Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser!!

 

 

Saturday, August 10, 2013

 

5:00- 7:00 PM

 

Pine Valley Clubhouse

 

Proceeds from the Spaghetti Dinner will benefit

 

The Children's Drama Program

Writers' Workshop with Dr. Dean Nelson on 1/14/12!

Mountain Empire Creative Arts Council presents

A WORKSHOP ON WRITING

Saturday, January 14, 9 a.m - 4 p.m.

Pine Valley Bible Conference Center

Guest Speaker/Instructor:

Dr. Dean Nelson,

Director of Journalism,

Point Loma Nazarene University,

Director, Writer’s Symposium By The Sea

Dr. Dean Nelson is the founder and director of the journalism program at PLNU. He writes occasionally for the New York Times, the Boston Globe, Christianity Today, Sojourners, and several other national publications. He has written or co-written 11 books. Nelson is a frequent speaker at writing workshops and retreats. He has traveled throughout the world covering stories of human interest, including India, where he wrote about the slums of Bombay; Kosovo, where he interviewed and wrote about victims of terrorism; Africa, where he wrote about members of the Black Panther Party who live in exile in Tanzania; Tibet, where he wrote about religious persecution; and Central America, where he wrote about poverty and contaminated water. In addition to directing the PLNU journalism program, Nelson also hosts the annual Writer's Symposium By The Sea, where prominent writers come to discuss the craft of writing. This will be Dr. Nelson’s second workshop for MECAC.

Registration cost: $35 (includes lunch)

Mail the following registration form with check to:

Workshop Registration: c/o Elizabeth Barrett,

P.O. Box 1287 , Pine Valley CA 91962

(Make checks out to MECAC)

Driving directions will be included with our confirmation

Organized and Directed by:

Dianne Holly: holly@theaterdance.ucsb.edu

Judith Dupree: adlib_pv@sbcglobal.net, Ph. 619-473-8683

(Contact for more information and scholarship inquiry)

Saturday, May 8 at 7:00 PM: Concert at Pine Valley Bible Conference Center

Click on image to enlarge

New Family Focus to Arts/Writing Conference!

Mountain Empire Creative Arts Council

invites you to a weekend

to remember . . . and treasure:

“Uncommon Community . . . Uncommon Commitment”

(Check Out Registration/Pricing Above for Reduced Rates, Especially for Families!)

A few months ago, we (MECAC) planned a Workshop for Artists & Writers. A very good idea! I hope you saw the e-flyer. But something has nibbled at my overloaded psyche, and left me with second thoughts about an arts-exclusive focus: Life in the “real world”—the multiple issues that press upon us day by day, and the escalation of national and world problems. Artists and writers, and all sorts of people who simply celebrate art and writing, are deeply concerned about the hard issues that life in today’s world imposes. There is an unending interplay between expressing creativity and handling the ordinary and inevitable hard realities of living.

This leads us to a slight but obvious change of focus. This, in part, is what we want to offer you for a weekend: A way of stepping outside your normal boundaries and busy-ness, to join others who are affected (perhaps unconsciously) or afflicted by the rigors of our national life—Indeed, global life—and want to better understand and withstand and respond to it as creative people.

We often feel torn between our unmet need for creative expression and the rude facts of living in a sometimes “hostile” world. Admittedly, we may feel guilty at times for wanting to run away to a quiet place. (Our artsy self needs tending!) Growing national and universal distress is the elephant in everyone’s living room. Climate change, global unrest, and societal upheaval confront us each morning. Perhaps we would do well to bring our creative natures into a larger discussion of core values, and the problems of today’s very fragile world. How do we live in light of this darkness? How do we respond as writers and artists? How does it invade, inform, shape what we do? Where might it take us creatively? This may be an entry to new life for us.

