Welcoming remarks, introductions, commission update, importance of the meeting: Grace Hampton
Grace Hampton welcomed the group to the sixth Conversation on the Arts.
In her opening remarks, Grace Hampton described the history of Conversation
on the Arts. She explained that Conversation on the Arts grew out a series
of discussions with over 150 individuals and groups from throughout Centre
County. Individual artists, arts organizations, business people, supporters
of arts in the community, the audience service by the arts organizations in
this community, faculty, and students were included in these discussions.
In addition to wanting to place emphasis on the importance of the arts,
those interviewed wanted to foster a better understanding of enjoyment of
the arts. Other issues of importance gleaned from the interviews included
diversity in the arts, life-long learning in the arts, cultivation of new
audiences, the research, teaching, and learning potential in the arts,
innovative arts projects, and the further development of more linkages
between the university and the community.
She then highlighted several accomplishments of her office and the commission since that first meeting. Included was the publication of The Status and Advancement of the Arts and Culture in Centre County. Recommendations regarding the formation of a community-based "umbrella organization," travel and tourism, accessibility of the arts, development of a marketing survey, facilities, and technology and the arts were included in the report. She noted that we have moved forward in several of these areas. Technology and the arts and tourism. A web site now contains artist of the month feature and regular updates on over 80 organizations. The site has received over 6,000 hits since November 23, 1998.
The continuation of Conversation on the Arts, with the assistance and oversight of the Commission for the Advancement for the Arts. The provision of an informational workshop for artists and arts organizations. Continued distribution of The Arts in Central Pennsylvania brochure. We have come closer to establishing a community-based organization. She also noted that the Conversation on the Arts forums and the Commission for the Advancement of the Arts meetings are both open to the public, and the meeting summaries from both will be posted on the web site so that anyone can access them. Grace Hampton closed her remarks by thanking the individuals and organizations that made a financial contribution for the support of Conversation of the Arts VI. She also thanked the individuals and organizations that contributed a door prize. Lists containing the names of individuals was distributed at the meeting, and will be made available on request to those did not attend the meeting.
Computers and the arts presentation/workshop: Ray Masters
Ray Masters made a thoughtful and informative presentation on the impact of
today's new technologies. He compared the development of the web to the
past accomplishments of flight, computers, television, photography, and
motion pictures. In the past, new technologies were slower to evolve, and
this slow development gave people time to see the possibilities, discuss
the implications, and refine the applications. Today, we are bombarded with
new technologies in a far shorter period of time, and, lacking the time to
become spiritually and philosophically prepared, we feel alienated and
indifferent to the challenge of humanizing technology by making it an art.
The goal of the presentation/workshop was to provide historical and current
information about the use of computers in the art field, and to explain,
enable, and encourage local artists to create and curate a web presence.
He concluded by noting that many interesting and valuable things are
occurring in web sites, that the web will improve as more artists join in
as critical users, the web has the potential of becoming an art in the
formal sense, and the challenge will be to reconnect the
scientific/technical to the spiritual/philosophic, and art is the best way
to accomplish this.
His presentation was followed by a hands-on workshop that was conducted by 10 individuals from the Center for Academic Computing: Dory Ferguson, Karl Leitzel, Jim Leous, George Otto, Mimi Ridenour, Gerry Santoro, Peggy Smith, Dave Stong, Michael Tribone, Denise Wagner
Colonnade project: Shirley Greenlaw
Shirley Greenlaw provided background information on the Colonnade (formerly
Patton Square) project. She indicated that on November 16, 1998, the
Commission for the Advancement of the Arts sent a letter to Timothy
Harrison, developer of the Colonnade project, suggesting that consideration
be given to incorporating the visual and performing arts into the plans for
the shopping center. On December 8, 1998, Mr. Harrison met with Shirley
Greenlaw, Grace Hampton, and Alex Hill. He agreed to consider requests to
include small areas for exhibitions and performances, and he suggested that
space may be made available on his property for an "art barn," that could
serve as a performing arts/exhibition building. The commission agreed to
investigate this and other possible spaces that may accommodate the arts.
Marcy Campbell, a landscape architect from Pashek Associates of Pittsburgh,
Pennsylvania, displayed architectural and landscape layouts for the
Colonnade project to show the areas of community space provided in the
Colonnade project. She indicated that it may be possible to incorporate
murals, paved designs, water features, and sculptures in the areas, and
asked for ideas from the group. She also indicated that the Colonnade
project has been reviewed and is close to final, but could still go through
more changes.
Grace Hampton and Shirley Greenlaw explained that the discussion of the possible inclusion of a space for the arts is under discussion only. The renovation and relocation of an older historical barn was part of the preliminary discussion. They noted that such a structure could bring focus and accessibility to the arts in that part of town. Shirley Greenlaw noted that a formal arts organization must be in place to support such an effort.
Membership drive: Anitra Archer
Anitra Archer noted that the Conversations on the Arts I through V had been
totally funded by the university. In the very near future, artists, arts
organizations, and supporters of the arts will be approached by the
commission and asked to pay a small membership fee to support the
continuation of the Conversation on the Arts forums and related arts
activities. She asked the group to seriously consider this request to show
their support.
"Artswap": Isabel Farrell
Isabel Farrell explained the usefulness of an "Artswap," an arts resource
exchange list. A list of resources and a list of needs from arts
organizations and individuals could be compiled and posted on the community
arts web site. Some examples of the types of items to be listed could be
computer time-share, phone service, clerical help, rehearsal space,
costumes, or equipment. Forms are available for this from Isabel Farrell or
Grace Hampton.
Arts raffle/drawing of prizes: Isabel Farrell
Eighteen items donated by area artists and supporters were give away to
participants of the meeting. Items given were individual music, dance,
acting, drawing, crafts, and pottery lessons, hand-crafted earrings,
ceramic pot, T-shirt, tote bags, concert tickets, health club membership,
discount certificates for art work and museum store, and a hand-painted
ornament.
Remarks: Mayor Candace Dannaker, Bellefonte, and Mayor Bill Welch,
State College
Mayor Dannaker and Mayor Welch thanked the participants for coming and
spoke about the importance of communication among the artists, with
Conversation on the Arts playing an important role.