The Arts Alliance of Greater Waynesboro (AAGW) marks its 10th anniversary season with Celebrate Destination ARTS! Weekend on Friday, July 8 through Sunday, July 10 in downtown Waynesboro.
The three days of entertainment, art, and community have been curated to celebrate how Waynesboro has developed into an arts destination. In 2012, there were close to 20 empty storefronts along Main Street. The formation of AAGW helped revive downtown and welcome new businesses.
Many of the events taking place during the official celebration weekend hearken back to the original Destination ARTS! initiative launched on July 19, 2013.
“The community revitalization project was supposed to last just 15 weeks, with vacant buildings becoming art galleries and musicians performing on the sidewalks,” said Andrew Sussman, founder of the arts alliance. “But when the 15 weeks were up, the music kept going and Gallery 50—owned and operated by AAGW—kept going, with more galleries and studios to follow and flourish.”
Celebrate Destination ARTS! Weekend kicks off on Fri., July 8 from 5 to 8 p.m. with an opening reception in Gallery 50, plus additional receptions at Ceramic Arts Center, 42 West ARTS Co-op, Gallery 35 East, Sanders Creations & Laser Graphics, Walnut Street Studios, and Cindy’s Custom Framing. Live music features G@g (Gillian & Garrett Austin) at Music Makers, Across the Pond at Main Street Park, and Earthsong Ensemble (Patric Schlee & friends) at 42 West ARTS Co-op.
On Sat., July 9, nonstop music at Music Makers from 12 to 6 p.m. spotlights Tim Gotwald & Dan Dropkin, Dave Dishneau & Michael Heyser, Kerensa Gray, and Sussman, Jankura & Hepfer. All downtown galleries will be open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., with yarn spinning and sculpting demonstrations at 42 West ARTS Co-op.
Main Street Park will be busy with live music from Tresa Day, Soleil, and The Willys Duo, art vendors/demonstrations, food trucks, and breweries from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The day will close with Bobby D and the Truckstop Burritos from 7 to 9 p.m., part of the Summer Concert Series in collaboration with Mainstreet Waynesboro and sponsored by FirstEnergy Foundation.
The festivities continue on Sun., July 10 from 1 to 5 p.m. Gallery 50 will be open for art browsing, Music Makers will feature musicians Wayne Driscoll and BBD Blue Trio, and Main Street Park will have face painting for kids and live performances by Waynesboro Children’s Theater Troupe and Two Mountains Over.
For hands-on fun, a “play me” piano will be on the sidewalk outside Music Makers for the community to play and share their talent as they walk around downtown enjoying the weekend’s events.
In addition, a Destination ARTS! Scavenger Hunt contest begins Fri., July 8. Cards can be picked up at Gallery 50, 42 West ARTS Co-op, Ceramic Arts Center, Gallery 35 East, Walnut Street Studios, and Sanders Creations & Laser Graphics. Entries need to be dropped off at Gallery 50 by Sat., Sep. 3, with multiple prizes to be awards during AAGW’s annual fundraising festival—Jammin’ in the Park, which takes place at Main Street Park on Sun., Sep. 4.
The weekend is family-friendly and free (except for the Summer Concert Series performance), although donations are encouraged and appreciated.
AAGW is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with a focus to integrate the arts into community life and help arts education thrive collaborating with schools, community nonprofits, arts organizations, artists of all artistic disciplines, and the area represented by the Waynesboro Area School District.
For more information, follow AAGW on Facebook or visit ArtsAllianceGW.org
The Arts Alliance of Greater Waynesboro/Destination ARTS! is excited to announce that Music Makers and Gallery 50 will be reopening this Friday, June 19, as Franklin County moves to green phase.
Both venues will be open on Friday from 5–8 p.m. with live music from Henri Verdel and Dancin’ Dave Dishneau starting at 5:30 p.m.
Gallery 50 will also be open Saturday, June 20 from 11:30 a.m.–2 p.m.
Hours will be limited to Fridays and Saturdays at this time.
Destination ARTS! and the Arts Alliance of Greater Waynesboro announce events and activities for Feb. 5–13, 2020. Events are free unless otherwise noted.
