Arts Council Invites Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Residents to Celebrate Its 65th Birthday Will kick off 2015 Arts Council Campaign

"The Arts Council of Winston-Salem and Forsyth County celebrates its 65th birthday this year and is inviting residents of the community to be a part of the festivities. “Join us as we raise a glass at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, January 22,” said Jim Sparrow, Arts Council President and CEO. “We are gathering at Hanesbrand Theatre at the Milton Rhodes Center for two reasons:  To celebrate this milestone and to kick off the 2015 Arts Council Campaign. It’s going to be fun and demonstrate the sort of imagination and energy that will make the campaign a success,” he said.  The reception and program are free and open to the public

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Two Winston-Salem businessmen and arts advocates, Anc Newman, Senior Vice President at AON Corporation, and Stuart Parks, Managing Principal at The Arden Group, are co-chairing the campaign.  The Arts Council has adopted a theme of “engagement” for the year, encouraging residents of Winston-Salem and Forsyth County and arts and cultural organizations to find new ways to team up and demonstrate that Winston-Salem is, in fact, a City of Arts and Innovation.  “We have a vision,” the co-chairs said, “and we invite you to come celebrate with us and see how you can invest in this vision in ways that will help drive progress and innovation in our city and county.”

“The arts have the unique ability to bring together disparate people or perspectives and focus them on a shared experience or common belief,” said Parks.  “Likewise, The Arts Council has the unique ability to create a forum for the exchange of ideas and unite our community in support of a common goal.” 

Throughout 2015, The Arts Council will host conversations that explore how Forsyth County’s arts community can serve as a catalyst for future prosperity and align to create efficiencies that are self-sustaining.  “Beyond giving people a voice in the process through these conversations, we are getting people directly involved through several hands-on engagement opportunities,” said Newman.  “It is more important than ever to connect people and get them personally involved in shaping the future of our community.”

The co-chairs will announce the 2015 campaign goal at the January 22 reception and some key members of their campaign cabinet. Winston-Salem’s robust arts community enriches the lives of area residents every day and accounts in large part for the recognition it continues to receive as a great place to live, learn, work and play.  It raises funds and advocates for the arts, sponsors events in conjunction with other arts organizations, promotes and funds arts education, creates cultural and learning opportunities, develops social capital and aids economic development.  The Arts Council has made a total of 76 grants totaling $1,845,000 for 2015.  Organizational Support Grants, $1,615,000; Wells Fargo Arts-In-Education Grants, $100,000; Duke Energy Regional Artist Grants, $30,000; Innovative Project Grants, $100,000."

- A Press Release

Twin City Stage Presents Play to Win: The Jackie Robinson Story

"In celebration of Black History Month, Twin City Stage will present Play to Win: The Jackie Robinson Story on Saturday, February 28 at the Arts Council Theatre, 610 Coliseum Drive in Winston-Salem.  The show begins at 11 am and runs approximately one hour.  All tickets are $12 for general admission and may be purchased at the box office window one hour prior to curtain, or online at www.childrenstheatrews.org.

Recommended for 2^nd-8^th grade audiences, Play to Win will be performed by Birmingham Children’s Theatre (www.bct123.org).

In this inspiring musical, Branch Rickey, the general manager of the Brooklyn Dodgers, makes it very clear to a hopeful Jackie Robinson that in order to succeed in the major leagues, Robinson will have to endure racial hatred, insults, and abuse in silence, while still playing to win.  Through his determination, dignity and resolve, Robinson paved the way for ballplayers, athletes and countless other Americans to look past the color of their skin and to reach for the stars. Although this musical is aimed at young audiences, all ages will enjoy this portrayal of Jackie Robinson’s determination to be the best despite seemingly insurmountable odds.

In partnership with Bookmarks, Twin City Stage is pleased and very honored to welcome Sharon Robinson to this performance.  The daughter of Jackie Robinson, Sharon Robinson is the educational consultant for Major League Baseball. She manages Breaking Barriers: In Sports, In Life, a baseball-themed national character education curriculum that helps empower students to face obstacles in their lives. Robinson is also the author of many works of fiction and nonfiction. She has written several widely praised books about her father, including Jackie’s Nine: Jackie Robinson's Values to Live By, Promises to Keep: How Jackie Robinson Changed America and Jackie Robinson: American Hero (children's biography).  Bookmarks will have these books available for purchase in the lobby and Ms. Robinson will be signing books before and after the performance.

Twin City Stage is celebrating its 80^th Season in 2014-15.  Founded in 1935 as The Little Theatre of Winston-Salem, the company merged with The Children’s Theatre of Winston-Salem in 2011.  It provides exciting and innovative live theatre for people of all ages and offers acting classes and summer camps for children and teens.  www.twincitystage.org"

- A Press Release

BOOKMARKS AND ART FOR ART’S SAKE ANNOUNCE STUDENT ART CONTEST WINNER AND OPENING RECEPTION

"Bookmarks and Art for Art’s Sake (AFAS) announce the winner of the 2014 annual student art contest: Angie Avila, a rising eleventh grader at Mount Tabor High School. Her artwork will be printed on 5,000 bookmarks to be distributed throughout Winston-Salem and surrounding counties. She will be honored and her work will be on display at “Unbound & Unleashed, Celebrating Books and Authors through Art,” a juried art exhibit at the Womble Carlyle Gallery inside of the Milton Rhodes Center for the Arts from August 8 through September 6. An Opening Reception will be held on Friday, August 8th from 7–9 pm.

“We had close to 50 students participate in the 2014 Student Bookmark Art Contest. The extraordinary talent exhibited by this young group of artists made it extremely difficult to choose just one winner,” said Julie Knabb, Vice Chairman and Art Director of Art for Art’s Sake. “We are proud to congratulate Angie Avila for capturing the wonderful world of reading through art.”

Megan Monaghan, a Mount Tabor High School ninth grader, received second place, and Lauren Busic, a Clemmons Middle School eighth grader, received third place. Honorable mentions went to Anna Pate Glover, a senior at Mount Tabor High School, and Alaina Withers, a seventh grader at Clemmons Middle School. These students also will be honored on August 8 and will have their work on display.

The August 8 Opening Reception will also include a chance to talk with the artists and the opportunity to vote for the “People’s Choice Award.” Artwork is available for purchase. The winners of the Juried Exhibition also will be honored at this event.  

Art for Art’s Sake builds, educates and celebrates Community through Art. Arts on Sunday, held during the months of May and October, features arts, crafts, and music and is held on Trade Street in the Downtown Arts District. Visit theafasgroup.com for more information.

Bookmarks is a literary arts organization based in Winston-Salem that engages, inspires, and connects readers with authors. This is achieved through the largest annual free book festival in North Carolina; Triad-based author talks, and the Authors in Schools program, which reached 5000 students in 2013. Bookmarks’ tenth festival of books and authors will be held on September 6, 2014 at the Milton Rhodes Center for the Arts and in the surrounding area on Spruce Street. Visit bookmarksnc.org for more information."

- A Press Release