Celebrating Arts in Education Week!

This week, we are celebrating Arts in Education Week, a time to recognize and highlight the transformative power of arts education in schools and communities. Arts in Education isn’t just about encouraging creativity; it’s about fostering a generation of critical thinkers, problem-solvers, and collaborative learners. It’s about celebrating the excitement of life-long learning. As we observe this important week, let's take a closer look at why arts education is essential and the benefits it brings to individuals and communities alike, with help from Americans for the Arts!

As we celebrate Arts in Education Week, we invite you to explore how the arts enrich our lives and strengthen our communities. Through programs like the Arts in Education Residency Program, we partner with the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts to bring professional teaching artists into schools and community spaces, offering students hands-on opportunities to engage with various art forms. These resideencies last anywhere between 5 to 20 days and are a collaborative process between the artist, the students, and the host organization. These residencies foster a deeper understanding of both academic subjects and personal growth. Everyone leaves a residency learning something!

This week, let's take a moment to appreciate the lasting impact of arts education and continue advocating for its importance in every student’s life.

ECCOTA Summer Programs & Classes 2024

As school ends summer art programs begin at the Elk County Council on the Arts! ECCOTA’s summer interns Caroline Fitch and Katie DeCarli have planned a full schedule to appeal to all ages and artistic interests.

All activities are free with supplies included unless marked otherwise. Registration is appreciated for free activities so we know how many to prepare for. Registration is required in advance for paid activities. Space is limited!

Children under 10 years of age should be accompanied by an adult. Activities marked “all ages” are open to everyone from toddlers to adults.

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Art After Hours

In addition to the activities above we are offering Art after Hours every Wednesday in front of the gallery from 5-8PM. Art After Hours programming is for all ages, does not require registration, and you can drop in anytime!

July 3 -Shrinky Dinks July 10 - Doodle Table
July 17 - Watercolor Table
July 24 - Stamp & Draw Bookmarks
July 31 - Rock Painting
August 7 - Tie Day *Bring your own cotton garment or buy something from us!
August 14 - Tissue Paper Flowers
August 21 - Chalk Walk

Questions about Elk County Council on the Arts activities?
Give us a call, 814-772-7051 or info@eccota.com.

Be Our Guest with Beauty and the Beast JR. at ECCOTA's Summer Theater Camp

Disney’s Beauty and the Beast JR. will be performed by the Elk County Council on the Arts Summer Theater Camp students on Friday, June 28 at 7 PM. The approximately 60-minute musical, designed for youth performers, is based on the 1994 Broadway production and Disney’s 1991 animated feature film. The production will be directed by Mr. Adam Brooks and performed at the St. Marys Area High School Carpin Auditorium.

Beauty and the Beast JR. tells the story of Belle, an adventurous young girl, and the Beast, her hideous captor who is actually a young prince trapped under a spell. In order to break the spell, the Beast must learn to love another and earn her love in return – before time runs out. With the help of the castle’s enchanted staff, including a loving teapot, a charming candelabra, and a nervous mantel clock, Belle and the Beast find a beautiful friendship and love that neither knew was possible. Beauty and the Beast JR. features classic songs from the Academy Award®-winning film score such as “Be Our Guest” and “Belle,” as well as original songs from the 1994 Tony®-nominated Broadway musical.

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There is no admission fee to attend the performance, and everyone is welcome. Donations are appreciated at the door but are not necessary. Due to construction at the St. Marys Area High School, please be aware that parking will be limited to the Middle School parking lot. Please see the diagram below for full parking and entrance information.

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Summer Theater Camp is a weeklong experience for youth entering grade 3 in the fall of 2024, through this spring’s graduating seniors. Camp will be held Monday, June 24 through Friday, June 28 at the St. Marys Area High School.

🥀 Summer Theater Camp is FULL. Registration is now closed.🌹

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FAQ

-When will auditions be held?
We will announce auditions very soon! Please register now so we know you’re fully committed and have your contact information so you don’t miss anything!

-What about the construction project?
We are so thankful that we have been permitted to use the SMAHS auditorium in the middle of their construction project. The only significant change will be to the drop-off and pick-up procedure, and parking area the day of the performance. Campers will be required to avoid the front of the building, and we will be checking doors and doing headcounts more frequently. Student safety is of the utmost importance. Please stress the importance of safety and following directions to your camp participant. We will not tolerate any disregard for safety.

-Can we participate in the Ridgway Firemen’s Carnival Parade this year?
YES! Because of the date of camp, we are going to participate in the parade again this year. We will send more information after registration is complete.

-How can we stay in touch?
We will send announcements through email, and through the Remind app. To join the Remind message thread text "@eccota24" to 81010.

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Ida Basket Weaving Class

Join Potter County artist Catherine Snyder for another basket weaving class!

Saturday, May 4, 9am-2pm at the ECCOTA Gallery, Ridgway

Both beginner and advanced weavers will complete and take home their own Ida style basket! Cathy will walk you step-by-step through the basket-making process from the base up. You can select from either blue, green, smoke/brown, or natural colored reed. Please choose your color when registering.

If class is already sold out please email info@eccota.com to get on the waitlist.

Nature's Palette: An Exhibition by Lisa Conklin Conn

We are excited to announce Nature’s Palette, a very special exhibition of wall blooms from ceramic artist Lisa Conklin Conn.

Nature’s Palette is a collection of ceramic wall blooms, each representing the colors found in an example of flora or fauna from our region of the Pennsylvania Wilds.

Together these hand-built pieces flow in an organic line from black (raven) to white (ghost pipe). Lisa invites the viewer to look closer at each organism represented and experience the amazing species that are full of color and beauty from our natural world.

The less obvious details and colors are so often overlooked, simply because they are familiar to us. The beauty of nature’s palette in full bloom.

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Over 40 wall blooms will be available for purchase during this special exhibition of artist Lisa Conklin Conn’s ceramic work.

View the exhibition at the Elk County Council on the Arts Gallery beginning April 15 through May 11.

The public is invited to join us for an opening reception on Friday, April 26, 5-8 PM.

View more of Lisa’s work on her social media and website.

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Lisa creates sculpted pieces from stoneware and porcelain, suitable for both the garden and the home. Her creations capture the whimsical side of the flora and fauna found in this region. All pieces are hand built, hand glazed and no molds are used.

Lisa is a juried artisan of the Wilds Cooperative of Pennsylvania and a PA Wilds branded licensee. Her work can be found throughout the region at various galleries, host sites, and shops.