Arts Council, Coffee Park Downtown and WSNC 90.5 FM Sponsoring Noon Gatherings Downtown

“B/eats” with food trucks, jazz each Wednesday

in May at Milton Rhodes Center for the Arts

"Winston-Salem NC  (April 27, 2015) -- The Arts Council of Winston-Salem and Forsyth County, Coffee Park Downtown and WSNC 90.5 FM radio are sponsoring noon gatherings each Wednesday in May at the Milton Rhodes Center for the Arts.  Dubbed “B/eats,” it is a lunchtime experience for people looking for good food, good music, good company and a midday break from office routines.

B/eats is from 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. each Wednesday in May.  Katherine Bowman,  Arts Council marketing director, said, “B/eats and our co-sponsors, Coffee Park Downtown  and  WSNC 90.5 FM, will bring you some of the hottest food trucks and coolest jazz imaginable!”  Foothills Brewing will be on hand with free samples of some of their favorite warm weather brews.

Participating food trucks include Camel City Grill, Food Freaks, Gunny Smitty's Hot Dogs, Taquiero Luciano's and Mike and Mike's Italian Ice.  Coffee Park Downtown is now firmly established in the Milton Rhodes Center, offering a variety of beverages, snacks and prepared sandwiches and salads. Tommy Priest, owner, said, “Our patio, overlooking the Milton Rhodes Center entrance and the B/eats site, is now open each day during the summer, and we extend an especially warm welcome to lunchtime B/eats diners each Wednesday in May.”

“WSNC public radio welcomed the opportunity to partner with the Arts Council for this event,” said Elvin Jenkins, general manager of the jazz music station at Winston Salem State University. “This is a great opportunity for us to share the music we love and to promote some of the marvelous jazz musicians in our community.”

Live performances by other area musicians are being scheduled, including Winston-Salem jazz icon Matt Kendrick and Matt Kosma from the Camel City Jazz Orchestra.

Winston-Salem, known at a “City of Arts and Innovation,” has a  robust arts community that 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 76 grants totaling $1,845,000 for 2015."

- A Press Release 

Arts Council Welcomes Public Library Program to Milton Rhodes Center for the Arts

Carolyn Lowery, left, Children’s Room staff member

who developed the  Music and Movement program at

the Forsyth County Public Library,  and Nan

LaRosee, Children’s Services Director at the

Library, prepare children for a period of

animated activity at the program’s new

home in the Milton Rhodes Center for the Arts.

“Music and Movement“ livening up this downtown venue during library construction

"You might compare it to the difference between shopping at one large grocery store, like Harris Teeter or Fresh Market, or stocking the larder each week by visiting Ronnie’s Country Store, the city’s two farmer’s markets, a local bakery, Trader Joe’s and a shop that specializes in olive oil. What are we talking about?  Availing oneself of library services during the two-year construction period when the Forsyth County Central Library is no longer “central” but still the sum of its parts that are scattered about the city.

The treasured North Carolina Collection, for instance, has a new home in the Forsyth County administration building. Other programs have found suitable homes. The Arts Council of Winston-Salem and Forsyth County welcomed with open arms  “Music and Movement,” the Children’s Room signature program for kids from infants to kindergartners and their caregivers.

Chris Jones, The Arts Council’s Chief Operating Officer, tells us why.  “We are looking for ways to make the Milton Rhodes Center for the Arts Center more welcoming and vibrant, from top to bottom and throughout the entire day and evening. A morning program like Music and Movement certainly fits the bill.  Caregivers, usually mothers, come in pushing strollers – some with two or three kids in tow – and head for our newly up fitted Mountcastle Forum.  Now also a performance space, as well a venue for meetings and receptions, it has a new floor that scores of boisterous kids cannot harm a bit.  There is a lot of music and movement, to be sure, but that’s just fine with us,” Jones said. “and we already had addressed noise considerations while prepping the room for music and theatrical performances.”

Nan LaRosee, Children’s Room Director at the Central Library, says Music and Movement is offered every second and fourth Tuesday of the month from 11 to 11:30 a.m. The program is free and open to the public.

