Young Artists at Centrum

New Young Artists Workshops at Centrum

("Eco-Art," from 2010.  Photo by Al McCleese)

Explore.  Focus.  Create.

Centrum is proud to introduce two new advanced level courses for high school students – in writing and visual arts, allowing you to make great strides in your creative work. 

The 2012 Advance High School Writers’ Studio is the first time that high school writers will have the opportunity to participate in the prestigious Port Townsend Writers’ Conference, one of the longest consecutive running gatherings of writers in the nation.  Explore a variety of writing topics and subject matter while learning to focus your skills to create new work. 

The 2012 Advanced High School Visual Art Studio is your opportunity to explore both figurative and abstract painting at an advanced level. Guided by master artists, you’ll discover new techniques and concepts for creating compelling pictorial space and dynamic color interaction, and harness light, color, composition, and your own imagination to create inspired original work.

For more information about the Writers’ Studio, contact program manager Jordan Hartt at 360.385.3102, ext. 131.  For more information about the Visual Art Studio, contact program manager Martha Worthley at 360.385.3102, ext. 120.

Registration is open!

July 8-15, 2012
Advanced High School Visual Art Studio
Grades 9-12

The Advanced High School Visual Art Studio at Centrum is designed to challenge focused students ready to explore painting at the college level. The experience will jump-start your creativity, and develop your ability from the perspective that fits best with your style. Begin each day with your choice from either a figurative or abstract approach to painting, guided by two celebrated artists who are college instructors.  Afternoons are open for you to select either class. You decide if you want to go deeper in a specific style, or balance your experience by trying both approaches to painting.  Evenings include a combination of faculty presentations and studio time, as well as hang-out time in the dorm.

Class Description: CONTEMPLATING THE ABSTRACT
Faculty: Benjamin Britton
The goal of this course is to introduce you to abstract painting and expand your ability to enjoy and respond to abstract art. Work with different methods for abstract painting such as the constructive method, expressive gesture and mark-making, and process abstraction using alternative tools for painting. The class will also focus on creating compelling pictorial space and dynamic color interaction. Throughout the class, the emphasis will be on experimentation and personal expression.  Students may work with acrylic paint, watercolor or mixed media.

Class Description: FIGURING IT OUT
Faculty: Britt Rynearson
The goal of our class is to ‘figure out’ how to interpret form, both landscape and figure.  We will do works on paper and canvas.  Points of discussion will be: using light, controlling color, training your eye to draw from life and moving the eye of the viewer through the composition of your painting.  The work of artists such as, O’Keefe, Wyeth, Freud, Thiebaud, Dali and Bernini will be studied in conjunction with specific assignments.  For example, we will study Andrew Wyeth’s use of negative space in his watercolor landscapes on paper before going outside to paint our own landscape.  Lessons of the face and figure will be included with an original approach to this age old course of study.  The latter half of the week will involve making a series of images inspired by a story.  Dali’s illustrations of Dante’s Comedia are one example of this concept in action. 

FACULTY
Benjamin Britton received his BFA in 1999 from the School of Visual Arts in New York. In 2008, he received his MFA in painting from the University of California Los Angeles, and in 2010 was awarded a fellowship to attend the J.B. Blunk Residency by the Lucid Art Foundation. He has taught studio art classes at Cal State Fullerton, East Los Angeles College, UCLA Extension, College of the Sequoias, and the UCLA Summer Art Institute. Benjamin is a native of the Pacific Northwest, and is currently represented by Frederieke Taylor Gallery in New York.

Britt Rynearson attended Scripps College in Southern California. Her course of study focused on painting and sculpture.  She worked with the now well know painter, Enrique Martinez Celaya, for two years of advanced workshops.  Her study of painting has continued since college.  She began teaching realistic painting at age 22 and has done so ever since.  Currently, Britt teaches workshops at Cornish College of the Arts, Gage Academy and Coyote Central.  Her professional and creative aspirations have led her to create a large body of work in fiber.

