Art Center Happenings

Wait, I looked at the calendar Spring is still 24 days away.  Weeks like this one make you feel as though Spring has already sprung.  I don't know about you but I am ready to plant flowers, but something tells me it might be a little early for that yet.  You know what else Spring means, our Annual Chocolate Festival.  If I had to choose between chocolate and flowers, I am going with the Chocolate.

This year the Chocolate Festival is on March 24, from 11am to 4pm at the Historic Masonic Theatre.  We will have chocolate panels, a silent auction, bake sale and baking competition.  Check out these Chocolate Panels from 2014.

Before Spring officially arrives, we have two workshops and a class set to begin.  First, on March 10, from 10am to 2pm will be our annual Easter Bonnet Workshop.  All materials are supplied, but if you have anything special you would like to use, feel free to bring it.  Second, on March 10, from 2pm to 4pm Ed Bordett will start a four session Oil and Watercolor class.  Third, on March 15, from 6pm to 8pm, we have Picasso Diva’s and Dudes.

ART OF CHOCOLATE TO BE HELD MARCH 24, 2018 AT THE HISTORIC MASONIC THEATRE

 The 12TH Annual Art of Chocolate Festival, sponsored by the Alleghany Highlands Arts and Crafts Center will be held on Saturday March 24, 2018 from 11 am – 4 pm at the Historic Masonic Theatre.  This year’s theme will be “Passport to Chocolate” and will feature recipes from around the world.  Also new for this year, refrigerated delights such as mousse, cheesecake and tiramisu will be a new category for the competition and sampling portions of the event.  Participants are encouraged to try something new and share it at the tasting table! The categories for cooks are: Cakes, Cookies, Brownies, Candy (including snacks and novelties), Cupcakes and muffins, and a the always adventurous Wildcard. We encourage multiple entries, and, of course, foreign and refrigerated entries. Use the entry for here or stop by the Arts and Crafts Center in Clifton forge and pick one up.  There is even a category for youngsters, age 11-8, to get them into the kitchen.  There will be prizes and ribbons awarded by our esteemed panel of judges.

 Along with the competition there will be tasting tables and a silent auction will offer many interesting items. There will also be an exhibit of original art panels about chocolate that promises unique expressions and ideas by area artists.  Many other activities have been scheduled and more information will be forthcoming soon. The Chocolate Festival, which has been held for 12 years, serves as the major fundraiser for the AHAACC Artist in Education Residency program. The Center uses the funds to bring an outstanding professional artist to our community to work in the classrooms with students and teachers at Covington and Alleghany High School.  Please join in the fun at the Historic Masonic theatre on Saturday March 24 from 11 am- 4 pm.  

School has started, Labor Day is almost upon us, all signs point to the unofficial end of summer.  With Fall in mind, our Fall classes are getting ready to begin.  Our first Picasso Diva’s after summer break is on September 7, from 6pm to 8pm.  Cost is still just $20, and guys this workshop is not just for the ladies, it’s an adult’s night out.  We have Playful Renderings with Sally Grace Branch starting September 10 for a three-week session.  You can take one session or all three, the sessions are $25 each or if you opt for all 3, the cost is $65.  Ed Bordett will once again be teaching Watercolor starting on September 20, lasting four weeks, the cost is $100.  We have a Mat Cutting class in the works, stay tuned for more details on it.