jacksonville center news

Information on the Sustainable Living Education Center

2007-03-28T05:03:00.000-07:00

The Sustainable Living Education Center, (SLEC), at the Jacksonville Center campus is offering a unique, hands-on educational experience in the construction of a straw bale building. The building was started in 2005 as a class project by Leon Davis, who was a Virginia Tech architectural student at the time. Upon completion, this building will be a SLEC demonstration exhibit. SLEC already has a working wind generator, solar panels and a rain water collection system already in place.

Leon Davis’s interest in green building comes from his past experience working with rammed earth and visiting straw bale structures around the United States. After graduating, Leon spent the following year working on Mt. Rainer in Washington as a climbing guide. Now, before returning to Washington for another climbing season, Leon has returned to Floyd for the next five weeks finishing the plastering on the straw bales.

Since the building process is intended to be educational, if you are interested in straw bale construction and plastering, this is the best time to learn and ask questions. Leon is looking for volunteers to help with the plastering. No experience is necessary and an extra set of hands is always appreciated. Please contact Leon by email at leonvernondavis@gmail.com or call The Center at 745-2784 to leave a message for him. Volunteers should bring a lunch and a pair of durable rubber gloves (not the dishwashing kind).

---...---

2007-03-25T06:58:00.000-07:00

hi everyone
hope you are well

here are Chris C. and Chris L. playing in the silo yesterday

many thanks to all who made this weekend's events at the Jacksonville Center so interesting and fun.

bye, have a great day and thanks for reading. -Suzy

Press release from Studio Row & the Traces Library

2007-03-17T06:41:00.000-07:00

For immediate release

The Jacksonville Center welcomes you to a reception on Friday, March 23

Studio artists at Jacksonville Center will hold a New Works reception on Friday, March 23 from 5-7 pm. Glass artist Linda Osborne will highlight her personal bead collection and her wide variety of jewelry and handmade bead items. Sarah McCarthy, home from displaying at the New Jersey arts and crafts show, will show her gas fired pottery vases, bowls, glasses and tableware. Wood fired pottery will be just a part of McCabe Coolidge's functional works display. And Karen Day will show handmade books.

In addition guest artists will share the studio spaces. Look for Gretchen St. Lawrence's pastels, Anne Vaughn's jewelry, Glenda and Don George with shibori fabric and wood working. Traces Library Open House will be highlighted by Suzy Nees and live music will be provided by Billy Miller.

Traces Library installation sites during this event include studio 119, the silo conservatory, and the Maple, Oak, and Kentucky Coffee rooms in the Center's residence building. Leon Davis will also be answering questions and hosting tours during this event to introduce visitors to the Jacksonville Center's straw bale building, which is in the final stages of completion.

Refreshments offered in abundance, all at Jacksonville Center just south of town on Route 8. This is a free event, and all are welcome!

---...---

Discover your local ambient library!

2007-03-15T11:41:00.000-07:00

Ideapark.org press release
For immediate release - March 15, 2007

---...---

The Traces library for creative literacy is currently housed in studio 119 and in the student residence building at the Jacksonville Center in Floyd, Virginia. Traces is a public art project and ambient library designed to foster awareness about land care, cultural conservation, and sustainable, compassionate living.

From now until April 1, visitors at the Traces reading room in studio 119 will find artwork, writings, antique maps and locally made musical instruments on display along with furnishings from the collection of the Traces library. This exhibit is open to the public from 9 to 5 on weekdays and noon to 5 on Saturdays.

Other items from the Traces library collection are also installed in the Oak and Maple rooms of the Jacksonville Center's residence building, known to some as the Little House at the Jacksonville Center. The Oak and Maple rooms of the Little House will be open to visitors on March 23 and April 14, 2007. Music samples, ceramic work, Japanese handicrafts, and stone sculpture are just a few of the exhibit items to be found in the Oak and Maple rooms during this installation.

On the evening of Friday, March 23, 2007, a free public reception will be held at the Jacksonville Center to celebrate a collection of new works now on display on Studio Row on the first level of the main building at the Jacksonville Center. These works include handmade books, photography, drawings, ceramic work and much more. Live music and refreshments are being offered during this event, and all are welcome.

The Jacksonville Center is located about 1/2 mile south of the stoplight in Floyd. For more information on the Jacksonville Center, please call 540-745-2784 or visit their website at www.jacksonvillecenter.org.

---...---

2007-02-25T07:43:00.000-08:00

images - scenes from the Traces almost-spring exhibit & celebration on February 24 at the Jacksonville Center.

---...---

Spring is nigh! Come celebrate with us.

2007-02-20T09:30:00.000-08:00

- o -...- o -...- o - - o- - o -...- o -...- o -

You are invited

to an art & music party
at the Jacksonville Center in Floyd, Virginia
on Saturday, February 24 2007
from noon to 5 pm.

Hosted by audiopark.org and friends of the
Traces library for creative literacy

All are welcome! Please join us as we...

...enjoy old & new music from Virginia and around the world

...trade art cards etc. and browse through the
Traces library collection

...celebrate democracy, independent learning,
community ties, and the miracle of Spring.

If you like, bring: CD's, musical instruments,
art cards, barter goods, snack items, friends!

Free live music will begin at 2 pm.
Hope to see you there!

Location: Jacksonville Center residence building,
221 Parkway Lane South, Floyd, VA

To learn more about the Jacksonville Center
in Floyd, please call 540-745-2784 or visit
jacksonvillecenter.org.

To learn more about this event, please visit
audiopark.org > news.

---...---

News post from RTM

2006-12-09T10:37:00.000-08:00

hi everyone
I just read something in the Floyd Press about new things happening with the Round the Mountain Artisan Network...below is a bit of copy.
Many thanks to everyone who made the Winterfest such a fun event.
-Suzy

---...---

Abingdon - Round the Mountain: Southwest Virginia's Artisan Network (RTM) is now recruiting membership from throughout the region's artisan communities.

Diana Blackburn, Executive Director of this non-profit organization, is excited to be at this point.

"The Steering Committee, Board of Directors, and staff of RTM, along with artisans in the region have been working toward this movement for over a year.

RTM defines artisans as "people who make handmade objects without the use of kits, commercial molds, and whose primary components are not manufactured. This includes producers of agricultural specialties and farmers who have a direct connection with the culture and heritage of the region."

Blackburn emphasizes, "The term "artisan" is widely used and we worked to refine the common definition to be more specific to those that we serve and to be inclusive to the many creative and talented craftspeople and farmers in our service area."

Round the Mountain serves the counties of Bland, Buchanan, Carroll, Dickenson, Floyd, Franklin, Giles, Grayson, Lee, Montgomery, Patrick, Pulaski, Russell, Scott, Smyth, Tazewell, Washington, Wise, Wythe, and the cities of Bristol VA, Galax, Norton, and Radford.

