Arts West will be CLOSED Dec. 23rd - Jan. 1st for a Holiday Break

Arts West News & Events Square Dance Social & Jam Winter Solstice Drum Jam Call for Entries: Art Outside the Box Poet Laureate Extension Arts West Holiday Hours

Thursday, Dec. 19, 6-10pm: Third Thursday Square Dance Social & Jam. Caller Joe Burdock and musicians Matt McElroy & Friends with some lively old time music!  All levels welcome, no partner needed. Come dance or stop in just to listen. Bring friends, a good attitude & an adult beverage of your choice (with valid 21+ ID). Open String Jam at 6pm, followed by Dancing at 7pm. $6 Suggested Donation. More Info @ Square Dance Social and Jam Friday, Dec. 20, 8-10:45pm: Winter Solstice Drum Jam. A night of drumming and dancing, open to all levels and ages. The circle is not limited to drums. Flow artists and all acoustic instruments welcome. Instruments are available to borrow! Kids are welcome too. $5-$10 Suggested Donation. More Info @ Winter Solstice Drum Jam  Now thru Friday, Jan. 17, at 5pm: Call for Art Outside the Box Entries. AMAC is seeking up to 10 art designs to be applied onto vinyl wraps to cover traffic control boxes in Athens, Ohio. AMAC encourages submissions of Athens specific artworks that will make Athens Art Outside the Box purely “Athens.” Artists will be selected by jury process. A $500 honorarium will be awarded for use of chosen designs. The selected artist designs will be printed onto a vinyl wrap, and applied to traffic boxes by the City of Athens. Eligible Artists: Athens County residents age 18 and up. More info and submission guidelines at: AMAC Current Calls for Entry Now thru Friday, Jan. 10, at 5pm: Call for Poet Laureate Proposals EXTENDED. The City of Athens and the Athens Municipal Arts Commission (AMAC) is seeking its third Poet Laureate. AMAC encourages project submissions from candidates that embrace poetry and explore its place in the community. This honorary 2-year position commences February 1, 2020. The Poet Laureate is an advocate for the arts and fosters a love of poetry and literature among the diversity of all residents. A $2000 per-year honorarium will be awarded to the selected poet. The poet will be selected by an ad hoc committee of 3-4 members from the Athens poetry community and one representative from AMAC. More info, full prospectus and guidelines at: AMAC Current Calls for Entry Arts West will be CLOSED Dec. 23rd - Jan. 1st for a Holiday Break Thanks for Supporting Arts West: Athens Community Gateway to the Arts!

Arts West News & Events For the Love of Athens Photo Contest Liz Shaw Student Concert Square Dance Social & Jam Afternoon Arts Registration Open

