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Welcome to Artist Alley,
Washington County Arts Council's electronic newsletter. We hope this publication will engage you with the arts in your community.
WCAC welcomes your ideas and support as it continues to take the lead in bringing together the community's art organizations to strengthen our region's arts culture.
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Happy Juneteenth Brothers and Sisters!
The Socially Conscious Americans understand what this date means to descendants of the enslaved and the descendants of those who fought and died as abolitionists, raiders, and soldiers for freedom.
The Doleman Black Heritage Museum is sad that we've had to postpone Hagerstown's 2020 Inaugural Juneteenth Celebration until June 18-19, 2021. However, with the lineup of contributors for next year, it promises to be a "Culturally Inclusive" event that makes the ancestors proud.
Alesia Parson McBean
The Doleman Black Heritage Museum
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2020 Photo Marathon
Call for Photographers
Deadline: June 20, 2020 @ 10PM*
Rain Date: June 21, 2020@ 10AM
*Please note: This is NOT a postmark deadline!
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2020 Washington Goes Purple
Call for Artists
The Washington County Arts Council, Inc. (WCAC) and Washington Goes Purple invite local artists working in any medium to submit their art for a September 2020 exhibit, âPurple - the Color of Recovery.â The juried community art exhibit will be on display virtually and in the gallery from August 27, 2020 through September 29, 2020. âPurple - the Color of Recovery,â while recognizing the impact of the opioid epidemic, celebrates recovery and the hope that we will heal as a community.â
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Washington County Arts Council Accepting Grant Applications for 2020-2021
Awards are made possible through the Maryland State Arts Councilâs Community Arts Development program which âprovides funds and technical assistance to the local arts councils of the 23 counties of Maryland and Baltimore City. The purposes of the program are to better serve artists, arts organizations and audiences throughout the State and to encourage local decision-making, arts activity and funding for the arts at the local level.â To be eligible, organizations
must be organized as a charitable purpose.
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Arts-related Events & Social Gathering FAQ's
Including cultural gatherings and outdoor festivals
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Photo courtesy of Highlandtown Arts & Entertainment District
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Click the banner below for
FAQs
regarding community, recreational, leisure, cultural and sporting gatherings and events.
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2020 Summer Arts Academy â
Virtual Descriptions
The BISFA Foundation looks forward to having students join the VIRTUAL Summer Arts Academy!
Although the 2020 Summer Arts Academy will be held online, students will still receive an extensive learning experience with expert instructors and master classes, and the necessary supplies provided by the Foundation. Same amazing experience ⊠in a safe, virtual setting (Dance will be held at Ballet & All That Jazz â more info below)
Since our academies will be hosted online, participants must have access to
a reliable internet connection.
If you have any questions or concerns, please call the Foundation office at 240-347-4934.
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Instructor Andrea Masciocchi
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Dance Academy
This program is designed to give students the opportunity to study a wide range of dance styles. The diverse styles of dance will include jazz, hip-hop, modern, ballet, lyrical, improvisation and composition. On the first day of class, students will be evaluated and placed in the appropriate level of study.
PLEASE NOTE: At this time, we anticipate being able to host the Dance Academy indoors at
Ballet & All That Jazz
, located at
18703 Crestwood Drive in Hagerstown
. Class size is limited to 10 students per class (two classes). For safety reasons, masks are encouraged, and proper social distancing / hygiene practices will be expected from all attendees. If COVID protocol prevents us from hosting the academy indoors, it will be cancelled, and a full refund will be issued.
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Instructor Bailey Hovermale
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Exploring Virtual Theatre: An Acting Workshop
This virtual workshop, led by Bailey Hovermale and held through the Barbara Ingram School for the Arts Foundation, will focus on acting, spoken voice, and movement, concluding with a virtual performance over Zoom. In these uncertain times, many artists are using Zoom to continue creating and performing. This workshop intends to explore acting through this virtual medium, spark curiosity about theatre, and inspire students to think creatively. There will be many creative games and exercises to learn from, as well as monologue work and rehearsal for a virtual performance. For rising 5th graders through rising 9th graders â no previous theatre training required. Come as you are!
Required:
Access to computer with Fi-Fi and Zoom capabilities. Students should dress comfortably in clothes that do not restrict movement.
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Instructor Elizabeth Anderson
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Beginner Piano Academy: Parent-Child
This Academy is designed for beginner parent/child duos who are interested in learning the piano together. Students must know how to read basic notes. Music will be provided.
Required: Access to a piano at home.