For more information on Round the Mountain, please call 276-492-2079.

---...---

tags for this post - rtm artisan network

slideshow from December 3, 2006

2006-12-04T20:58:00.000-08:00

hi everyone
below is a slideshow of some pictures I took yesterday
thanks so much to everyone who made the Winterfest such a wonderful event!

Floyd slideshow - December 3

-Suzy

Winterfest and the Peace on Earth parade today

2006-12-03T07:26:00.000-08:00

hi everyone
thanks so much to everyone who joined us for Winterfest yesterday
we are celebrating again from noon to 5 pm today...
also please note - the "Peace on Earth" parade will start at 3 today (Sunday) I believe...
bye, have a wonderful day. -Suzy

---...---

tags for this post - floyd virginia art music

help celebrate Winter this weekend in Floyd

2006-11-25T15:45:00.000-08:00

You are invited

Please join us
for a Winter celebration in Floyd, Virginia
on Saturday, December 2, and Sunday, December 3, 2006

These are free events, and all are welcome!

Venues

the Jacksonville Center

Winterfest will be taking place all day at the Jacksonville Center in Floyd this coming Saturday and Sunday. Exquisite ceramic work by Sarah McCarthy and many other talented Floyd artists will be offered for sale, along with a wide assortment of locally created artwork, music, and craft items. Please phone the Jacksonville Center to learn more about the exciting music lineup for Winterfest this year!

Café del Sol

A public reception for Suzy Nees’ 2006-2007 Winter exhibit will take place on Saturday from 5 to 7 pm. Billy Miller will play music from 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm.

South Locust Street

A “Peace on Earth” parade will take place on Sunday afternoon at around 3 pm. Don’t miss the Pet Welfare advocates on parade!

Paper note cards, music samples, and other items from the Traces library will be distributed to the public at these and other venues on this day in celebration of the 2006-2007 Winter Giving Season.

Hope to see you there!

---…---

About Traces

The Traces Library is a public art project and ambient library with roots in Floyd, Virginia, USA. It has been installed on the Internet since Y2K.

About Café del Sol

Café del Sol serves coffee, lunch, etc., and is located in downtown Floyd. To reach Café del Sol, please call 745-ACUP.

- --...-- -

Kidfest tomorrow

2006-10-28T06:09:00.000-07:00

You are Invited

---..---

Please join us at the Jacksonville Center in Floyd, Virginia on Sunday, October 29 from noon to 4 pm for the Kidfest Halloween celebration.

This is a FREE event and ALL are welcome!

Activities & events planned for this day include:

- Pumpkin customizing activities for all ages, including carving, painting, etc.
- A non-competitive costume contest
- Freaky music in the silo at 3 pm
- Much more!

---...---

suggested queries for this post - floyd virginia art music community

scenes from the 2006 National Folk Festival

2006-10-18T01:11:00.000-07:00

hi everyone
hope you are well

here is a picture or two I just took at the National Folk Festival
this was a three-day festival that just took place in Richmond, Virginia

more images coming soon...

---...---

image tags - Hazel Dickens, Nat Reese, (sp?), Friends of Mali, Billy Miller

Rio on the Roanoke Times webcast

2006-10-10T14:56:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone
Just wanted to let you know that Rio Semione is on the Roanoke Times webcast today
She is demonstrating pumpkin carving techniques similar to those she will be teaching at the Jacksonville Center this weekend

This can be viewed at roanoke.com > webcast

bye, have a great day. -Suzy

---...---

tags for this post - floyd virginia art

---...---

2006-10-04T10:32:00.000-07:00

---...---
image tags - sarah mccarthy, studio 120 at the jacksonville center, floyd virginia art

Jacksonville Center news for october 4 2006

2006-10-04T10:15:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone, just wanted to let you know that Rio Semione will be appearing in a multimedia article in the Roanoke Times next Tuesday. The Roanoke Times print version will feature information about Rio's upcoming pumpkin carving class at the Jacksonville Center, and a slide show will appear on the front page of roanoke.com that day.

---...---

suggested queries for this page - floyd virginia jacksonville center

---...---

2006-10-03T01:19:00.000-07:00

--...--- - - - image tags - - studio 120 at the jacksonville center - - ----...-- -

National Folk Festival in Richmond, Virginia

2006-09-28T00:59:00.000-07:00

hi everyone
hope you all are well

here is an image from an exhibit of work by Joseph Kelley
mukashi, mukashi*, when the traces project was installed in room 110

Joe will be at the 2006 National Folk Festival in Richmond Virginia along with several other artists, artisans and representatives of the Jacksonville Center

I believe that Joe will be giving whittling demonstrations. If you plan to come to the festival, please look for the Jacksonville Center entourage near the Crooked Road/Bull Mountain/Round the Mountain booths

hope to see you there! warm wishes, Suzy

---...---

suggested queries for this page - floyd virginia art

Pumpkin carving at the Jacksonville Center on October 14

2006-09-18T07:11:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone,
Many thanks to all who attended the open studio event at the Jacksonville Center recently, and to visitors who have been coming to see the Pennies of Promise installation.

Below is some news on a pumpkin carving class my friend Rio will be teaching soon.

bye, have a wonderful day.
-Suzy

---...---

Pumpkin carving class at the Jacksonville Center for the Arts

Saturday, October 14
12 noon - 4 pm

Suggested donation: $10 per person/20 per family

Learn fun and easy carving techniques for creating one-of-a-kind glowing sculptures from pumpkins. Floyd artist Rio Semione will demonstrate ways to use wood gouges as pumpkin carving tools. This class is open to all ages, but children under 15 must be accompanied by an adult.

Bring your own tools if you would like, or purchase tools at the class for around $10 a set.

For more information on this class, please email Rio Semione at rio@swva.net or call the Jacksonville Center at 540 - 745 - 2784.

---...---

tags for this post - floyd, virginia, halloween, activities

"Spotlight on Marsh Fork" press release

2006-08-29T01:12:00.000-07:00

Press release

For immediate release - August 29, 2006

Spotlight on Marsh Fork

A Traces installation in studio 124 at the Jacksonville Center, Floyd, Virginia USA.

From September 1 to 30, 2006, there will be an installation of artwork, photography, reading materials and found objects at studio 124 in Floyd, Virginia. This exhibit is designed to raise awareness about Marsh Fork Elementary and the “Pennies of Promise” campaign.

Marsh Fork is an elementary school near Sundial, West Virginia located directly in the flood-path of approximately 2 billion gallons of coal sludge. The “Pennies of Promise” campaign is focused on raising funds for a new school for the 230 children who attend Marsh Fork Elementary.