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July 8-15, 2012 
Advanced High School Writers' Studio
at the Port Townsend Writers' Conference.
Grades 9-12

The 2012 Advanced High School Writers' Studio is designed for both AP-level writing students, and those interested in a serious exploration of the literary arts.  Begin each day with a master class led by acclaimed author Chris Crutcher for a guided practice of a variety of prose techniques and the opportunity to create new work in a supportive environment. Then fill your afternoons with a choice of seminars in the Port Townsend Writers’ Conference including poetry, short fiction, humor writing, creative nonfiction, journalism and much more. Evenings include readings and events featuring nationally acclaimed writers from the Conference.

Since 1974, the Port Townsend Writers’ Conference has been at the heart of the Northwest’s thriving literary scene.  Such writers as Alice Walker, Richard Hugo, Carolyn Forché, Raymond Carver, Ken Kesey and many others, have developed their craft in this supporting and inspiring atmosphere.

Class Description: TELLING YOUR OWN STORY
Faculty: Chris Crutcher
Acclaimed novelist Chris Crutcher will walk you through the writing process that helped him complete and publish ten novels, two short story collections and an autobiography, along with dozens of magazine columns and other publications.  The workshop will focus on a “nuts and bolts” approach to crafting fiction and nonfiction heavily influenced by realism and each writer's sense of personal truth. Characterization, setting, plotting, pacing, and balance between humor and tragedy, as well as revision and dogged determination will be covered. Questions and class participation will be encouraged. 

FACULTY
Chris Crutcher is the author of thirteen books--ten novels, two short story collections and an autobiography. Prior to his work as an author, he taught school in Washington and California and acted as director of an Oakland alternative school for nearly a decade. That academic history, coupled with 25 years as a child and family therapist specializing in abuse and neglect, has infused his literary work with realism and emotional heft. His signature blend of tragedy and comedy have made him a favorite with teen and adult readers. Crutcher has been awarded the NCTE's National Intellectual Freedom Award, the ALAN Award, the ALA's Margaret A. Edwards Lifetime Achievement Award, the CLA's St. Katharine Drexel Award and Writer magazine's Writers Who Make a Difference Award. Chris Crutcher makes his home in Spokane, Washington.

 

NEA Awards Grant to Centrum/STG for DANCE This Camp

We are excited to announce that Rocco Landesman, Chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts, has announced that Centrum was recommended for a grant of $8000 to support DANCE This Camp, a full immersion dance and choreography program for high school students offered in partnership with Seattle Theatre Group (STG). Centrum is one of 1,145 not-for-profit national, regional, state, and local organizations recommended for a grant as part of the federal agency’s second round of fiscal year 2011 grants. In total, the Arts Endowment will distribute more than $88 million to support projects nationwide.

DANCE This Camp at Centrum provides students in grades 9-12 with classes in African, Ballet, Hip-Hop, modern dance and choreography, taught by professional dance instructors from the Seattle area. The program takes place August 7- 13, on the campus of Fort Worden State Park in Port Townsend, WA. Each day includes technique classes, repertory instruction, and choreography sessions. The week culminates in a Saturday showcase for friends and family.

Coming Soon! Centrum Artist Faculty Performs in Seattle

During April and May, hie thee to Seattle to see performances with Samantha Rund, Erwin Thomas, Rachel Kessler and Sierra Nelson!

Did you work with Samantha Rund making Shakespeare's words your own? Did Erwin teach you there are no bad sounds? Did Sierra Nelson or Rachel Kessler introduce you to the wonderful technology of typewriters and magic of words? Check out their upcoming performances.

Samantha Rund
Saving Face
Sunday, April 17 at 2 p.m. & Monday, April 18 at 7:30 p.m.
Location:
UW Ethnic Cultural Theater
3940 Brooklyn Ave. NE
Seattle, WA 
Saving Face is a new play exploring the themes of identity, loss, allies and adolescence. It revolves around two girls Jayla and Ophelia, and what they do when life gets difficult.
The play is written by Samantha, with some text borrowed from William Shakespeare to compile the character of Ophelia.