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Creative Writing Academy
The Creative Writing Academy is designed to give beginning writers an introduction to the conventions of effective creative writing. Taught by BISFA graduates, students will learn how to craft impacting poetry and fiction and have fun doing it! Using a number of different stimulating writing prompts and activities, this academy will provide young writers with the start of a writing portfolio and open their eyes to the power of words.
This academy will culminate with a public reading of student work (if student is comfortable sharing.) We will record student readings via Zoom and share recordings with parents.
No writing experience necessary â just sign in with your creativity and a sharpened pencil!
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Instructor Mark Youngblood
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Through the Mobile Lens: Photography Academy
Since we are going virtual, it is the perfect time to learn more about photography with everyoneâs favorite piece of technology ⊠their mobile phone! During the week, we will discuss and experiment with settings to ensure your photos turn out picture perfect. Students will also learn the history of photography, composition in photography, and discuss free apps to use for photo editing.
While this course would typically be open to rising grades 8-10, this year we are opening the Photography Academy to adults as well! If there is enough interest, we will split into two classes â one for students, one for adults.
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Playwriting with a Punch Academy
Students will study the craft of playwriting, write a play and see their own âaction scenesâ filmed by a professional stunt coordinator.
During the four-day workshop, you will learn what goes into writing a play and write your own short play under the direction of Ms. Stein, professional playwright, and current acting teacher at Barbara Ingram. You will learn about âactionâ and the physical techniques that go into stunt work. You will watch a special presentation by acclaimed Stunt Coordinator, Rick Kain to get ideas for stunts and action scenes to put into the play you write. The workshop will conclude with Rick Kain demonstrating some of the action sequences you have written.
The workshop will be taught through Zoom. You will attend a morning session each day where Ms. Stein will instruct you on the details of playwriting and work with you as a group on your ideas. There will be an extended break for lunch when students will work independently based on assignments from Ms. Stein. After the lunch/work break, the workshop will resume on Zoom for an afternoon discussion and review of the daysâ assignment.
At the conclusion of the workshop, the new plays each student have written will be compiled into a final booklet to be distributed to each ânew playwrightâ.
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Instructor Elizabeth Anderson
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Vocal Academy
The Vocal Academy
provides students with experience in all facets of the vocal art. Singers will have the opportunity to study with Barbara Ingram Vocal Faculty with special master class instruction. In an effort to create an authentic Barbara Ingram experience, students will receive instruction in music theory, audition preparation, and other electives. Students should come to class with one solo selection learned. Music will be provided.
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Cardboard Sculpting Academy
Students will be creating a sculpture out of an abundant âfound materialâ called cardboard. Students will explore the variety of forms and textures this simple material has to offer. The subject matter will focus on everyday objects. We will be seeking the âmagic/beauty in the mundane,â while exploring their talents. Supplies will be provided.
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Band Academy
Each day students will be involved in working on the fundamentals of music making which include body posture, hand position, instrument position, embouchure position, tone production, intonation (both individually and as an ensemble member) and facility. In addition to these basic and advanced techniques, students will be using the computer program Smartmusic, to help them with scales, exercises, sight reading, and improvisation. Using Notation Pad, students will be able to write and arrange music for their instrument, or other instruments. There are other music programs on their iPad that will be introduced for exploration with their musical journey after âBand Academyâ class has ended for the day. Finally, students will be watching YouTube videos of performances by various soloists or ensembles that play their instrument to guide and inspire them. Music will be provided. Reliable Wi-Fi/internet required.
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Guitar Academy
This Academy is for beginning to intermediate guitar students wishing to gain or grow their guitar skills. Students will learn the fundamentals of guitar such as tuning, technique, chords, and melodic playing in a variety of styles. If new to the guitar, it is strongly recommended that students enter the class with at least one year of musical study on another instrument. Music will be provided.
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Instructor Melissa Mackley
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Piano Academy
This Academy is designed for students who have had at least two years of traditional piano study. Join us for this fun week related to all things piano. Our intent is to maintain interest, stimulate imagination, and provide attainable challenges for piano students. Students should be proficient with basic music reading skills. Activities include music and movement, repertoire; master classes, piano technique, sight reading ear training, and effective practice strategies. Music will be provided.
Required: Access to a piano at home without distraction, access to two devices simultaneously, earbuds, and a USB microphone (optional, for optimum sound quality).
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Visual Arts Academy
The Visual Arts Academy is intended to allow students to explore various mediums and techniques in drawing, painting, and collage. Emphasis will be placed on individual creative expression. Students will also explore the use of the principles and elements of design while learning to create a portfolio. The first project is a sketchbook to plan and prep for the rest of the week. Supplies will be provided.
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We have our whole summer of Free Weekly for Summer Zoom Sessions planned!