Exhibit items being displayed in studio 124 for this exhibit include:

- Coal samples from the old Hoge Mine in Montgomery County, Virginia

- Aerial photography of the Shumate sludge dam and Marsh Fork Elementary

- Work by area artists & activists, including Jeff Chapman Crane, Bo Webb, and Suzy Nees

- Reading materials related to the conservation of culture and resources

- Information on retired coal miner Ed Wiley’s walk to Washington, DC from Charleston, WV

This installation is being sponsored by the Traces Library for Creative Literacy, an ambient library and public art project focused on the ideals of democracy and compassionate, sustainable living. Web coverage for this exhibit is being provided by ideapark.org.

The Jacksonville Center is located on route 8 in Floyd, Virginia, just ½ a mile south of the stoplight. To learn more about this exhibit, please call 540.745.2784 or visit ideapark.org > news.

---...---

tags for this post - marsh fork

photos from the Traces end-of-summer exhibit

2006-08-09T07:45:00.000-07:00

---...---

press release - Chris Shackelford at Over the Moon Gallery in Floyd

2006-08-08T10:58:00.000-07:00

Chris Shackelford Show Opens

In its fifth show of the year, Over The Moon Gallery is featuring the sculpture of local artist Chris Shackelford from August 11^th through the 28^th. A reception for the artist will be held on Saturday the 19^th.

Mrs. Shackelford is a well known figure in the Virginia arts scene in her role as Educational Programming Director at the Jacksonville Center and as an arts instructor in various forums on the East Coast. Due to her passion for promoting the arts, few in the local community are aware of her hard earned credentials as a sculptor and her exceptional talents in this medium.

Chris Shackelford has been a sculptor since 1987 and earned a BS in Philosophy from The University of Michigan and a BFA in Sculpture from Virginia Commonwealth University. In addition, Chris has studied at the prestigious Corcoran School of Art in Washington DC, Parsons School of Design in Paris, and Touchstone in Pennsylvania. She maintains an active exhibition schedule outside of Floyd and has taught at VCU, Corcoran and Touchstone. Chris has studied and taught with renowned sculptor Thad Moseley for over five years at Touchstone and serves as his recommended replacement to conduct the 2006 annual wood carving course. Like most sculptors, Chris is fully immersed in process and her teaching style reflects great reverence for her materials and equal respect for students’ personal and artistic goals. Chris and her family live in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains, an area which continuously inspire and inform her work in wood, stone and clay.

Chris will be demonstrating on Saturday, August 12^th from 12 noon-4pm. The reception on Saturday September 19^th is open to the public and will be open from 6:30 until 9:00PM. Additional information can be obtained at Over The Moon Gallery at 540-745-2782.

news for August 8

2006-08-08T09:55:00.000-07:00

hi everyone

hope you are well
I just got word that Chris S. will be having an exhibit at Over the Moon, more details on this soon

also, there will be a reception for Floyd Artists exhibit in the Hayloft Gallery this coming weekend, I will post the invite for this as well as soon as I get the chance.

in studio 124 I am installing some things related to the "Pennies of Promise" campaign for the kids at Marsh Fork Elementary near Sundial, West Virginia

these items will be up until Labor Day weekend, possibly longer if I get some financial assistance with the gallery rent. If this happens the summer exhibit stuff will get cycled out and replaced with more "Pennies" exhibit items, which will be installed until October.

If not please look for the next installment of the Traces library in Blacksburg, where I have a group exhibit of music, art & culture in the works.

Bye, thanks for reading. Have a wonderful day! -Suzy

stone & earth exhbit

2006-07-28T06:07:00.000-07:00

hi everyone

hope you are having a nice day
there is still a day or two to see the stone & earth exhibit at the jacksonville center, so please stop by if you have a chance.

many thanks to everyone who made July 22 such a wonderful event.

Dr. David Hedges brought one of those old-timey cameras which was neat
Billy & I sang a Hank Williams song together
A very cute baby showed up and Cleo made lots of new friends.

I am currently organizing some exhibits in different areas of the Jacksonville Center.
If you would be interested in participating, or adding a venue to this list, please stay tuned to my other blogs for further announcements.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Sincerely

Suzy Nees

art & music party in Floyd on Saturday, July 22

2006-07-17T20:30:00.000-07:00

---...---

You are invited
to an art & music party
at the Jacksonville Center
in Floyd, Virginia on
Saturday, July 22
from 4 to 7 pm.

All are welcome!

Please feel free to bring:

- Friends
- Musical instruments
- Picnic things
- Art samples &tc.

---...---

The Jacksonville Center
is located on Rt. 8 in
Floyd, just 1/2 mile
south of the stoplight.

To learn more about this
event, please call
(540) 745-2784
or visit
ideapark.org > news

Hope to see you there!

---...---

update on July 22 events

2006-07-16T19:07:00.000-07:00

hi folks

so far we have several studios who have confirmed that they will be participating in the open studio thing on Saturday July 22 from 5 to 7

Sarah & Karl will have their place open
Also SLEC will be open and Traces will be open
I will post more information as it becomes available.

thanks for reading! -Suzy Nees

2006-07-15T10:10:00.000-07:00

- - - ----...---

Press release
For immediate release - July 15, 2006

Saturday slide show this evening at the Jacksonville Center

A slide show will take place this evening from 6 to 7:30 at the Jacksonville Center in Floyd, Virginia. This is a free event which is taking place in conjunction with one of the classes currently being offered at the Jacksonville Center. A class description appears below.

---...---

Demonstration Weekend!
Ellen Shankin and Silvie Granatelli
July 15 & 16, 10am-4:30pm

This will be a demonstration workshop with Ellen Shankin and Silvie Granatelli working side-by-side, throwing porcelain and stoneware clays, altering pots and talking about techniques, ideas and process. FREE SLIDE SHOW SATURDAY NIGHT from 6 to 7:30pm.

---...---

---...- a press release from Traces - - -...---

2006-07-14T10:57:00.000-07:00

---...---

Press release

For immediate release - July 15, 2006

Independent artists, musicians, and educators welcomed at the Traces studio in Floyd

The Traces Library for Creative Literacy exists to provide self-representing artists, writers, and musicians a venue for their creative work. Located at the Jacksonville Center for the Arts in Floyd, Virginia, the Traces space will be available during the fall and winter of 2006 for hourly, daily, or weekly rental. Facility rental fees will be used to ensure that this space can continue to stay open to the public.

The Traces facility is equipped with track lighting, and is situated in a prime location on the first level of the Jacksonville Center. This venue is ideal as a studio or display space for visual artists wishing to share their work with a wider audience while maintaining creative autonomy in an increasingly competitive marketplace. Authors, musicians, curators, and educators are also invited to make use of the Traces facility for individual and collaborative projects.

