UPDATE

Pump the Tump, a catchy phrase for a 21 st century social media group with the heart of ye old village shopkeeper from a few centuries back. Its purpose? To encourage Wetumpka-area residents and businesses to support each other to build a stronger economy. Saturday, November 1 9 was the official Wetumpka is Alive! event sponsored by the Pump the Tump facebook group, an early afternoon street party that invited visitors, residents and a few well-behaved dogs to explore downtown and her merchants. Vendors set up tables and local businesses rolled out the red carpet to attendees; providing door prizes, food, and lots of information. Although not located downtown, ARRAC was allowed to set up several demonstration stations in 11 8 Company St., enthralling young and old with the opportunity to see, up-close and personal, craftspersons making thrown and slip decorated pottery and quilting. Even as the weather veered toward a light rain, the mood downtown was relaxed and sunny; friends greeting each other as they walked along peering into buildings that now boasted artwork, puppets, and Christmas trees. Thanks to Teresa Roberson, owner of Southeastern Printing and the facebook group, for organizing this great event. As we launch into this holiday purchasing frenzy, may we all keep our local businesses and craftspersons and artisans in mind; this will help ensure a healthy economy for all of us.

NOV. 2011
Vol. I /Issue 12
The River Region's Friendly Place for the Arts

Wetumpka is Alive! Success

Launches Buy Local

Inside This Issue

Buy Local ........................................... 1 News from the Center......................... 2 Board of Directors............................... 2 About Us............................................ 2

Thanks for Coming.........................2 Pottery for the Wheel Classes!........ 2 Out & About....................................... 3

Wetumpka's Windows Reborn............ 3 Coming Events & Classes.................... 5 Mugs Fest in January........................... 6 Volunteer Schedule............................. 6 Membership Benefits.......................... 7 Our Sponsors...................................... 8 Bluegrass/Sit & Sew............................. 8

Clockwise, from above: Leigh Crocker's "Auburn Dawn," Raymond Head's fish sculpture and Rebecca Grice's painting of a cabin in the woods. Stop by the Gallery Saturdays from 9am - 4pm & Sundays from 12pm-4pm.

The Alabama River Region Arts Centers mission is to bring the People of the River Region together and enhance community life through a supportive environment where people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities can study, create and present art.

Our Mission Statement:

The Alabama River Region Arts Center is a 501 (c) 3 not-for-profit organization.
Providing high quality, affordable programs

Alabama River Region Arts Center

TheARRAC

News from The Center

UPDATE/NOV. 2011

ARRAC Board of Directors

Officers
Rick Bowman - Vice President Marilyn Winborn - Secretary

Members at Large
Geoff McIntyre Austin Thompson Frank Sullivan - Executive Director

The Arts Center is a volunteer based, community supported organization that derives its funding from public

About Us

and private donations, contributions, grants, benefactors and the proceeds from memberships, Artist Space, events. Rentals, Gallery Art Sales and special

Art practitioners, teachers, and curious craft-enthusiasts came to our VIP/Meet & Greet, held November 1 9. They were able to see for themselves what all the excitement is about! Our new clay studio, classrooms and studio space were open for tours, while ARRAC member Vanessa Bordlee (pictured, left) made sweet music (sharing her songwriting talents with us in the Gallery). Thanks Vanessa and all the visitors who are imagining the possibilities for bringing arts to the river region community at the Arts Center.

Pottery for the Wheel Classes in New Clay Studio!

Frank Sullivan demonstrated wheel thrown pottery at Pump the Tump's "Wetumpka is Alive!" event, November 19.

POTTERY FOR THE WHEEL, with Frank Sullivan Two Saturdays & Sundays, December 3, 4, 2011, and January 7, 8, 2012, 2:00pm to 5:00pm. www.arrac.org or artisticdirector@arrac.org or director@arrac.org
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Alabama River Region Arts Center

This pottery class is for beginners to the wheel as well as those who have had one or two classes and want to learn more. It will concentrate on the basics of wheel work: centering, opening, pulling up, and trimming and a final class on glazing. There will be two classes, a break for four weeks to allow for drying and initial firing, and a final two class for glazing completed pieces. This is generally an adult class, but we will accept students as young as 1 4. Registration deadline December 3. Center will be open Thursday, Dec. 1 from 3:30 - 7:30 pm. Cost: $80 for Center members; $90 for nonmembers. Students must also pay a $15 materials fee for clay and firing to the Pottery Dept. at the first class. Students should also bring a beginners pottery tool kit available from Hobby Lobby or purchase one at the class for $1 0. Beginning / Advanced Beginning.

