Teen takes Scout project to the arts

February 09, 2009|By DAN DEARTH

BOONSBORO -- Eagle Scout projects typically have something to do with the outdoors.

But that isn't the case with Jimmy Horner's.

"I wanted to do something with the arts because I'm interested in them," the 17-year-old Horner said. "I want to be an animator for Disney."

Horner said he could have chosen a project that involved improving a public park or something along those lines, but chose instead to fix up the interior of the Washington County Arts Council at 14 W. Washington St. in Hagerstown.

The arts council was created in 1967 to help promote the arts in Western Maryland by providing encouragement and funding opportunities to individual artists and arts organizations.

Horner said he enlisted the help of about five friends from Boy Scout Troop 20 in Boonsboro to paint the walls at the arts council to eliminate smudges that accumulated over the years. After that job was finished, they built shelves in a back room to provide additional storage.

Horner said the project is to wrap up Feb. 28, when he and his helpers are scheduled to give the arts council three pedestals, which will be used to display sculptures, statues and other works of art.

He said he started planning the project in July and August, but didn't get to work until November. The hardest part, he said, was getting approval and coordinating a time when he could do the work.

"The committee disagreed with certain things," he said. "Time and scheduling were a big problem, too. That's why it's taken so long."

Horner said he joined the Boy Scouts when he was 10 years old.

"I saw opportunities," he said. "I enjoy camping. It's part of the experience. It's who I am now."

Horner, a senior at Washington County Technical High School, said he studies game design and animation.

|

|

|