Traces is located within easy walking distance of downtown Floyd, Virginia. Accommodations are available for $35 per person per night (double occupancy) at the Jacksonville Center dormitory. Other local accommodations can be viewed by clicking here.

Please contact Traces for more information.

---...---
tags for this post - Virginia, Floyd, art, music, Traces

a get-together at the center on July 22

2006-07-11T08:13:00.000-07:00

hi everyone

there will be a get-together at the Jacksonville Center on Saturday, June 22 from 5 pm to 7 pm.
activities planned so far include open studios at SLEC, David Hedges Photography, and Traces.
please stay tuned to learn more about events planned for July 22.

hope to see you then!

-Suzy

- --...-- -

2006-07-10T08:53:00.000-07:00

hi everyone
if you are reading the Jacksonville Center news for the first time, welcome.
I edit this newsletter and use it as a way to share information about new events at the Jacksonville Center.
please watch this space for announcements etc. on upcoming events and get-togethers at the Jacksonville Center.
bye, have a great day. - Suzy Nees

"Earth & Stone" exhibit press release

2006-06-16T14:09:00.000-07:00

“Earth and Stone” Exhibit at the Jacksonville Center

- --...-- -

The Jacksonville Center is hosting a “Meet the Artist” reception for the “Earth and Stone” Exhibit on Saturday June 24, 6-8 P.M. The show features arts and crafts made from earth based materials. The exhibit is currently open to the public and will run until July 29, 2006.

Participating artists include: Anne Fournier Anderson, Charlotte Atkins, Jayn Avery, Ernest C. Bryant, Michael Chase, McCabe Coolidge, Chris Deerheart, Alina Ever, Pam Frazier, Carter Holliday, Suzy Nees, Sue Pollins, Gail Rolfe, Chris Shackelford, Gina Louthian-Stanley and Jeanne Woods.

The Gallery sponsors a ”People’s Choice “ award of $50. The public is invited to vote for their favorite piece. The winner will be announced at the end of the show.

For more information, contact the Jacksonville Center at (540) 745-2784 or visit www.jacksonvillecenter.org

The Jacksonville Center is located on Route 8 one half mile south of the stop light in Floyd ,VA.

- - press release - -

2006-06-05T13:03:00.000-07:00

---...---

Jacksonville Center Names Executive Director

---...---

David St. Lawrence has been named the first Executive Director for The Jacksonville Center for the Arts, a non-profit organization based in Floyd. A native of Massachusetts, St. Lawrence is a retired high-tech executive with sixteen years experience in strategic marketing and business development and has held senior management positions in six successful start-ups. Most recently, he was a senior program manager for Sun Microsystems in Mountain View, California. He has a BSEE from the University of Massachusetts.

St. Lawrence relocated to Floyd in January with his wife, Gretchen, from Charlottesville, VA. He operates a custom woodworking business, “Box-Carts” and worked with thrown and slab-built pottery as a hobby. An avid writer with several weblogs, he is also the author of “Danger Quicksand Have a Nice Day”, a book about surviving corporate employment.

When asked how his corporate background helps the Center, David says, “Fifty years in the corporate trenches has convinced me that the make-break of any enterprise, including nonprofits, is whether the products and services are effectively marketed.” His small-town upbringing makes him aware of how valuable the remarkable culture of Floyd is.

“This is the same culture that built the Jacksonville Center and is one of its greatest strengths today. Any changes to the Center’s operation will be evolutionary -- not revolutionary,” he added.

“This appointment represents a major step forward in our efforts to continue providing high-quality programs in the arts,” says Wilmer Stratton, President of the Board of Directors. “We recognize the need for an executive director and have been working to achieve that goal.” The center now has 3 full time staff, 6 part time staff (including two Experience Works participants) and a large cadre of dedicated volunteers.

In a renovated dairy barn setting, The Jacksonville Center has undergone rapid growth since 2003. After opening Virginia’s first residential crafts school a year ago, the Center offers studio classes in blacksmithing, glassworking and pottery along with courses in many other mediums for the visiting public as well as local residents. Since 2003, the Center has served as Virginia’s first Cultural Arts Business Incubator and currently has ten tenants. The Hayloft Gallery at the Center offers an average of eight exhibits a year and a retail shop featuring work by local artisans. The Center is also home to the Sustainable Living Education Center, a partnership between Association of Energy Conservation Professionals, The Jacksonville Center, Architectural Alternatives and other organizations. Facility use rentals are also available for special events.

---...---

book signing with Fred First on June 4

2006-06-01T09:26:00.000-07:00

Jacksonville Center To Host Book Signing by Local Author, Fred First

The Jacksonville Center is pleased to host a reading and book signing by local author, Fred First, on Sunday, June 4 from 4pm to 6pm., in the Center’s Community Room.

IF you live in or long for the southern mountains…

IF you are drawn toward the pace and pleasures of unhurried, out-of-the-way places…

IF you hope for a home you are waiting to find, then you will feel at home in the pages of this "memoir of place", Slow Road Home ~ a Blue Ridge Book of Days by Fred First.

With a naturalist's curiosity, a photographer's eye, and the heart of one who knows that he is living at last where he belongs, Fred First invites the reader to join him on a field trip through time and place.

On Sunday the author will be reading from and signing his new book, with a reception to follow. Copies will be available for purchase with $4 of each sale to be donated to The Jacksonville Center. Attendees can also sign up for a drawing for a free copy of the book.

The Jacksonville Center for the Arts is located on Route 8 in Floyd, Va., a quarter mile south of the traffic light in the center of town where U.S. 221 and Route 8 intersect. It is six miles north of the Blue Ridge Parkway Route 8 exit at Tuggles Gap. The Jacksonville Center is a member-based, charitable nonprofit cultural arts center that houses a cultural business incubator artists-in-residence program, an art gallery, a retail shop, a large community room available for short term rentals and a variety of classes designed for both the regional community and the visiting public.

The Center is open Monday- Friday 9am-5pm, Saturday 10am-5pm and Sunday 12noon-5pm March- December. For more information, call 540-745-2784, or visit www.jacksonvillecenter.org.

---...---

summer exhibit at Traces

2006-05-18T12:30:00.000-07:00

Jacksonville Center news for May 18, 2006 - photography by Beth Jones and paintings by Samuel A'Court Ashe Bason will be on display in the Traces art space from June 1 to September 1, 2006. Also on display at the Traces art space: sculpture, illustration, music samples, and reading materials related to the conservation of culture and resources.