As people who believe in the value of arts, the practice and enjoyment of them, and their soul-necessity, we can move in small, incremental ways—as people who are not “consumed by consumerism,” or defeated by despair. Consider what some small steps toward inventive living in times of crisis might be. How do we build or join in a supportive community? How do we “tend” each other and care for those beyond us, in a toughening world? We can gather hope from our inner resources, from those around us, and from the wisdom of the past, to create hope for the future. This is Fine Art. Does this sound like a healthy challenge? We believe it is.

Come join the adventure. We will have morning time for art instruction and networking, and evening for fine music. But Saturday afternoon will be a time of reflection and creating our own prerequisites for what it means to us to thrive. Bring your viewpoint and ideas. Listen to what our faculty and your “neighbors” have to say. Something to take home and live well with.

Finally, two new additions: There will be a special track for children/youth, concurrent with the adults! And Mothers’ Day will be honored! All moms (with or without family attending) will be treated to Sunday brunch and a gift to take home. Check our blogsite below for special new registration stats on family options, length of stay and special new pricing to go with it.

For further information, e-mail Susanne at SusanneMBarrett@aol.com

MECAC Spring Fundraising Event on April 10!

(Click on above image to enlarge)

DATE: Saturday, April 10th, 2010 2pm – 5pm
PLACE: Gloriosa Winery and Vineyard in Campo
TICKETS: $25 a couple; $15 single

The event will feature:
--Private stock tasting
--Tour of the vineyard
--Cases of private stock will be available for purchase

Entertainment: “Harpist” Susan Raimond will serenade us
Refreshments: Wines from Gloriosa Vineyard, and hors d’oeuvres catered by Campo Diner

Selected local artists will be on hand displaying their work including:
Sandra Hayden: works in oils and pastels
Rosa Ruiz: unique Southwestern and Fantasy Art from Spanish Village in Balboa Park

Dress “Casual and Comfortable.” This outdoor event will be held at the vineyard and you will be able to walk among the rows of grapes.

This “Spring Vineyard Tour” is the first of two planned for the year.

Spring is the time of year the buds come out and the fruit forms. You will see how they are trained to aid in the harvest.

We will meet again for the “Fall Vineyard Tour” on Saturday, August 14th, to see the fruits of this year’s labor just before harvest time.

The winery is also on site and the tour includes the barrel room where the tasting will occur. An indoor Clubhouse with restrooms and a seating area is available to winery visitors.

Tickets and reservations:
Michael Neff (619) 933-3756
Judith D. Dupree (619) 473-8683
Dianne Holly (619) 473-8760

Directions: From Interstate 8 take the Buckman Springs Rd. and exit to the south. Continue 12 miles to Highway 94 and turn left. Turn right on Sheridan Rd., left on Custer Rd., right on Gloriosa Way. Follow the signs to enter the Winery.

Arts & Writing Conference in May

(click on above image to enlarge)
Mountain Empire Creative Arts Council Presents

"Beauty and the Beast:
Arts In An Age Of Adversity”

A Workshop and Seminar In Literary,

Visual, And Dramatic Arts

Friday, May 7 (5 pm)—Sunday, May 9, 2010 (Noon)
(Optional one-night-only registration is available,
 in deference to Mothers' Day)

Pine Valley Bible Conference Center, Pine Valley, CA

“Art is man defining himself.” Ayn Rand ... (Women too, of course!)

We offer you a time apart to rethink, to respond, to recapture. We will hear from those who live with and for the arts. We will share our own journeys and listen to each other.

We will create time for stretching our souls or dabbling in our own medium. We will also listen, perhaps more fully, for the heartbeat of a struggling world.

Do you write? Draw? Paint? Act or sing—or carry your camera with you for that unexpected “Aha!” shot?

Is it an obsession, a business, a love affair, a dream you’ve tucked between your ears, behind your eyes, to consider now and again?

What underlies your doing (or avoiding!) this demanding, enticing, yin-yang work-play?

Is it something you’re burning to say to the world that can only be said in print or paint?

Or perhaps the search for a “place of purity,” of solace, or a steady joy, brings you to the practice?