 

Erwin Thomas
Jackie & Me
April 28-June 5, 2011
Location:
Charlotte Martin Theatre
Seattle Center
Seattle, WA
In Jackie & Me, young Joey Stoshack has the special power to travel through time just by holding a baseball card and concentrating really hard. When he’s given an assignment to write a paper on Jackie Robinson, it only makes sense to head back to 1947 and meet the famous baseball player. Through his adventures, Joey experiences what it’s like to be African-American during a time of segregation. He witnesses Jackie’s dedication and determination when even people on his own team are against him.

 

Sierra Nelson & Rachel Kessler
Hello, Again, Hello
Created by the Vis-à-Vis Society
Thursday, May 12, 8 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
Location:
Northwest Film Forum
1515 12th Ave (off Pine, on Capitol Hill)
Seattle, WA 
Join Drs. Ink and Owning as they return to their NW Film Forum laboratory for an all new scientific symposium extravaganza. Featuring the Vis-a-Vis Society's new 5-piece band "The Average and The Mean" and dynamic new ways to engage the Scientific Method through song, dance, film, graphs, and the spoken word.

2011 Explorations Recap

Middle-School students from across the state descended on Centrum the week of March 6th through the 11th for Explorations.

 
 

After diving into dance, drumming, marimba, writing, visual art and theater, with inspiring professional artist faculty, the week ended with a dynamic performance at Joseph F. Wheeler Theater. Following a viewing of the Explorations “Gallery” of visual art works created during the week, more than 100 people filled the theater. They were treated to a spirited Taiko performance, a showcase of African marimba rhythms, readings from creative journals, and dramatic theatrical performances (complete with swashbuckling heroes and wicked villains), and Hip Hop dance.

Explorations is sponsored in part by PONCHO, the Washington State Arts Commission, the Baker Foundation, Puget Sound Energy, and the Greater Tacoma Community Foundation, and the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction.

Check out photos of Explorations 2011, with special thanks to Al McCleese for his great photography!

We hope to see you next year at Explorations!

US Education Secretary on the Importance of Arts Education

Arne Duncan, the United States Secretary of Education talks about the importance of arts education.

Centrum Youth Programs At Risk in 2011 WA Budget

Once again, Centrum's funding from the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction is at risk! Governor Chris Gregoire has recommended cutting all funding for Highly Capable programs. This is the funding that supports Centrum Youth Programs.
 
Please contact your legislators and tell your story about how Centrum has made an impact in your life and what the programs mean to you. Urge the legislators to continue to fund Centrum and other programs providing Highly Capable education in Washington State.

The governor is about to call a special session. It's important to get your messages to legislators within the next couple of days.

For 35 years, Centrum has provided tens of thousands of Washington students life changing experiences through arts programs at Fort Worden State Park.  During this time time, Centrum has received partial state funding ($170,000 per year since 2001) for these programs through the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI). For the 2010-2011 school year, funding has been reduced 6.3%. We can live with that.
 
What will crush the programs is a complete elimination of funding, which has been recommended by both Democrats and Republicans.

Centrum programs are a great investment in the youth of our state. Building creative capital is key for this state and our nation if we are to have a vital role in the global conversation. And Centrum is a great investment for the Washington State budget.  Through Washington State Parks, Centrum pays the state far more than we receive in state funding.

Here are the numbers:

State Funding Received in 2010
OSPI $159,312
WSAC $49,120
Total $208,432

Fees Paid to Washington State Parks in 2010: $767,663
Net Gain to Washington State in 2010: $559,231 - A 368% return on investment

If you or your children, or someone you know have benefited from Centrum's programs, we ask that you take a couple of minutes to send an email or make a phone call (ideally both) to your Washington State legislators.  It's easy; just follow the links and the steps outlined below.