The Traces Library for Creative Literacy is located at www.traces.ws on the web and in studio 124 on the first floor of the Jacksonville Center.

scenes from the picnic

2006-04-23T13:45:00.000-07:00

a very warm thank you to everyone who helped to make April 22, 2006 such a wonderful day at the Jacksonville Center.

-..- - community picnic & Earth Day celebration - ..-

2006-04-14T07:16:00.000-07:00

There will be a community picnic and Earth Day celebration at the Jacksonville Center in Floyd, Virginia on Saturday, April 22. All are welcome!

Please call the Jacksonville Center at (540) 745-2784 for more information on this event.

Things to bring: picnic items, music instruments, lawn seating, friends!

Events planned so far for this day include:

- An open house at the SLEC (Sustainable Living Education Center)

- art reception for the spring exhibit at Traces

- lawn games

- music under the oak tree, featuring Billy Miller at 2 pm and Snake Hollow String Band at 4 pm

- faerie house building workshop with Patricia & Cori Woodruff (please see the Jacksonville Center website at http://www.jacksonvillecenter.org for details on this class)

other things to see at the Jacksonville Center on April 22:

- a recycled art exhibit in the Hayloft

- an exhibit of work by students from the Blacksburg New School and the Blue Mountain School in Floyd

- Leon Davis will be leading a work day to help complete the Jacksonville Center's straw bale building

- (?) ...please contact the Jacksonville Center if you are interested in helping to add to the April 22 festivities.

Hope to see you there!

tricks & techniques of the anvil

2006-03-13T10:36:00.000-08:00

press release

for immediate release - March 12, 2006

---...---

The Jacksonville Center in Floyd, VA will host a traditional “Hammer-In” in partnership with The Old Dominion Blacksmith Association on Sunday, March 19, 2006 from noon to 4:00pm.

A “Hammer In” is a traditional educational and networking event for members and those interested in blacksmithing.

The Old Dominion Blacksmith Association (ODBSA) is an affiliate of the Artist Blacksmith Association of North American (ABANA) and covers the southwest Virginia territory. www.odbsa.com.

Dale Morse, Educational Director for ODBSA and owner of Clay Hill Forge in Charlottesville, VA will conduct the demonstration/lesson in the Center’s blacksmith studio. Entitled "Tricks and Techniques of the Anvil", the event is a presentation to the Association. The Association will also conduct its traditional “Iron in the Hat” raffle and tailgate sales.

Dale Morse has been blacksmithing since the age of nine with early training in the forges of Booker T. Washington National Monument in Franklin County, Virginia where he and his family exhibited historically accurate demonstrations of every day life in a rural 1860’s era tobacco plantation. He has studied under Manfred Bredhol of the Vulkanschmeide in Aachen, Germany, Gabrielle Curtolo in Venice, Italy and under Joseph Stokes of Shropshire, England. www.clayhillforge.com

Admission is free, but visitors will be required to register near the forge and sign a Waiver of Liability form. Due to liability and safety issues, anyone under 18 year old must be accompanied by his/or her parent or guardian, and everyone must bring and wear safety glasses.

The Hospitality Committee of the Jacksonville Center will provide a lunch of soup and sandwiches during the event. Please RSVP (540) 745-2784.

The Jacksonville Center for the Arts is located on Route 8 in Floyd, Va, about half a mile south of the traffic light. The Jacksonville Center is a member-based, charitable nonprofit cultural arts center that houses a cultural business incubator, art galleries, a retail shop, a large community room available for short term rentals, and a variety of classes designed for both the regional community as well as the visiting public.

The Jacksonville Center is open Mon.- Fri. 9am-5pm, Sat. 10am-5pm and Sun. 12noon-5pm from spring to autumn. For more information, call 540-745-2784, or visit www.jacksonvillecenter.org.

Work by Gibby Waitzkin on display in the Hayloft until February 25

2006-02-16T12:47:00.000-08:00

“Fibers of Memory” Exhibit at the Jacksonville Center

The Jacksonville Center for the Arts will present an exhibition of works by Gibby Waitzkin titled Fibers of Memory beginning January 14, 2006 in the Hayloft Gallery. The exhibit will remain in place through February 25, 2006.

This body of work is an intimate portrayal of Gibby Waitzkin’s life as it evolves, echoing cherished memories of people, places and objects and her life-long passion for the environment. The works are assembled from recycled materials, which tell their own story as they are transformed into artworks. The artist’s idea is to reconstruct the debris of the past into a new visible surface that conveys a personal journey deeply embedded in the cycle of life.

The pieces blend artist-made paper with photographs, scanned imagery, and dried and encaustic-preserved flowers from her own gardens. For the Jacksonville Center exhibit, Waitzkin will include six new pieces completed recently at her home in Floyd.The Jacksonville Center is located at 220 Parkway Lane South, Floyd, 1/2 mile south of the stoplight in the town of Floyd. For information on center’s classes, cultural arts business incubator, retail and exhibit opportunities and other programs, please call 540-745-2784 or visit their website at www.jacksonvillecenter.org.

From January to March, the Center is open to the public Monday to Friday, 9am – 5pm; Saturdays, 10am - 5pm.---...---...---tags - floyd, art, hayloft, jacksonville

---...---

happy new year!

2006-01-01T10:29:00.000-08:00

to all our friends & neighbors
with warm wishes for a very happy new year
from the Jacksonville Center in Floyd, Virginia

-...- scenes from winterfest 2005 in floyd - ...---...-

2005-12-03T15:48:00.000-08:00

---...---...---

hi folks
here are some pictures from today

winterfest will be going on tomorrow, too...

bye, have a great day. -suzy

---...---...---

...---...-

---...---

-...---...---

---...---

-...---...-

-...---...----...---

-...---

-...---

-...---...-

--....--

-...---

---...---

Winterfest 2005 at the Jacksonville Center

2005-11-29T11:41:00.000-08:00

The 10th Annual Winterfest Arts & Crafts Festival comes to the Jacksonville Center for the Arts on Saturday, December 3 from 10am to 5pm & Sunday, December, 4 from Noon to 5pm. At this holiday event, shop for gifts crafted by some of the area’s finest artists and artisans with jewelry, art pottery, clothing, blown glass, stained glass, sculpture, paintings, photographs, wood turnings, musical instruments, natural body care products, and much more.

Christmas trees, local music, refreshments and arts & crafts activities for children will be offered during the day. The teaching studios will feature demonstrations in blacksmithing, glassworking and pottery. The Sustainable Living Education Center, (SLEC), will have a special opening exhibit on sustainability for the public. SLEC, located at the Jacksonville Center, is a partnership managed by Association of Energy Conservation Professionals, Architectural Alternatives and The Jacksonville Center for the Arts.

