About 500 attend Art in the Park

July 20, 2007

On June 16 and 17, around 500 visitors were treated to a family event in Hagerstown City Park at the fourth annual Art in the Park, sponsored by the Contemporary School of the Arts and Gallery.

The event has grown over the years from an initial vision by CSAGI founder Ron Lytle to a true community event, perfect for the Father's Day weekend.

The event would not have been possible if not for the generous support of all the sponsors; the volunteer performances by all the singers, musicians and dancers; all the exhibitors, and especially the hundreds of visitors.

Performers included The Honey Mustard Memory Lapse, Natalia, The Rolling Coyotes, Todd Coyle, TAMU (Debbie Beckward), Singin' the Bones, Arnold Smith, Jennie Avila & Steve Wright, Alleghany Uprising, Greater Campher Temple praise dancers, Padma Yoga, Jieling Shang and Chad Beattie.

Art in the Park was a fundraiser for the after-school programming efforts by the school and gallery at 4 W. Franklin St. in downtown Hagerstown. An estimated $15,000 is required to provide 30 children with after-school arts programming at that location.

The school also has an outreach program to the local community in the form of art classes held at Noland Community Center, Elgin Community Station, Memorial Recreation Center and Frederick Community Center. Up to an additional $20,000 would be required to sponsor 40 children served at these locations, but Lytle said that cost could be reduced if instructors volunteer their time.

A fifth annual festival is planned for next year. Artists and performers have already signed up to be a part of this growing educational community event.

Sponsors for Art in the Park included Washington County Convention and Visitors Bureau, Fujicolor, Dave's Wholesale Produce, Washington County Free Library, Washington County Board of Education, Susquehanna Bank, City of Hagerstown, Washington County NAACP, Pope Tire & Repair Center, Ellsworth Electric, Magic Mystique, Hagerstown Boxing Club, Alexean Inc., Hagerstown Housing Authority, Wisteria Cove, Roxy Liquors, The Gourmet Goat and GG's Restaurant and Martini Bar, Rhubarb House, Bones & Cones Dessertery, The Square Cup, Terrace Liquors, Potomac Wine and Spirits, JRJ Liquors, Howard's Art Supplies, The Main Artery, The Herald-Mail, Rainbow Connection, Cici's Pizza and A&A Flooring Outlet.

The organizers offer special thanks to the families of Mr. and Mrs. Ron Lytle, Mr. and Mrs. Micah Foreman, Vincent Groh, Jackie Brewer, Sheila Brannan, Jim Cumisky, Al Martin, Brian Miskor, Russell Williams, Mr. and Mrs. Ray Yosuico, C. Murry, Sterling "Rip" Smith, Mr. and Mrs. David Ross, Mr. and Mrs. Matthew Prince, Mr. and Mrs. Richard Schulman, Mr. and Mrs. Bret Wollaston, Michelle Sakhai, Mr. and Mrs. Leroy Peck, Mr. and Mrs. Gordon Bartel, Sibil MacKenzie, Bruce Wilder, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Bruchey and David Heatwole.

For more information on Art in the Park or how to sponsor children for the after-school art programs, phone Lytle at 301-791-6191 or e-mail him at ronlytle3@netzero.net.

For more on the gallery and programming, visit www.csagi.org.

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