FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 6/6/11
Morgan Arts Council -- Berkeley Springs, WV
www.macicehouse,org

Press Contact only: Jennie Mallory -- 304-258-2300

THEATER, ARTS & FILM AT ICE HOUSE SUMMER CAMP

BERKELEY SPRINGS, WV ---- The Morgan Arts Council (MAC) announces a 
summer of art camp for kids from 5 to 16 at the Ice House. A two-week 
theater camp begins the activity on June 20, followed by a week of 
visual arts and film in July.

"Puss in Boots" is the finale production around which the theater camp 
is built. It will be staged on Friday and Saturday, July 1 and 2. 
Margi Griffiths and Brice Williams teach and direct theater activities 
for children from 5 to 15. "The older students will have the 
opportunity for hands-on work as assistants as well as learning all 
aspects of theater both onstage and backstage," said Mary Hott, 
Executive Director of the Morgan Arts Council. "Many of our fine 
young actors in the area got their start at MAC's theater classes and 
camps." Children ages 5 to 7 attend from 9am to noon and ages 8 to 15 
from 9am to 3pm.

Visual arts are presented in two July classes. "Tropical Dream" 
guides six to nine-year olds on an exploration of the colors, shapes 
and creatures found in the tropics. Students will use materials such 
as seashells, clay, recycled materials, natural paints and the water 
of Berkeley Springs as well as having fun with camp games. The 
daylong camp runs from 10am to 3pm, Monday through Friday, July 11-15 
with snacks and materials provided although campers should bring their 
own lunch. Lynn Lavin once again teaches the camp program.

"We'll be learning to redefine art," said Anthony Bellissimo about the 
Summer Arts and Film Studio he is teaching ages 9 to 16 the same week 
in July as the visual art class for younger children. "Students will 
see how to blur the line between technology and the pencil," said 
Bellissimo, an award-winning young videographer. Topics range from 
traditional art to photography and video.

"We're excited to offer such a range of classes," said Hott "but are 
concerned about how to meet all the requests for scholarship 
assistance. We don't want to turn any kids away because they can't 
pay," she said. "The arts are too important for their development." 
In addition to various grant support, Hott is seeking community 
assistance to help students cover the tuition. "Donors can provide a 
full scholarship that is named for either a specific child or the 
donor while smaller contributions can be added to the scholarship fund,"

Grant support for this program comes from the West Virginia Commission 
on the Arts. For more information and to register, contact 
304-258-2300 or check online at www.macicehouse.org. The Ice House is 
located on Independence and Mercer in Berkeley Springs.