arts news February/March 2022 Vol. 1 No. 3
Jean C. Smith Memorial Amphitheater at Locust Shade Park
Moving Outside
Amphitheaters on the Rise Due to COVID Across the Country theatre-makers are gearing up for the weather, and a season of outdoor shows, which are likely to have higher audience attendance than indoor performances.
What should an arts organization of the future look like? As an artist or arts organization in this time, one must ask “What should and arts organization of the future look like?” The challenges are great for us all in many ways. Businesses have closed and people are changing their outlook on many things in life. Artists and arts organizations have at this moment a great responsibility to step up and bring people to a new awareness of self through their creativity. To look at where we were three years ago speaks much to where we should be headed as gifted creatives. We cannot continue the business as usual model of taking no action with the hope that someone else will, in order to improve our past in the arts.
Submit Your Arts Grants Application If You Have Not!!! Submit your completed report PART I by 5PM via mail, inperson, or email no later than February 1, 2022. Submit your completed report PART II by 5PM via mail, inperson, or email no later than July 1, 2022 Arts Recreation Specialist, hwilliams@pwcgov.org PWC Dept. of Parks, Recreation & Tourism 14420 Bristow Rd. Manassas VA 20112
Right now is the time to pay service to the lip service, and falsehoods of the little we’ve done to ensure diversity, growth and inclusion was a part of what we were about. The development of art and the very creativity that it affords the world in which we live requires that all are involved in order that we evolve. Business as usual in the arts is not an option, and future funding should resemble what each organization puts into ensuring this change is made. Herb A. Williams— Arts Recreation Specialist , Prince William County
“We don’t want to go back to ‘normal’ because that wasn’t good enough.” “I hope this pandemic has given institutions pause-for-thought, and that they act on it and don’t just put out knee-jerk, rhetorical statements. You’ve got to believe in it.” Anne McNeill
Kathleen K. Seefeldt Awards for Arts Excellence Established over 16 years ago by the Prince William County Arts Council, the Kathleen K. Seefeldt Awards for Arts Excellence recognizes and celebrates artists, arts organizations, volunteers, educators and businesses that help build and sustain Ms. Kathleen Seefeldt’s legacy of public service, diversity and support for the cultural arts. Artists and arts organizations are nominated by their peers. From those nomina-tions the Arts Council selects a winner for each category. Nomination forms are available online to submit who you feel has honored, and continues to show excellence in the arts . Visit pwcartscouncil.org for more information and to submit your nomination. artnews 2
Virginia National Ballet Presents
The Beatles! Tango Nights; And For Those We Lost
Saturday, Feb 26 • 2:00pm Saturday, Feb 26 • 7:30pm Hylton Performing Arts Center, Merchant Hall, Enjoy three premieres starting with The Beatles!, a contemporary ballet to the Beatles greatest hits. Next on the program, Tango Nights, a sensuous neo-classical ballet to the music of Argentinian composer Astor Piazzolla. Closing the performance: For Those We Lost, a powerful and emotional tribute to those who passed away due to COVID-19 this last year. Lead significant change by engaging specific groups to help devise and carry out creative community-building neighborhood programs. A Virtual Power Point presentation Thursday, February 17 at 6:00PM Link available upon request!