“It takes a lot of imagination to keep preschoolers engaged for even 30 minutes,” she said, “but our staff members have pretty well mastered that. They incorporate elements of storytelling, rhythm instruments and movement into our carefully chosen song list. Everyone is an active performer in this high-energy activity.”

“The Central Library has been offering the program for about three and a half years. The Walkertown Branch was first and started offering it a year or so earlier. It replaced the traditional story time at the Central Library that was fading in popularity, and the very first week, 25 showed up, 30 the next and it kept growing,” said LaRosee.

Average attendance now is 70-80 with the number sometimes going over 150 during the Library’s summer reading program.  Walk into the Mountcastle Forum and you will  see kids marching, dancing, singing and keeping rhythm with sticks, maracas, rhythm eggs, and jingle bells and then, on cue, falling down and feigning nap time for a few seconds as the music suggests. Library staff use a variety of children's music by such performers as Jim Gill, Greg & Steve, Bari Koral and Ralph's World, along with updated folk songs, a capella, and rock and roll classics. They look for music that requires listening skills in order to interact with the song at the correct time and in the correct order, and encourages movement and rhythmic response.

Music and Movement is high-energy, but controlled. Stories are generally light and humorous and often incorporate puppets and responses from the audience. Staff have found that participants like to be fully engaged and actively contributing to all of the activities. Caregivers are free to join in or visit among themselves, making new friends and swapping parenting tips.  It is obvious they welcome the morning divertissement and value the friendships that are being developed.

Music and Movement programs are popular in many libraries, but the Forsyth County Library staff have formatted the local program based on what they have found to be effective with library patrons.  They are constantly tweaking “Music and Movement” to make it more engaging.

Convenient, modestly priced parking is located just across the street from the Milton Rhodes Center. The Center now has a branch of Coffee Park, which has the signature Air Stream trailer on Reynolda Road near the Children’s home.  Krankie’s coffee; cookies, breads and muffins from Camino Bakery; pastries from Atelier on Trade; sandwiches from West End Café, as well as other beverages and snacks are available for caregivers and kids.

Inquiries about “Music and Movement” can be made by contacting Nan LaRosee, Children's Room Director, Forsyth County Public Library (336) 703-3041, laroseal@forsyth.cc."

- A Press Release

“Engagement” Is Key Project for Arts Council in 2015

"The Arts Council of Winston-Salem and Forsyth County has declared  2015 “The Year You Become Engaged,” as it showcases arts and cultural organizations and matches residents of the community with opportunities to be a part of the work of these groups.  Its vehicle for doing so is “The Arts Council Engagement Society” (ACES) which is holding an Open House 5:30 -7:00 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 14, at the Milton Rhodes Center for the Arts at 251 N Spruce Street in downtown Winston-Salem.

“We know there are many people in the community who would like to be more involved in the arts and cultural community, and we know there are groups who really need their time, their experience, their expertise.  It’s a matter of getting the two together,” said Jim Sparrow, President and CEO of The Arts Council. “That is what ACES is about.”

The Open House is free and open to the public, and there is no charge for membership in ACES.  “We would like to have a broad cross section of the community participate,” said Susan Morris, Director of Community Engagement.  “The arts enrich our lives every day, and there are countless opportunities for those who love the arts to become more engaged by not only learning about the variety of arts and cultural organizations we have in Forsyth County, but also actively participating as a volunteer or patron to support and strengthen the arts community,” she said.  “And it’s a wonderful way to meet new people who share your interests.”

The Arts Council will have representatives present to explain the work of The Arts Council itself, and various arts and cultural groups will be on hand with materials and explanations of how residents of Winston-Salem and Forsyth County can become engaged in their work. “I think people will be surprised at how diverse the opportunities are,” said Morris.  “They range from simply attending arts and cultural events to serving on boards and committees, collecting tickets, and working concession stands at events. Almost all the groups are volunteer-based, and the donation of even a few hours can be meaningful.”

