While a robust slate of music will be a mainstay on the CCAC stages, there will be an increase in multi-disciplinary theatrical performances that integrate theater, dance, puppetry, and live music. In addition, the CCAC gallery will be transformed into a multifunctional “community art studio,” that not only exhibits work but offers expansive studio space for artistic practice, collaboration, and a host of ongoing workshops.

“Excited, grateful, and..excited,” responded Glassman jokingly when asked about the award. “This grant is real wind in our sails. The CCAC is a small organization—rural, grassroots, and a little bit threadbare. But there’s a tremendous history here and we have an audacious vision. So really, it’s an exciting time to be at the Chocolate Church.”

Thanks to the support from the Onion Foundation as well as donors and members, the CCAC will begin this summer with two free offerings to the community, Open Art Labs and Family Art Labs. Learn more below!

Inaugurates the art studio at the CCAC, sharing space and basic art supplies for visual arts and crafts work. Participants of any experience background can come with their own projects in hand to make use of the studio or to respond to the given prompt of the week. Open Art Labs foster relationships, skill exchange, and support for anyone looking to meet other artists and deepen or begin a visual arts practice. The theme for this summer’s Art Labs is “Monsters” and culminates in an outdoor public art display of all of the created works.  Titled, ‘Monster Garden,’ this display will allow artists to share their work with the public and will offer a fun, multi-disciplinary display for the community to enjoy.

A fun environment for kids to design and create their own monsters with support from professional visual artists.  Working with mask, puppet, costume, and mural design, kids and families can make creations within the ‘monster’ theme.  Families that want to participate in the culminating Monster Garden will join in the sculpture garden display and animate the area with mini parades throughout the garden.

Glassman, continues, “the name of our grant was Collective Imagination because we wanted to extend an invitation to the community, from youngens to elders, regardless of whether you can pay a fee or not, to participate in creative, collaborative practice together.”

The Art Labs will be led by Jeremy Louise Eaton, a 20-year veteran of leading community-based visuals arts programming. Eaton, a theater director and visual artist with a focus on collaboratively created large-scale puppets and experiential installation, will oversee the work as well as outreach into the community.

JULY
Open Art Labs: July 3–31 | Wednesdays | 5:30–7:30P
Family Art Labs: July 6–27 | Saturdays | 10:30A–12:30P

AUGUST
Open Art Labs: Aug 7–21 | Wednesdays | 5:30–7:30P
Family Art Labs: Aug 3–17 | Saturdays | 10:30A–12:30P

Saturday, August 24th: 11A–1P

Celebrate monsters and all of the fantastic, brave, surprising and funny shapes they can take in our lives.  This public sculpture garden will display the work of local visual artists and families with both installed art and childrens mini parades.  The library gazebo will feature books and images showcasing traditional monsters from around the world.