Participants in this festival include: Aurora Illusions, Bell Studios, Brush Mountain Creations, Celtiquities, Chocolate Spike, Earth Dance, Faith Mountain Farms, Green Deva, Gabriele Hilger-Underhill, L.G. and F. Crafts, Martha Jane McDowell, Billy Miller, Gladys Moritz, Molten Creations, Mountain High Tie Dye, Tom Phelps, Tree Art, Walden Pond Products, Wildflower Cove Studios, Woodland Wonders, Woodstone Creations and World on a String. Artists with studios in the center will also be open including George and Rain Lipson, Sarah McCarthy, Linda Osborne, Karl Yost, Doug Thompson and Playmore Music Learning Center. For more information, please call 540-745-2784 or visit www.jacksonvillecenter.org.

---...---

2005-11-19T11:03:00.000-08:00

volunteers at straw bale work day

---...---

news from floyd - November 20, 2005
posted by Suzy Nees

Many talented and hardworking volunteers came to the Jacksonville Center on Saturday to help raise the walls of the Center's new straw bale structure. Things are moving ahead nicely, according to Leon Davis, who is leading the project.
---...---

David & Leon in the interior of the straw bale structure

J. Kelley working with one of the hay bales.

The Jacksonville Center and SLEC would like to extend a warm thank you to all who participated on Saturday. Thanks to your efforts, construction on the straw bale structure is well underway.

Mud will go on the structure sometime in the next few weeks, as I understand it.

below - images of the SLEC area, volunteers, and the auz-bloc foundation

----....----

The straw bale construction project is ongoing. If you would like to be involved in this project as a volunteer or supporter, please contact Leon Davis via the Jacksonville Center.

image tags: sustainable living education center, green design, straw bale construction, virginia, volunteer, opportunity, floyd, jacksonville center, eco, destination, learning, tilth, resource management, school, training, architecture, vocation

straw bale work day at the Jacksonville Center

2005-11-17T09:20:00.000-08:00

A memo from the Jacksonville Center to friends & members -

The Association of Energy Conservation Professionals (AECP) has rented our building next to the barn as an incubator tenant and has done much improvement to the building and property. In partnership with The Jacksonville Center, they have been developing a Sustainable Living Education Center (SLEC) and now have small solar and wind power demonstration systems in the building. They are steadily preparing for interactions with the community and plan to have an Open House during our Winterfest event on Dec. 3 & 4. We will partner with SLEC for future educational events and opportunities for the community.

With SLEC's support, an architecture student from Virginia Tech, Leon Davis, is building a straw bale structure on the Jacksonville Center property as his thesis project. He has been quite dedicated and the building is coming along well. When complete, the 360 sq. ft. structure will belong to the Jacksonville Center to utilize as a space for classes in additional art/craft mediums.

Leon is working this Saturday, Nov. 19, on the straw bale building. He will be putting up the straw bale walls and could use volunteers. This is a wonderful opportunity for anyone interested in alternative building to come this Saturday and work with Leon. Both skilled and non-skilled folks are welcome. Work will commence around 8:30 or 9am.

If you are interested, contact Wayne at the Jacksonville Center at (540) 745-2784 for more information. There will be more opportunities to work on this project in the future.

tags: green building, green design, virginia, Floyd, volunteer opportunities, ecology, sustainability

call for entries - winter 05 sustainable living exhibit

2005-11-15T09:46:00.000-08:00

Visions of sustainability
An exhibit of art, design, writing and handcrafts related to sustainable living
Floyd, Virginia
Winter 2005

---...---

Visions of Sustainability is being hosted by the Sustainable Living Education Center at the Jacksonville Center in Floyd during the month of December 2005, and will include artwork, design, writing and craft items by persons of all ages.

This exhibit invites members of the public to share their views on sustainable living and to help define the elements of a sustainable lifestyle.

---..---

Who can participate?

Anyone who is interested in sustainable living is encouraged to submit materials for this exhibit. Members of the Floyd and New River Valley communities are especially encouraged to participate.

---...---

What will be on display?

Possible exhibit items include:

Printed materials, including letters, essays, and photos

Examples of fair trade and handcrafted products

Agricultural art & artifacts

Environmental art and green design exhibits

Displays related to the conservation of culture & resources

Items related to sustainable consumption, voluntary simplicity, and conflict resolution

Music and books

Children’s art

Materials which celebrate Appalachian culture

---...---

How can I submit materials?

If you wish to submit printed materials which do not need to be returned, or if you would like to donate a book or music CD to the SLEC audiovisual library, please mail items directly to the Jacksonville Center using the contact information below.

For information on exhibiting artwork, handcrafts, antiques, books or fair trade products, please contact Jeri Dewey or Wayne Bradburn at (540) 745-2784.

All exhibit materials must be received no later than November 23, 2005.

Please mail printed items or library donations to:

Sustainable Living Exhibit

The Jacksonville Center

220 Parkway Lane South

Suite 1

Floyd, Virginia

24091

---...---

about the Sustainable Living Education Center in Floyd, Virginia

The Sustainable Living Education Center (SLEC) is a partnership between The Association of Energy Conservation Professionals (AECP), the Jacksonville Center, and Architectural Alternatives.

The purpose of SLEC is to provide interactive demonstrations, displays, and exhibits to the general public that highlight the value and importance of living a more sustainable life.

These exhibits include a wide variety of sustainable issues, concepts, and technologies including energy conservation and efficiency, renewable energy, green building, water conservation, recycling, sustainable agriculture and forestry, transportation, home energy performance, and much more.

SLEC operates on the premise that interactive, hands-on involvement is the best form of education and that effective education is the key to a more sustainable society.

fall colors etc.

2005-11-08T18:20:00.000-08:00

hi folks

here are some fall color pictures

I have been working with pokeberry dye this weekend, Cleo here is sporting a sample

Pokeberry ink is made from Phytolacca Americana & I hear that it was used to write the US constitution

this is the ink grinding setup I use

a view of rt. 8 near Floyd

bye, have a great day

Suzy

Halloween festival at the Jacksonville Center

2005-10-27T10:22:00.000-07:00

The Jacksonville Center in Floyd, Virginia will be hosting a Halloween celebration on Saturday, October 29 from 1 pm to 5 pm.

Wear your costume!

This event will include lots of fun hands on activites, including face painting, storytelling, music, masks, pumpkin carving, and edible art.

Rose McCutcheon will be leading a theatrical Halloween presentation starring local teens, and Lee Chichester will be there with a red-tailed hawk.

This is a free event, and all are welcome.