Winston-Salem’s robust arts community accounts in large part for the recognition it continues to receive as a great place to live, learn, work and play.  The Arts Council of Winston-Salem and Forsyth County enriches the lives of area residents every day. It raises funds and advocates for the arts, sponsors events in conjunction with other arts organizations, promotes and funds arts education, creates cultural 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

Three Winston-Salem Arts and Cultural Groups Present “Art for the Holidays”

Event starting Friday, December 5, promotes

books, arts and crafts as unique holiday gifts

"Three Winston-Salem arts and cultural organizations have joined forces this year under the banner, “Art for the Holidays,” to promote books, arts and crafts as unique, affordable holiday gifts.  Bookmarks, Associated Artists, and Sawtooth School for Visual Art are collaborating on “Art for the Holidays” that begins Friday, December 5, at 10:00 a.m. in the Milton Rhodes Center for the Arts with the launch of the 25th annual Deck the Halls arts and fine crafts sale -- a tradition for many Winston-Salem holiday shoppers.

Beginning at 4:00 p.m. and running until 8:00 p.m. on the same day, Bookmarks will offer books and book crafts by local vendors and artists. Persons attending Bookmarks “Holiday Bazaar” in Reynolds Place at the Rhodes Center may purchase signed first editions, handmade crafts including cards, handmade journals, and artwork, as well as books for persons from preschool age to grandparents.  Vendors of handmade journals, pens, cards, bookshelves, bookends, artwork surrounding books and reading, etc. are still needed for this event.  Additional information is available at www.bookmarksnc.org/event.

At 5:00 p.m., Associated Artists will host the opening reception for its “100 - The More the Merrier” exhibition in the Womble Carlyle Gallery.  This exhibit features original art works that are priced at no more than $100.   The exhibition will run through January 4, 2015.

Also featured at 5 p.m. is a special holiday treat co-sponsored by Downtown Winston Salem Partnership and The Arts Council who are providing entertainment for holiday shoppers with the inclusion of TubaChristmas.  This group of 15 local tuba enthusiasts, directed by Matt Ransom, will greet visitors to Art for the Holidays with holiday tunes between 5: 00 and 6:00 p.m.

The Arts Council of Winston-Salem and Forsyth County has assisted in coordinating the three separate events into a unique local shopping opportunity. “More and more, we are seeing arts organizations in Winston-Salem collaborate and with great success.  We are, in fact, an arts community, and this is an exciting trend – one which we are encouraging and looking for ways to facilitate,” said Jim Sparrow, President and CEO of The Arts Council. 

All events will be in the Milton Rhodes Center for the Arts and are free and open to the public.  The Milton Rhodes Center is located at 251 N. Spruce Street in downtown Winston-Salem.  Parking is available for a modest fee in The Arts Council parking lot directly across from the Milton Rhodes Center, on street, and in nearby parking decks.

Winston-Salem’s robust arts community accounts in large part for the recognition it continues to receive as a great place to live, work and play.  The Arts Council of Winston-Salem and Forsyth County enriches the lives of area residents every day. It raises funds and advocates for the arts, sponsors events in conjunction with other arts organizations, promotes and funds arts education, creates cultural 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

Noted Graffiti Artist Hieronymus to “Tag” Bus before Sunday’s Sunset Flicks

"Noted graffiti artist Hieronymus will paint the school bus that serves as S2dio Supplies’ mobile art supply store prior to and during Sunset Flicks this Sunday, November 2.  This live, urban art exhibition will take place in the Milton Rhodes Center for the Arts parking lot beginning at 11 a.m. and will continue until sunset. The public is invited.  There is no charge.

Graffiti art, also referred to as “street” or “urban” art, has emerged in recent years as a recognized art form and has shed much of the stigma attached to its genesis in guerilla art practiced in unauthorized venues such as railroad crossings and abandoned buildings. Introduced to American street culture in the 1970s, it now ranges from rebellious “tags” to large-scale corporate commissions.

Sunset Flicks is a free cinema event in Winston-Square Park, directly across the street from the Milton Rhodes Center parking lot on Spruce Street downtown. Sponsored by The Arts Council of Winston-Salem and Forsyth County, a/perture theatre, and Coffee Park, this Sunday it features the movie, Goonies, at 7:00 p.m. preceded by live music, food, and entertainment for kids provided by S2dio Art Supplies beginning at 6:00 p.m.

