Clinton County Arts Council

The mission of the Clinton County Arts Council (CCAC) is to promote, encourage and economically support the arts, artists and the cultural heritage of Clinton County.

Hours of operation:
Wednesday – Friday: 11am – 6pm
Saturday: 10am – 2pm

The exciting news regarding the Clinton Northern Railway Museum is that CCAC has received a Conservation Assessment Program (CAP) grant from the National Institute for Conservation. This grant will pay for two assessors to visit CCAC:

(1) a professional conservator to assess our collections (library, art and railroad memorabilia); and (2) a preservation architect who has substantial experience with historic railcars. Both will come for two days in July, and then provide written reports. These assessments will be extremely helpful when CCAC applies for a major grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services in October for funds to restore the Sault Ste. Marie, our 1902 sleeper car.

“St. Johns needs all of the events, programs, new opportunities!” This comment, written by one of the participants at the end of the New Era Conference, reflects the enthusiastic consensus of the almost 50 citizens who spent four hours on the morning of March 24 focusing on the development of the north end of downtown St. Johns.

Speakers told participants about the current status and future prospects for the area around the Depot, the Clinton Northern Railway Museum, Rails to Trails and CCAC arts programming. Then participants worked in small groups to generate ideas to further develop these projects, such as:

· Creating a welcoming, tourist-friendly area in St. Johns for the people using Rails to Trails (still in the planning stages) by making it easier for cyclists to access businesses, providing maps with area points of interest, etc.

· Involving the youth in developing the railway museum through classes or community service projects

· Developing partnerships between CCAC and other institutions such as the Paine-Gillam-Scott Museum for mutual support and marketing

Over half the participants signed forms indicating how they plan to help further develop these ideas for the benefit of the people of St. Johns, the surrounding areas and beyond. THANKS TO ALL!!!

From the time he got his first wind-up toy train at about the age of 4, Chris Cook has loved trains. He still remembers the thrill of watching the passenger train with its bright green and gold cars steam through downtown St. Johns as he was growing up.

These early experiences have become a lifelong passion for trains and all that is connected to them for Chris. When he was a freshman at RBW High School he ate his lunch at the depot every day, talking to the train men there and soaking up the atmosphere. It was only natural for him to wander into the depot when it became the Depot Center for the Arts in 2004.

As soon as he found out that CCAC was interested in bringing some rail cars to town for a museum, Chris became deeply involved in locating, moving and repairing/restoring the 3 cars CCAC currently owns. The amazing thing is that the cars were acquired and brought to St. Johns at little expense to CCAC and none to the city. The dedicated volunteers, led by Chris, have used their own trucks, borrowed other heavy equipment, and put in hundreds of hours of hard labor to provide the exciting beginnings of the Clinton Northern Railway Museum. And Chris has only just begun!

Sue Durkee Monroe has exhibited her award-winning artwork in many arenas including a number of one-woman shows; she has been commissioned to paint portraits to hang in public institutions; and she has artwork hanging in private collections throughout the United States and abroad. Fortunately for mid- Michigan, Sue lives in Ovid with her husband, Wells, who is a true partner, supporting her art by making her easel, stretching canvases and making frames.

Sue started painting seriously 43 years ago when she sold her first work. Her favorite media include watercolors, oils and pastels, with subject matter ranging from people to flowers to houses and barns.

When her 3 sons were young, Sue adapted her style to suit their needs by doing plein air painting (a style capturing the outdoor daylight) in the woods while the boys played nearby. Recently Sue illustrated the book Gingerbread Grandma, by Evelyn Wilhelm Behrens. Copies signed by Sue are for sale at the Depot.

Sue’s artwork is included in the “Like Nowhere Else” members’ exhibit at the Depot March 28 – April 21. Her work can also be seen and purchased through w.ww.rushfurniture.com.

EXHIBITS AND FIRST SUNDAYS
Span of Youthful Art,April 25 – May 12
This is a K-12 exhibit celebrating the talents of the students of St. Johns.

First Sunday, May 6, 1:00 – 3:00 PM
Zach Nachazel, St. Johns High School student, will be the musical guest.

Good Neighbors, May 16 – June 30
The artwork of artists from Shiawassee and Ionia Counties will be on exhibit.

Dances of the Sun, July 5 – August 4
An all-media exhibit of CCAC member artists will express the play of light and reflected light.

Saturdays, 1– 4 pm, 6-week sessions
Painting lessons for ages 18 and above; all levels of ability; all painting media.
Cost: $65.00 for 6 weeks.

Classes are going so well that we are ready to add a second 6-week session during the week. To register for the Saturday classes or discuss day/time of the weekday classes, please call Elaine at 989.593.2072.