300 West Tallassee St Wetumpka, AL 36092

TheARRAC

Out & About

UPDATE/NOV. 2011

Wetumpka's Windows Reborn

Good ideas stick, whether in California or Alabama. Theresa Wayne, ARRAC's Artistic Director, remembered the empty storefronts in San Jose, Calif., that were beautifully reborn as windows displaying local artists' works. Convinced that a similar plan would also work to promote Wetumpka's artists, she contacted many downtown building owners, in conjunction with the Pump the Tump "Wetumpka is Alive!" Event. Enthusiastic, willing, generous, are all suitable adjectives to describe their response. Approximately 2400 lineal feet later, we all wondered if we had bitten off more than we could handle, after all, it was to be just a one-day Julie Lindsey exhibited her work, for the first time, at Pump the Tump, in one of affair. ARRAC's exhibit areas. Fortunately, an artist and her vision is not easily changed or downsized just for convenience's sake. Below, beadwork and other handmade jewelry was displayed Theresa Wayne organized windows on both sides of by Sharon Ervin. Company Street. The Western Auto Furniture Store windows featured works by area children. The Humane Society of Elmore County lent the display framework and local schools were invited to submit art. ARRAC's own Drawing & Painting Club members, as well as many home schooled children had works on display. Building on the theme of young artists starting their art, ARRAC member art teachers Marty McIntyre, Anna Thibodeaux, and Theresa Wayne also contributed works from their own student-day portfolios demonstrating a lifetime of progress through instruction and practice. All work is grouped by genre.
"Wetumpka's Windows Reborn" continued on page 4

Alabama River Region Arts Center

a 501(c) 3 not-for-profit organization

TheARRAC

UPDATE/NOV. 2011

Above, Dawn Sullivan demonstrates quilting on a portable quilt frame.

Judith Thornton, owner of the Western Auto Furniture building, has graciously allowed us to keep the young artists-intraining work up in her windows through December. While across the street, in Betsy Sheldon's buildings, River Region artists' canvas and framed works were displayed, gallerylike; jewelry, crafts, and smaller works were magnificently displayed, in seasonal splendor, in empty display windows of Ms. Sheldon's unoccupied buildings. Thanks to Sharon Ervin for her myriad and masterful decorating talents.

Wetumpka's Windows Reborn, cont.

River region-area children got in the act, demonstrating their artistic talents, also! Proving, once again, love of and proficiency in the arts start young. Just a reminder, kids, Arts Clubs start back up in January! See ya there.

At right, one of Austin Thompson's custom-made puppets welcomes visitors into the ARRAC artist (human and puppet) demonstrations in Betsy Sheldon's 118 Company St. property.

At right, Robin Rogers demonstrated clay carving and decorating pottery with slip in various colors. She is sporting a pendant made in this fashion.

