The Artists Way Conservatory performed traditional Christmas Carols in Victorian era costumes at the "Made in Lakeville" event

Tom McGinty for The Call talks with Pam Stevens a Lakeville Photographer

"Made In Lakeville," Holiday Reception and Gift Sale, Sponsored by The Residences at LeBaron Hills in collaboration with the Lakeville Arts Council will take place Saturday, December 9, from 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM. A variety of Lakeville made art and crafts will be on display. Participating artisans include: Richard & Carol Tripp - weaving, Daniel Cooney - Painting, Dave Kraemer, ceramics, Robin Fielding - photography and felt crafts, Lynn Ingram - Hardanger embroidery, Sheilagh Flynn - ceramics, Pam Stevens - photography, Sophia Rose - photography, Claire Frechette - painting.
Holiday Christmas Carols will be performed in period costume by: the Artist's Way Conservatory. Refreshments will be provided by The Residences at LeBaron Hills. This is a free event. As part of the "Made In Lakeville" celebration, The Lakeville Arts Council has been invited to re-decorate one the four model homes currently on display at the Residences with nothing but "Made in Lakeville" art and crafts, made by Lakeville artisans. The home looks fantastic and will remain done up with Lakeville art at least until January 30th. Please stop by for a visit. Jean Crane, at Peabody Properties will be happy to show you the home. For more information on the Lakeville Arts Council please contact Daniel Cooney or Joanne Upham at: lakevillefestival@hotmail.com.

Town Set to Celebrate Life in Lakeville

The Lakeville Arts Council and the Lakeville Garden Club will once again host the Lakeville Arts & Music Festival to be held Saturday, September 30, 2006 between 10AM-4PM at the same location as last year, at the junction of Routes 18 and 105. The public is urged to enjoy the music, dance, crafts, storytelling, regional foods, demonstrations, and gardening tips.

This community-wide event not only celebrates the arts and culture of our town and region, but serves as a fund raising and information sharing opportunity for any local non profit organization that is interested in participating. For more information contact Daniel Cooney at 508 947-9973.

There will be a wider variety of music than last year and some spectacular dance performances as well as an additional treat of scheduled craft demonstrations at the historic Town Hall. Over forty juried artisans will be selling their unique handmade wares such as ceramics, weaving, metal and wood sculptures, jewelry, shell craft, clothing, photography, hand-blown glass, stained glass, wreaths, hand-painted silks, and needle felting.

Plan to have lunch on the green for a worthy cause or two at the food court set up in front of the United Church of Christ featuring a wide variety of regional foods that will be on sale to the public.

The event is FREE and will be held, rain or shine! The public is encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs to better enjoy the music and dancing or they can simply bring a blanket and sit on the grass!

Parking will be identified with signs and will be available for free at the Assawompset Elementary School and at the Ted Williams Camp. A path has been created between the Camp and the library for your walking convenience.

The preliminary schedules are as follows:

SATURDAY, September 30, 2006 at the Junction of Routes 105 & 18

10am –4pm: 40 local and regional artisans and craftsmen.
Lakeville Garden Club selling displays, edible delights/providing demonstrations
Face painting
Sock designs
“Drawings for Prizes”--to include handmade items from the artisans & craftsmen
Regional foods for sale at the Food Court organized by the Lakeville United Church of Christ

Demonstrations/Old Town Hall: Ongoing all day
Claire Frechette, acrylic painting
Andrea Chartoff, pottery
Carol Tripp, spinning yarns
Richard Tripp, Navajo weaving


Stage 1: 10:00-10:45: Mike Higgins-EMCEE, folk guitarist
10:45-11:30: Artist’s Way Cabaret, music of Roger&Hammerstein
11:30- 12:00: Joddie Webber Dance Company 12:30-2:00: Irish Music Band 2:00- 4:00 Timothy Paul Band

Stage 2/behind Old Town Hall: 10:00-11:00: To be Announced
11:00- 11:30 NoteAble Blend Chorus, acappella group
11:30-1:00 Reality, young artist Band
1:00-2:00: El Arte Flamenco Troupe, dancers& musicians 2:00-4:00: Jim Foster Quintet, jazz

Library Meeting Room: 1:00-1:30 Jodie Webber Dance Company
2:00-2:30 NoteAble Blend Chorus, acappella group
2:30-3:30 El Arte Flamenco Troupe, dancers& musicians

Improvisational Story Telling
Recommended for children Ages 4-8,
Children’s Room/Library: 10:30 and 11:30 (30 minutes each)

Come and support Lakeville Arts and Culture...join us on September 30th!

