Open Eyes, Open Ears: Approaching the New Year

The last two months of 2008 will be action packed for us all here at the Arts Center. With the closing of the Juried Show at the beginning of the month, turning the gallery over to our annual show With Love for Our Children, scheduling a whole slew of classes (new and old favorites!), and much more, believe me when I say we've been moving non-stop!

I'm approaching the end of my fourth month as a staff member at the Ocean City Arts Center, and I've come to find a whole new family and community to fit into which makes me endlessly happy. I must say that in my short time here I've met some incredible people and have begun to implement some changes that have brought success to this institution. This past Saturday, however, was absolutely the most rewarding day out of all the time I spend here.

December 6 was the day of our Holiday Arts Fest, more commonly recognized as the Holiday Art Sale. This year in lieu of new faculty members and classes we decided to hold an open house -- teachers would do demonstrations, sell their work along with local artists and vendors, performing arts students would share with us what they've been learning, and most importantly the many people in our little tight knit community would spend the day together in one of the most creative ways possible. Our teachers and staff baked assorted goodies and our turn out was fantastic. It was a great way to get us all together and brainstorm ways to make our Arts Center better than ever... which leads me to say:

Our Winter 2009 Class Listing/Schedule is now available! Please call us to have one mailed to you, stop in, or visit our website to take a peek!

ALSO... I'd like to extend a heartfelt thank you on behalf of myself and the Arts Center staff to the teachers, artists, and students who participated in Saturday's event:

Andrea Alfieri, Fred Arnold, Bob Boney, Betty Lou Cassidy, Elaine Chaffin, Mary Daly, Ed Fischer, Chad Fisher, Rob & Kristen Gummel, Bobbi Heisman, Rae Jaffe, Lori Kintz, Leland Kuchler, Shawna Mulford, Marie Natale, Jane Petransky, Susan Rau, Carrie Reilly, Stephanie Sussmeier, Sue Van Duyne

and students: (guitar) Briar Rose Ginn, Caroline Hartman, WoJo Franks, (piano) Conor Ancharski, Lee Cortopassi, Nora Faverzani, Dante Monteleone, Nicole Nunan, Hadley Patterson, Madeline Raab, Dale Roeck, Michaela Walsh, and (violin) Maria Dattilo.

Below are some pictures from the Holiday Arts Fest!