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For this Weekend

by Mary Anne Andersen

     In August, 2008, the Cedar City Arts Council began awarding mini grants to individuals and small organizations in the Cedar City area. These grants, of up to $500, are designed to facilitate the artistic endeavors of artists of all disciplines---literary, musical, visual, performance. Individuals or small organizations with operating budgets of under $25,000 are eligible to apply for this financial assistance and many artists have availed themselves of this opportunity over the past five years, enlivening our culture landscape.
     And may I say what a fun experience it is to say to a creating mind, “You do the thinking, and I’ll help with the means”! Five artists in our community just received some welcome news:
     Jarrod Bray intends to solicit drawings from students within the local grade schools and then, based on feasibility of production, create actual objects based on the students’ ideas. Bray will use University students to create the items and then display them in a public venue. Your child might be a part of this project. Watch for the announcement of this fun exhibit.
      Hundreds of students have been involved with Lisa Mills and the Cedar City Junior Ballet over the years. No one, regardless of dance experience, is refused a chance to participate in these annual productions. Many of you have been involved as performers or audience over the years, and each year, the Arts Council has given a small amount of money to offset the production costs. Costumes, after all, are not cheap.
      You may have seen, or should have, if you didn’t, the stunning display of art quilts at the Braithwaite Gallery last fall. Thanks to Danielle Dubrasky, a professor of poetry at the University, you have a second chance. Dubrasky’s students have written poems to accompany some of these beautiful creations, and pictures of the quilts and the words inspired by them will be on display in the University library beginning October 8th.
      Practically every home in Cedar City has had a student involved with Suzuki Strings under the direction of Sara Penny. Workshops, providing performance and education opportunities for young string players of all levels, have received continued financial help over the years. Hundreds of students, support personnel,and adjudicators prepare and sometimes travel to be a part of this yearly Music Festivals, which originated as an outgrowth of this program. More information at http://suzukistringscedar.blogspot.com/
      Finally, the Council was pleased to help with the expenses of a new education endeavor of Lynn Vartan, professor of percussion at the University. Vartan intends to be the first teacher of percussion to stream live, interactive lessons over the internet to students nationally and internationally. Think of the scope of it: rental of space, design of a website, a stream host, technicians to run each broadcast---not to mention the necessary equipment. What a fine new feather in Cedar City’s artistic cap.
     Want to be a part of such rewarding work? Join the Cedar City Arts Council and contribute to lively art in Iron County.

 

Apply for the next round of grants by January 31. 
More information at http://www.cedarcityartscouncil.org/grant
 

Writing Opportunity

     In July of this year,  the Cedar City Arts Council negotiated with Iron County Today to furnish a weekly column for their Wednesday publications.  We are pleased to say that we have published ten pieces  of a wide variety of topics under the CCAC logo.  It is our hope that readers in Iron County, and we know that many people read this paper every week,  will come to recognize the logo and look to our column for interesting information regarding the arts in our community.
     If any of you should wish to submit an article to be used in this column, or would like to be interviewed for an article touting your artistic event, please contact Mary Anne Andersen at llande@netutah.com.  We will consider all articles that meet our goals of conveying information about and supporting the arts in Iron County.
     Iron County Today is a valuable tool, at no expense, for increasing the visibility of the Arts Council and artists in our community. Watch the Iron County Today for the weekly column from the Cedar City Arts Council. The link is http://ironcountytoday.com/ and then go to Arts and Ent.
 

Monster Concert for Piano Students and Teachers
Goes Christmas

Play piano ensemble music with friends and teachers on several grand pianos in Cedar City's Heritage Center Theater.  The dress rehearsal for this Piano Extravaganza is on Tuesday evening, December 3, and the concert is on Wednesday, Dec. 4, at 7 p.m.  Register by Oct. 26. Contact Christian Bohnenstengel at bohnenstengel@suu.edu or 435-586-1935 for more information.  Full details at  http://www.suu.edu/pva/music/extravaganza.html