Presently, volunteer committees are working hard to make this year’s Arts & Music Festival a success for the citizens of Lakeville and its surrounding communities. Volunteers are still needed however for the day of the event, as well as advertisers and tax-deductible donations from businesses and individuals. Please email the committee at LakevilleFestival@hotmail.com

The Lakeville Arts Council is part of the Massachusetts Cultural Council. Statewide, local cultural councils like Lakeville will have distributed more than $1.9 million in 2005. Grants support an enormous range of grass-roots activities: concerts, exhibitions, radio and video productions, field trips for schoolchildren, after-school youth programs, writing workshops, historical preservation efforts, lectures, First Night celebrations, nature and science education programs for families and town festivals such as Lakeville’ s Arts & Music Festival. Grant information and application forms are available on-line at www.massculturalcouncil.org, and are due Oct. 16, 2006.

Calling all ARTISANS and CRAFTSMEN….
Saturday September 30, 2006 between 10AM and 4PM the Lakeville Arts Council will sponsor the 2nd Annual Lakeville Arts&Music Festival at the intersections of Rte 18&15 in Lakeville. We are currently accepting applications for consideration as a craftsman or artisans for the event.
Artisans and craftsman must make the work they sell—it must not include items put together by manufactured components. A limited number of spaces will be available under 2 common tents. There are more spaces available for individuals with their own tenets. We are committed to a quality show; before acceptance, all potential crafters will be juried by a panel of artisans among the members of the Lakeville Arts Council. To ensure diversity, we will limit the number of dealers in certain categories. To have any questions answered and/or to have an application mailed to you, please call Richard Tripp at 508-3759.

June 12, 2006 Committee on Tourism, Arts and Cultural DevelopmentPublic HearingHeritage State ParkFall River, MA
Distinguished members of the Committee, My name is Daniel Cooney. I am currently serving as the Chairman of the Arts Council in Lakeville, MA. This is my fourth year as Chairman. I became involved with the local Cultural Council Program because I believe that one of the best ways to improve and maintain the quality of life in a community is through arts and culture.
The Lakeville Arts Council is comprised of eight volunteer members and numerous other folks who participate and volunteer for events that we sponsor.
Lakeville is a small town, ( approx. 11,000 inhabitants) so we receive the minimum allotment of grant funding from the State which this year was $2,500. We greatly appreciated the increase from the year before which allotted us only $2,000. The increase does not bring us back to post 2002 levels, but it does get us closer and we thank you all for your efforts on achieving that goal. This funding is the financial glue that holds our cultural council together, enabling us to support a wide variety of community based cultural activities.Last year we received 22 grant applications and were able to fund or partially fund 10.
Four of the more notable projects we have been able to fund over the past four years include:The Lakeville Cultural Presentation Series, These are lectures and demonstrations from visual artists, poets, historians, magicians, & story tellers from all over the state, which are scheduled to be presented at our new library every few weeks during the spring and summer months. (see poster)
The Lakeville Arts & Music Festival, We are hoping this becomes an annual event that features the work of local and regional artisans, and musicians. The organizing committee is made up of the Arts Council and representatives from a variety of community organizations, including the Garden Club, The Historical Society, the Library, and various church groups in town. Last year we had nine bands perform, over thirty crafts persons show their work and two thousand people attend. We hope to double those numbers this year.
Open Studio, This event, which is normaly associated with larger cities was so popular the first year we organized it that we had townspeople asking us to do it again a year later.
Literary Lakeville, This public event features various published writers who live in the town. The invited group of about eight writers take turns reading selected passages from their work to the assembled audience. After the readings, which take a little over an hour, we have live music and a desert reception. Following the first time we presented Literary Lakeville, I overheard one long time, well respected resident say to another “This was the nicest event I have ever been to in Lakeville.”These types of comments let me know how truly important local art and culture is to people.
In conclusion, I would just like to say that funding Arts and Culture in Massachusetts is an excellent investment in the quality of life of its citizens. It truly underscores the meaning of both “common” and “wealth” in our great Commonwealth. Thank you for your continued support. Daniel CooneyChairman, Lakeville Arts Council