In addition, the program will include a thoughtful presentation of and response to the theme, above,

with the intent of giving personal focus to the call of arts in today’s troubled world.

Workshop and Seminar

Moderated By Dr. Dean Nelson: Noted Author
Dean of Journalism, PLNU, San Diego, CA

Director, Writers' Symposium By The Sea

Guest Artists, Speakers, Musicians:

Dr. James Schaap, Professor, English/Literature, Dordt College,

Sioux Center, IA; Novelist, Essayist, Photographer

George Svoboda, Classical & Flamenco Guitar;

Teacher, Mesa College Music Program, San Diego,CA

Including:

Dianne Holly, Freehand Drawing; Norman Daniels, Plein Air Painting;

Susan Raimond, Music Composition (& Harp Concert);

Judith Dupree & Kathryn Belsey, poetry;

Donna Swennes, Fabric Art; Lee Swennes, Wood and Metal Crafting;

Larry McNamer, Front-of-House Engineer, “The Sound of Music”;

Keith Barrett, Stained Glass Art; Mesa College Guitar Ensemble

Tony Neff: Editor, BackCountry Messenger,
will teach a concurrent workshop on packaging, marketing, and publicizing your work.

FOR REGISTRATION, CONTACT:
MECAC, c/o Susanne Barrett, Registrar

P.O. Box 1287, Pine Valley CA 91962

SusanneMBarrett@aol.com

(Registration form available just under blog header on top of blog post)

An Evening of Art with Lee & Donna Swennes

Open Auditions for "A Journey Through Christmas"

Actors? Singers? This is your chance!!!!!

Open Auditions for Acting and Choir Parts for
A Journey Through Christmas

(children and adults needed!)

on Wednesday, October 21 from 7:00 to 9:00 PM

at the Pine Valley Community Clubhouse
on Old Highway 80 in Pine Valley

Performance will be Saturday, December 12 at 7:00 PM

For questions, contact Dianne Holly at 473-8760

Rehearsal Schedule for A Journey Through Christmas:
(All rehearsals from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM)
Monday, October 26
Thursday, October 29
Friday, November 6
Monday, November 9
Thursday, November 12
Monday, November 16
Thursday, November 19
Monday, November 23
Monday, November 30

Technical Rehearsals (times will vary)
Sunday, December 6, 2:00-6:00 PM (putting up sets, lights, sound)
Monday, December 7, 3:00-6:00 PM (putting up sets, lights, sound)
Tuesday, December 8, 2:00-9:00 PM (finish lights and sound; Tech Rehearsal 6:00 PM)
Wednesday, December 9, 6:00-10:00 (Tech Rehearsal)
Thursday, December 10, 6:00-10:00 (Tech Rehearsal)
Friday, December 11, 6:00-10:00 (Tech Rehearsal)
Saturday, December 12, 6:00-11:00 (Performance; strike sets, lights, sound)

An Evening of Art with Moki Martin

Third Annual MECAC "A Taste of Art" Summer Program

The Third Annual MECAC Summer Program "A Taste of Art" was a full-on success! Thirty children from ages 6 to 17 enjoyed "tasting" different kinds of artistic expression. Whether the younger kids (ages 6-11) were building, painting, and racing sailboats OR carving and painting plaster OR dribbling paint onto canvases in a tribute to Jackson Pollock OR painting on gessoed Masonite OR creating abstract mobiles, they had a wonderful time.

The older kids (ages 12-17) worked on a mural of Pine Valley, painting smaller canvases that will be assembled into a large piece for the Pine Valley Clubhouse. Arranged and organized by Dianne Holly, the kids painted their assigned canvases according to smaller color-coded cards that will allow the larger mural to be coherent.

Our gratitude is extended to Myrna, Mary, Marshall, Dianne, and all of the amazing and wonderful helpers who pitched in to make MECAC's Third Annual "A Taste of Art" a fun and educational experience for our young people!

