Around & About

If you come across any interesting exhibitions, museums or other places on your travels, share them with us. Call 409-838-5393, or contact us through ourwebsite at www.artstudio.org. Be sure to include the location and dates of the subject, as well as any costs.

Victorian London will come to the Port Arthur stage this summer as LAMAR STATE COLLEGEPORT ARTHUR,in conjunction with PORT ARTHUR LITTLE THEATRE,stage the classic musical OLIVER!

“Oliver!” will be presented July 19, 20, 21 and July 26, 27, 28 at 7:30 p.m., as well as July 22 and 29 at 2:30 p.m. in the Lamar Theater on the LSC-PA campus at 1700 Proctor Street in downtown Port Arthur.

“‘Oliver!’ is a wonderful script, with a justly famous score, full of the oddball Dickensian characters that made the author’s reputation while he was living and that keep us reading him a couple of hundred years later,” director Keith Cockrell said.

“Oliver!” is based on the Charles Dickens novel “Oliver Twist,” written in 1838. This is the 200th anniversary of Dickens’ birth, so it is the perfect time to revive the show, Cockrell said.

The play begins in a London workhouse, where orphans are worked hard and fed nothing but gruel. After a rendition of the classic “Food Glorious Food,” young Oliver plucks up the courage to ask for more. He is promptly sold into the custody of the abusive Noah Claypole, before escaping. On the streets, Oliver meets the Artful Dodger and the rest of a crew of youthful criminals in the employ of the criminal, Fagin.

As Oliver finds his way in the world, he comes across a variety of recognizable characters — some good, such as the lovely Nancy, some bad, such as the evil Bill Sikes.

The musical features such classic songs as “Where is Love,” “Consider Yourself” “You’ve Got to Pick a Pocket or Two,” “Oom-Pah-Pah,” “I’d Do Anything,” and many others.

“This is one of the most loved musicals ever,” Cockrell said.

For reservations, call 409-984-6111. ______________

ACT 1 SCENE 1 THEATRE COMPANY will hold auditions for the summer children’s show, LAW AND ORDER: FAIRY TALE UNIT,directed by Amber Martin, at 6:30 p.m., June 4 and 5.

Auditions will be held at First Christian Church of Port Arthur, 5856 9th Avenue.

Children ages 8-15 are invited to audition.

For more information, email act1scene1theatreco@gmail.com. ______________

The ART MUSEUM OF SOUTHEAST TEXAS is hosting an exhibition showcasing artwork depicting classic marine and nautical life. CONTEMPORARY AMERICAN MARINE ART:

15TH ANNUAL EXHIBITION OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF MARINE ARTISTS

RECENTART STUDIO NEW ORRENEWING MEMBERS

Tamara Ferreira Lopes Ruth Schipper

through June 17.

The exhibition will highlight America’s long history with the sea through 111 paintings and nine three-dimensional works by national and international contemporary marine artists who join together to celebrate the rich heritage of marine inspired art.

This marine art exhibit presents work not just limited to ships on an ocean, but depicts a vast array of water scenes including breezy seashores, stark lighthouses, rocky coasts, a still pond, water mammals, fish and dozens of other water related subjects, animals and habitats in a variety of different media.

Every few years, ASMA holds a national juried exhibition of its members’ works and this year marks the society’s 15th National Exhibition.

For more information, visit www.amset.org or call 409-832-3432.

BAL unveils new hours, summer schedule

THE BEAUMONT ART LEAGUE haschanged its hours to better serve the arts community. Beginning in May 16, the league is open 2 to 6 p.m., Wednesday through Friday, and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday..

“Ourhope with the new summer hours is that participation and attendance numbers will increase at the League,” Sarah Hamilton, BAL director, said. “We want everyone to be able to takeadvantage of the dynamic shows and lively eventsthat happen here.”

The league is planning an array of entertainingsummer events beginning in June with a visit from William Jameson — a renowned landscape painter who resides in Saluda, N.C., Hamilton said.Jameson visited BAL in 2007 and is back againto teach an oil painting workshop, June 14 through June 16. The deadline for registration is June1and the cost of the three day workshop is $325.00.

To learn more about this artist and the workshop visit www.williamjameson.com.

In conjunction with the workshop, a selection ofpaintings by the artist will be on view for a limitedtime in the Brown Gallery from June 13 through June 16. He will also perform a painting demonstration and brief lecture on his work at BAL’s General Membership Meeting scheduled from 6-9 p.m., June 15.

The remaining summer months will be filled withstimulating exhibitions of work in a variety ofmedia, Hamilton said.

The Beaumont Camera Club will fill the Brown and Scurlock Galleries with a photography exhibition, July 5-27. The opening reception is set forJuly 7 from 7-9 p.m.

InAugust,thegalleries will contain the 3D & Figure Exhibitions, chaired by local sculptor Beau Dumesnil.

“This is a highly popular annual exhibition at theLeagueand if you are an artist, this is an inexpensive and professional opportunity to showcase yourwork,” Hamilton said.

The show will be on view in the galleries Aug. 11-25, with an opening reception Aug. 11, 7-9 p.m.

Exhibition entries will be accepted Aug. 3, 4, 8,9duringBAL’s business hours. A prospectus willbeposted on the league’s Web site and Facebook page.

Local photographer Lief Wallace, who won first place at the league’s membership exhibition in2011,willpresent a solo show in September. Hiswork will be hung in the Brown Gallery Sept. 5through 26. An opening reception is scheduled forSept. 8, 7-9 p.m.

TheBeaumont Art League is located at 2675 GulfSt.near the old fairgrounds.

Forinformation, visit www.beaumontartleague.com or facebook/ beaumontartleague, or call 409-833-4179.