Student fee $20, limit 10.
On the same days, from 1 - 3 pm,
learn basic felting techniques.
Student fee $30, limit 10, all materials supplied.
|
"BROWN BAG"
Flower Arranging Demonstration |
Pack a lunch, bring
a friend, and learn to arrange those blossoms that will soon be
flourishing in your flower gardens!
The second of several
“Brown Bag Lunches” sponsored by ArtsLink, the arts council for
Wetzel and Tyler counties, will be held from noon until 1pm on
Thursday, March 19 at the Francis Creative Arts Center in New
Martinsville.
Individuals who attend will
enjoy a flower arranging demonstration by Brian Feldmeier, owner of
Occasions on Main Street in New Martinsville. The
demonstration will include a “hands-on” time for all who wish to
try their hands at the art.
All
activities at the Francis Creative Arts Center are universally
accessible.
Persons with special
needs may contact Donna Earley, ArtsLink program coordinator at
304-455-2278.
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Barbara Thomaselli
showed an example
of paper marbling. |
The
public joined us at the Francis Creative Arts Center at 12
noon on Tuesday, February 24 for lunch and a demonstration of paper
marbling.
Lunch included
tortellini salad, soup, foccacia bread, jello salad, and beverage
and lasted until 1:00.
Barbara
Thomaselli demonstrated paper marbling and its uses.
This wa the first in a monthly series of lunches and upcoming
demonstrations that will include flower arranging and
quilting.
Lunch for February is
$5 per person.
|
Lisa Yvonne Ferraro
headlined this year’s Valentine’s
Concert and Gourmet Dessert
Smorgasbord event,
presented byArtsLink
at the PPG McKenna Pavilion
in Proctor. |
|
The much-anticipated ArtsLink Valentine’s Day concert was
held, appropriately, on Valentine’s Day. Set for 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, February 14, at the PPG McKenna Pavilion in Proctor, the
event again featured a smorgasbord of gourmet desserts.
J. C. Mensore Distributor, Inc. and PPG Industries were the local
co-sponsors for this event. The staff at
Occasions provided the décor. As in past years, this concert featured
a premier jazz vocalist, Lisa Yvonne Ferraro. According to
ArtsLink board member Barbara Thomaselli, “Lisa is a phenomenal
jazz performer. Her recent performance at the Stifel Center
in Wheeling was incredible. Ferraro is also a talented
songwriter. She debuted some of her original music with
Marvin Hamlisch at Heinz Hall and composed music for “The Other
Side of the River” which aired on PBS
“The Healing Power of Music” workshop preceded the concert at
6:30 p.m. and was offered at no additional charge to those
attending the concert.
Financial support for this project was provided by ArtsLink, W
E T Z / W Y M J Radio, the West Virginia Division of Culture and
History, with funding from the West Virginia Commission on the
Arts. Additional funding from
Pennsylvania Performing
Arts on Tour, a program developed and funded by The Heinz
Endowments; the William Penn Foundation; the Pennsylvania Council
on the Arts; and The Pew Charitable Trusts; and administered by Mid
Atlantic Arts Foundation. |
|
FRAN CALDWELL ELECTED PRESIDENT
OF ARTSLINK
|
A former president is expected to be selected to
lead ArtsLink, the arts council of Wetzel and Tyler Counties,
following the annual membership meeting scheduled for 7 p.m.
Monday, Jan. 26, 2009. Fran Caldwell, who
launched the Sunday afternoon art exhibits during her earlier term
as president, has agreed to succeed retiring president Eric
Vincent. Others nominated for office include Barbara Thomaselli of
Middlebourne, vice president; Patricia Block, secretary, and Larry
Tackett, treasurer.
Board members Fran Caldwell, Harry Caldwell, Ralph Strippel and
Eric Vincent have been nominated for reelection to the board.
Nominations will also be accepted from the floor. |
The Annual Valentine's
Day concert was held Valentine’s Day February 14, at 7:30 p.m.
at the PPG McKenna Pavilion in Proctor.
The event featured jazz vocalist,
Lisa Yvonne Ferraro and a
smorgasbord of gourmet desserts.
|
| “Boy Fishing in a
Bayou”
by Al Everett,
from the collection
of Donna Earley |
The February 1 exhibit at ArtsLink’s Francis
Creative Arts Center featured art works from the personal
collections of Paden City residents David McCartney, Colleen
McCartney and Donna Earley. Light refreshments were
served. Works presented from David McCartney’s collection
included three pieces by sculptor Art Wells’ series Eight Days of
the Week; a self-portrait by Greta (Kristen) Haught, formerly of
Reader, WV; and a miniature Chinese reverse painting of 1954
Chevrolet painted inside a perfume bottle. Pottery from Colleen McCartney’s collection
included two pots thrown by Greta Haught and one thrown by
well-known Albuquerque potter, Rose Williams, a Navajo Indian woman
in her 90’s. Williams makes her pots in a brush shelter,
fires them in a cast iron kiln, and uses a finish made of tree
resin. Included in Donna Earley’s collection were works by
New Orleans artists, including photographs by Jack Beech and Louis
Sahuc, paintings by Paul Samson and Al Everett and Mardi Gras
prints by Danny Resnick.
|
 | ArtsLink is committed to providing universal
accessibility
wherever possible. Accessible seating is available for
all
events. Persons with special needs may contact
us at
304-455-2278 to
request assistance. |
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