Greg Maichak gives a LAC sponsored workshop on the art of pastel for local residents at the Lakeville Public Library, May 11, 2006.

Calling all ARTISANS Saturday September 30, 2006 between 10AM and 4PM the Lakeville Arts Council will sponsor the 2nd Annual Lakeville Arts&Music Festival at the intersections of Rte 18&15 in Lakeville. We are currently accepting applications for consideration as a craftsman or artisans for the event.
Artisans and craftsman must make the work they sell—it must not include items put together by manufactured components. A limited number of spaces will be available under 2 common tents. There are more spaces available for individuals with their own tenets. We are committed to a quality show; before acceptance, all potential crafters will be juried by a panel of artisans among the members of the Lakeville Arts Council. To ensure diversity, we will limit the number of dealers in certain categories. To have any questions answered and/or to have an application mailed to you, please call Richard Tripp at 508-3759.

Open Studio Tour Announced

Saturday, May 13, is the day chosen by the Lakeville Arts Council as the date for their second annual Open Studio event.

Eight artists in Lakeville will be opening their studios in their homes in order to demonstrate their skills as painters, spinners and weavers, shell artists, carvers, photographers, felters, and potters.

Seven additional resident artists whose studios are out of town or not convenient to public traffic will be congregating at Lakeville's historic old town hall at the junction of routes 18 and 105 to demonstrate their photography, basketry, and embroidery. Local novelist and playwright Joyce Walsh will be at the town hall to autograph copies of her two novels, both set in Lakeville.

Brochures listing artists and picturing the featured art work may be picked up at Lakeville's town office building, at the Lakeville Public Library, or at other local businesses. The studios will welcome guests from 10 am to 3 pm. Each visitor may register once at each location for a drawing which will award three prizes in the amounts of $50, $25, and $25 which may be redeemed toward purchases from any of the artists.

The private open studios will include:

Dan Cooney, fine arts painter and sculptor at 59 Main Street

Richard and Carol Tripp, spinners and weavers, at Windy Hill Farm, 134 Main
Street

Pam Levine, shell artist, at 161 Main Street

Robin and Sarah Fielding who do photography, felting, wood carving, and horse
hair braiding at 28 Highland Road

Dave Kraemer who makes pottery at 10 School Street and

Janice Macomber, quilter, at 43 South Kingman Street.

The artists gathered at the historic old town hall will include seven artists: Lynn Ingram, hardanger embroidery; Sheilagh Flynn, pottery; Nancy Yeatts, raptor photography; Preston Saunders, pottery; Beverly Nadeau and Sara Keegan, basketry; and Joyce Keller Walsh, writing.

All participating artists will be informing, demonstrating, or selling their work and hope to see many visitors with whom they can share their passion for their art work. This event is co-sponsored by the Lakeville Arts Council and the Massachusetts Cultural Council. Each location on the tour will be identified by a hand-painted and numbered sign bearing the Open Studio logo created by Lakeville artist Ann Oliveira El Khoury.

The next Lakeville Arts Council meeting is Thursday, April 13, 7:00PM, town offices.

Learning to Read is Magic over Spring Break

On April 18th at 2PM in the Lakeville Public Library, families will be able to experience “Ed the Wizard” as he demonstrates how magic helps children to read.