MECAC at Pine Valley Day!

MECAC will once again have a booth in the park at Pine Valley Days.

After the parade, come by our booth and check out the results of our Third Annual Taste of Art Summer Kids' Classes from this week.

We'll also be selling items, so come pick up your MECAC T-shirts (designed by Judith Dupree!), plus you won't want to go home without photography, cards, stained glass, jewelry, and other art pieces for sale by Mountain Empire Artists!

You will definitely need a delicious item or two from our Bake Sale and a drink of cold, refreshing fresh-squeezed Limeade!

Bring your kids by to make jewelry with Elizabeth and chat with us about what wonderful plans MECAC has for the future!

We'll have info on and sign-ups for upcoming events with the Pine Valley Players and the MECAC Writers' Workshop, plus some wonderful events this autumn that you won't want to miss!

So come on by and see us at the MECAC booth on Saturday! We're looking forward to seeing you THERE!

"I Sing America" a Rousing Success!

The June 26 performance of Judith Deem Dupree's I Sing America was breathtaking in more ways than one. Over fifty backcountry residents gathered in the Pine Valley Clubhouse to experience the patriotic extravaganza of theater, art, and music. Eight local readers brought Judith's book alive as they portrayed Amerigo Vespucci (Duane Mason), the Narrator/Protagonist (DeBee Trant) and the Chorus (Christine Siders, Shontel Grivno, Mike Trant, Johnnie Jones, and Robert Rubin). Behind and emphasizing the words they read were musical selections as varied as Dvorak's "New World Symphony," Pete Seeger's "Where Have All the Flowers Gone?" and Disney's "A Pirate's Life for Me" as images depicting our nation's history flashed on two large screens: Revolutionary War, Lincoln and the Civil War, the Mall of Washington DC, slaves and soldiers, school desegregation, the Mississippi River, Disneyland, poverty-stricken neighborhoods, and, finally, scenes from September 11. The spectators were silent, spellbound by the performances, by the breadth and scope of our nation's history, our nation's people.

Dianne Holly and Judith Deem Dupree

I Sing America was adapted from the book by Judith Deem Dupree by Dianne Holly (pictured above) who also directed the performance and arranged the visuals and musical background to Judith's poetry. In Judith's book, Amerigo Vespucci, for whom our country is named, views aspects of our history and of our present, commenting upon it with wisdom and in truth. As the Narrator attempted to question Vespucci or explain situations to him, we were drawn into seeing our country through a stranger's eyes, eyes that marveled at the beauty of our land but which also deplored the bloodshed, hatred, and violence that has been also been part of our past and our present. The commentary was well-taken by those who experienced the performance, who went away not just entertained but thinking, perhaps the overall goal of both the writer and the director -- a goal in which they succeeded admirably.

We can only hope that I Sing America will be performed for more than the fifty souls who experienced it last Friday evening as it is a beautiful and thought-provoking production that well deserves a larger audience.
*************
MECAC also thanks Douglas Edward Harrison (Sound Design), Allen Harnetaux (Sound Engineering), and Tammy Mason (Slide Technician).

With gratitude we also note: Linda Berardi (Pine Valley Clubhouse Manager), Larry McNamer (CBC Technical), Tony Neff of The Back Country Messenger, The Valley Views, and The Alpine Sun.

We also thank Margo Kreger of Lake Morena for the display of her beautiful art (pictured behind Dianne and Judith in above photo).

"I Sing America" Readers' Theatre Performance This Friday, June 26!

The Mountain Empire Creative Arts Council (MECAC) presents a Readers' Theatre production of the patriotic work I Sing America.

This multi-media event will be performed at the Pine Valley Clubhouse on Friday Evening, June 26, at 7:00 PM.

From the book by Pine Valley resident and MECAC Director Judith Deem Dupree, adapted and directed by Pine Valley resident Dianne Holly, I Sing America features the vocal and dramatic talents of eight Mountain Empire residents.