Digital Summer Camps up and ready for registration! Each camp week includes a daily 30-minute Zoom Live with our childcare licensed teachers, a hands-on materials kits (delivered or picked up at one of the pick-up sites), and access to our online learning site for additional weekly activities outside the Zoom live time. The first week starts June 15th, no camp the week of June 29th to July 3rd, last camp week begins August 17th. Cost (materials kit included) is $20/child per week, $25 for two children in a family per week, $35 for a family of three or more per week.
Early Learners (PreK-2nd grade-ages 4-7 years old)
11:30am to noon EST
Elementary Learners (3rd-5th grade-ages 8-to 11 years old)
1:30pm to 2pm EST
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Creative Conversations: Lunchtime Edition
for Independent Artists
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Grab your lunch, login, listen and learn! MSAC Program Directors Emily Sollenberger and Laura Weiss are hosting a series of online gatherings for independent artists to connect with creative, discipline-specific, community members in a small group setting. These hour-long lunchtime sessions are an âoff the recordâ time to share with peers where you are at in your current work, what you are excited about, and what challenges you may be facing.
Registration is required (maximum of 20 participants per session); meetings will be held through Google Meet.
Performing Artists
Monday, June 22 at 12 noon
Hosted by Laura Weiss
Visual Artists
Tuesday, June 23 at 12 noon
Hosted by Emily Sollenberger
Literary Artists
Thursday, June 25 at 12 noon
Hosted by Laura Weiss
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Reminder: 2021 Independent Artist Awards Application Now Open
MSACâs Independent Artist Awards (IAAs) recognize achievement by Maryland artists making work independent of an institution or organization. The awards are accompanied by grants of $2,000, $10,000, and $15,000 that encourage artistic growth and sustained practice.
2021 IAAs will recognize artists in the Visual/Media Arts
.
For further details, including dates for upcoming Information Sessions, please visit our website
here
.
IAA Deadline: Friday, July 24, 2020 at 11:59 p.m.
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Well, we aren't reopened quite yet!
MAMMA MIA!
hits our
DINNER & SHOW
stage
Friday July 24th through Sunday August 9th ONLY!
Limited Seating - Socially Distanced Dining and Food Service
*Our telephone box office remains closed. For tickets, click
GET TICKETS
MAMMA MIA! - Socially Distanced Seating
Jul 24, 2020 - Aug 09, 2020
Washington County Playhouse Dinner Theater, Hagerstown, MD
ABBA's hits tell the hilarious story of a young woman's search for her birth father. This sunny and funny tale unfolds on a Greek island paradise. On the eve of her wedding, a daughter's quest to discover the identity of her father brings three men from her mother's past back to the island they last visited 20 years ago.
- Exposure to COVID-19 is an inherent risk in any public location where people are present; we cannot guarantee you will not be exposed during your visit.
- ALL SALES ARE FINAL. THERE ARE NO CANCELLATIONS, REFUNDS, OR EXCHANGES. IF A PERFORMANCE IS CANCELLED OR POSTPONED DUE TO COVID-19 OR ANOTHER REASON, WE WILL RESCHEDULE YOU FOR A FUTURE PERFORMANCE.
- Ticket price includes Dinner & Show and coffee, tea, and iced tea. Bar tab and gratuity are not included.
- CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF 5 WILL NOT BE ADMITTED TO MAINSTAGE PRODUCTIONS.
- Tickets subject to a $3.75 Ticketing Operations Fee
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The Augustoberfest Charitable Foundation has been closely monitoring all COVID-19 communications, and Maryland Phase progressions. At this time with the state just recently entering into Phase 2, and no projection of when festivals without social distancing will be allowed, we sadly are unable to host the event this year.
As this is going to be Augustoberfestâs 25th Anniversary, we want to ensure our guests will have the biggest and best Authentic German Festival on the East Coast. Our 25th Anniversary weekend will be August 21st and 22nd, 2021.
The committee will continue to be hard at work and will provide updates on a regular basis. Your health and safety are always of our utmost concern, so please take care, stay safe and blessed!

Fondly looking towards 2021,
Your Augustoberfest Committee Members
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Call for Responses -
Maryland Traditions Rebranding
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From left: Dancer E. Keith Colston (Tuscarora/Lumbee), jazz musicians Gary Bartz and Todd Marcus, and Beijing opera performer Sarah Xie outside the Creative Alliance at the Patterson in Baltimore City. Photo by Edwin Remsberg Photographs.
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The Maryland State Arts Council (MSAC) is seeking opinions from Maryland residents on whether to retain or change the name of the Maryland Traditions program. Please cast your vote for either âMaryland Traditionsâ or âMaryland Folklifeâ by completing
this survey
no later than Wednesday, June 24.
