What Your $ Did in 2009

In 2009, the Sakonnet Arts Network expanded its efforts to reach children and adults through classes, artists’ gatherings, "Green Arts” at the Growers’ Market, and volunteer outreach.  Many programs were supported by a grant from the Rhode Island Foundation

 
In the winter ‘09...
 
YOUTH The Network supported a 10-week, after school theater performance class taught by Gloria Crist for 2nd, 3rd and 4th graders at Ranger School. Additional funding for the program came from the school's PTO.

YOUTH With TEMPO, Jr., Sakonnet Arts helped to make individual half-hour instrumental music lessons available after school for 7th and 8th graders. The 10-week session was capped off with school-wide performances.

YOUTH At Tiverton Middle School, the Network offered after school classes in dance, drama, and screen printing during an 8-week session.

YOUTH & COMMUNITY  Sakonnet Arts Network provided support for the Peer Helping Network at Tiverton High School to produce a video for peers and parents. Students involved learned about writing, directing, filming and editing the video with impressive results!

ADULTS & COMMUNITY  Sakonnet Arts hosted a forum on “The Business of Art” featuring speaker, Dorothy Bocian.

ADULTS Sakonnet Arts held a workshop on Photographing Your Art that was led by Jan Armor.

In the spring '09...

YOUTH & COMMUNITY The Sakonnet Arts Network contributed funding to the Drama Enhancement Project at Tiverton High School. The program engaged 40 high school students in both performance and technical aspects of theater over a 16-week period of instruction and rehearsals. Two guest artists shared their professional experience with character development and sound and lighting. The program began in the winter and ended in 4 performances of the musical Grease! that were enthusiastically received by the community.

 
COMMUNITY Sakonnet Arts partnered with the Tiverton Land Trust to hold an arts auction, “Open Spaces, Coastal Places,” at the Land Trust’s Midsummer’s Eve at Ferolbink Farm.


YOUTH Sakonnet Arts provided partial tuition support to 9 students who attended the Art/Literacy summer camp at Pocasset School in August. The all-day, weeklong camp, led by teachers Sheree Alves, Sue Cardoza and Danielle Daglieri, integrated arts with literacy and technology as students learned about cultures around the world. Reading, writing, and PowerPoint skills of the 26 student participants were strengthened through this experience. Several middle school students worked as community service volunteers and their participation was invaluable in mentoring students and assisting teachers!


YOUTH & COMMUNITY Sakonnet Arts hosted a marionette making workshop and lively performance by Dan Butterworth and his Marionettes. Children and their families enjoyed this special presentation at Pocasset School in June.


COMMUNITY The Sakonnet Arts Network began a series of Artists’ Gatherings to increase opportunities for artists and audiences to come together. The first of these, “Dancing with Sculpture: The Body in Motion,” was a collaboration between sculptor Victoria McGeoch and dancer Caryl Sickul. In this performance, Ms. Sickul responded to life-size sculptures by Ms. McGeoch on a summer’s evening at Little Compton’s Art Café as coastal fog softened the transition between daylight and darkness and blurred the distinction between illusion and reality.

ADULTS At the Tiverton Land Trust’s “A Summer’s Eve at Ferolbink Farm,” Sakonnet Arts Network held a live art auction, “Open Spaces, Coastal Places,” that raised over $12,000 to be shared with the Land Trust. We anticipate that these funds will benefit those throughout the region as open space is preserved and arts programming is enhanced with this support. We are grateful to all who contributed to the success of this event ---from the artists who donated beautiful paintings for the auction, to our friends who joined in the exciting bidding process, to the volunteers who gave their invaluable time and effort, and finally to the Tiverton Land Trust for allowing us to share in this memorable evening.

In the fall ‘09...

ADULTS Artists Gatherings continued as a format for sharing the work of new and established regional artists. These events included an introduction to digital art by Heather Frymark that featured a computer presentation and show of her work at the Tiverton Coffee House, a live performance of Latin and flamenco music by Bob and Steve Demers at Holy Trinity Parish Hall, and an amazing slide show of images of Africa captured by photographer Jan Armor.

NETWORKING Sakonnet Arts hosted representatives of regional arts organizations at a meet-and-greet session where topics of mutual interest were discussed. Participants came from the Westport Art Group, Fall River Art Association, Portsmouth Arts Guild, Four Corners Art Center, Greater Tiverton Community Chorus, South Coast Artists, Little Compton Community Center and Tiverton Arts Council.

YOUTH The Sakonnet Arts Network initiated an after school arts program at Pocasset School (where it all began with ArtsExpress in 2004!). Gloria Crist led an after school drama class for 3rd and 4th grade students and Sue Kent and Gary Farias instructed 1st and 2nd graders in the process of building sculptures.   

YOUTH Students in grades 5 through 8 at Tiverton Middle School, explored theater basics in an after school drama class taught by Gloria Crist, worked up a sweat doing hip hop dance with Jackie Henderson, and made colorful tee shirts in a screen printing class taught by Adam Tracy.

YOUTH  Middle School students with a desire to build their skills in playing an instrument were able to take individual and semi-private lessons with instructors after school for a nominal fee. This unique program was developed and coordinated by Band Director, Jennifer O’Neill, and supported by TEMPO Jr. and Sakonnet Arts Network

ADULTS Dedicated volunteers from the Sakonnet Arts Network continued weekly visits to the Nancy Brayton Osborne Center of the VNS in Little Compton.  These weekly art outreach activities offer day care participants another means of expression and the pleasure of painting, drawing, or assembling images into colorful collages.  

The Sakonnet Arts Network is committed The Sakonnet Arts Network is committed to expanding these successful programs and events, as well as creating additional opportunities for artists to come together. The arts are essential to our local economy and to the quality of life in our towns, benefiting everyone from our children to our elders.      
 

Thank you for supporting these endeavors in our second year.  We look forward to your continued involvement and support in 2010 as we forge new connections among artists and all members of our community!