Refreshments will be served, and a time of community fellowship will take place after the production.

Bring the whole family to enjoy this pre-Independence Day patriotic celebration!

I SING AMERICA Readers' Theatre Production

Readers' Theatre Production of

Judith Deem Dupree's

I Sing America

Friday, June 26 at 7:00 PM

Pine Valley Clubhouse

Pine Valley Poet (and MECAC Director) Judith Deem Dupree has, with the able assistance of Dianne Holly, former theatre designer at UCSB, SDSU, and the Old Globe Theatres (and MECAC Secretary), prepared her poetry book I Sing America as a readers' theatre production. This week Judith and Dianne have been auditioning backcountry readers for one of the approximately eight parts in the production.

Twice a week throughout the remainder of May and most of the month of June, the readers will be rehearsing under the direction of Dianne and Judith. I Sing America is a patriotic piece; one of the main characters is Amerigo Vespucci, the person for whom the United States of America is named.

I Sing America will be performed on Friday, June 26 at 7:00 PM at the Pine Valley Clubhouse, just before we celebrate our nation's 233rd birthday on July 4. Refreshments will be served and we'll have time to chat with the community. So save the date -- don't forget!

February 21: MECAC Writers' Workshop

On Saturday, February 21, MECAC hosted our first Writers' Workshop at the Pine Valley Bible Conference Center. Twenty-three writers from our local area and "down the hill" attended a remarkable workshop with Dean Nelson, the founder of the Journalism department at Point Loma Nazarene University. Dean is the author/co-author of thirteen books and a longtime freelance writer for the New York Times. The all-day event was an incredible opportunity for writers to hone their craft and learn more about what makes writing truly work.

We thank Dean for coming all the way from Poway to lead this workshop and MECAC Director Judith Dupree for talking him into making the long trek and working with us. You may read about the workshop in more detail at the MECAC Writers' Workshop blog: MECAC Writers' Workshop with Dean Nelson.

February 13: The Art of Stained Glass

Mountain Empire residents from as far away as Lake Morena who braved the wintry weather on Friday night were well-rewarded with an intriguing glimpse into the Art of Stained Glass as presented by Pine Valley resident Keith Barrett, who has made between 60 and 70 windows. Keith also is experienced in glass sandblasting, photography, woodworking, enameling, copper tooling, leatherwork, and other hand arts.

Keith, who started creating stained glass windows in high school, introduced the audience to a Power Point presentation of his recent four-foot by five-foot Tiffany-inspired stained glass window of 1,532 pieces installed last September in the home of Dr. Don and Mrs. Marcia Adema's Descanso home, the unveiling of which was a wonderful MECAC event. Explaining his design influences from Tiffany's work and from photographs he snapped himself of our Mountain Empire area, Keith demonstrated the tools used in cutting and shaping glass pieces as well as the copper foil technique of soldering the pieces together. He also answered audience questions regarding the method with which he doubled pieces of glass to create both color and texture that allowed him, in his own words, "to paint with glass."

After the formal presentation ended, the audience gathered around the front table where Keith demonstrated the different colors and textures available in glass on a small light table while answering questions regarding where he purchases his glass locally. He also displayed the hand tools and cutting blades used in constructing stained glass windows as well as allowing attendees to thumb through his book of stained glass windows he has created over the years.

Keith also exhibited the current window he is working on, a whimsical carousel horse with a swirled and "bubbled" background that creates the illusion of movement. This window, begun eighteen years ago and stored while Keith had no dedicated space to work on his glass art, is now being completed with the copper foil technique and with the help of several power tools such as a band saw, jig saw, and wet belt sander that were not available when he started the window.

The artistic evening was complete with cookies, cider, and coffee as the audience chatted among themselves and the guest artist, exchanging business cards and networking. Our Guest Artist Evenings are a great deal of fun besides being informative as we discover the hidden and not-so-hidden talents of our Mountain Empire friends and neighbors. If you missed this gathering, keep checking this site and the calendar on the sidebar (plus the Valley Views and flyers in front of the post office and around town) so you won't miss our next artistic offering to the Mountain Empire community.