The results of the survey will not affect the program's mission to identify, document, support, and present community-based living cultural traditions handed down by example or word of mouth. Its grant programs and support of public programming will continue. A current overview of the program can be found
here
.
MSAC began supporting folklife in 1974 with the Maryland Folklife Program. That program was rebranded in 2001 as Maryland Traditions, which has existed up to the present. Over the years, MSAC has raised the profile of Marylandâs living cultural traditions through grantmaking, festivals, fieldwork, archiving, and other activities. The current rebranding discussion is an effort to align the title of the program with the work it does, as well as with the titles of other MSAC programs.
The Maryland State Arts Council
is accessible to all patrons. Guests with accessibility questions or who require additional assistance may call 410.767.6476 or email
precious.blake@maryland.gov
.
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2021 Independent Artist Awards -
Information Sessions
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"and then...she realized she was enough," acrylic, collage, and relief carving on wood panel, by LaToya Hobbs, FY19 IAA recipient
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Join MSAC Program Directors Emily Sollenberger and Laura Weiss as they host two virtual Information Sessions about the 2021 Independent Artist Awards (IAA) on Friday, June 19th at 10 a.m. and Tuesday, July 7th at 4 p.m. Emily and Laura will walk through the IAA application, work sample requirements, the scoring rubric, and review process. There will also be plenty of time for questions and answers.
Registration is not required; meetings will be held on Google Meet at the links below:
Friday, June 19th at 10 a.m.:
Join by phone: (US) +1 402-509-9660 PIN:
âª
118 959 073#
Tuesday, July 7th at 4 p.m.:
Join by phone:
âª
(US) +1 304-503-3085 PIN:
âª
396 167 361#
MSACâs Independent Artist Awards (IAAs) recognize achievement by Maryland artists making work independent of an institution or organization. The awards are accompanied by grants of $2,000, $10,000, and $15,000 that encourage artistic growth and sustained practice.
2021 IAAs will recognize artists in the Visual/Media Arts
.
For further details and information, including IAA Guidelines, please visit our website
here
.
IAA Deadline: Friday, July 24, 2020 at 11:59 p.m.
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Maryland Office of Tourism Development
has received a $20,000 grant from the federal African American History Commission which will allow OTD to support four â400 Years of African-American History Fellows.â Each of these fellows will work with OTD, the Maryland State Archives, and other public and private organizations to document and inspire travel to Underground Railroad sites across Maryland. E
ach fellow will be responsible for completing four applications for new Maryland sites to the National Park Service Network to Freedom program and curate the business listings of the 76 current Maryland Network to Freedom sites. At the end of the fellowship, each recipient will also present a free public program on their research findings at the Maryland State Archives.
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American Association of State & Local History Calls on Members to
Challenge Assumptions on Racism
The American Association of State & Local History (AASLH) has called on its members to redouble their efforts to preserve and interpret history that challenges assumptions, that uses evidence to trace continuities and mark changes, and that helps us to understand causation, especially in this core American story of racism and the struggle for justice. History organizations have a duty to address contemporary issues and can offer examples of historical resilience and creativity of people rising to meet challenges in the past. AASLH also calls on all history organizations, from museums to historic sites to historical societies, to embrace their roles as members of their local communities, and offer civic spaces, where people come together for conversations that can help overcome local and national division. To read the full statement, click on the button below to the AASLH website.
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Potomac Playmakers Annual Meeting
The Potomac Playmakers will hold their annual membership meeting on June 28, 2020. The meeting will be held at the brand-new Potomac Playmakers Performing Arts Center, located at 17303 W. Washington Street, Hagerstown, Maryland 21740. The meeting is scheduled for 2:00 p.m., and is tentatively scheduled to be outside, following current social distancing protocols. Everyone who attends is encouraged to bring a lawn chair and bottled water for themselves. The agenda will include an update as to the status of the organization, an update related to the work and anticipated opening of the performing arts center, and election of two at-large members to the Board of Directors.
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To stay connected, please join the
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Please specify
- Organization
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The Washington County Arts Council, Inc. is funded by a grant from the Maryland State Arts Council (MSAC), an agency of the Department of Business & Economic Development.
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The Washington County Arts Council is a proud member of
County Arts Agencies of Maryland,
Maryland Citizens for the Arts, and Americans for the Arts
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The WCAC facility is wheelchair accessible!
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Thank you for providing your email address to the
Washington County Arts Council. Your information was obtained from
at least one of the following methods: signing our guest book,
becoming a member, donating, entering a contest, or exhibiting with us.
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You may text
WCAC
to
22828
on your mobile device
to join our mailing list or
click the button below - Thank you!
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