Arts Council looking for voluteers

Friday, October 14, 2011

By Mark Stalcup, Staff Writer

You've got to have art.

The Greene County Heritage and Arts Center Council doesn't need bucks, so much as bodies and brushes: Volunteers, artists and participants are what they're seeking now.

"We're a bit blessed," said advisory council member Fred Markle.

"Although we'd love to see someone give us something in their will, and we always welcome donations for the use of the upstairs, we're not out looking for donations right now so much as participants."

During Linton's Fall Arts Festival, the center, located at 110 E. Vincennes St., will host an open art show, welcoming local painters and artists to display around three of their pieces.

Artists should sign up by Oct. 27 for the weekend festival, and can contact organizers at one of three places:

* They can sign on by contacting Markle at Markle's Music, 44 S. Main St., or by phone at 847-2103.

* They may contact advisory board member Jeff Thom at Francisco de Borja coffee shop, 20 S. Main St., or by phone at 847-3100.

* Advisory council member Donna Kluesner can also be contacted at 381-2512.

During Thursday's open meeting, at least one local artist, attorney Tim Shonk, signed on to display his paintings. Shonk's completed around 50, and intends to hold a gallery show at the center in the next year.

How many pieces individual artists will be able to show during the arts festival depends on the work's size and participation, Kluesner said.

The arts council hopes the open call for art may bring increased participation, coupled with spreading the word about art classes, will bring more volunteers and keep the center open more often.

"People don't always take the time to come in here unless something pulls them in here," Markle said. "We'd like to see this place open 10 or 12 hours a day."

Markle remembers one evening spent in the former Margaret Cooper Library where the arts center had every corner full with painters, musicians, and students taking lessons.

The joyful activity made the downtown business owner wonder how the former librarian Cooper, whom the library was named after, would react.

"I thought to myself 'Oh, Margaret, what do you think of this?' The place was so full of life. That's what we wanted. That's what it should be."

That, Markle said, is something the center would like to see happening much more.

The methods the center's advisory council aims to utilize to bring more people include:

* Welcoming all of Greene County, as well as artists from Sullivan County. Sullivan County recently lost an art gallery which had displayed local wares there.

* Funding a $200 metal sign which will emphasize the arts center, a former Carnegie Library, as a historical site. The refitted library is one of only two built in that style which remains of four originally constructed.

Because of that historical status, artists must be careful to preserve the building, Kluesner said.

However, Markle emphasized the building remains structurally sound, adding the only improvements the facility may need in the future are revamped electric and heating systems.

* Reminding residents that open art classes are held every Monday at 6 p.m., and expanding courses.

* Tri Kappa, the social sorority, may be enlisted to provide more arts classes to children.

"What I would like to see is this: We're not looking so much for monetary donations, but for people who would want to work here painting, if they'd be willing to have the door open, the lights on, and to welcome people as they come in -- essentially, the artists as volunteers. It's a give-give thing. Our volunteers are a crucial thing," Markle said.

Art also can benefit a community tremendously, Kluesner said.

"This area is not really embracing the arts as much as it should. If you start with children and get them interested early, then they embrace it, and keep it as a lifetime thing," she said.

"Art is what allows you to keep breathing. I get so I neglect it, because I become so busy in my life, and then I become stressed out and wonder why."