The Art of Stained Glass

The Mountain Empire Creative Arts Council presents ...

Keith Barrett, Master Craftsman

Demonstrating

The Art of Stained Glass

Friday, February 13, 2009, 7:00 PM

Pine Valley Community Clubhouse

Refreshments and Social Hour for artists, crafters and all who enjoy and

support the arts

Keith will present a PowerPoint overview of his work in designing and creating this stained glass window for the home of Dr. Don and Marcia Adema of Descanso. Keith will also display other stained glass projects and will offer basic information and encouragement to those who are interested in working in this art genre.

For further information, leave a comment here or call MECAC Secretary

Dianne Holly at 473-8760

A Wondrous "Journey"

Aaaah, Christmas – the wonderful, magical time of year when we experience the season with the wonder of a child. Such was the delightful surprise that over 160 residents of Pine Valley and environs experienced as the Mountain Empire Creative Art Council's Pine Valley Players presented their first holiday production, A Journey Through Christmas, at Worthington Hall on the grounds of the Pine Valley Bible Conference Center on Saturday evening, December 13.

A Journey Through Christmas was written and directed by Pine Valley resident Dianne Holly (who also designed the extraordinary costumes!), ably assisted by Guatay resident Mary Aragon. Narrated by Christine Siders, the play chronicled Christmas celebrations starting with the Nativity, and proceeding through a Mexican Candlelight procession, a Victorian Christmas, a 1930's Depression-era family scene, and finished with a Soldiers' Christmas, represented by soldiers and their families from the Revolutionary War, the Civil War, World War II, and the present-day conflict. Each tableau was beautifully portrayed by approximately 25 local actors ranging in age from children of seven years to some venerable and bearded Wise Men and a jolly Santa Claus.

Between and during the tableaux, the dozen singers of the all-female choir, directed by Teri Carpentier-Antti (who also provided the piano accompaniment), provided beautifully-sung Christmas selections. At the close of the play, the audience joined the choir in singing some beloved carols.

Before the production, the Free Teen Guitar Class of Alpine Anglican Church, directed by Fr. Keith Acker, provided guitar music for those who were finding their seats and perusing the Art Ornament Auction. Many thanks to all of the local artists who donated the beautiful ornaments and to Marshall and Mary Chapman who organized the auction, and especially to Mark Aragon and Debby Alexander for lighting and sound direction, along with kudos to many individuals and groups too numerous to list here.

Great appreciation and rounds of applause also go the Pine Valley Bible Conference Center for providing rehearsal space (along with the PVIC) as well as a beautiful (and warm!) production venue and to all who attended the play for their support of arts in the backcountry. Our wonderful and supportive advertisers also deserve our most grateful thanks for making this production possible: Father Keith Acker and Alpine Anglican Church of the Blessed Trinity (home of the Free Teen Guitar Class), Stephanie Wells and The Southern California Center for Youth, Nature, and the Arts (MECAC's umbrella organization), The Mountain Empire Men's Club (for their cooperation in sequencing events), Pine Valley Community Church, Dry Clean USA of Alpine, Perkin's Market in Descanso, Glenn D. Mitchell Realtors of Pine Valley, Curves of Pine Valley, Mountain Market in Pine Valley, Albertsons in Alpine, Nail Spa Plus in Alpine, and Rex Grizzle, D.D.S. in Pine Valley. Thanks for your support of the arts!

A magical evening was enjoyed by all who experienced this first of what we hope will be many theatre productions of MECAC's Pine Valley Players in the Mountain Empire area.

A Journey Through Christmas

The Pine Valley Players, the theatre branch of the Mountain Empire Creative Arts Council, invites all backcountry residents to our First Annual Christmas Production, A Journey Through Christmas, written and directed by Pine Valley resident Dianne Holly, with musical direction by Pine Valley resident Teri Carpentier-Antti.