For more information, please call the Jacksonville Center at (540) 745-2784.

tags: Floyd, Virginia, things to do, Halloween, art, falconry

Sarah's work

2005-10-04T05:50:00.000-07:00

here is some work by Sarah McCarthy on display in her studio & shop at the Jacksonville Center.

search tags: pottery, crafts, art, artisan, Floyd, Virginia, shop, shopping

2005-10-03T21:27:00.000-07:00

here is Sarah in the pottery studio on Saturday.
Sarah's work is on display in her studio in the Jacksonville Center's cultural business incubator.

tags: Floyd, Virginia, art, artisan, pottery, ceramics

studio 124

2005-09-20T13:35:00.000-07:00

hi folks, here are some of the new things up at the Traces art space in studio 124. also there as of this morning: some wonderful pictures by ideapark.org featured artist Mack Whatley.

have a great morning. --suzy

tags: art, culture, agriculture, farm, coal, ink, stone, granite, sustainability, shop, floyd, virginia, history, photography, sprawl, industrial revolution, reap, sow, rat race

info on the straw bale studio

2005-08-22T13:59:00.000-07:00

Hi folks,
here is some info from Leon Davis on the straw bale structure he is currently constructing at the Jacksonville Center.

tags: green design, sustainability, conservation, construction, building materials

----

This structure is an experiment in alternative building practices using local materials and renewable resources. The straw bale building will showcase several new green building materials available from local merchants. These include a structural block known as Timbercrete, manufactured by Auz-Bloc in Floyd, and various green products sold by Eco-Spec in Copper Hill.

The Jacksonville Center and the Sustainable Living Education Center (SLEC), plan to use the building as an art studio, meeting space and educational showroom for sustainable technologies.

This endeavor calls upon the experience and counsel of the community in a combined effort to develop environmentally responsible building practices and implement them in our mainstream culture. I encourage anyone who is familiar with alternative construction or is interested in learning to contact the Jacksonville Center or SLEC. I also invite you all to come visit the facilities and witness the process of building with straw bales and other new materials; a construction calendar will be posted and updated regularly.

Any contribution of time or money is greatly appreciated and will be recognized by both groups as well as Virginia Tech.

hand dyed silk scarves in the retail shop

2005-08-18T11:57:00.000-07:00

these beautiful hand dyed silk scarves can be found in the retail shop at the Jacksonville Center.
tags: gift, floyd, artisan, Virginia

Wayne & Leon taking measurements for the straw bale studio

2005-08-18T00:08:00.000-07:00

foundation blocks for the straw bale studio

2005-08-18T00:03:00.000-07:00

these are called "timber crete" or "aussie block" and they are made from a mixture of sand, cellulose, and cement. Virginia Tech student Leon Davis is using these for the foundation of the new straw bale studio he is constructing at the Jacksonville Center.
tags: green design, Floyd, Virginia, building materials

photo of the wind tower

2005-08-18T00:00:00.000-07:00

here is a photo of the new wind tower at the Jacksonville Center.

press release: new work by Floyd artists

2005-08-03T16:10:00.000-07:00

“Floyd Artists-New Work” Exhibit at the Jacksonville Center

The third, annual exhibit of new work by Floyd artists, both old timers and new comers, will feature the unique work of these artisans in a variety of mediums at the Hayloft Gallery in the Jacksonville Center.

Artists with work on exhibit include: Thomas Baldwin, Sylvia Blankenship, Charlie Brouwer, Ernest Bryant, Deborah Carrino, Christine Clinger, Rick Cooley, Mark Cox, Donna Douglas, Fred First, Lora Geissler, Stacy Graham, Bridgette Griffith, Art Haase, Tera Hale, Susan Hatcher, Ann Houston, B. Don Johnson, Joey Jones, Toni Lamberti, Debbie McAlexander, Emilie Owen, Laura Parrish, Marsha Paulekas, Catherine Pauley, Suzie Ross, Karen Sewell, Aaron Staengl, Wil Stratton, Aven Tanner, Doug Thompson and Teri Walters,

One of the Center’s most popular exhibits, it will continue until September 18, 2005. An opening reception for the general public to meet the artists will be held on August 6, 2005, 6-8 PM.

images from the blacksmithing shop

2005-08-03T10:22:00.000-07:00

2005-08-03T10:21:00.000-07:00

hi folks,

I was in the right place at the right time the other day and had a chance to sit in on a blacksmithing class at the Jacksonville Center in Floyd. Here are some images from the day.

--Suzy

2005-08-03T10:19:00.000-07:00

2005-08-03T10:17:00.000-07:00

2005-08-03T10:16:00.000-07:00

2005-08-03T10:14:00.000-07:00

2005-08-03T10:07:00.000-07:00

here is an image from the Jacksonville School blacksmithing shop, July 2005.

Tags for this image: Virginia, Floyd, artisan, craft, smith, blacksmithing, farrier, traditional arts, iron, agriculture, industry, USDA

2005-08-03T09:09:00.000-07:00

2005-07-13T19:52:00.000-07:00

Here is Virginia Governor Mark Warner today at the Jacksonville Arts Center in Floyd! Thank you so much for your visit Gov. Warner! It was a very exciting day and a nice social event. Below are some pictures of the day.

2005-07-13T19:46:00.000-07:00

Gov. Warner dropped in on a kids' art class today at the Jacksonville Center. Although the Governor did not have time to make a hat of his own, I believe he admired this one a great deal, as I do.

2005-07-13T19:40:00.000-07:00

Gov. Warner speaks with Jacksonville Center staff about economic development etc. Chris in the foreground.

2005-07-13T19:39:00.000-07:00

Here is a scene from today's town meeting with Gov. Mark Warner. This meeting took place at the Floyd Country Store, with some wonderful music and refreshments beforehand.

2005-07-13T19:36:00.000-07:00

Gov. Warner chatting with Jacksonville Center staff & organizers. The Governor is not wearing a hand puppet, he is wearing a splint as he injured his hand after a spill on a bike.

2005-07-13T19:34:00.000-07:00

Town meeting with Gov. Warner at the Floyd Country Store. Crooked Trail poster in the background. Important Note! Gov. Warner was the first to put money in the hat for the musicians.

2005-07-13T19:31:00.000-07:00

Hm! Thinks Virginia Governor Mark Warner. Why is there dirt in a fishbowl there I wonder?

2005-07-13T19:30:00.000-07:00

Gov. Warner visiting the "Art of Furniture" exhibit in the Hayloft Gallery.

2005-07-13T19:27:00.000-07:00

Here is one of the musicians arriving at the Floyd Country Store today. Some wonderful music was played here prior to the town meeting with Gov. Warner.

2005-07-13T19:25:00.000-07:00

a scene from the Floyd Country store today as folks were waiting for the Governor to arrive.

