Creative Arts Council has new director

June 20, 2012

By BARBARA BARBIERI
It has been a busy few months for Audrey Dean, who has been the executive director of the Wells County Creative Arts Council since January. Not only has she gotten to know more about Wells County and arts council activities, she also has become a resident of Bluffton,
She now feels she is ready to move forward with new ideas for the arts council with a concentration on creating more activities to attract younger adults and families to programs. She has found that there are many programs geared for the youth and for older adults, but not so many for those “in-between.”
She also hopes that more evening and weekend workshops can be scheduled. Also in the works is a new logo for the Creative Arts Council that will better reflect the council’s physical site.
Dean is especially pleased to be offering a children’s musical program on Tuesday, July 24, featuring nationally-recognized flutist Kathy Blocki. She will be presenting “The Shoemaker’s Dream” and “Casey at the Bat,” the latter of which will be narrated by her husband, Martin Blocki.
Meanwhile, current favorite programs are continuing — Series on the Ouabache, Kehoe Park Concerts, the Food Group gatherings, to name a few.
Continuing programs include:
Jazz on the Patio with the Kevin Piekarski Trio, which was held on June 24, and the Pops Concert by the Fort Wayne Philharmonic at Oubache State Park will be held tonight (Thursday, June 28) at 7:30 p.m. with the CAC as one of the sponsors. (The concert is free, but park admission is charged.)
Kehoe Park Concerts on Sunday evenings during July and August, except for one on Friday evening.
The Friday evening concert will be presented as the City of Bluffton entertains members of the National League of Cities’ board of directors.  Bluffton Mayor Ted Ellis serves as president of the NLC.
The concert schedule will include: 
July 8 — Island Vibe (Caribbean Groove)
July 13 (Friday) — Nostalgia (70’s cover band)
July 22 — Suzanne and Jim (folk)
July 29 — Spike and the Bulldogs (50s and 60s rock)
Aug. 5 — Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band (Soulful Country Blues)
Aug. 12 — Union Rose (country)
Aug. 19 — My Lost Tribe (90’s cover band)
Aug. 25 — Gospelfest
Planners for the Kehoe Concerts have included Phil Swain (chair), Ted Smith, Roger Sherer, Pam Vanderkolk and Dean. Sponsors for the concert are now being secured by the committee.
The Food Group, led by Jeanne Ploetz, has a year of activities planned. Some out-of-town visits to food venues are planned as well as “in town” programs.
On Friday mornings the Artists in Action gather to paint in a variety of media. There is no formal instruction, but all are welcome to join the group and just paint.
The Book Group also welcomes all who are interested in literature. They meet on the last Tuesday of the month at noon to discuss books as they eat lunch.
Balentine Gallery manager Quinn Grubisich has an impressive schedule of art exhibits lined up for the rest of the year.
College Student Art will grace the gallery from June 12 to July 31. Featured will be works by local students who are studying art during their college/university careers.
The Reclaimed/Repurposed/Recycled exhibit will be viewable from Aug. 6 to Sept. 28. All entries for this must use materials that are reclaimed or repurposed or recycled. (The community’s Summer Art Showcase will echo this same theme, with more information to be announced.)
The holiday exhibit will be titled Awkward Family Photos and Ugly Christmas Sweaters. It will decorate the Balentine Gallery from Dec. 10 to Jan. 4.
Summer Camps will be offered with several planned for dancers.
Let’s Dance with Ms. Janiece will be offered July 9-20, from 9:30 to 11 a.m. and is for those who have completed either Ballet I, II, III or IV.
Ballet and Pointe Skills Intensive with Ms. Janiece will meet July 9-20, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and is for advanced intermediate, advanced and pointe students.
A new offering will be and Adult Stretch and Strength Class to be taught by Emily Elder-Roop. It will meet on Mondays and Wednesdays July 2-30 in one hour sessions.
Beth Lampton will continue as director of the School of Ballet.
(More information about any of these classes is available by calling the CAC office.)
The Summer Arts Academy was held June 18 through 21 with Hallie Koenig as instructor. 
The Wells Community Theatre group, reviving itself with the production of Music Man Jr., is now part of the Creative Arts Council. The musical was presented the weekend of June 15-17.
So although there are a lot of wonderful entertainment activities already scheduled for Wells County residents to enjoy, Dean and her helpers are busy planning more.