Alabama River Region Arts Center

TheARRAC

December/January Events & Classes

December Thu Dec 1 Fri Dec 2 Sat Dec 3
Sun Dec 4 Tue Dec 6 Wed Dec 7 Thu Dec 8 Fri Dec 9 Sat Dec 1 0 Thu Dec 15 Fri Dec 1 6 Sat Dec 17 Sun Dec 1 8 Thu Dec 22 Sat Dec 24 Sun Dec 25 Sat Dec 31 Sun Jan 1, 2012 Wed Jan 4, 2012 Sat Jan 7, 2012 Sun Jan 8, 2012 Tue Jan 1 0, 2012 Wed Jan 11, 2012 Thu Jan 12, 2012 Sat Jan 14, 2012 Wed Jan 1 8, 2012 Sat Jan 21, 2012 4:00pm 6:00pm 1 0:00am 3:00pm 9:00am 12:00pm 9:00am 12:00pm 2:00pm 5:00pm 2:00pm 5:00pm 2:00pm 4:00pm 6:00pm 8:00pm 5:30pm 7:30pm 1 0:00am 3:00pm All day 5:30pm 7:30pm 1 0:00am 3:00pm 6:30pm 7:30pm 1 0:00am 11 :00am 2:30pm 3:30pm 5:30pm 7:30pm All day All day All day All day 1 0:00am 12:00pm 9:00am 12:00pm 9:00am 12:00pm 2:00pm 5:00pm 2:00pm 5:00pm 2:00pm 4:00pm 1 0:00am 12:00pm 6:00pm 8:00pm 6:30pm 8:00pm 9:00am 12:00pm 9:00am 3:00pm 1 0:00am 12:00pm All day Arts Clubs - ARRAC Last Arts Club till 2012 Adult Draw/Paint w/Theresa Wayne -ARRAC Blue Grass Jam/ - ARRAC Sit & Sew - ARRAC Pottery for the Wheel - ARRAC Pottery for the Wheel - ARRAC Bookbinding & Repair - ARRAC Beg. Digital Photography - ARRAC **Buttons in Clay - ARRAC Adult Draw/Paint w/Theresa Wayne - ARRAC Christmas on the Coosa **Buttons in Clay - ARRAC Adult Draw/Paint w/Theresa Wayne - ARRAC The Holiday Bug -WPA Center* The Holiday Bug - WPA Center* The Holiday Bug - WPA Center* **Buttons in Clay - ARRAC CLOSED CLOSED CLOSED CLOSED Head Drawing Workshop -ARRAC Blue Grass Jam/ - ARRAC Sit & Sew - ARRAC Pottery for the Wheel - ARRAC Pottery for the Wheel - ARRAC Bookbinding & Repair - ARRAC Head Drawing Workshop - ARRAC Beg. Digital Photography - ARRAC Brainstorm Dinner - ARRAC Beginning Quilting - ARRAC Fabric Doll Workshop - ARRAC Head Drawing Workshop - ARRAC MUGS Fest

Coming Events

UPDATE/NOV. 2011

Crosstitch Productions Puppet Troupe's Performance of

The Holiday Bug at
Wetumpka Performing Arts Center

Puppeteer & ARRAC Clay Club Leader Austin Thompson with Mr. Berg.

December 16th - 18th Puppet show, suitable for all ages. At the Wetumpka Performing Arts Theater, adjacent to the Alabama River Regions Art Center Dates and Showtimes: Friday 12/1 6 6:00pm Saturday 12/17 1 0:00am & 2:00pm Sunday 12/1 8 2:30pm
Tickets available at: www.crosstitchproductions.com

* Wetumpka Performing Arts Center, adjacent to ARRAC at 300 W. Tallassee St, Wetumpka ** Class Full, contact the Center for next available class.

Alabama River Region Arts Center

300 West Tallassee St Wetumpka, AL 36092

TheARRAC

Volunteer Calendar

UPDATE/NOV. 2011

Volunteer Schedule

Times shown on the calendar for special events outside the Gallery are Event Times - volunteers should be there at least 1 hour prior for setup and approx. 1 /2 hour after for cleanup. The Arts Center is in need of volunteers this month and future months, as we are participating in many Special Events outside of the Center. Please contact Sharon Ervin, Volunteer Coordinator, at sservin1 946@hotmail.com or 51 43420 (home) or 279-3464 (work). Do your part for the ARTS in the River Region.

December/January
Sat Dec 3 Sat Dec 4 Sat Dec 1 0

Sun Dec 11 Sat Dec 17 Sun Dec 1 8 Sat Dec 24 Sun Dec 25 Sat Dec 31 Sun Jan 1

9:00am 4:00pm Dawn 12:00pm 4:00pm Theresa Christmas on the Coosa-Dawn, Frank 9:00am 4:00pm Marty-ARRAC 12:00pm 4:00pm Sharon E. 9:00am 4:00pm Sharon E. 12:00pm 4:00pm Theresa Christmas Eve Center Closed Christmas Center Closed New Year's Eve Center Closed New Year's Day Center Closed

Although it may be cold and dreary in January, ARRAC will be warming things up with our MUGS* Fest! Think, Hot Cocoa/Coffee, Fun Filmfest, Demos, Hands-on & Artsy surprises for all ages! Bring your family! Saturday, January 21 at ARRAC! Watch for more details. *making up good stuff!