Saturday, Dec. 14, Midnight: For the Love of Athens Photo Entry Deadline. For the Love of Athens is a photo exhibit for images of people, places or things in Athens County. Chosen photos (30-35 pieces) will be exhibited in the Arts West galleries for the month of February, 2020. Send up to 5 photos to artswestmarketing@gmail.com or enter via Instagram #fortheloveofathens and add number  #1, #2, #3, #4, #5.  Take photos with traditional, digital or smart device methods. Selection notification will happen Monday, Jan. 6. Opening Reception with awards, prizes and slide show for runners up will be Friday, Feb. 7, 5-7pm. More Info & Submission Guidelines @ For the Love of Athens 2020 Please Note: Photos selected for the exhibit will need to be printed and framed. Friday, Dec. 13, 6pm: Liz Shaw Student Holiday Concert. Join Liz Shaw and her music students, ages 5-18. Holiday tunes will be performed on piano, violin, guitar, banjo, and ukulele. A reception will follow the concert. Donations for Arts West will be accepted. Thursday, Dec. 19, 6-10pm: Third Thursday Square Dance Social & Jam. Caller Joe Burdock and musicians Matt McElroy & Friends will offer an evening of lively old time music. No Experience or Partner Needed. Bring friends, a good attitude & an adult beverage of your choice (with valid 21+ ID). Open String Jam at 6pm, followed by Dancing at 7pm. $6 Suggested Donation. More Info @ Square Dance Social and Jam Afternoon Arts Registration Open for Winter 2020 Session: Monday, Jan. 6 - Thursday, Mar. 5, 2020, 3:45-5:15pm Students in grades K-5 will experience arts instruction in a variety of disciplines. Students can be registered for one or more days per week. (There will be a Spring Session starting after Spring Break:  Mar. 16 - May 28, 2020) Registration Links: Mondays - Geek Arts: January 6 - March 2 Tuesdays - Micro Art!: January 7 - March 3 ​Wednesdays - Puppet Design: January 8 - March 4 Thursdays - Enormous Art!: January 9 - March 5 Additional Questions please contact Emily Beveridge at 740-592-4315 or ebeveridge@ci.athens.oh.us COST: For this Winter 2020 Unit - Monday will meet 8x and T/W/Th will meet 9x. $68.00 for 8 week session of 1 class (1 day per week) $76.50 for 9 week session of 1 class (1 day per week) $297.50 total for all 4 classes (Mon-Thurs) Class Descriptions & Instructor Bio: Mondays: Geek Arts Dates: Jan. 6 - Mar. 2, 2020 (8 weeks of class)* *Please Note: Class will not meet on Monday, Jan. 20 due to the MLK Jr. Holiday. Description: Students will "geek out" with this innovative art class! The focus will be on the creation of games and comics, as well as the developemnt of world building and character design. Tuesdays: Micro Art! Dates: Jan. 7 - Mar. 3, 2020 (9 weeks) Description: Utilizing various materials and techniques, students will receive instruction for projects that explore the concept of "micro". Miniature art will be generated in both 2-D and 3-D format. Wednesdays: Puppet Design Dates: Jan. 8 - Mar. 4, 2020 (9 weeks) Description: Students will spend time learning about multiple puppet making and performing techniques, and will get to make four different types of puppets to take home with them. Thursdays: Enormous Art! Dates: Jan. 9 - Mar. 5, 2020 (9 weeks) Description: Utilizing a variety of materials and techniques, students will be encouraged to experiment with visual art in both 2-D and 3-D format, and will create projects that are truly ENORMOUS! Instructor: April Felipe - April is a professional ceramic artist with an MFA in Ceramics from Ohio University. She has decades of experience teaching classes, at camps, and outreach opportunities for children in the visual arts. She brings a wealth of knowledge, and a delightful energetic sense of humor to her classroom. Spring 2020 Info & Dates Coming Soon!

Winter Reg. OPEN - Arts West Afternoon Arts Classes

Winter Reg. OPEN - Arts West Afternoon Arts Classes

Afternoon Arts Classes - Monday-Thursday, 3:45-5:15pm

Offered in 9 week sessions for Winter 2020. Students in grades K-5 will experience arts instruction in a variety of disciplines. Students can be registered for one or more days per week.

Registration is now open for Winter Unit (Monday, Jan. 6 - Thursday, Mar. 5, 2020).

Registration Links: 

Mondays - Geek Arts: January 6 - March 2

Tuesdays - Micro Art!: January 7 - March 3

​Wednesdays - Puppet Design: January 8 - March 4

Thursdays - Enormous Art!: January 9 - March 5

Additional Questions please contact Emily Beveridge at 740-592-4315 or ebeveridge@ci.athens.oh.us

COST: 

For this Winter 2020 Unit - Monday will meet 8x and T/W/Th will meet 9x.

$68.00 for 8 week session of 1 class (1 day per week)

$76.50 for 9 week session of 1 class (1 day per week)

$297.50 total for all 4 classes (Mon-Thurs)

Class Descriptions & Instructor Bio:

Mondays: Geek Arts
Dates: Jan. 6 - Mar. 2, 2020 (8 weeks of class)*
*Please Note: Class will not meet on Monday, Jan. 20 due to the MLK Jr. Holiday.
Description: Students will "geek out" with this innovative art class! The focus will be on the creation of games and comics, as well as the developemnt of world building and character design.

Tuesdays: Micro Art!
Dates: Jan. 7 - Mar. 3, 2020 (9 weeks)
Description: Utilizing various materials and techniques, students will receive instruction for projects that explore the concept of "micro". Miniature art will be generated in both 2-D and 3-D format.