“Ed the Wizard’s” presentation of “Reading is Magic” is 45 minutes of interactive magic using volunteers from the audience, with reading as the essential emphasis. This program is designed for elementary children and their families. Mr. Cope strives to instill and increase the reading, retention and comprehension levels of young readers as well as inspire children of all age levels to become avid readers.

The April 18th program at 2PM, is designed not so much to teach children a few magic tricks, but to give children the confidence and knowledge that they can borrow books from their local school or public library and continue to learn more on their own. Using a children’s book of magic, Mr. Cope asks a volunteer to read a small section out loud while the audience follows along. Then he discusses the passages read, making sure that everyone understands the procedures to building their own props. The process continues with reading to teach the children how to perform and practice a magic trick.

In 1906, after watching a vaudeville magic show, 11 year old Henri Bouton asked his father how he could learn magic. His father took him to the local library. Henri Bouton grew up to become the famous magician Henry Blackstone! With the power of being able to read, nothing is beyond your grasp. All the tricks and illusions “Ed the Wizard” has learned, he has learned by reading books.

This event is made possible through a Massachusetts Cultural Council (MCC) grant sponsored by the Lakeville Arts Council and is the first in the Cultural Series Presentation 2006, taking place between April and September at the Lakeville Public Library. To view more of the events please go the Library website at www.lakevillelibrary.org and/or the Lakeville Arts Council Blog at: http://lakevillearts.blogspot.com. The MCC Grants support an enormous range of grass-roots activities, such as: concerts, exhibitions, radio and video productions, field trips for schoolchildren, after-school youth programs, writing workshops, historical preservation efforts, lectures, First Night celebrations, nature and science education programs for families and town festivals. If you are interested in additional information, please go on-line at www.massculturalcouncil.org. Forms are available on-line and applications for 2007 are due October 15, 2006.

We are all thrilled with our Open Studio Logo designed by Ann Olivera. Thanks Ann!

Receiving awards from Representative Steve Canessa, and Senator Joan Menard on behalf of the Lakeville Cultural Council

March 8, 2006The 2nd Annual Arts & Music Festival Scheduled

For anyone who enjoyed last year’s event, with arts, crafts, live music and good food, mark your calendar now for this year’s event. It will be held Saturday September 30, 2006. 10AM-4PM at the same location as last year, between the Historic Town hall and Dickran Diran Square and the library at the corners of Routes 18 and 105.

There will also be a Friday evening performance, September 29th. Last year, the event was held in the Assawompset Middle School gym. It was an entertaining and inspiring night of music, poetry, and theater. This year’s event promises to be just as spectacular.

We are now looking for additional volunteers from the community to bring their ideas and enthusiasm to the planning table. The next organizing committee meeting is March 16 at 7PM in the Town Offices on Bedford Street.

Proceeds from the Arts and Music Festival will help to fund year-round support for arts and cultural events through the Lakeville Arts Council, for Lakeville and surrounding communities. Some of the projects funded by the Lakeville Arts Council include: Artapalooza, Open Studio, The Herring Run Arts Festival, a pass for the Museum of Science, Jazz In The Park, and a Writer’s Group for the Council on Aging.

The Lakeville Arts Council is part of the Massachusetts Cultural Council. Statewide, local cultural councils like Lakeville will have distributed more than $1.9 million in 2005. Grants support an enormous range of grass-roots activities: concerts, exhibitions, radio and video productions, field trips for schoolchildren, after-school youth programs, writing workshops, historical preservation efforts, lectures, First Night celebrations, nature and science education programs for families and town festivals. Information and forms are available on-line at www.massculturalcouncil.org, and are due Oct. 15, 2006.