Creative Partnerships Approaching Community Development Through The Arts Collaboration in the arts is essential to Prince William County Arts Council’s goals as we work with a range of community and civic organizations to develop creative and artistic programming that presents ideas of what individual community goals are as they relate to the goals of the County. Organizing to create a union will help develop and grow the arts across the county in ways beyond our imagination. Let us begin the conversation that matters between the many arts companies and organizations across the county. Joining Forces to build a stronger arts presence. Contact Herb Williams at (703) 792-8782 if you’re interest-ed in being part of the larger picture in PWC ARTS. 3 artnews
www.pwcartscouncil.org #LetsCreatePWCAC Arts News Vol.1 No. 3 Arts Council Exec. Board Susan Landess
Chair
Peter Alten
Treasurer
Susan Bardenhagen Secretary Jim Gallagher
VC Nominations
John Wooten
VC Marketing
Kelly Haneklau
VC Programs
Board of County Supervisor Appointees Ronnie Crigger
Coles District
Wanda Smith
Neabsco District
Catrina Stroman Potomac District Jay Torres
Woodbridge District
Kelly Haneklau
Brentsville
Open
Gainesville
Open
Occoquan District
Join PWC Arts Council today: pwcartscouncil.org/members/join Herb A. Williams Arts Recreation Specialist Prince William County Arts Council 14730 N. Birchdale Ave Dale City, VA 22193 PH. (703) 792-8782 Topics in our newsletter are always based on what is trending in the Art World and will feature various voices and views that doesn’t necessarily reflect that of Prince William County or the Arts Council. We are always open to suggestions and various views where the arts a concerned. The Prince William Arts Council is a division of Prince William County Department of Parks, Recreation & Tourism (DPRT). © Writers, artists and PWC Arts Council Artists Information 2022
Warm Weather Ahead Offers Opportunity for Creativity Out Doors Nestled in the heart of the beautiful Locust Shade Park directly off of the high traffic Route 1, sits a gem of an open-air amphitheater and performance opportunity. The Jean C. Smith Memorial Amphitheater awaits your next performance. Now is a great time to take advantage of booking your performance dates for the warmer weather ahead. The theatre is free of charge to Arts Council Members producing performances open to the general public at no cost, and can be used at a discounted rate for ticketed events. Arts events and performances at this venue will help build awareness for seasonal hapLocust Shade Amphitheatre penings that will get audiences back out to the theater who are now hesitant to participate in large indoor events due to COVID. Most importantly, this gives our members an opportunity to ensure they are reaching new audiences; outdoor arts is more accessible because it’s in democratic open spaces which removes the barriers of engagement, with people thinking something is not for them, or they simply cannot afford it. More-over, people have concerns of events with large crowds, even with vaccinations. I think people will be wary of being in a closed environment for a while. Across the country arts organizations are planning shows like never before in amphitheaters; those that are fortunate enough to have one. Many organizations are having to build new outside spaces to do what they love. Artists and Arts Organizations in Prince William County need not worry… Locust Shade Amphitheater is ready and waiting for a full season of performances and we are looking to our members to help make it happen.
New Construction of Suffolk Amphitheatre
Let’s work together to present Locust Shade and the Jean C. Smith Amphitheater as a destination for quality performances and creative outdoor art.
Our Talented Duo are at it again!!! Kelly Haneklau and Kim B. Miller K[Squared]²
Intersections Festival Washington, DC March 5th, 7pm Live And In-Person K[squared]² Is honored to have been accepted into the ATLAS PERFORMING ARTS CENTER for the Intersections Festival! Tickets On Sale Now at www.atlasarts.org! Limited seating, act fast! Please note: Vaccination card required at door.
artnews 4
Acting and Musical Theatre Classes Coming Soon
We’d love to tell you about our new MUSICAL THEATRE and ACTING CLASSES launching this March in the professional art space in Clearbrook Center of the Arts at Tackett’s Mill. Register online at: hawproductions.org Clearbrook Center Call: (757) 324-1344 for the Arts
As participants in our MUSICAL THEATRE and ACTING CLASSES, students will adopt an array of new acting skills and techniques from around the world, experience a huge variety of fun exercis-es and games, perform in our own unique adaptation of plays and musicals, and performances around the County. Join us to build vital self-confidence and make new friends!
Arts Committees & Meetings ■ Prince William County Arts Council Board Meeting 2nd Tuesdays of Each Month, at 6:00pm ■ PWC Arts Membership Meeting 2nd Tuesday of Each Month at 6:30pm ■ Program/Special Events Committee Meetings will be based on events scheduling ■ Marketing Committee Meeting Twice monthly TBD ■ Appointee District Advisory Council TBD
5 artnews
Partial Day Specialty Camps & Full Day Weekly Traditional Camps
Arts Themed Camps
Art Attack ⋆ Artist Workshops ⋆ Ballet Beginnings ⋆ Ballet Delight ⋆ Broadway Bound ⋆ Cartooning & Comic Book Writing ⋆ Design And Coding ⋆ Design With Scratch ⋆ Creative By Nature Arts And Crafts ⋆ Dance And The Movies ⋆ Intermediate/Advanced Dance Intensive ⋆ Intro To Color Change Graphics ⋆ Introduction To Choreography ⋆ On Stage Theater Camp ⋆ Petit Dance Intensive ⋆ Wizardry Camp
Registration Opens March 8 www.pwcva.gov/department/ childrens-programs/summer-camps
Window Design Competition This competition is open to Prince William County Arts Council Members. The deadline for entry is 6pm on February 15th. What a brilliant way to get your organization involved in promoting the arts in Prince William County, as well as showing off your creativity. The design must display a multi-discipline arts theme, and can be done by a single artist or group. If work is inspired by a book or show, please give the title of work that your design is inspired by. In your email subject please put:: • PWC Arts Council Window Competition , • A photograph or colored drawing or painting of the entry can be emailed to: hwilliams@pwcgov.org The winning designs will be chosen by a judging panel and the design will be recreated with assistance from our staff for the window installation. It will be in the window at Potomac Town Center Shops from March 15th through April 15th at the Open Space Arts Gallery #140 call: (703) 972-8782.