Wed., Feb. 5 & 12: Demonstration—Creating Gourd Art: 12:30–2:30 p.m. 42 West ARTS Co-Op, 42 W. Main St., Waynesboro, PA. Artist and sculptor Denny Bingaman demonstrates designing, burning, and dyeing gourd art.
Wed., Feb. 5: Writers Forum: 4:30–7 p.m. Alexander Hamilton Library (second floor meeting room), 45 E. Main St., Waynesboro, PA. Area writers in all genres are invited to discuss their writing. The prompts for February include stories about Valentine’s Day or a love story or poem. Participants may also discuss any subject they’re writing about. Call Jerry Kowallis at 717-352-8059 or email gk6684@netscape.net for more information.
Wed., Feb. 5: Open Mic Night: 7–9 p.m. Music Makers, 46 W. Main St., Waynesboro, PA. Local musicians, poets, actors, and comedians are invited to participate in a session facilitated by Brad Munn. All performers welcome, and spectators are invited to enjoy the free entertainment. A sound system, microphone, and electric stage piano are provided.
Fri., Feb. 7: Wind Down Friday: 5:30–8 p.m. 42 West ARTS Co-Op, 42 W. Main St., Waynesboro, PA. Patric Schlee and friends play flute, hand drums, didgeridoo, and more in a relaxed atmosphere with drinks and refreshments every Friday.
Fri., Feb. 7: Live Music Friday—Andrew Sussman & Company JAZZ: 5:30–8 p.m. Music Makers, 46 W. Main St., Waynesboro, PA. Andrew Sussman & Company JAZZ featuring Sussman (keyboard), Ken Jankura (double bass and vocals), and Sam Hepfer (drums) performing jazz standards and tunes from the Great American Songbook. Sussman is the founder of AAGW and Destination ARTS! and former executive director of the Cumberland Valley School of Music. Refreshments served.
Fri., Feb. 8: Children’s Garden Stakes Class:1–3 p.m. Ceramic Arts Center, 13 S. Church St., Waynesboro, PA. Children will create three garden ornaments using a sun, butterfly, or festive flower template. Each stake is made out of stoneware clay and will be painted with colorful glazes, guided by Mary Ashe-Mahr. Recommended for ages 5–12. Fee applies. Visit www.ceramics-nccs.org to register.
Sat., Feb. 8: Demonstration—Spinning Wool into Yarn: 1–3 p.m. 42 West ARTS Co-Op, 42 W. Main St., Waynesboro, PA. Pat Beard will demonstrate spinning yarn on an old-fashioned loom. A member of the Pennsylvania Guild of Craftsmen and the Cumberland Valley Craft Guild, Beard does all her own weaving and sewing.
Sat., Feb. 8: Live Music: 2–4 p.m. 1884 Market House, 15 Schier’s Way, Waynesboro, PA. Free musical entertainment from Joel Newman, who plays everything from blues and jazz to funk and classical. He has performed with musical giants such as T.M. Stevens, Dr. John, Miroslav Vitous, Dick Wagner and David Sanborn.
Sun., Feb. 9: Second Sunday Praise Band Performance: 2–3 p.m. Music Makers, 46 W. Main St., Waynesboro, PA. Members of the Faith United Methodist Church praise team will perform a special free concert of contemporary praise and worship music. Open to the public.
Mon., Feb. 10: Artisans Connection: 6:30–8:30 p.m. Music Makers, 46 W. Main St., Waynesboro, PA. Monthly gathering welcoming artists from all disciplines: artisans, authors, musicians, potters, photographers, poets—and those who love art. This month’s theme is Valentine’s Day. Bring poems, art, chocolate, music, and your love of the arts! For more information contact: marjorietressler@comcast.net or 717-762-6791.
Thurs., Feb. 13: Wall Planter Class:6–8 p.m. Ceramic Arts Center, 13 S. Church St., Waynesboro, PA. Create a hand-built wall planter decorated with plant pouches, vines, and leaves under the instruction of Mary Ashe-Mahr. Fee applies. Visit www.ceramics-nccs.org to register.
Ongoing Exhibits:
“From Winter to Spring” Gallery 50, 50 W. Main St., Waynesboro, PA. Our ten featured artists are: Eric Carter, Anne Finucane, Jean Frey, Andrea Horner, Janette Koons, Susan McGinley, Glen Sabetto, Marjorie Tressler, Nicole Troup, and Carol Wilks. Through mid-April.
