Christian Music Festival in the PA Wilds

I am looking for interested persons to help with the planning of a Christian Music Festival in the PA Wilds for the Summer of 2010. I am also seeking local musicians to participate. If you are interested in participating in the festival or have an interest in volunteering your time to plan the event please contact Jennifer Stambaugh at 814.642.7635 or via email at Jennifer@jstambaugh.net. I would like to have a meeting the beginning of September to get the ball rolling.

 

Photography Workshops at Hemlock Springs Center

Hemlock Springs Historic Crafts and Cultural Arts Center is pleased to offer two upcoming Photography Workshops presented by professional photographer Curt Weinhold of Coudersport, Pa. Curt is a juried artisan connected with the PaWilds program and has Artisan Trail gallery displays in Wellsboro and Emporium. His photo credits include Outside magazine, Pa Magazine, National Geographic Adventure, Washington Post, NY Times, and many local publications.

Workshop dates are July 18 and September 26, 2009. Each workshop will run from
9:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. and be held at Hemlock Springs Historic Crafts and Cultural Arts Center in Keating Summit, Pa. The cost is $25.00 per workshop. Interested parties can register or get more information by calling Jennifer at 814-545-1205 or emailing Jennifer@hemlockscenter.org.

Pre-registration is required and there must be five registered participants for each class to proceed.

For directions and maps to the Center as well as information on other upcoming events, please visit the website at www.hemlockscenter.org or call the number above.

Hemlock Springs Upcoming Event

Looking for something to do this summer? Interested in the environment and nature?

Hemlock Springs Historic Crafts and Cultural Arts Center in KeatingSummit has just what your looking for!

Hemlock Springs Center will hold the second in their series of environmental workshops on Saturday, July 11th from 10am - 2pm on the Center grounds. The workshop will be a hands-on environmental puppet show. The cost for the workshop is $15.00 per attendee.

To register or for more information, please call 814-545-1205.

Directions and a map to the Center are available on the Hemlock Springs website at www.hemlockscenter.org or by calling the information number listed above. Also on the website are details of the August and September workshops.

2nd Annual Woodland Hobbit and Fairy Festival a Success

Despite looming dark clouds and legions of "friendly flies", the 2nd Annual Woodland Hobbit and Fairy Festival in the Pennsylvania Wilds brought plenty of visitors to Hemlocks Springs Historic Crafts and Cultural Arts Center in Keating Summit on June 13. Turnout was most likely affected somewhat by the current economic situation as well as the predicated weather for the day but overall the festival was a success that built on and expanded many of the activities offered at last year's festival. Well over 100 attendees, most dressed as fairies, hobbits or other woodland fantasy creatures enjoyed music, stories, arts and crafts and much more. "We want the festival to keep growing and really appreciate the suggestions and comments from those who attended. Those suggestions allow us to make changes, upgrades and adjustments to keep the festival improving every year." said organizer Bonnie Wood.

The purpose of the Woodland Hobbit and Fairy Festival is to bring out the artist in each person through exposure to the natural world. Musicians, arts and crafts, a puppet show, storytellers and much more were all prominent features of the 2009 festival all offered in the outdoors. "The Center itself is nestled in a hollow high in the Allegheny Mountains so a natural theme is only, well . . . natural!" commented Wood. "Going Green" was part of this year's festival and a Nature Place tent featured information on how indiviuals can help the environment.

Plans for next year including expanding on the environmental theme as well as introducing more activities and crafts geared toward adults. "One of the suggestions we received this year is to have more activities for adults because we did have adults in attendance without children. We'll be working on organizing adult activities and crafts as we plan for next year's event and appreciate the input from our visitors," said Lori Hansen who handles marketing for the Center.

Finally, Wood offered this word of thanks to all those who helped with the festival. "On behalf of myself and the Fairy Council of Hemlocks Springs Center, I would like to thank all our dedicated volunteers and sponsors for making the second annual festival a success. Without the hard work of our volunteers, the festival absolutely would not be possible. A very special thank you to our volunteers from the ATF (Adult Training Facitily) at Dickinson Mental Health. Your hard work once again added so much to the success of the festival. We also thank all of the festival attendees and hope to see you next year!"

Photo: The Fairy Grandmother Barb Heimel spinning a tale as Destany Stephens reads along in the storybook. The Fairy Grandmother and her wonderful stories were among the most popular attractions at the 2009 Woodland Hobbit and Fairy Festival.

Photo courtesy of Lori Hansen.

Creative Arts League on the Hunt!

Are you an artist or computer guru with art applications? Well here's your chance to show the world what your made of!

The Smethport Creative Arts League is on the hunt for a new logo. The rules are simple, the logo must be clean and clear. It must be able to be reproduced in a multitude of formats, including but not limited to T-shirts, posters, cards and on the web. It must contain the letters SCAL and/or Smethport Creative Arts League. Artwork must be original and must be submitted on an 8 X 10 sheet of paper and also in digital format. Postmark entries by July 31, 2009 to SCAL Logo Competition, c/o Jennifer A Stambaugh, 204 ½ E. Mill St., Port Allegany PA 16743. You can enter up to three (3) images. The winner will receive a $15.00 gift certificate to Dick Blick Art Materials and a T-shirt with his or her artwork on it. Winners will be notified by the end of September.

Jennifer Swain of Northern Tier Cultural Alliance & Amy Thompson of Fortress Studios are the official judges. If you have any questions or comments email Jennifer at scal@smethportpa.org or call 814.545.1205.