INteract Visits French Lick

Jill Watson, our Region 11 coordinator, took her INteract group to French Lick this week. Phil Beaver, a fiber artist extrodinaire, hosted the group of 30 artists and other interested people. He allowed everyone to wander his home/studio. Phil hand-paints fabric and then incorporates the fiber into amazing quilted artwork. He is nationally known. He and a neighbor, Jim Stickler, served several mouth-watering desserts. I couldn't say no.

Jim, a retired art teacher, also allowed everyone to explore his restored mission-style home. For a guy who claims to have never even hammered a nail a few years ago, he has brought to life this old house. A true labor of love.

Then we all went down the hill to the newly-restored French Lick hotel and casino. I hadn't been in there since it was revitalized. I was amazed. Bill Koch, the developer, has spared no expense in bringing back to life this elegant grand dame. If you're in Southern Indiana, then this is well worth the trip to take lunch, stroll through the gallery of shops, or play a few slots.

Thanks, Jill, for a grand evening!

Kennedy Center Partnership

Our Education Coordinator, Donna Sheppers, and I visited Washington D.C. recently in conjunction with our Kennedy Center Partners in Education program. We are nearing the end of our first stage. A week of multiple meetings and training sessions was held in addition to visiting our congressman, Barron Hill, and Senator Richard Lugar's Assistant, Amy Burke. We received a private tour of the Kennedy Center from a wonderful volunteer named Paula Ellis, and were also able to spend a bit of time at the National Museum. While we were there, Washington was hit with a snow storm. The entire city shuts down! However, our hotel was cozy and we made do.

Terrance Simien, Zydeco Master Entertains in Jasper

We've been delighted to have Terrance Simien, the Zydeco Master, entertaining in Jasper this week. He's held artist residencies with 6th graders at the Jasper Middle School. He has also kept the Arts Center rocking with performances for school kids, grades 3 through 6, on Thursday and Friday. Several children were invited to participate on stage and the audience was jumping out of their seats, trying to catch the Mardi Gras beads that Terrance and his band were throwing out.

Thursday evening,Terrance was kind enough to conduct a workshop for adults and college students which was held on the VUJC campus in their new auditorium. Simien gave a brief history of his music and Creole culture, and again invited audience members to try out the rubboard.

Friday's performance for adults will be open to the general public. It will be impossible not to stomp your feet. Y'all come on out!

Dance Central Keeps In Time

Carolyn Randolph, owner and instructor of Dance Central, Academy of Performing Arts, teaches preschoolers the basics of tap dancing. Her classes range from preschool age through adult ball room dancing. If you want to enroll in any dance classes, please call us here at the arts center.