Art School

Contemporary School of the Arts & Gallery Inc. is seeking volunteers to assist with its afterschool art program. The program begins Monday, Sept. 10, and continues through Thursday, May 30. Classes are taught from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. Elementary students classes are Mondays; middle school-aged student, Tuesday; high school-aged students are Wednesdays and home-schooled children are Thursdays. Piano classes are taught from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays. Artists are needed. Interested persons should contact Ron Lytle at ronlytle3@netzero.net or 301-791-6191, or visit the gallery at 4 W. Franklin St., downtown Hagerstown.

'Wild About Fabric' Kathi Garten displays her fabric art. The exhibit concludes Friday, April 6. Council for the Arts, 159 S. Main St., Chambersburg, Pa. Hours are 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday through Friday. Call 717-264-6883. Cindy Haden Baker paintings Oil paintings by Chambersburg, Pa., artist Cindy Haden Baker will be on display. Exhibit continues through Friday, April 13. Franklin County Area Development Corp., 1900 Wayne Road, Chambersburg, Pa. Call 717-264-6883.

Contemporary School of the Arts and Gallery Inc. has been awarded a grant by the Maryland State Arts Council for its arts and crafts classes. Instructors Robert Savidge and Jonah Forman are conducting classes in pen-and-ink drawing for those ages 13 and older. Each class is limited to 12 students and preregistration is required. Classes are scheduled for today at the Frederick Manor Community Center from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. and Tuesday, Jan. 30, at the Memorial Recreation Center from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Cartoon drawing classes at Contemporary School for the Arts at 4 W. Franklin St. in Hagerstown focus on techniques of cartooning.

But after her boyfriend dumps her and heads off to law school, Elle decides to follow him. With her trusty dog Bruiser by her side, Elle proves to her ex - and everybody else - that she's one blonde who isn't dumb. Barbara Ingram School for the Arts presents the musical “Legally Blonde.” The show opens Friday, April 26, and runs for two weekends at The Maryland Theatre. For Leah Harrell, 17, of Hagerstown, getting the chance to perform as Elle is a dream come true. “It was a role I always wanted to play,” she said, noting that she's seen the show about 15 times.

There are no two ways about it - Thomas “Tom” Law was a craftsman. From his training at a private art school in Washington, D.C., in seventh and eighth grade, electrical training while in the U.S. Navy, to his skills as a carpenter, sharpener of vintage hand saws and maker and restorer of Civil War drums, Law was known far and wide for his talents. “He was multitalented with multiple interests. You'd think any one of them would have been enough,” said Tom's oldest brother, Preston E. “Toby” Law Jr. of Hagerstown.

1. Art school reunion exhibit The works of Caroline Jasper, pictured, will be exhibited in “Museum Art School Reunion Exhibition: Creating, Inspiring and Educating Artists for 80 Years” Saturday, Jan. 21, at the Washington County Museum of Fine Arts at Hagerstown's City Park. The exhibit continues through April 14. Call 301-739-5727 or email info@wcmfa.org . 2. Oyster, ham and turkey, oh my! The oyster, ham and turkey dinner is from 1:30 to 5 p.m. Saturday,Jan.

Nicknames are difficult to change. The administrative team at the Franklin County Career and Technology Center off Loop Road in Chambersburg, says the school's old moniker, “Vo Tech,” just doesn't fit anymore. Career and Technology Center Administrative Director Keith Yohn said “Vo Tech” is an outdated term that just doesn't fit the new, state-of-the art school. “It's so much more than a vocational technical school,” Yohn said. “We offer vocational and technical skills, but we're also preparing students for careers.” Students from Chambersburg, Shippensburg, Tuscarora, Waynesboro and Greencastle-Antrim school districts attend the Franklin County Career and Technology Center.

marlob@herald-mail.com Although Ralph Irvin Gibney Jr. only took one art course in his life, he parlayed that into a career that spanned more than four decades and also brought joy to Christmas shoppers through his unique holiday window decorations in Hagerstown. "He always knew what he wanted to do and he never wavered," said stepdaughter Barbara Bachtell, recalling the qualities of the man who came into her life when she was 12 years old. Ralph died Jan. 1 at the age of 87. Barbara said Ralph idolized Walt Disney and all of the magic he created with his genius for animation.

Mutual admiration led a pair of artists to mix their media in the Washington County Arts Council Gallery's latest exhibit, "Two Studios - Two Views. " Jeffrey Smith, of Boonsboro, is a sculptor. Ed Ramsburg, of Frederick, is a painter. The two met at Frederick Community College, where they had their first show together a decade ago, according to Ramsburg. One wields a brush and the other welds, but they have a lot in common, including abstract inclinations. Both admire modernists such as Paul Klee and David Smith.

tiffanya@herald-mail.com Art student Mike O'Brien has had several summer jobs between semesters, but none was as fulfilling as what he does now. Instead of spending the summer as he had before, working at a local restaurant or at his father's flower shop downtown, O'Brien, 21, is selling his artwork until he goes back to school in September. "It makes me feel good," O'Brien said. "I can do what I love to do and make enough money to last through the semester. " The aspiring illustrator works from the small space next door to his father's business, Ben's Flower Shop, on Potomac Street, where his work sells for $100 to $250, depending on size.

