WS Chronicle

Organizers Seeking Local Artists for Juried and Non-Juried Competitions

The inaugural Second Spring Arts festival will take place May 14-17, 2013 at the Milton Rhodes Center for the Arts and other venues.  The festival will feature a wide range of arts exhibitions, demonstrations, and performances to celebrate the creativity of seniors 60 years and older.  Second Spring Arts, which will be Winston-Salem’s first festival for seniors, also will showcase both juried and non-juried competitions.

The festival will celebrate the achievements of individuals 60 and over in a wide variety of art forms including painting, music, dance, sculpture, photography and literature.  Organizers plan for Second Spring Arts to become an annual festival to recognize the diverse talents of seniors of all skill levels. They also plan to coordinate programming with existing arts organizations to better serve the growing senior population.

Hall

 “The primary mission of Second Spring is to showcase the creative accomplishments of Forsyth County seniors and encourage continuing artistic creativity,” Nancy Hall, president and chair of Second Spring Arts, said.  “Additionally, the festival will showcase Winston-Salem and surrounding areas as desirable destinations for retirees who have an interest in the arts and culture. Over time, Second Spring Arts intends to grow and become the primary organization in Northwest North Carolina exclusively devoted to the promotion of senior arts and related manifestations.”

  “Second Spring Arts also has a health component by encouraging cognitive creative renewal and nurturing creative discovery for people 60 and older,” Hall added.  “We believe the best way to stay healthy mentally and physically is to stay active, including being active artists.”  

Highlights of Second Spring Arts Festival at the Milton Rhodes Center include:

• May 14, opening day, will feature keynote speaker Susan Perlstein, Founder, National Center for Creative Aging.  Following her speech, members of three panels will address the impact of the arts on the economy, on health and wellness, and share best practices in Winston-Salem. An official painting by Linda Weaver will be unveiled and later sold in a raffle.

Pearlstein

• May 15 will recognize the literary arts, including local artists, film and storytelling.

• May 16 will focus on the visual arts and will feature both a juried competition and a non-juried showcase at the Delta Fine Arts Center. Approximately ten artists will give short demonstrations at the Sawtooth School, featuring Mona Wu (woodcut/linoleum prints) and Mitzi Shewmake.

Visitors review some of the entries at a local exhibition of art by seniors at the Delta Arts Center in 2012.

• May 17, closing day, will offer a wide variety of musical and dance performances, including the New Horizons Band with Peter Perret, the Snappy Tappers, Sharps and Flats from Arbor Acres and ballroom dancing led by Ann Guill.

The Snappy Tappers

Second Spring Arts is seeking local artists – from amateur to professional – to participate in the festival.  The only qualification is being a minimum age of 60.  There is no entry fee to participate, and entrants can select whether or not they want to enter the juried competition.  Deadline for entries is March 22, 2013.  To obtain a prospectus and entry form, go to www.arts60plus.org and click on “Festival,” then “Entries” or call (336) 473-0305 to receive one by mail. Acceptable categories are:  original art/all media, photography, sculpture, ceramics, pottery, stained glass, basket weaving, weaving, dollmaking/houses

Arts patrons, however, do not have to be artists or even seniors to be part of the Second Spring Arts celebration.  The performances, demonstrations, workshops and performances will be geared toward seniors but will be appealing to all ages.  All parts of Second Spring Arts are free and open to the public.

Second Spring Arts, Inc. is an incorporated nonprofit and will promote diversity and collaboration with other arts organizations as part of its mission.  The Carolina Chamber Symphony Players serves as fiscal agent for Second Spring.  Presenting sponsors of Second Spring Arts include Arbor Acres, the Arts Council of Winston-Salem/Forsyth County, Bermuda Village, Salemtowne Retirement Community, Novant Medical Center and Somerset Place at University Place.

For more information about Second Spring Arts, including entry forms, please visit www.arts60plus.org or call (336) 473-0305.