Thank you for your consideration and for your support.

Sincerely,
John A. MacElwee
Executive Director
Centrum

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FIND YOUR LEGISTLATOR

1. Enter your address or zip code
2. Select your representative
3. Click on email (you may also want to take down their phone number)
4. You will need to reconfirm your address or zip code
5. Enter your contact information
6. Check if you would like a response (recommended)
7. Check if you would like to cc other legislators in your district (recommended)
8. In the subject line please write:  Please Retain Funding for Centrum and Highly Capable Programs
9. Type your note in the comment section (sample provided below)
   BIG BONUS: Follow up your email with a phone call

SUGGESTED NOTE:
Dear (Legislator):
I am writing to ask you to maintain funding for Centrum's youth programs at Fort Worden State Park which is currently part of statewide funding for Highly Capable students. The Governor has recommended cutting all education funding for Highly Capable students.
For 35 years, Centrum has provided tens of thousands of Washington students "life changing" experiences through the arts, and in integrated art and science programs offered at Fort Worden State Park.
(Personally, Centrum has offered (me, my child, our community) the chance....)
(I feel strongly about Centrum because....)
Thank you for your consideration.
(Your name)
  

Creativity and Science at Water World

A huge round of thank you's to the students, teachers, parents, and chaperones who attended our 2010 Water World workshop. Low tides - combined with high energy and spirits - produced a week of incredible discovery and exploration for 5th and 6th graders from throughout Washington state.

Our photographer, Al McCleese, took some great photos of the 2010 program; you can view his photos on our Flickr site.

Our 2011 Water World workshop will run May 1-6.

A Look Back at Tales, Texts & Theater

To get a glimpse of what a Centrum program is like, take the time to view Al McCleese's photos on our Flickr site.

You will see images of students, teachers and artists all working together to master Combat Resolution, African Dance, Juggling, Taiko, Visual Art and Creative Writing.

The week was deemed "an awesome week of a creative arts workshop" by Blue Heron seventh grade student Francois Ballou in his letter published in the Port Townsend Leader on April 14, 2010.

Reading through the evaluations, one of the high points of the week echoed by students and teachers was learning all new things that they had never tried before. One seventh grader wrote, "I loved being introduced to different cultures and forms of art. In African dance I loved being able to just let go and move. I enjoyed the mechanics in Gizmos, [the visual art class], the excitement and uniqueness of combat, and the challenge of juggling."

Thanks to all who made this week possible for Port Townsend's Blue Heron 7th grade students and their teachers.

Spotlight on Explorations Faculty: Nanda

We're excited to have Nanda on staff for the 2010 Young Artists Project. Their high-energy performances combine juggling, music, dance, stage combat, and much much more.

Seattle KING-5 TV's "Evening Magazine" recently featured Nanda on their program. You can view the video online, and we highly recommend that you do!

'Thank You' to Our Supporters

Dear Centrum Supporter and Arts Education Advocate:

From all of us at Centrum, we want to express our utmost gratitude to all of our supporters, who, through their work in writing and contacting their legislators, ensured that Centrum’s funding was a part of the state’s biennium budget for 2010 and 2011 at the same level of funding in the previous budget.  This was a very challenging task and we are extremely grateful that we will be able to offer Washington students the opportunity to positively impact their lives through the arts.

We are very mindful of the fact that we have three outstanding legislators in our district – Representatives, Majority Leader Lynn Kessler and Deputy Majority Whip Kevin Van De Wege along with Senator James Hargrove.  These individuals spent countless hours behind the scenes working with their fellow legislators to restore and preserve this funding.

Having been involved in arts education advocacy in other states and communities around the nation, I am greatly moved by the activist spirit of Washingtonians and the fact that so many Centrum supporters from all over the state took time to call and write their legislators. It clearly made the difference.

Again, thank you for your continued support of Centrum, its programs, and arts education in the State of Washington.

Gratefully,

John A. MacElwee
Executive Director