Visiting Artist: Joe Nadzady: Gallery 35 East, 35 E. Main St., Waynesboro, PA. Gallery 35 East welcomes featured artist Joe Nadzady.The artist’s subjects range from still life to a variety of landscapes and more—a beautiful display of soft pastels, oil and acrylic paintings. Through February.
Featured Guest Artist, Jane Moltrup:42 West ARTS Co-Op, 42 W. Main St., Waynesboro, PA. Artist and professional photographer Jane Moltrup’s work includes a wide range of photography subjects, as well as watercolor paintings. She has also written and illustrated a children’s book, “Pitter, Patter Goes the Rain,” and illustrated other children’s books. Through February.
“Contrast” 42 West ARTS Co-Op, 42 W. Main St., Waynesboro, PA. New all-member show includes theme-related art in various forms including Donna Bingaman oil painting, Denny Bingaman photography and cold cast bronze, Jennifer Caldwell jewelry, Rod and Karri Benedict pottery, Hollis Mentzer art, Gwen Hendrickson photography, fabric art and wood carving, Ed Beard wood burning, Andy Smetzer photography, and Pat Beard fiber art. Through March.
Musical performances at Destination ARTS! are supported in part by the Arts for All Partnership, a collaboration between the Foundation for Enhancing Communities and the Cultural Enrichment Fund, and by the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts through the Cultural Alliance of York County.
Make a trip to Destination Arts in Waynesboro this October, featuring art exhibits, pottery making, photography displays, and thunder gourd making. The Arts Alliance of Greater Waynesboro is the innovator of Destination Arts, an effort launched in July 2013 to support downtown revitalization by filling empty storefronts with art galleries. Five years later, the project is part of Waynesboro’s identity and offers five gallery locations—42 West Gallery, Ceramics Art Studio, Gallery 35 East, Gallery 50, and Walnut Street Studios.
As leaves begin to turn the second week of October and peak at the end of the month, it is an excellent time to enjoy the art destinations, cafes, and restaurants of downtown Waynesboro. Waynesboro, also an Appalachian Trail Community, is part of the South Mountain, which is the eastern terminus of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The beauty is a source of inspiration to artists near and far.
For a “hands on” art experience, consider a class from the Ceramic Arts Studio. October 21 is a chance to make a pinch pot, monster candy dish, using a combination of slab and sculpture in a two-hour class from 2 PM to 4 PM at the 13 South Church Street studio. October 26 offers more fun at Corks & Clay, 7 PM to 9 PM, with a chance to make a Thanksgiving pumpkin platter.
For a more visual experience, enjoy the Fall Art Show at Gallery 50 on West Main Street, featuring regional and local artists Vicki Favilla, Sarah Higgins, Rebecca Grace Jones, Michelle Briddle, and Jan Heath. A Civil War photography exhibit is on display at Gallery 35, on East Main Street. Works exhibited are by Rodney Clark, Noel Kline, and Andy Smetzer and showcase Civil War re-enactments at Gettysburg and Waynesboro.
Music lovers will enjoy the October 17 open mic night at 46 West Main Street from 7 PM to 9 PM at Music Makers. Open mic nights, held alternate Wednesdays, embrace all musical styles.
Other Destination Arts highlights of October include a thunder gourd making demonstration on October 10, 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM. A thunder gourd, as the name implies, makes a sound like thunder when shaken. Artist Denny Bingaman will show how it is made. Another demonstration by Bingaman, set for October 24, 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM, shows dyeing and patina-coloring of metal jewelry. Both demonstrations are at 42 West Arts on West Main Street in Waynesboro.
If those few warm, breezy days didn’t stir up thoughts of spring and summer, try signing up to make an Easter keepsake at the Waynesboro Ceramic Arts Center. During a 2-hour session on Thursday, March 8 from 7-9 PM, Carolyn Baker will guide students step-by-step to make their own ceramic Easter egg plate. The cost of the class is $30 and it includes all materials, glaze, and firings. Students will have the opportunity to use colorful underglaze paints to create a one-of-a-kind piece. Each egg tray is made from durable white stoneware clay and will be one of the highlights of Easter dinner. (more…)