Meeting Keith Lockhart at the 2006 LCC Assembly

Lakeville Arts Council plans a 2006 Cultural Presentation Series at the Lakeville Library April through September.
An Evening of Poetry is planned as well as a variety of other workshops and educational activities at the new public library in Lakeville. The 2006 Cultural Presentation Series sponsored by the Lakeville Arts Council will be offered from spring through summer at the new library. All of the events are family oriented and are being presented to the citizens of Lakeville and its surrounding communities as an opportunity to experience the cultural talents from across the state.
The series will begin during the school vacation week on Tuesday, April 18, 2006, at 2PM in the children’s room when Edward Cope will present "Reading is Magic". Mr. Cope's presentation is 45 minutes of interactive magic using volunteers with reading as the essential emphasis. This program is designed for children of all ages and their families. Mr. Cope strives to instill and increase the reading, retention and comprehension levels of young readers as well as inspire children of all age levels to become avid readers.
An Evening of Poetry is planned for April 26, 2006 in the meeting room of the library at 7PM. The three poets scheduled are Sheila Twyman, Linda Thayer and Frank Miller. They will read their poetry and answer questions regarding how they write their poetry as well explain where the ideas come from. Refreshments will also be served.
May 11, 2006, from 5:30-7:30PM, Gregory Maichak, a professional award-winning pastel artist will present a two hour art workshop, an introduction to the art of pastels for teens, adults and seniors. Participants will enjoy the benefits of using professional grade pastels and papers of all varieties. Mr. Maichak will demonstrate pastel techniques and show participants original pastel paintings to unveil the process from beginning to end.
There will be a pottery demonstration on June 8, 6:30-7:30PM by David Kraemer, a Lakeville resident. Mr. Kraemer will set up his potter’s wheel giving everyone that comes to the demonstration a chance to see it, feel the clay and ask him questions about his craft. This will be a unique opportunity to experience this unique craft.
July 13, 2006, the Southcoast Historical Association of Berkley will present Colonial Life in the 18th Century to students aged 14 years and older and their families. The Association uses original and historically accurate artifacts. Two members of the Southcoast Historical Association come dressed in period clothing to present the audience with an overview of life in 18th century New England. Special emphasis will be placed on events leading up to and during the American Revolution…even life on July 4, 1776. Emphasis is also placed on the status of women and children, their legal rights and roles in society during this time period.
John Porcino from Amherst, Massachusetts, will bring an afternoon of "Celebrations of Story and Songs" August 3, 2006, at 2PM in the meeting room. John brings audiences the gifts of laughter, wisdom and insight with his special talent for storytelling through story, song and music. He uses musical instruments from around the world, creating joy with tricks and a playful touch of audience participation.
August 17, 2006, at 2PM in the Children’s Room there will be a unique presentation of "Earth Rhythms: Songs & Stories" by Davis Bates that celebrates and teaches environmental awareness and responsibility. Mr. Bates is an award-winning performer who will share participatory stories and songs designed to amuse and inspire the audience, to create a feeling of community, and to encourage reading and awareness of the natural world in families. This program will include creation stories, fairy tales, folktales, international folk songs, and contemporary children’s songs and family stories.
The Cultural Presentation Series will come to a close September 12 with a Grant Writing Workshop. This workshop, will be especially interesting for anyone who is interested in arts and culture and who might have a project they want funded. Participants will learn how to write a grant and will be led by Sara Ewing, a representative of the Massachusetts Cultural Council. Statewide, local cultural councils like Lakeville will have distributed more than $1.9 million in 2005. The MCC Grants support an enormous range of grass-roots activities: concerts, exhibitions, radio and video productions, field trips for schoolchildren, after-school youth programs, writing workshops, historical preservation efforts, lectures, First Night celebrations, nature and science education programs for families and town festivals. Information and forms are available on-line at www.massculturalcouncil.org, and are due Oct. 15, 2006.
The Lakeville Arts Council will also sponsor an Open Studio May 13. Lakeville Artists with many different artistic talents will open their studios to demonstrate and to sell their crafts. There will be maps available and some crafters at the Historic Town Hall at the crossroads of Rte 105 & 18 as well a drawing for prizes and so much more. Be sure to check the Lakeville Town website (www.lakevillema.org ) or the Arts Council’s new web log ( http://lakevillearts.blogspot.com ) and this paper for additional details in the coming months.
And don’t forget the 2nd Annual Arts & Music Festival scheduled for Sept 29 and 30. Details on this event will follow soon.