This public art event preceding Sunset Flicks is a collaborative effort of the Winston-Salem creative community, including The Arts Council of Winston-Salem, Hieronymus, S2dio Supplies and Mixxer, which encourages collaboration and experimentation across disciplines. Mixxer is comprised of artists, makers, developers, hobbyists and entrepreneurs working to collect the tools and resources their members need and find a shared workspace to call home. Mixxer will prep the bus as a “canvas” for Hieronymus.

Alan Shelton, a principal in Mixxer, said the painting of the S2dio bus is a prime example of the kind of collaboration his group is promoting and demonstrates how a maker/artist’s creative vision is advanced when they can find a resource to loan specialty equipment and expertise for the short time needed during some creative efforts.

Hieronymus has been painting street murals, graffiti and architectural commissions since the age of fifteen. Former SECCA curator, Steven Matijcio, described Hieronymus’ style as having “uniquely fluid line-work…with an organic style fusing Native American iconography, futuristic fantasy and lyrical urban expression.” There are a total of 10 Hieronymus murals in downtown Winston-Salem, including two works commissioned by The Arts Council of Winston-Salem and Forsyth County for the Hanesbrands Theater.  The most recent was completed this October on the back of Mission Pizza at Trade and 7th Streets.

S2dio is a vendor of arts supplies to area art programs, art students and art explorers at colleges, universities, schools, centers, and artist collectives.  While Hieronymus works, S2dio founder Bibi Coyne will showcase supplies created by urban artists specifically for graffiti projects and will explain how these spray paints and their accessories differ from general-purpose sprays.

Winston-Salem’s robust arts community accounts in large part for the recognition it continues to receive as a great place to live, work and play.  The Arts Council of Winston-Salem and Forsyth County, the first locally established arts council in the United States, enriches the lives of area residents every day. It raises funds and advocates for the arts, sponsors events in conjunction with other arts organizations, promotes and funds arts education, creates cultural opportunities, develops social capital and aids economic development.  This year, The Arts Council made a total of 73 grants totaling $1,875,000 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, $30,000."

- A Press Release

Arts Council of Winston-Salem and Forsyth County Meets 2014 Campaign Goal

"Winston-Salem, NC  (October 1, 2014) – The Arts Council of Winston-Salem and Forsyth County wrapped up is 2014 Annual Campaign yesterday and met its ambitious $2.65 million goal.  “Again, the residents of this city and county have demonstrated their amazing generosity and their appreciation for how the arts enrich our lives every day,” said Jim Sparrow, President and CEO of The Arts Council. “We are so very grateful.”  This was The Arts Council’s largest stand-alone campaign in its history.

Jeff Lindsay, Chief Operating Officer at Novant Health, chaired the campaign. “Jeff was given an ambitious goal, and he put a tremendous amount of time and effort into the campaign,” said Steve Berlin, Arts Council Board Chair. “As a result of his work, and that of the Campaign Cabinet, Arts Council staff and hundreds of volunteers, we met our goal and will be able to fully fund our grants programs totaling almost two million dollars.”

“I thank everyone whose generosity and tireless energy helped achieve this goal,” said Lindsay.  “This is one of many significant milestones along the way to building a community that fosters innovative growth and arts opportunities for everyone.  Because of our community's commitment, the arts are alive and well in this City of Arts and Innovation!”

Eighty-one arts organizations and individual artists are slated to receive grants from The Arts Council in the coming year. After Arts Council staff notify grant recipients individually of their awards for 2015 year, they will announce the grants made in each of four categories:  Operational Support Grants, Wells Fargo Arts-in-Education Grants, Duke Energy Regional Artist Project Grants and Innovative Projects Grants.

The Arts Council of Winston-Salem and Forsyth County, the first locally established arts council in the United States, is celebrating its 65th anniversary this year. Winston-Salem’s robust arts community accounts in large part for the recognition the city continues to receive as a great place to live, work and play.  The Arts Council enriches the lives of area residents every day. It raises funds and advocates for the arts, promotes and funds arts education, creates cultural opportunities, develops social capital, builds cultural bridges and aids economic development."