MUGS Fest Coming in January

The Update is published monthly. Your comments, ideas, and story ideas are welcome. Marty McIntyre, Editor

artsclub@arrac.org

Alabama River Region Arts Center Mailing Address: PO Box 1172 Wetumpka, AL 36092 Alabama River Region Arts Center Gallery/Classroom s 300 West Tallassee St Wetumpka, AL 36092 a 501 (c)3 not-for-profit organization
Rob Lyle, graphite artist, showed his work publicly for the first time in one of ARRAC's open galleries on Company St. Rob's drawing of the bridge is available in card form. Stop by the Arts Center Gallery for more information. See "Wetumpka's Windows Reborn," page 3.

Alabama River Region Arts Center

a 501(c) 3 not-for-profit organization

TheARRAC

Committed Members

UPDATE/NOV. 2011

Membership Renewal

What a difference a year makes. A year ago we were just starting to get the Alabama River Region Arts Center ready. Now, we are fostering the arts in a clean, freshly painted building and holding classes and events for the community. It has taken a lot of hard work; physically, mentally, and emotionally. Thanks to ALL of our members for your many contributions of time, money and effort. Now is the time to recommit your best efforts to making the Alabama River Region Arts Center the best place for the arts in our community. Renew your membership for the 2012 year. Decide to be a oneperson promoter for the arts. Make a difference in the lives of school children in our community who haven't had the opportunities you have had in the arts, volunteer your time as an art teacher. Encourage others in the arts. Current supporting members will be receiving an email form to fill out and return. Please take the time to thoughtfully complete; assessing your talents and willingness to serve.

Get a Jump on Your Gift-Giving, Membership Benefits Start Now!

Join the Alabama River Region Arts Center now and reap 1 0% discount on Gallery purchasesjust in time for your holiday shopping. A membership to the Arts Center may be the best (and most simple) idea yet for a thoughtful gift that keeps on giving all year long. Giving a membership means a 1 0% discount on Classes, also. Membership Level Student / Senior (under 1 8 / over 55) Individual Family Business $20 $35 $40 $50 ____ ____ ____ ____

Dawn Sullivan's recently hung quilt, "Crazy for Green," a second-place winner in 2009's Christmas on the Coosa, dresses up the Gallery.

How about a Carving Class gift certificate for the man who has everything? You don't have to wait till pumpkins are in season again...we have wood carving classes forming.

I would like to make an additional donation of: $__________ Bronze $1 00 ___ Silver $250___ Gold $500___ Platinum $1 000___

Membership Benefits

1 0% discount on classes 1 0% discount on Gallery purchases 1 0% discount on custom frames at Zuelzke's Juried Gallery access for artist to display their work.
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Alabama River Region Arts Center

TheARRAC

Bluegrass Jam

UPDATE/NOV. 2011

9am 12pm Dec. 3rd

We'll most likely be indoors, but in Alabama you just never know! We can guarantee friendly faces and great music. All skill levels are welcome. New violinist/fiddle-players welcome! Whether you have an instrument you pluck at or have a passion plucking at you to sing...we welcome you and look forward to having you join in the music-making. Join us from 9am - 12pm, Dec. 3rd. at the ARRAC.

Bluegrass Jam this Saturday, Dec. 3

Thanks to Our Member Sponsors Businesses BathBuilders LLC - www.bathbuildersllc.com Platinum Benjamin and Luanne Russell Gold Mary and James Wolfe Bronze Mayor Jerry Willis Monte and Jan McKinney Jimmy and Yvonne Lee Supporters Frances Arnold James Parker Frank and Dawn Sullivan Adelia H. Turner

Come and resume work on one of your projects on your todo stack. Sit & Sew in the Monet room with fellow fabric and quilting fans. We'll meet from 9am 12pm.

Sit & Sew

Alabama River Region Arts Center

300 West Tallassee St Wetumpka, AL 36092