2005-07-13T19:22:00.000-07:00

Lee and Shirley chatting with Gov. Warner at the Jacksonville Center

2005-06-23T06:29:00.000-07:00

hi folks! good morning. I am not in Floyd today but I bet it is lovely there this morning. Below are some summer pictures I thought I would share... best wishes to all. suzy

2005-06-23T06:25:00.001-07:00

2005-06-23T06:25:00.000-07:00

2005-06-23T06:24:00.000-07:00

june 22, 2005-these lilies are in full bloom in montgomery county.

straw bale architecture model

2005-04-25T09:57:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I had the opportunity to meet Leon Davis, a Virginia Tech architecture student who will be constructing a straw bale studio at the Jacksonville Center this May. Shown here is a photo of Leon's model for the structure.

Leon Davis

2005-04-25T09:56:00.000-07:00

Here is Virginia Tech architecture student Leon Davis with a model of the straw bale studio that he will begin building at the Jacksonville Center beginning this May.

Hayloft gallery Spring 2005 exhibit

2005-04-25T09:55:00.000-07:00

Shown here is a photo from the last show in the Hayloft Gallery, an exhibit of work by instructors in the new crafts school . Currently on display in the Hayloft is an exhibit of art from recycled and salvaged materials.

2005-04-25T09:54:00.000-07:00

another image of the crafts school instructor exhibit in the Hayloft gallery.

kiln shed under construction

2005-04-25T09:53:00.000-07:00

Here is a picture of the kiln shed under construction. I believe that this picture was taken a few weeks ago.

2005-04-25T09:51:00.000-07:00

here's Wayne & Chris in front of the Kiln shed about a week or so ago.

Press release: Earth Day events at the Jacksonville Center

2005-04-19T04:28:00.000-07:00

for immediate release

On the evening of Friday, April 22 (Earth Day), there will be an open house and reception at the Jacksonville Center in Floyd, Virginia. Upstairs, in the Hayloft Gallery, there will be an exhibit of art made from recycled and salvaged materials, with refreshments being served in the Community Room from 7 to 9 pm.

There will be extended hours in the retail shop and artists' studios downstairs, and Chris Shackelford will be giving tours of the soon-to-be opened Jacksonville School for the Arts and Culture.

Suzy Nees will be hosting an open studio in her art space in room 124 from 5-8 pm, with new work from her latest project: Mining The Dearth of Things. This work is meant to encourage dialogue about life design as a means of conserving culture and resources.

For more information on these events, or to learn about other educational programs at the Jacksonville Center, please call the Center at (540) 745-2784 or visit www.jacksonvillecenter.org.

the art of teaching art to children

2005-04-19T04:07:00.000-07:00

Here is a picture from Katherine Devine's class on Sunday. This was a workshop on the art of teaching art to children. It was great to meet Katherine and share ideas with her about the way folks think about art. Even though I was only able to visit the class for a short time, it was fascinating. Thanks Katherine!
--Suzy

Chris Shackelford

2005-04-15T08:50:00.000-07:00

Check out the changes in our summer Ceramics Studio schedule!
June 10-12 "Densisty, Transparency & Voluptuous line" (CER610)- Hunt Prothro
"From Paleolithic times and the origins of conscious thinking, to the present, diverse, enigmatic expression of an art tradition, human beings have used clay to made pottery. With in-depth discussion of these origins and his own technique, Hunt will demonstrate throwing and the manipulation of form, texturing with a variety of tools, and coloring the surface with mason stains and washes. Students will participate with their own work using these methods of layering a transparent stratigraphy of rich emotional depth; creating an object of self-referential, mythic form; contemplative, yet tangibly concrete."
Hunt Prothro has been a studio pottery and teacher since 1972. After growing up in California and graduating from Hanover College, Indiana with a BA in religion and literature, Hunt returned to California to study with Marguerite Wildenhain at her studio, Pond Farm, in Sonoma County. Recently, Hunt has studied Paleolithic cave art in southwest France. His work and teaching is heavily influenced by these experiences and he will discuss each during his workshop.

June 27-July 1 "Plaster, Molds and Castings Made Easy"(CER627)-Ian Anderson
"For many artists, plaster and slip-casting are mysterious and inaccessible. This workshop will remove that mystery. Through hands-on tasks, students will learn to use plaster, make a plaster mold, make their own casting slip, and slip cast an object. Emphasis is given towards practical, tangible knowledge of these materials and processes. All levels welcome. Students are asked to bring an item to cast."
Ian Anderson is a full-time studio artist living in Philadelphia. He received his undergraduate degrees from the University of Virginia, and a MFA from the Univesity of Nebraska-Lincoln. His ceramic design work is sold at the Museum of Arts and Design in NY, the Signature Shop & Gallery in Atlanta, and the Clay Studio in Philadelphia. He has been using molds and slip casting for 5 years and has what he calls "minor expertise" in a variety of printmaking techniques used in clay. You can see his work at www.ianworks.com"

2005-04-11T16:44:00.000-07:00

here is studio 124. home of the Traces project.

2005-04-11T16:43:00.000-07:00

here is the Jacksonville Center

Meet Ms. Kate Garland

2005-04-11T16:42:00.000-07:00

This is Kate Garland, our Volunteer Coordinator at the Jacksonville Center. Kate's bio will be coming soon, but for now lets just say Kate is Great! We are so lucky to have her here.

--posted by Suzy

image 047

2005-04-03T10:18:00.000-07:00

Photograph by Maria Mauceri. Digital effects by Suzy Nees.

scheduling change for summer courses

2005-04-01T10:39:00.000-08:00

Please note that there is a scheduling change for the Jacksonville School's summer schedule. Martha Sullivan (Functional Pottery from the Wheel) and Jayn Avery (The Ancient Art of Hand Building) will be switching weeks. Martha's Class will now be held from June 27 through July 1, and Jayn's class will be from July 3 through 8. Thanks.

Welcome

2005-03-31T03:34:00.000-08:00

Dear reader,
Thanks very much for your interest in the Jacksonville School for the Arts. Perhaps you are a volunteer here, a staff member, a friend of the Jacksonville Center, or someone in Antarctica just passing the time. However you got here, and whoever you are, I hope that you will feel welcome, not just to read, but to post.
As the school's volunteer web developer, I hope to increase the school's web presence dramatically by designing a system of easy-to-update web pages that allow for large collections of images. Ideally, this system will be extremely reader-friendly and incorporate reader feedback in the content.
Hence this blog. While many of you may be familiar with this format, others should be assured that this a blog is essentially just a really really really easy way to have a web page. A blog is also much more informal than a traditional website...which means that creating fresh content (a must!!!) is as easy as writing an e-mail.
Thanks for reading.
Suzy Nees