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Interactive sculpture pays tribute to Möller Organ Co.

written by MARY ANNE BURKE

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, WASHINGTON COUNTY ARTS COUNCIL INC.

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It is time for the community to celebrate. David Gibney’s “Möller’s Sustained Wind” is being dedicated as the newest addition to the Hagerstown Cultural Trail.

Supported in part by the Washington County Arts Council through a grant from the Maryland State Arts Council, the City of Hagerstown and private funders, the interactive sculpture pays tribute to M.P. Möller and Hagerstown’s historic M.P. Möller Pipe Organ Co. Once the world's largest organ-building company, Möller Pipe Organ Co. opened in Hagerstown in 1881 and remained in business until 1992. Pipe-organ sounds produced by pushing buttons or foot pedals will again ring.

What better place to continue our self-care strategies during COVID-19 than a walk on the beautiful Hagerstown Cultural Trail connecting Hagerstown’s Arts and Entertainment District and Hagerstown City Park? Social distancing is so easy on the trail, and it is sure to be good for your mental and physical health.

Endorsing last year’s “Washington Goes Purple 2019 Exhibit” standing in front of the Washington County Arts Council, from left, Mary Anne Burke, Executive Director, Washington County Arts Council and Emily Keller, Hagerstown City Councilwoman.

WASHINGTON GOES PURPLE

In September, our community will once again be lit in purple lights, and purple T-shirts and purple ribbons will abound, but, more importantly, people will be engaging in conversation. Although purple is often associated with royalty, nobility, wealth and extravagance, for some, it signifies imagination and spirituality.

For citizens of Washington County, purple has taken on significance, the magnitude of which was not foreseen. Washington Goes Purple’s website defines the effort as “a substance-abuse awareness program that will engage our community and youth to stand against substance abuse. … It’s time to ’expand the conversation’ – in addition to talking to our kids about the dangers of prescription painkillers and other drugs, let’s not forget about the importance of mental health.”

Our friends, families and neighbors cannot ignore the issues focused on by Washington Goes Purple. For more information, go to www.washingtongoespurple.com.

SOCIAL CHANGE

Americans for the Arts fosters civic engagement and social impact with its statement, “Arts and culture promote understanding and action on issues facing our communities and the world. Americans for the Arts’ commitment to creative social change ... strengthens the role of artists and cultural organizations as leaders and partners in civic engagement and social change” (www.americansforthearts. org/by-topic/social-change).

Following the spirit of Americans for the Arts, the WCAC strives to engage in social change to positively alter societal conditions through its September 2020 juried visual-arts exhibit, “Washington Goes Purple” focusing on “Purple – the Color of Recovery.” The aim is to promote healing, increased awareness and attitudinal change surrounding drug abuse.

In these uncharted times, the Maryland State Arts Council continues to “advance the arts in our state by providing leadership that champions creative expression, diverse programming, equitable access, lifelong learning and the arts as a celebrated contributor to the quality of life for all the people of Maryland.”

Each week, the MSAC hosts interactive programming for arts organizations, individual artists, art educators and many others. Reach out to MSAC for resources, support and enlightened conversation at www.msac.org and www. msac.org/news-events.

It remains ever so important to stay connected. Follow local artists and worldwide art activities – COVID-19 updates; visual; music; dance; creative writing; and more – at www.washingtoncountyarts.com and www.facebook.com/wcartscouncil.

MARY ANNE BURKE

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, WASHINGTON COUNTY ARTS COUNCIL INC.

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