In two sessions of 15 students each, students in grades 1 – 8 participated in cartooning classes offered by CCAC on Saturday, March 31. Kathryn Gehrs-Pahl demonstrated techniques while students tried them out; then each student created his/her own set of drawings, complete with a cover. Since there wasn’t enough room for all interested students, another class has been scheduled for Saturday, May 19. The classes are $12.00. To enroll, please call Kathryn at 989.723.9927.

June 12 - 28, CCAC will again be offering high-interest art classes at the Depot Gallery for children ages 4 – 13. Classes for students ages 4-6 will be held 10:00 – 11:30am; for ages 7-9 will be held 1:00 – 2:30pm; and for ages 10-13 will be held 3:00 – 4:30pm. These are stand-alone classes in areas as varied as music, painting, jewelry-making, pottery, cartooning and more. The cost per class is $12.00, or $10.00 for CCAC members. Applications will be distributed through the schools and available at the Depot.

CCAC relies tremendously on its many volunteers, such as board members, gallery docents, and the railroad crew. We give thanks to each and every one for all they do to keep us going.

We would like to highlight a few major contributions that have allowed us to enhance special programs:

· Randy Willett of CRV has redesigned our web site! Take a look at www.clintoncountyarts.org and see what you think. Thanks to Randy we will also soon be able to start selling Depot Gallery art objects on line.

· Dave Lehnen, assisted by Gary McCampbell, talked with two groups of Head Start students as they toured the Ann Arbor Crew Car and viewed its railroad memorabilia exhibit. We welcome other student groups to come learn about railroad history in our historic train car(s).

· Lance Ouellette, St. Johns Computer Center, donated a computer to manage the data base for the CCAC Traveling Art Program. This program offers area businesses and institutions an opportunity to display original art on a rotating basis throughout the year.

HOW CAN YOU HELP??

Become a member of CCAC if you aren’t already, and contribute your talents and/or resources to help support the arts in Clinton County in whatever large or small ways you are able.

The mission of the Clinton County Arts Council (CCAC) is to promote, encourage and economically support the arts, artists and the cultural heritage of Clinton County.


