Girl Scouts visit the Old Jail Art Center

On Tuesday, June 9, 2009, ten groups of Girl Scouts visited the Old Jail Art Center as part of their summer Day Camp.  Girls learned about the history of the building and the lives of the former sheriffs, their families, and prisoners.   

We Had Fun at the June 5 Gallery Walk in Downtown Bedford

Downtown Bedford came alive on Friday evening, June 5, 2009.  Historic cars ringed the courthouse and crowds formed to buy strawberry shortcake from the BRI Historic Preservation Committee.  The Dulcimer Society provided music, the Lawrence County Victorian Dancers demonstrated Civil War-era dancing, and the visual arts were in abundance, thanks to the Lawrence County Art Association, the Sewing Center, the Lawrence County History Museum, the Quarry Quilters, Half Moon Limestone, the Dulcimer Society, and our center.  We were also blessed with beautiful clear skies and moderate temperatures.  All in all it was the perfect evening and one we will want to repeat in the near future.  Thank you to everyone who made this event special. 

Stephen Bowman of the Bedford College of Lacemaking and Rowena Cross-Najafi of our center collaborated, aided by Dorothy Timan, to demonstrate bobbin lacemaking at the 2009 Lawrence County History Festival from April 17-19. 

It's hard to estimate the number of fifth graders who tried their hand at the demonstration bolster on Friday, but several inches were added to our torchon lace and the booth was never quiet.  Saturday was a bit less hectic, but a few young people got positively addicted to the "2 over 3, 2 over 1, 4 over 3, 2 over 3 again" pattern and kept the booth hopping. 

Glorious weather the first two days of the festival more than made up for the rain that caused us to close early on Sunday.  Thanks to Norm Taylor and his team for another wonderful festival.

"Hot Glass" Sizzles

Congratulations to OJAC instructor Ross Thackery on the success of his exhibit "Ross Thackery's Adventures in Hot Glass" which was on display from  July 31-August 1, 2009.  Thanks also to Tonie Kedzierski, Isabella Cross-Najafi and Rowena Cross-Najafi for their help with the exhibition.  Ross's next act at our center will be two classes in September--see the Class Schedule page for details. 

"Barbara's Day Off" Dazzles

"Barbara's Day Off," an exhibition of whimsical and exciting work by Lawrence County multimedia artist Barbara Lynn at the Old Jail Art Center from May 15-20, 2009, was a short but dazzling display of the artist's impressive talent and range.  Congratulations, Barbara, on your success!  Thanks to Tonie Kedzierski and Rowena Cross-Najafi for help with setting up, staffing the gallery, and taking down the exhibition.  Thanks to all of you for your loyal support of our local artists.