But after her boyfriend dumps her and heads off to law school, Elle decides to follow him. With her trusty dog Bruiser by her side, Elle proves to her ex - and everybody else - that she's one blonde who isn't dumb. Barbara Ingram School for the Arts presents the musical “Legally Blonde.” The show opens Friday, April 26, and runs for two weekends at The Maryland Theatre. For Leah Harrell, 17, of Hagerstown, getting the chance to perform as Elle is a dream come true. “It was a role I always wanted to play,” she said, noting that she's seen the show about 15 times.

Nicknames are difficult to change. The administrative team at the Franklin County Career and Technology Center off Loop Road in Chambersburg, says the school's old moniker, “Vo Tech,” just doesn't fit anymore. Career and Technology Center Administrative Director Keith Yohn said “Vo Tech” is an outdated term that just doesn't fit the new, state-of-the art school. “It's so much more than a vocational technical school,” Yohn said. “We offer vocational and technical skills, but we're also preparing students for careers.” Students from Chambersburg, Shippensburg, Tuscarora, Waynesboro and Greencastle-Antrim school districts attend the Franklin County Career and Technology Center.

Michael Thorsen slapped high-fives with some dance students as they returned from a performance last Wednesday afternoon at the Washington County Museum of Fine Arts. Earlier in the day, he chatted with students excited about the announcement for the cast of “Legally Blonde: The Musical,” this year's major production for the Barbara Ingram School for the Arts. This June, Thorsen will stand before the arts school's fourth graduating class, the first with students who have attended the downtown Hagerstown arts school all four years of their high school career.

Contemporary School of the Arts & Gallery Inc. is seeking volunteers to assist with its afterschool art program. The program begins Monday, Sept. 10, and continues through Thursday, May 30. Classes are taught from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. Elementary students classes are Mondays; middle school-aged student, Tuesday; high school-aged students are Wednesdays and home-schooled children are Thursdays. Piano classes are taught from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays. Artists are needed. Interested persons should contact Ron Lytle at ronlytle3@netzero.net or 301-791-6191, or visit the gallery at 4 W. Franklin St., downtown Hagerstown.

Washington County Public Schools is looking into the idea of renting space to serve as a cafeteria for Barbara Ingram School for the Arts in downtown Hagerstown, Deputy Schools Superintendent Boyd Michael said. Three companies submitted proposals to provide that space - Bridge of Life, Professional Arts Associates and 28 South Potomac St. LLC, Michael said. All three sites are near the arts school at 7 S. Potomac St. Incoming students to the arts school, which opened in a renovated downtown building in August 2009, were made aware that the school does not have cafeteria space, Michael said.

There are no two ways about it - Thomas “Tom” Law was a craftsman. From his training at a private art school in Washington, D.C., in seventh and eighth grade, electrical training while in the U.S. Navy, to his skills as a carpenter, sharpener of vintage hand saws and maker and restorer of Civil War drums, Law was known far and wide for his talents. “He was multitalented with multiple interests. You'd think any one of them would have been enough,” said Tom's oldest brother, Preston E. “Toby” Law Jr. of Hagerstown.

Elizabeth J. Groenendyk moved to the area from northwest Iowa two years ago, and enrolled at the Barbara Ingram School for the Arts in Hagerstown as a junior. At that time, she wasn't sure what to expect. But Groenendyk fit in right away. “Coming into Barbara Ingram as a new student was definitely an interesting experience, but it was so great,” she said. “Everybody was so nice to me.” The valedictorian of the Class of 2012, Groenendyk and 24 of her classmates were commended for their excellence in the arts and academics Thursday night during commencement exercises at Trinity Lutheran Church in Hagerstown.

It's a tale as old as time. And that's just one reason why those involved with the Barbara Ingram School for the Arts' production of Disney's “Beauty and Beast” said the story has stood the test of time. Opening Friday night, BISFA will stage the musical for two weekends at The Maryland Theatre. Julia Thompson and Travis Thorpe, both 17-year-old seniors, play the show's leads, Belle and the Beast, respectively. The actors said the theme of “Beauty and the Beast” - that everyone wants to be loved and accepted - is one reason why the story of a girl who falls in love with an unappealing man still resonates with audiences today, nearly 20 years after the debut of Disney's full-length animated film.

'Wild About Fabric' Kathi Garten displays her fabric art. The exhibit concludes Friday, April 6. Council for the Arts, 159 S. Main St., Chambersburg, Pa. Hours are 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday through Friday. Call 717-264-6883. Cindy Haden Baker paintings Oil paintings by Chambersburg, Pa., artist Cindy Haden Baker will be on display. Exhibit continues through Friday, April 13. Franklin County Area Development Corp., 1900 Wayne Road, Chambersburg, Pa. Call 717-264-6883.

1. Art school reunion exhibit The works of Caroline Jasper, pictured, will be exhibited in “Museum Art School Reunion Exhibition: Creating, Inspiring and Educating Artists for 80 Years” Saturday, Jan. 21, at the Washington County Museum of Fine Arts at Hagerstown's City Park. The exhibit continues through April 14. Call 301-739-5727 or email info@wcmfa.org . 2. Oyster, ham and turkey, oh my! The oyster, ham and turkey dinner is from 1:30 to 5 p.m. Saturday,Jan.