Summer Performances in the Park Let’s make sure that performances are vast and far reaching this year. Together we can breathe new life into our Locust Shade Amphitheater. Plays. Musical, Dance performance, Comedy, Poetry, and so much more can happen with a little creativity and dedication of the Arts Council.
View form the stage at the Jean C. Smith Amphitheater
The Council would benefit greatly in forming a committee focused solely on promoting and planning a season for this wonderfully underutilized theatre space. If your organization is interested in performing please email Herb Williams with dates and information on the performance that you would like to bring to this wonderful venue during the spring and summer months. Let’s get it started!! artnews 6
What’s Happening With the Prince William Art Society Prince William Art Society (PWAS) is a group of local artists in Prince William County dedicated to an appreciation of the visual arts and fine crafts of local artists. We would like to Welcome the new Board of Directors for the Prince William Art Society! Our new President is Ana Quispe, Vice President is Staci Blanchard, Secretary is Maria Briganti and Treasurer is Ken Meardon. Our Member at Large is Linda Keuntje. The voting took place in late November and the new board will serve 2022-23. Congratulations to the team! Interested in more about us? PWAS has a blog! found at http:// artistryspin.blogspot.com. If you are a new artist or an experienced one, find out what is going on in the art world in your county – Prince William County! We have pictures of our art events and art galleries of our members. Please follow and comment on the stories and information, art tips and topics about PWAS, our members, the visual arts and more.
Regular Business Hours Saturdays and Sundays from 1 to 4 PM Starting on February 5, 2022 Our Next Exhibit? February 5 The new art theme wall will be “Black and White with a Pop of Color” Find information about and by PWAS, our events, our Scholarship Program, our artists and their exhibits plus much more at www.princewilliamartsociety.com 7 artnews
Coming soon to the beautiful Hylton Performing Arts Center Hylton Presents THE POLISH WIENIAWSKI PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA Saturday, Feb 05 • 8:00pm Traveling far from the thriving cultural hotspot in Gdansk on the Baltic Sea, the Polish Wieniawski Philharmonic Orchestra will rouse spirits with an evening of innovative works that explore themes of resiliency and freedom. MANASSAS CHORALE: WONDER, LOVE AND PRAISE Saturday, Mar 19 • 7:30pm The Chorale joins forces with the Voices United Workshop Choir, a guest clinician, and a lively orchestra to “raise the roof” in this annual concert of sacred music that includes toe tapping spirituals, beautiful melodies, and stunning arrangements. Manassas Ballet Theatre Presents GAITE PARISIENNE & MORE! Friday, Mar 11 • 7:30pm Saturday, Mar 12 • 7:30pm Sunday, Mar 13 • 3:00pm Full of amorous flirtation and fun, Gaite Parisienne is a one-act ballet first presented in 1938 by Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo at New York’s Metropolitan Opera House. Set to the back drop of a popular Parisian club, vibrant characters of the day gather for a night of dancing and romance. The program opens with fresh, original choreography by veteran company members –a season highlight! The entire program includes live musical accompaniment by the Manassas Ballet Theatre Orchestra. PRINCE WILLIAM LITTLE THEATRE Friday, Mar 11 • 8:00pm Saturday, Mar 12 • 2:00pm Saturday, Mar 12 • 8:00pm Sunday, Mar 13 • 2:00pm Friday, Mar 18 • 8:00pm Saturday, Mar 19 • 2:00pm Saturday, Mar 19 • 8:00pm Sunday, Mar 20 • 2:00pm
How are you inspired?
Music, Dance, Theatre, Fashion, Film, Visual Art, Architecture, Literature... New Member Enrollments Begin July 1 Call (703) 792-8782
PWCArtsCouncil.org
We want your help in putting together a warm season of events at the Jean C. Smith Amphitheater at Locust Shade Park
The warmer weather invites ample opportunity for our members to share their organizations creativity and talents with the residents of Prince William County. As an Arts Council Member you are invited to utilize Locust Shade Amphitheater for performances free and open to the public at no cost to you. A great opportunity for community outreach!!! Come perform and/or share your art during this time where many have concerns being indoors with large groups.
artnews 8