“We have a Georgetown frog!” say Georgetown College freshmen volunteers.

On August 22nd, the Scott County Arts Consortium and SCAC/ArtWorks, represented by Jan AtLee, welcomed a group of college freshmen to the Arts & Cultural Center as part of their freshmen orientation and community service day. They packed a lot of work and a lot of fun into just two hours.

The largest mold being stored in the historic jail basement was finally poured by this great group of young people learning about their new community, helping each other, and volunteering to help others. The students will return to the Arts & Cultural Center’s upstairs north studio to paint this great frog with glaze. It will be fired in the electric kiln at ArtWorks, where SCAC/ArtWorks Programming classes are held. The frog will be on display during the Festival of the Horse and the Arts Weekend events so the students can bring friends and family to see their clay creation.

The volunteers got an overview of the Arts & Cultural Center, historic preservation, restoration, renovation, and modernization to support our cultural heritage and arts education in Scott County. They were introduced to the difference between original clay creations and ceramic reproduction process to orient them to their morning’s volunteer task: to help prepare shelving for the hundreds of ceramic molds donated to SCAC/ArtWorks Programming by Mr. Henry Thomas. Volunteer opportunities, classes and events for the Arts & Cultural Center and ArtWorks Programming were presented as possibilities for future college group and family activities.

The college crew brushed, vacuumed, painted and stacked fifty-six cinderblocks for our ceramic mold storage shelves. Other tasks carried out by this wonderful group were to carry tables down from the second floor of the Arts & Cultural Center to the jail basement; and to move ceramic art pieces from one floor to another in preparation for the next exhibit which opens on September 7: “United in Art” featuring Shirley Smith, Janice Gray, and Pamela Clegg. We owe much to this crew, and greatly appreciate all the help! Thanks so much! We hope to see you all real soon!

Floral Fusion – Art & Nature” fun continues at the Arts & Cultural Center during the month of June. “Fun with Found Florals” On June 14 was truly a joyous occasion. Anticipation was high as a group of eager students gathered to learn from the best as designers Linda Glass and Annie Brady shared their expertise on creating lovely floral designs. Everyone brought whatever they could find in their gardens, backyards, fields, roadside, and neighbors’ yards to share in the floral funfest. Wild flowers, weeds, grasses, seed pods, daisies, hydrangeas, yarrow, ivy, you name it, were put together to form beautiful bouquets. All participants went home with their prize creations. The morning was so enjoyable with good company, delicious refreshments, and time out from busy schedules to just have some creative fun together.

June 18th’s “The Wedding, the White, and the Wardrobe” luncheon presentation by Cathy Taylor was delightful. Cathy’s well-researched “wedding fashions and customs of the past” was fun, informative and nostalgic. Cathy has an extensive collection of exquisite antique gowns and accessories, books and pictures, on the topic, which she has gathered over the years from estate auctions, sales, antique stores, etc. A delicious meal, prepared by SCAC board members and friends, was enjoyed by all.

More fun is yet to come! A reception is planned for June 27th, 7 to 9 pm. Floral design, pottery and fine art will be the order of the evening as the floral interpretations of the paintings will be put into place, using original pottery vessels by local and regional artists.

On June 29th from 1 to 5 pm some of the artists and florists will be on hand to talk with gallery visitors.

Also don’t forget to buy raffle tickets for Diana Link Forn’s original watercolor painting which will be raffled that evening. The painting can be viewed through June 20th at Central Bank, corner of Main and Broadway.

The Scott County Arts Consortium is excited to present the art of John S. Hockensmith once again at the Arts & Cultural Center, July 7 – August 17.

Please plan to attend the reception on July 20 from 3 to 5 pm to greet the artist. We are proud of our very own native son who is making great strides with his photographic art, this time bringing the community his exciting experiences with the “Spanish Mustangs and the Great American West”. He has a romance with the horse to be sure.

I for one can’t wait to see this exhibit! Further enhancing this show, he will be at the Arts & Cultural Center on July 31 at 7 pm with a presentation on the fascinating history of the mustang horse and its place in the western United States.

After the wonderful success of Mr. Hockensmith’s “Gypsy Horses”, the mustangs are sure to be just as great, photographed in their natural habitat in all their beauty. We eagerly anticipate the show, and his next publication featuring the mustangs and his once-in-a-lifetime western adventure. He projects a publishing date in 2009. It can’t come too soon! For information on the Hockensmith show call Barbara at 502-863-0909.

“Floral Fusion – Art & Nature” opens with a reception June 6 from 5 to 8 pm at the Arts & Cultural Center, 117 North Water St., Georgetown, and you’re all invited! A variety of subject matter and paint media by twelve to fifteen artists, a collection of fine hand-made pottery contributed by Georgetown’s very creative clay artisans, and fifteen or more floral designers conspire to create this art-in-bloom show. We’re so excited about the possibilities of this exhibit. On June 6 each floral designer will choose a favorite painting, a favorite pottery container, and return for a reception from 7 to 9 pm on June 27 with their beautiful floral interpretations of the paintings. Join us to enjoy this rich show fusing art and nature.

You can view the paintings Tuesdays through Saturdays from noon to 4 pm, and Sunday, June 29 from 1 to 4 pm. Enhancing the “Floral Fusion – Art & Nature” show are two programs. On June 14th professional designers Linda Glass and Annie Brady, joined by Molly Raye Sigmon, will provide a workshop: “Fun with Found Florals”. Using “found florals” from your own, or your friend’s, garden or backyard learn to create bouquets for everyday, weddings, or parties. The cost is $15.00. Refreshments will be served. Call 502-863-6382 for information and reservations.

“The Wedding, The White, and the Wardrobe”, a luncheon presentation by Cathy Taylor is scheduled for June 18th at the Arts & Cultural Center, from 11:30 to 1:00. Ms. Taylor will discuss wedding fashions and customs from the past, along with a display of garments and accessories. The cost is $10.00. Call 502-863-0909 for information and reservations.

Diana Link Forn, a highly talented local artist and art teacher, has donated an original watercolor painting for raffle to benefit the Arts & Cultural Center. This beautiful still-life is matted, framed and ready to take home after the June 27 reception. You need not be present to win. It is on view in the Whitaker Bank lobby. Tickets are available there and by calling 502-863-0909, or visit the Arts & Cultural Center to purchase.Tickets are 1 for $5.00 or 3 for $10.00.

A great time was had by all who attended the opening reception of the Elkhorn Heritage Trail exhibit on May 10th! That the Elkhorn Creek and its surroundings are a little bit of paradise on earth is no surprise to those who have walked its banks, or enjoyed fishing and canoeing its waters. The Sunny Sixteens have captured so many elements with great skill and artistry. Sunlight and shadow, snow and ice, misty mornings, bluebells, robins, ducks, barns, rock walls, and mysterious pathways intrigue the eye, and stir the heart. This beautiful photographic narrative is an invitation to walk the trails, and really get to know Scott County’s great natural resource.

Judge/Executive George Lusby and Representative Charles Hoffman were so gracious to come to the opening and offer a few remarks and reminiscences. Judge Lusby laments that he didn’t carry a camera along with him on his lifetime of fishing trips. Both Mr. Lusby and Mr. Hoffman have a great love for the Elkhorn and for Georgetown and Scott County. Thanks to both of these great public servants for always looking out for the good of the community.

The photographers have provided a beautiful show which will be on view through May 27, with gallery hours 12 to 4 pm, Tuesdays through Saturdays. So come on down to the Arts & Cultural Center and view this incredible tribute to the Elkhorn Creek and to the Elkhorn Heritage Trail!