Wednesdays: Puppet Design
Dates: Jan. 8 - Mar. 4, 2020 (9 weeks)
Description: Students will spend time learning about multiple puppet making and performing techniques, and will get to make four different types of puppets to take home with them.

Thursdays: Enormous Art!
Dates: Jan. 9 - Mar. 5, 2020 (9 weeks)
Description: Utilizing a variety of materials and techniques, students will be encouraged to experiment with visual art in both 2-D and 3-D format, and will create projects that are truly ENORMOUS!

Instructor: April Felipe - April is a professional ceramic artist with an MFA in Ceramics from Ohio University. She has decades of experience teaching classes, at camps, and outreach opportunities for children in the visual arts. She brings a wealth of knowledge, and a delightful energetic sense of humor to her classroom.

Spring Info & Dates Coming Soon!

Arts West News & Events Old Time String Jam Essentially Athens Book Launch Ukulele Workshop w/Laura Nadeau

Thursday, Dec. 5, 6-8pm: 1st Thursday Old Time String Jam. In the parking lot or basement of Arts West depending on the weather, a beginners' style slow string jam with a guest "leader" each month. December's guest, local musician, Morgan Hager specializes in fiddle tunes and waltzes from West Virginia, Ohio, and Kentucky. She plays fiddle, guitar and banjo. Bring an instrument or borrow one from the musical lending library. All levels & ages welcome. BYOB (w/valid 21+ ID). Free admission - donations appreciated. More Info @ 1st Thursday Old Time String Jam Sunday, Dec. 8, 6pm: Essentially Athens Ohio Book Launch. Join the writers, and fine artists for an evening of merriment, readings, discussions, and book signing. Over one hundred poets, essayists, storytellers, songwriters and fine artists have come together in this very special collection celebrating all that is the heart and hearth of Athens, Ohio. The work is raw, honest and steeped in all things Athens; from the foothills to the stadium, from uptown to throughout the county. Books will be for sale, for cash or check only. Free Admission. More Info @ Essentially Athens Ohio Book Launch  Sunday, Dec. 15, 2-4pm: Ukulele for the Holidays! Everyone can be a ukulele player! This workshop will focus on tuning, strum patterns, and chords, and participants will learn a few easy holiday tunes with Laura Nadeau.  Ages 8 and up! More Info @ Ukulele for the Holidays!

Please Note: Arts West will be Closed November 27th & 28th for the Thanksgiving Holiday

Arts West News & Events Jessica Ashley Art Opening SATB Benefit Concert 2019 Holiday Craft Swap Friday, Dec. 6, 5-7pm: Art Opening for A Solo Show by Jessica Ashley. An artist with an emphasis on landscape and animal acrylic painting, Ashley completed her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in 2014. Based out of Middleport, Ohio, she has been adding to her already large body of work, creating a bunch of new paintings of all different sizes for this upcoming exhibition. Ashley's work will be featured in both the upstairs and downstairs galleries, and on display December 3rd-January 3rd. Come check it out! Free Admission. More info @ Jessica Ashley Solo Show  Saturday, Dec. 7, 7:30pm: Stars, Astronomy, & Travel Beyond, an S.A.T.B. Choir Concert. Join us for a musical journey to the stars!  A benefit for the John Glenn Astronomy Park, presented by SATB: a different kind of choir. SATB’s mission is to create powerful and inspiring music in partnerhsip with social justice organizations and bring support and awareness to their causes. The John Glenn Astronomy Park is dedicated to sparking an interest in science, learning, and exploration by sharing the wonders of the sky. Set in the Hocking Hills of rural southeastern Ohio, the park offers one of the few areas in Ohio where the night sky can still be seen in its near pristine state. Suggested Donation: $10 per person / $15 per Family. More Info @ Stars, Astronomy, & Travel Beyond   Sunday, Dec. 8, 2-4pm: 2019 Holiday Craft Swap. Bring your handmade items and swap them out for a cash-free, swapping good time! Participants bring X number of homemade, giftable items and arrange them on tables at Arts West at 2 pm. Once the swap begins, everyone roams around, taking the same number of items that they brought themselves. Items of lesser value can be bundled (to balance out with more labor or resource intensive items). The swap is run with a spirit of fair trading and community celebration, and it provides a great way to share your talents and wares! It's also a holiday celebration, so feel free to bring snacks or cookies to share. It's helpful to respond on Facebook if you plan to attend, but not required. More Info @  2019 Holiday Craft Swap  Become an Arts West Member or Renew Your Membership Whether you're renewing, becoming a member for the 1st time, or just want to support your local community arts center, now is a great time for it. With perks like free entry to the Cat's PJs Clothing Exchange, the ability to borrow instruments from our Musical Lending Library and a free hour of rental time (or more depending on the level of your pledge), it's a win-win when your tax deductible contributions help us keep improving our facility and expanding our programming. Thanks! More Info @ Arts West Membership Please Note: Arts West will be Closed November 27th & 28th for the Thanksgiving Holiday

