Art School

HAGERSTOWN The Barbara Ingram School of the Arts, a proposed multimillion dollar charter school for grades nine to 12, could open as early as next year, according to Roger Giles, director of system development for Washington County Public Schools. Giles said the school will occupy the former Henry's Theatre building on South Potomac Street in Hagerstown. The school is being modeled after the Baltimore School for the Arts, he said. Once the Barbara Ingram School of the Arts opens, Giles said it will accept up to 300 students who are interested in pursuing an arts education.

HAGERSTOWN -- The new Barbara Ingram School for the Arts isn't complete, but supporters worked to build enthusiasm Wednesday. At a Hagerstown-Washington County Chamber of Commerce breakfast at Duffy's on Potomac, a few dozen people heard the latest about the new high school and the hopes many have pinned on it. Then, they walked across South Potomac Street and toured the soon-to-be school building, which has months of construction work left...

The word of the day was, wow, and we haven't seen nuthin' yet. The Herald-Mail editorial board toured the Barbara Ingram School for the Arts on South Potomac Street in Hagerstown this week and I think we all were impressed. School Principal Michael Thorsen led us through the four floors of the latest diamond of Hagerstown's downtown. Although most of the instruments are still in boxes, the ivories on the keyboards have not been tickled and the cardboard covers are still taped to the tops of the classroom desks, you can really visualize how close to reality the place really is. Some highlights of the trip: o As we entered the cavernous dance theater, we were greeted by beautiful hand-carved woodwork and tall mirrors for the dancers to watch their moves.

I believe the entire community will benefit, and should be pleased to see our governmental leaders taking the positive step forward on a project that is good for our community. As a community cheerleader and supporter, I am glad to see the project's approvals, and to learn about the scheduled upcoming key-turning (groundbreaking) for the Barbara Ingram School for the Arts in downtown Hagerstown. This long-awaited project is about more than just offering a new educational opportunity for our county's children (but thank you to the elected school board and staff for the vision and perseverance that is making the project a reality)

HAGERSTOWN - Spreading pink and blue paint on a ceramic cat, 3-year-old Ellie McFarland said she wanted the figure to look like her cat, Bessie. "But our cat's not pink, blue, gray and white, is he? It's black and white," said Ellie's mother, Hagerstown resident Trish Ramsey. Ellie was one of many children attending Art in the Park at City Park on Saturday. The two-day event continues today, and is a fundraiser for the Contemporary School of the Arts and Gallery in downtown Hagerstown.

julieg@herald-mail.com WASHINGTON COUNTY - A feasibility study agreement was approved Tuesday night by the Washington County Board of Education to determine if a building donated to the school system can be used as a school for the arts. "The building may not be sound and may not be fit for the purpose," but the preliminary indications are positive, Director of Facilities Management Rodney Turnbough said after Tuesday night's school board meeting. The former Henry's Theater at 9-11 S. Potomac St. in downtown Hagerstown has not been studied in detail yet, Turnbough said.

julieg@herald-mail.com Bids will be sought again for a feasibility study on a school for the arts after Washington County Board of Education members discovered bid policy had not been followed. Board members voted 7-0 during Tuesday night's meeting to rescind the previously approved bid for the study and readvertise for bids. After the meeting, Board President Paul W. Bailey explained that a panel that reviews bids must include a representative from county government.

HAGERSTOWN - A plan to fund a new performing arts school is being modeled after a public-private partnership that supported the construction of Mike Callas Stadium at North Hagerstown High School. The Washington County Board of Education recently established a foundation to support the construction and operational costs associated with the Barbara Ingram School for the Arts, according to Director of System Development Dale Bannon. The school is scheduled to open in 2009 on the South Potomac Street property in Hagerstown that once housed Henry's Theatre and the Elks Lodge.

HAGERSTOWN -- More than 200 students have applied to enroll in the Barbara Ingram School for the Arts in its inaugural year. Washington County Public Schools Director of Secondary Education Clyde Harrell said officials expected about that number and are pleased with the response. As of Monday afternoon -- the deadline to apply -- 215 applications had been received. Schools spokesman Richard Wright said additional applications could be received this week that were postmarked Monday.

HAGERSTOWN - With one vote Tuesday, Board of Education members said they approved an innovative approach to funding a new school and took a step toward revitalizing downtown Hagerstown. The board unanimously approved a partnership with the Maryland Economic Development Corp. to fund the Barbara Ingram School for the Arts, which could open as early as 2008. The approval was pursuant to the staff's development of a business and fundraising plan, as well as a marketing and communications plan.