A Journey Through Christmas will be performed at Worthington Hall on the ground of the Pine Valley Bible Conference Center at 8668 Pine Creek Road on Saturday, December 13. Curtain is at 7:30PM sharp. Donations will be gratefully accepted in lieu of a set ticket price. Refreshments will be served during Intermission.

The Free Teen Guitar Class from Alpine, under the tutelage of Father Keith Acker of Alpine Anglican Church of the Blessed Trinity, will provide music before the performance.

A Silent Art Auction will also take place during Intermission and after the performance, with proceeds funding the Pine Valley Players and the Mountain Empire Creative Art Council's children's art programs.

Both adults and children from the Mountain Empire region will be performing in this production, so don't miss out on this wonderful opportunity to increase Mountain Empire's Christmas Spirit! Families are encouraged to attend with their children.

For further information, please contact Dianne Holly at 473-8760 or leave a comment here on the MECAC blog.

An Artistic Evening for MECAC and Friends

The room quieted. Forty pairs of eyes focused on the black curtain veiling the artwork. As Dr. Don and Marcia Adema each pulled their own cord, the curtain moved aside to reveal a 1500-piece Tiffany-inspired stained glass window designed and created by Pine Valley resident Keith Barrett. A gasp filled the room as the Ademas’ guests surveyed the work of nine months: 40 different colors and textures of glass forming the image of a grape arbor and garden columns framing a lake, a house, and hills with a background of a sunset sky. Applause filled the Descanso house at sunset on the evening of September 27.


(The window before unveiling)

The extremely-detailed stained glass window, in the color palette of browns, golds, and reds, was commissioned a year ago at a dinner party given by the Ademas of Descanso. Keith, who learned stained glass techniques at Christian High School in the mid-70’s, has completed approximately 70 windows, mostly commission work. The window, measuring approximately four feet by five feet, contained some pieces so small that four pieces of glass fit on the face of a dime simultaneously. This window has been the most detailed and ambitious window he has created.


(The stained glass window)

The inspiration for the window came from a book of Tiffany windows. Keith then took photographs of Dr. Adema’s grape arbor and his wife’s flower garden that he used to design the foliage. The beautiful mountain sunsets we view from our front porch became the inspiration for his portrayal the sunset – layers of colors ascending into deep blue at the top. The most amazing aspect of the window was Tiffany’s technique of using two panes of glass in certain places to give more depth of color and texture which Keith also used in the sunset sky, the hills, and the lake.


(The artist, Keith Barrett, shares his stained glass knowledge)

Keith used several newer tools in the completion of the window, including diamond-bladed jig and band saws and a wet belt sander to create art with this degree of detail would not have been possible when Keith first learned the art of glasswork without these tools. He used zinc caming to create the border; usually lead caming would be used but the zinc provides more strength. For the pieces within the frame, Keith used over 500 feet of copper foil which is taped along the perimeter of each piece of glass and then is soldered together, first the back of the window, and then the front. Keith also used a small glass kiln to fuse the paint used on the small house into the glass itself. All of these techniques came together to create this gorgeous stained glass window.


(The Townsend girls perform psalms set to classical music)

The Ademas’ artistic evening, which included a delicious spread of food and glasses flowing with champagne and sparkling cider, also showcased a musical treat by Psalms Forth Ministries. The Franklin and Townsend families entertained the guests with psalms sung by four young girls and the composer’s wife, set to music composed with a classical flair and accompanied by cello, piano, and flute. While some guests listened to the music, others took a closer look at the stained glass window, asking the artist questions and making comments as to the beauty of the work. Keith Barrett had also created a Power-Point presentation demonstrating his inspiration, his photographs, and the process of creating the window which he will use in a future MECAC Artistic Evening. September 27 was a most enjoyable artistic evening, one for which we thank the Adema family for hosting so beautifully.