Arts West News & Events Square Dance Social & Jam Harvest Moon Benefit Concert For the Love of Athens Contest Arts West Membership

Thursday, Nov. 21, 6-10pm: Third Thursday Square Dance Social & Jam Caller T-Claw from Elkins, WV, and band, The Corndoggers will offer an evening of lively old time music. No Experience or Partner Needed. Bring friends, a good attitude & an adult beverage of your choice (with valid 21+ ID). Open String Jam at 6pm, followed by Dancing at 7pm. $6 Suggested Donation. More Info @ Square Dance Social and Jam  Friday, Nov. 22, 7-10pm: Harvest Moon Benefit Concert for the Appalachian Peace and Justice Network (APJN). With music, dancing, and local Celebrity Karaoke Performances for Peace and Justice! Featuring: Amethystone, Megan Bee, Steve Zarate, Walk the Ridge, and special guests the Athens Justice Choir and the Unitarian Fellowship Choir. Beer on tap from Jackie O's and other refreshments. Suggested Donation $5-20. More info @ Harvest Moon Benefit Concert    For the Love of Athens Submission Guidelines Entry Deadline - Saturday, December 14th, 2019 - Entry is free! Selected Photographs will be announced on January 6th, 2020 For the Love of Athens is a photo exhibit that focuses on images of people, places or things in Athens County. Entries can be taken with traditional, digital and smart device methods. Any photographic method is welcome! Chosen photographs (30-35 pieces) will be in the For the Love of Athens Exhibit in the Arts West galleries for the month of February, 2020. You could win prizes! Awards will go to top 3 photographs chosen by our juror + folks attending the opening will be invited to vote for an audience choice award. Exhibit Opening - Friday, February 7, 5-7pm Guidelines for Submissions Take some fun, creative photos of your favorite people, places or things in Athens County. They can be straight forward, interpretive, color or black & white. The subject matter must be in Athens County, but the artist need not be from Athens County to submit. All ages are welcome to submit. EMAIL Email up to 5 entries to: artswestmarketing@gmail.com (limit of 5 entries please) In the subject line write: “LastName_number (1-5)” (your name) In the body of the email please include: * Full name * Email address * Phone number For each photo include: * Title of photo + give each photo a number please (1-5) * Medium (type of camera or cellphone used) * Price or Not For Sale (NFS) designation * Your age (if a minor) INSTAGRAM Submit up to 5 photos on Instagram, each one separately with the hashtag: * #fortheloveofathens * followed by another hashtag directly afterwards - either #1, #2, #3, #4 or #5 * Please, keep photos separated and not one after another in the same post. * In the body of text please provide your email address, the title of the work, the medium (type of camera or cellphone used), and the price or Not For Sale (NFS) designation More Info @ For the Love of Athens: Photo Exhibit & Contest Become an Arts West Member or Renew Your Membership Whether you're renewing, becoming a member for the 1st time, or just want to support your local community arts center, now is a great time for it. With perks like free entry to the Cat's PJs Clothing Exchange, the ability to borrow instruments from our Musical Lending Library and a free hour of rental time (or more depending on the level of your pledge), it's a win-win when your tax deductible contributions help us keep improving our facility and expanding our programming. Thanks! More Info @ Arts West Membership