The Arts Are Our Heartbeat

BY LIBBY WILLIAMS

Woodstock Arts has a mission to engage the community with relevant art experiences every day. As a staff, we constantly are asking how we can make art more accessible. In our theater season, we always have a show around the corner. When one closes, the curtain rises on the next one, offering accessibility through numbers. You don’t have to worry about perfectly aligning your schedule around seeing a show; there will be one waiting for you.

The most hands-on way to find yourself engaged at Woodstock Arts is through our education department. Our class list is expanding, as we bring in new local artists and educators to share their love of their mediums. From improv, to pottery, to jewelry making, anyone easily can jump into a new passion. Right now, we are gearing up for our first winter break camp this month. Usually, with our summer camps, you have to pick between visual arts and theater, but not this time!

Our winter break campers get the best of both worlds, as they draw, paint, sculpt, sing, dance, act and do improv.

As the weather gets warmer, the Event Green will defrost and launch into action. We have missed gathering for the Lantern Series, our outdoor concerts focused on bringing unique artists to Woodstock, but the wait is almost over. We also are looking forward to the showcase of our first 48-Hour Film Festival March 18. In the meantime, join us for a video game tournament or movie night, as we patiently wait for spring.

The Reeves House is the last piece of our puzzle. Getting coffee is a part of a lot of our everyday routines, and when you get your morning latte from us, you are engaging with art. Our current exhibit, “Echoes of Ecology-Prayers and Rituals,” features metalsmith Corrina Sephora. This exhibit has brought a plethora of multimedia pieces to our space that will draw you right in and leave your jaw on the floor. The most exciting part of this exhibit is that Sephora will be creating a permanent sculpture on the Reeves House grounds, using community metal donations. The sculpture will be revealed on the exhibit’s closing night, Feb. 26. We hope to see you there and to have you connect with your community through art as much as possible this year.

www.sequoyahregionallibrary.org

Feb. 8, 22

Help your child build confidence by scheduling a 15-minute appointment to read to Zoey the Reading Dog, 4:30-5:30 p.m., at Rose Creek Public Library. Register ages 6 and older online.

Feb. 11

Visit Woodstock Public Library for Yoga at the Library, 11 a.m.noon. Certified yoga instructor Jigna Patel will guide you to a state of total relaxation in this free hourlong session. Bring your own mat. For ages 17 and older.

Feb. 13

The Adult Ecletics Book Club is meeting to discuss “Open Season” by C.J. Box, 6-7:30 p.m., in the community room at R.T. Jones Memorial Library.

Feb. 18

Stop by Rose Creek Public Library’s Lego Lab, 3-4 p.m. Legos are provided. All ages and skill levels are welcome.

Feb. 25

Break out of the book club box and join the Themed Book Club to discuss your book at Woodstock Public Library, 10:30 a.m.-noon. For this month, choose any book less than 300 pages. All adult readers are welcome.

Feb. 28

The Tween Book Club meets the last Tuesday of the month at R.T. Jones Memorial Library, 4:45-5:45 p.m., to go over books through discussion, games and more. This month’s book is “Maniac Magee” by Jerry Spinelli. This club is best suited for ages 10 and older, or for those at a fifth-grade reading level or higher. Registration is required.