ECCOTA Presents: Ordinary-Unreal: an exhibition of artwork by Merry Ryding

The Elk County Council on the Arts (ECCOTA) is thrilled to announce a stunning new exhibition featuring the encaustic artwork of local artist Merry Ryding. The show opens October 13 and runs through November 14 at the ECCOTA Gallery in Ridgway.

Merry, a longtime artist based in Kane, PA, has devoted the past decade to exploring the ancient medium of encaustic painting, a technique that suspends finely ground pigments in molten beeswax and applies them to a rigid surface. Used by the early Minoan and Mycenaean cultures of the Aegean Sea, this method produces artwork that is enduring and ethereal.

Ryding’s exhibition will feature a captivating collection of mixed-media, multi-layered encaustic pieces, each showcasing her deep connection to her world. “The natural and built environments that we inhabit inspire and influence the daily path we take and launch our creative work,” says Ryding.

A public artist reception will be held Friday, October 17, from 5–8 p.m., offering guests an opportunity to meet Merry, discuss her process, and experience the richness of her work in person. All exhibited pieces will be available for purchase.

A Membership Update from the Director

Friends of Elk County Council on the Arts,

Thank you for your continued support of the Elk County Council on the Arts. As we enter our annual membership renewal period, I want to express how critically important your support is right now.

While we remain committed to providing enriching arts programs and supporting local creatives, we’re facing significant upcoming challenges due to the ongoing delay of the state budget. This delay has brought many of our vital community arts programs and grant opportunities to a frustrating halt.

Your membership makes an impact.

Every dollar received through membership dues and donations helps us continue delivering arts programming to our community.

Here’s how your membership helps:

• $25 covers supplies for a free art class, open to both youth and adults in our area.

• $50 supports artist receptions and gallery events, and we have an exciting one coming soon!

• Higher membership levels amplify our reach, helping us serve more people and support more artists across Elk County.

Members also enjoy 20% off all purchases in December and receive exclusive discounts and promotions throughout the year.

We understand times are tight for many, but if you’re in a position to renew or even increase your level of support this year, it would make a meaningful difference.

We’re also excited to share that ECCOTA now has a brand new online membership platform! You can now renew your membership online, create a personal profile, and even set up automatic renewals for added convenience. Do you prefer to join or renew in person? Stop in the Gallery during business hours and we're happy to help.

If you're interested in sponsoring a specific program or directing your donation to a particular initiative, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We’d love to explore those possibilities with you.

Thank you, once again, for supporting the Elk County Council on the Arts. Together, we can keep the arts alive and thriving in our community.
 

With gratitude,

Sara Frank
Executive Director, Elk County Council on the Arts

ECCOTA's Summer Art Programs and Classes Schedule

Join us this summer for an adventure into exciting art projects and many different mediums!

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Most classes are completely FREE, and everyone is welcome to attend. While there is no cost, we generally appreciate an RSVP to let us know how many participants to prepare for. Art After Hours is always free, and you’re welcome to drop in any time.

ECCOTA is a non-profit organization, and only through public support are we able to provide these programs at a little to no cost. Please consider supporting ECCOTA through a donation or membership today!

Shrek the Musical, Jr. - Presented by ECCOTA Summer Theater Camp

The Elk County Council on the Arts is proud to present the Summer Theater Camp performance of Shrek The Musical, JR., directed by Mr. Adam Brooks on Friday, June 27.

Attend the Performance
Friday, June 27 at 7PM in the St. Marys Area High School Carpin Auditorium.
Doors will open at approximately 6:30PM. There is no admission fee, but donations are appreciated. Your donation helps support the arts in Elk County through youth programming and scholarships for the Summer Theater Camp. Concessions will be available.

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Attend the Camp
REGISTRATION - Opens Saturday, May 17 at 9AM. A limited number of spots are available!

The cost to attend is $75 per student. Eligible students must be entering grades 3-12 in the fall of 2025. (Graduating seniors are no longer eligible, but please contact us for other opportunities!) Scholarships are available, detailed below.

All activities will be held in the St. Marys Area High School Carpin Auditorium.
Auditions Wednesday, May 21 at the South St. Marys Street Elementary Auditorium.
Please arrive by 6PM, using the upper gym entrance.
Cast list will be shared on Friday, May 23 via email.

Monday - Thursday, June 23 - 26
Camp begins at 9AM and ends at 4PM. Campers can be picked up between 4PM and 5PM from the St. Marys Area High School.
Friday, June 27
Camp begins at 12 NOON. There will be no lunch break. Pizza, drinks, and snacks will be provided to camp participants before the performance. Doors to the building will open at 6PM. Auditorium doors open at 6:30PM. The performance begins at 7PM.
Clothing, etc.
Camp participants should wear comfortable, weather-appropriate clothes and closed-toe shoes. Please limit devices that may cause campers to be distracted during downtime.
Lunch
Campers should bring a brown bag lunch and a beverage each day. There are water bottle filling stations available at the school. We will alert participants of allergies when necessary.
Performance
Auditorium doors will open at approximately 6:30PM Friday, June 27. There is no admission fee, but donations are appreciated. Your donation helps support the arts in Elk County through youth programming and scholarships for the Summer Theater Camp. Concessions will be available.
Scholarships
Merit-based scholarships are available on a first-come-first-served basis.

ECCOTA Partners with Remake Learning Days PA for Napkin Basket Weaving Class

Join us for a hands-on Basket Weaving Class with Cathy Snyder, where creativity and tradition come together! This fun and engaging workshop is perfect for families looking to spend quality time together while learning the art of basket weaving. Under Cathy’s tutelage, participants will create their own handmade basket, choosing from three practical designs: napkin, utensil, or pencil basket.

Whether you’re a beginner or have some weaving experience, this class is designed to be fun, relaxing, and rewarding for all ages. Working side by side, family members can share in the joy of crafting, problem-solving, and personalizing their baskets with a variety of materials and techniques. By the end of the class, each participant will take home a beautiful, functional piece to enjoy for years to come, a reminder of time well spent together.

This is a free event for families in groups. Space is limited. Sign up with the link below:

https://form.jotform.com/.../eccota-class-registration-form

We hope to see you there!