CLINTON COUNTY ARTS COUNCIL (CCAC)
April 2007 Newsletter (Click here to view past newsletters) The Depot Center for the Arts 107 E. Railroad, St. Johns, MI 48879 The mission of the Clinton County Arts Council (CCAC) is to promote, encourage and economically support the arts, artists and the cultural heritage of Clinton County. Phone: 989.224.2429 Email: ccarts@voyager.net Web site: www.clintoncountyarts.org Hours of operation: Wednesday – Friday: 11am – 6pm Saturday: 10am – 2pm MAKING TRACKS The exciting news regarding the Clinton Northern Railway Museum is that CCAC has received a Conservation Assessment Program (CAP) grant from the National Institute for Conservation. This grant will pay for two assessors to visit CCAC: (1) a professional conservator to assess our collections (library, art and railroad memorabilia); and (2) a preservation architect who has substantial experience with historic railcars. Both will come for two days in July, and then provide written reports. These assessments will be extremely helpful when CCAC applies for a major grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services in October for funds to restore the Sault Ste. Marie, our 1902 sleeper car. Outside view Inside elegance visible in some areas A NEW ERA for CCAC “St. Johns needs all of the events, programs, new opportunities!” This comment, written by one of the participants at the end of the New Era Conference, reflects the enthusiastic consensus of the almost 50 citizens who spent four hours on the morning of March 24 focusing on the development of the north end of downtown St. Johns. Speakers told participants about the current status and future prospects for the area around the Depot, the Clinton Northern Railway Museum, Rails to Trails and CCAC arts programming. Then participants worked in small groups to generate ideas to further develop these projects, such as: · Creating a welcoming, tourist-friendly area in St. Johns for the people using Rails to Trails (still in the planning stages) by making it easier for cyclists to access businesses, providing maps with area points of interest, etc. · Involving the youth in developing the railway museum through classes or community service projects · Developing partnerships between CCAC and other institutions such as the Paine-Gillam-Scott Museum for mutual support and marketing Over half the participants signed forms indicating how they plan to help further develop these ideas for the benefit of the people of St. Johns, the surrounding areas and beyond. THANKS TO ALL!!! WE LOVE OUR VOLUNTEERS Meet Chris Cook: From the time he got his first wind-up toy train at about the age of 4, Chris Cook has loved trains. He still remembers the thrill of watching the passenger train with its bright green and gold cars steam through downtown St. Johns as he was growing up. These early experiences have become a lifelong passion for trains and all that is connected to them for Chris. When he was a freshman at RBW High School he ate his lunch at the depot every day, talking to the train men there and soaking up the atmosphere. It was only natural for him to wander into the depot when it became the Depot Center for the Arts in 2004. As soon as he found out that CCAC was interested in bringing some rail cars to town for a museum, Chris became deeply involved in locating, moving and repairing/restoring the 3 cars CCAC currently owns. The amazing thing is that the cars were acquired and brought to St. Johns at little expense to CCAC and none to the city. The dedicated volunteers, led by Chris, have used their own trucks, borrowed other heavy equipment, and put in hundreds of hours of hard labor to provide the exciting beginnings of the Clinton Northern Railway Museum. And Chris has only just begun! PURE ARTISTRY Sue Durkee Monroe has exhibited her award-winning artwork in many arenas including a number of one-woman shows; she has been commissioned to paint portraits to hang in public institutions; and she has artwork hanging in private collections throughout the United States and abroad. Fortunately for mid- Michigan, Sue lives in Ovid with her husband, Wells, who is a true partner, supporting her art by making her easel, stretching canvases and making frames. Sue started painting seriously 43 years ago when she sold her first work. Her favorite media include watercolors, oils and pastels, with subject matter ranging from people to flowers to houses and barns. When her 3 sons were young, Sue adapted her style to suit their needs by doing plein air painting (a style capturing the outdoor daylight) in the woods while the boys played nearby. Recently Sue illustrated the book Gingerbread Grandma, by Evelyn Wilhelm Behrens. Copies signed by Sue are for sale at the Depot. Sue’s artwork is included in the “Like Nowhere Else” members’ exhibit at the Depot March 28 – April 21. Her work can also be seen and purchased through w.ww.rushfurniture.com. COMING EVENTS AT THE DEPOT EXHIBITS AND FIRST SUNDAYS Span of Youthful Art,April 25 – May 12 This is a K-12 exhibit celebrating the talents of the students of St. Johns. First Sunday, May 6, 1:00 – 3:00 PM Zach Nachazel, St. Johns High School student, will be the musical guest. Good Neighbors, May 16 – June 30 The artwork of artists from Shiawassee and Ionia Counties will be on exhibit. First Sunday, June 3, 1:00 – 3:00 PM Open House and Artists Reception Dances of the Sun, July 5 – August 4 An all-media exhibit of CCAC member artists will express the play of light and reflected light. First Sunday, July 8, 1:00 – 3:00 PM Open House and Artists Reception PAINTING CLASSES Saturdays, 1– 4 pm, 6-week sessions Painting lessons for ages 18 and above; all levels of ability; all painting media. Cost: $65.00 for 6 weeks. The teacher is Elaine Twichell, CCAC Creative Director and practicing artist. Classes are going so well that we are ready to add a second 6-week session during the week. To register for the Saturday classes or discuss day/time of the weekday classes, please call Elaine at 989.593.2072. KIDS ARE ARTISTS TOO CARTOONING CLASSES In two sessions of 15 students each, students in grades 1 – 8 participated in cartooning classes offered by CCAC on Saturday, March 31. Kathryn Gehrs-Pahl demonstrated techniques while students tried them out; then each student created his/her own set of drawings, complete with a cover. Since there wasn’t enough room for all interested students, another class has been scheduled for Saturday, May 19. The classes are $12.00. To enroll, please call Kathryn at 989.723.9927. SAVE SOME SUMMER FOR ART June 12 - 28, CCAC will again be offering high-interest art classes at the Depot Gallery for children ages 4 – 13. Classes for students ages 4-6 will be held 10:00 – 11:30am; for ages 7-9 will be held 1:00 – 2:30pm; and for ages 10-13 will be held 3:00 – 4:30pm. These are stand-alone classes in areas as varied as music, painting, jewelry-making, pottery, cartooning and more. The cost per class is $12.00, or $10.00 for CCAC members. Applications will be distributed through the schools and available at the Depot. THANKS A MILLION CCAC relies tremendously on its many volunteers, such as board members, gallery docents, and the railroad crew. We give thanks to each and every one for all they do to keep us going. We would like to highlight a few major contributions that have allowed us to enhance special programs: · Randy Willett of CRV has redesigned our web site! Take a look at www.clintoncountyarts.org and see what you think. Thanks to Randy we will also soon be able to start selling Depot Gallery art objects on line. · Dave Lehnen, assisted by Gary McCampbell, talked with two groups of Head Start students as they toured the Ann Arbor Crew Car and viewed its railroad memorabilia exhibit. We welcome other student groups to come learn about railroad history in our historic train car(s). · Lance Ouellette, St. Johns Computer Center, donated a computer to manage the data base for the CCAC Traveling Art Program. This program offers area businesses and institutions an opportunity to display original art on a rotating basis throughout the year. HOW CAN YOU HELP?? Become a member of CCAC if you aren’t already, and contribute your talents and/or resources to help support the arts in Clinton County in whatever large or small ways you are able. The mission of the Clinton County Arts Council (CCAC) is to promote, encourage and economically support the arts, artists and the cultural heritage of Clinton County.
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