- A Press Release

"The excitement continues as a local fundraising organization launched this summer

endeavors to build family relationships as well as raise money for schools, all

while supporting local food. Dates Makes A Difference is a new educational

fundraising model that allocates funds directly to schools through culinary events.

Dates Make A Difference’s premiere community event will take place on Monday,

August 18 from 6:00-8:00pm at Milton Rhodes Center for the Arts in Winston-Salem.

“Eat for a Cause” is a farm-to-fork dinner benefitting both Second Harvest Food Bank’

Triad Community Kitchen and Dates Make A Difference. The partnership amps up the

chef fun with TCK Program Director/Executive Chef Jeff Bacon and four other top chefs

in the Triad: Spring House’s Tim Grandinetti, Artisan’s Kevin Reddick, Chris Blackburn

from Josephine’s and Marisol’s Tim Thompson.

It’s called “Eat for a Cause” because the organizations hope to bring the community,

businesses, families and schools together, all in one place, to experience a true farm to

fork experience that’s sure to be delicious. In addition to the tasty food at Eat for a

Cause, Dates Make a Difference will share its vision of supporting businesses, local

food, encouraging families and strengthening education at a local level. This event is

important to both TCK and DMD as it will assist in providing operating funds as we head

into the school year and quarter. The more folks come out, the better chance they have

to learn about two worthwhile causes.

About Dates Make A Difference: 

Dates Make a Difference was founded to introduce a new educational fundraising

model. Direct, identifiable project-based fundraising where students and parents see

dollar-for-dollar where their funds go. A backpack program that sends groceries home

for needy families, an educational field trip, a community garden…all are just an

example of project-based DMD fundraising. ! !

How we do it: We partner with local restaurants and food suppliers to offset the cost of

the event. This lowered cost is passed on to the parents. Our goal is to allocated as

much of the funds raised as possible directly to the project at hand. The focus of the

event meal is on local-grown slow food prepared by local chefs and restaurateurs.!

To learn more, visit our website at www.datesmakeadifference.com, follow on twitter

@datesmakediff or Facebook/Dates Make A Difference."

- A Press Release

Art Nouveau Winston-Salem to Sponsor Third Annual Emerging Artists Exhibition

Issuing statewide call for art due by August 15

"Winston-Salem, NC  (July 9, 2014) -- Art Nouveau Winston-Salem, an affiliate organization of The Arts Council of Winston-Salem and Forsyth County for ages 21-40, has scheduled its third annual North Carolina emerging artists exhibition for October 17-November 29 and is issuing a call for art work.  

Emerging artists from across the state working in all media are encouraged to submit one to five original works or one comprehensive project for consideration. Artists must be at least 18 and are required to submit a description of the work (materials, dimensions, date), an artist statement, and a biography. All submission materials must be digital and submitted to ewalmsley@intothearts.org by August 15, 2014.

This year’s exhibit will have a select panel of jurors from museums, galleries, and universities. Kelly Bennett, co-chair of Art Nouveau Winston Salem, said, “Besides encouraging emerging artists from our city and throughout North Carolina, the exhibition gives them an opportunity to expose their work to a larger, more diverse audience than they ordinarily may enjoy, to raise their visibility and to develop contacts that will enhance their careers.”

The exhibition, at the Womble Carlyle Gallery at the Milton Rhodes Center for the Arts, 251 N. Spruce Street, in downtown Winston-Salem is free and will open with a public reception, 6:00- 8:00 p.m., Friday, October 17.

Art Nouveau Winston-Salem provides leadership opportunities for its members while engaging younger arts audiences and helping develop, support and sustain the arts in Winston-Salem.

The Arts Council of Winston-Salem and Forsyth County, the first locally established arts council in the United States, enriches the lives of area residents every day. It raises funds and advocates for the arts, makes grants for arts in education, sponsors events with other arts organizations, strengthens cultural resources, develops social capital, and aids economic development. In its 2012 grant cycle, The Arts Council made Organizational Support Grants to 21 Funded Partners totaling $1,625,000. Grants made in its four grant categories totaled $1,801,150, and it also made it possible for funded partners to receive about a quarter million dollars in advertising opportunities with local media through its Advertising Assistance program."

A Press Release