The Tweed & Area Arts Council will host the second annual Jack Vance Golf Classic on Sunday, July 12, 2009 at the Poplars Golf Club, Stoco (in the Municipality of Tweed). It is a four-person best ball event with a shotgun start at 11 a.m. Cost is $100 per player which includes the green fee, golf cart, steak dinner and a $50 charitable receipt to T&AAC. For non-players, dinner only is an option at $25 per plate. To< register, call Ev English at 613-477-2634 or see 'coming events'

at www.tweedartscouncil.ca for a registration form. All profits will support the Marble Church Arts Centre. The historical marble church is currently being renovated as a home for the arts.

The tournament is named in honour of Jack Vance, a supporter of the arts, noted painter and founding member of T&AAC. The retired lieutenant-general is also known for a distinguished, 50-year military career.

“Without Jack’s guidance,” says Ev English, tournament organizer, “the arts council would not exist. Last year, our first tournament was highly successful and enjoyed by all. We hope to build on that success and urge people to register early to avoid disappointment.”

For more information call:
Ev English at 613-477-2634 or
Carol Snell at 613-478-1019 (eve.)

From plants to antiques to art deco, the tables were full at the 2nd annual Tweed & Area Arts Council (TAAC) Victoria Day yard sale held the weekend of May 16th.

Although the weather could have been a bit more inviting, funds raised were just down by a small percentage compared to last year's totals, Over $800 was raised during the 3 day sale in support of the renovation of

the Marble Church Arts Centre in Actinolite, the new home of TAAC.

TAAC Planning Committee member Wanita DeVries was pleased with the cori1mut:lity support for the fundraiser, which directs unsold items to local charities. The sale is held on the sprawling grounds of the DeVries family home on HWY 37 "It's a good location " said De Vries who is already anticipating next year's event.

Devries encourages community members to get involved with the yard sale,either by donating items which can be dropped off up to one month prior) or by setting up their own tables and donating a percentage of total sales.

Once the renovations of the Marble Arts Centre are complete, DeVries projects that future funds raised will be used to develop youth programming.

As renovation work on the Marble Church Arts Centre continues, the membership of the Tweed & Area Arts Council is also keeping busy raising money. Hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

On Monday it will run from 9 a.m. until noon. A yard sale to support the activities of T&AAC will be held this weekend, on May 16, 17 and 18. Rain or shine, it will be at DeVries Log Homes at 7970 Hwy 37 (between Tweed and Hwy 7.)

Multiple vendors will offer a variety of bargains.
Come and have some fun while supporting the arts.
For more information call: Wanita DeVries at 613-478-3499

Actinolite – The transformation of the Marble Church in Actinolite into a community arts centre is continuing with support from the company building the Moira Place long-term care facility in Tweed.

The Tweed and Area Arts Council purchased the former church in 2008 and is currently renovating to create space there for the visual and performing arts.

Representatives from AON Inc., the company building Moira Place, presented arts council members with a cheque for $2,500 last week with an additional $2,500 to be donated next year. The funds will be used to ensure the centre is handicapped accessible.
Arts council chair Don Herbertson said the renovations are being undertaken with a philosophy that no work will be done until the money is in hand.

The washrooms are currently under construction and it is hoped the centre can open for partial use in July. Herbertson said work to be done includes replacing and repairing windows and installing lighting. The entire project is expected to cost about $200,000.

Arts council board member Jack Vance said the idea of the centre is to bring arts to the entire community. “We want to bring art to and engage in art with all of the people,” said Vance. “We want to try to get everyone involved.”
Sarah McAllister, chair of AON’s charitable donations committee said the company has already invested in the community including donations to the Erin Palmateer Memorial Pool project, and funds for an interactive children’s workstation at the library.

“There’s more to come,” said McAllister. Moira Place administrator Michael O’Keeffe said the donation is in keeping with the company’s motto, “where community develops.” “That is our motto and this donation is one demonstration of that commitment to the Tweed community,” said O’Keeffe.

Herbertson said the arts centre would also benefit residents and staff of Moira Place. Arts council business manager Wayne Kay said there are also plans to take some form of the arts into the home for residents as well and Vance said seniors’ activities will be added to this year’s Art in the Park event.

Construction of Moira Place is expected to be complete in July with residents starting to move in at the end of that month.