Giving It All You've Got

Last Sunday afternoon I ventured to the state chess tournament at the Blake Hotel. There were people of all ages (but most of them students) sitting everywhere playing chess. It was great - and the sense of competition was very obvious. Are you aware that Susan Flynn (JP, Bolick) has organized, managed, and other wise whipped into shape the Scholars' Academy Chess Club? We are pretty competitive - our K/1 team won first place in their division, and other individual Scholars' did well too. But the real point of this column is to thank Susan for her dedication to this group. Which then brought me to thinking about all of the things that happen at the school because we have dedicated parents who make a regular committment to be here on a weekly basis, with their skills, to support student interests and growth.

Attention aspiring art students (5-8^th grades)

The Mint Museum will offer a special summer session for area youth that will focus on developing a body of work that demonstrates originality and technical skill. This structured exploration of one medium, technique and subject matter in depth will allow the student to develop a portfolio of work which demonstrates a unique personal voice. This class is designed to further develop already fine skills of students seriously interested in pursuing a fine arts career. Class size will be limited to 15 and will be team-taught by area professionals. Young people wishing to attend the class will submit a portfolio of 6-8 pieces of flat work in drawing, painting or mixed media for review by an outside professional juror. Portfolio entries for the review process will be accepted April 18^th and 19^th at the Randolph Road site. Jury results will be mailed April 23^rd. Full refunds of tuition will be made to those who do not make the class.

For more information, please call Karen Vidamo at 704-337-2098. Tuition for museum members is $130 ($150 for non-members). Class runs from July 14^th-18^th.