Willow Oak Center for Arts & Learning at Robertson County
Programs
Budget
$4,000.00
Description
Willow Oak is excited to announce the start of a weaving program. We received a $20,000 3M Foundation Community Vibrancy Grant in October 2019. $3,500 is being used for weaving start-up costs which include the purchase of table looms and supplies for five students. Classes begin February 2020 for ages 16 and above.
Knitting, embroidery, sewing and quilting are offered throughout the year. Also new to our fiber arts program is counted cross stitch.
Category
Arts, Culture & Humanities - Folk Arts
Beneficiaries
Adults
Children and Youth (0 - 19 years)
Long-term Success
Fiber arts were part of our original offerings when Willow Oak opened in 2007. Spinning with wool and other fibers was taught using spinning wheels.
Program Areas Served
Robertson, Davidson, Cheatham, Montgomery, Sumner Counties in TN; Logan County in Kentucky
$4,000.00
Description
Willow Oak is excited to announce the start of a weaving program. We received a $20,000 3M Foundation Community Vibrancy Grant in October 2019. $3,500 is being used for weaving start-up costs which include the purchase of table looms and supplies for five students. Classes begin February 2020 for ages 16 and above.
Knitting, embroidery, sewing and quilting are offered throughout the year. Also new to our fiber arts program is counted cross stitch.
Category
Arts, Culture & Humanities - Folk Arts
Beneficiaries
Adults
Children and Youth (0 - 19 years)
Long-term Success
Fiber arts were part of our original offerings when Willow Oak opened in 2007. Spinning with wool and other fibers was taught using spinning wheels.
Program Areas Served
Robertson, Davidson, Cheatham, Montgomery, Sumner Counties in TN; Logan County in Kentucky
Budget
$25,000.00
Description
Core art classes in drawing and painting are offered for all ages beginning with Mommy & Me Art for ages 18 months to age 4. Saturday Kids Create and Wednesday Afternoon Arts are designed for grades 1-12. Summer Camps include beginning, intermediate and advanced art in addition to cooking and sewing, Camps are scheduled in June and July, Mon-Fri, 9 am - 3 pm.
Adults and teens participate in mixed media, acrylic, and watercolor painting in addition to our popular Friday night painting parties. Pour painting and calligraphy are incorporated into the Friday night and private painting parties. Calligraphy is offered as a class as well as fun parties. Pottery (hand building) is new to Willow Oak and is offered for children and adults. Rock painting, vision boards, and paper crafts round out the visual arts offerings.
Beneficiaries
Adults
Children and Youth (0 - 19 years)
Long-term Success
The visual arts and music programs have been the foundation of our arts center since we opened in 2007.
Program Areas Served
Robertson, Davidson, Cheatham, Montgomery, Sumner Counties in TN; Logan County in Kentucky
$25,000.00
Description
Core art classes in drawing and painting are offered for all ages beginning with Mommy & Me Art for ages 18 months to age 4. Saturday Kids Create and Wednesday Afternoon Arts are designed for grades 1-12. Summer Camps include beginning, intermediate and advanced art in addition to cooking and sewing, Camps are scheduled in June and July, Mon-Fri, 9 am - 3 pm.
Adults and teens participate in mixed media, acrylic, and watercolor painting in addition to our popular Friday night painting parties. Pour painting and calligraphy are incorporated into the Friday night and private painting parties. Calligraphy is offered as a class as well as fun parties. Pottery (hand building) is new to Willow Oak and is offered for children and adults. Rock painting, vision boards, and paper crafts round out the visual arts offerings.
Beneficiaries
Adults
Children and Youth (0 - 19 years)
Long-term Success
The visual arts and music programs have been the foundation of our arts center since we opened in 2007.
Program Areas Served
Robertson, Davidson, Cheatham, Montgomery, Sumner Counties in TN; Logan County in Kentucky
Budget
$15,000.00
Description
The Willow Oak Chorale (grades 7-12 and adults) presents two performances each year under the direction of Artistic Director Roger Bunch. A November/December concert is presented with orchestra. The chorale also performs at the annual gala in April. Willow Oak's mentoring program gives gifted high school students the opportunity to conduct the chorale and orchestra in performances. The Children's Chorus, grades 1-4, offers an opportunity for children to enjoy music, learn solfege, and perform. Members of the Chorale performed at Carnegie Hall in 2013 and 2015. Music lessons are offered in voice, piano (classical, jazz and rock), organ, and guitar. Classes/workshops include theory and music appreciation. The theater program will be developed offering workshops in acting, auditioning, and scene study. Scholarships are available
Beneficiaries
Adults
K-12 (5-19 years)
Long-term Success
The adult/high school chorale was established in 2009 under the direction of Roger Bunch. The Willow Oak Chorale offers first-rate performances as the primary community chorus in Robertson County.
Program Areas Served
Robertson, Davidson, Cheatham, Montgomery, Sumner Counties in TN; Logan County in Kentucky
$15,000.00
Description
The Willow Oak Chorale (grades 7-12 and adults) presents two performances each year under the direction of Artistic Director Roger Bunch. A November/December concert is presented with orchestra. The chorale also performs at the annual gala in April. Willow Oak's mentoring program gives gifted high school students the opportunity to conduct the chorale and orchestra in performances. The Children's Chorus, grades 1-4, offers an opportunity for children to enjoy music, learn solfege, and perform. Members of the Chorale performed at Carnegie Hall in 2013 and 2015. Music lessons are offered in voice, piano (classical, jazz and rock), organ, and guitar. Classes/workshops include theory and music appreciation. The theater program will be developed offering workshops in acting, auditioning, and scene study. Scholarships are available
Beneficiaries
Adults
K-12 (5-19 years)
Long-term Success
The adult/high school chorale was established in 2009 under the direction of Roger Bunch. The Willow Oak Chorale offers first-rate performances as the primary community chorus in Robertson County.
Program Areas Served
Robertson, Davidson, Cheatham, Montgomery, Sumner Counties in TN; Logan County in Kentucky
Budget
$7,715.00
Description
Willow Oak offers classes and workshops for children and adults in the visual, performing, folk, and expressive arts. Educational opportunities also include the humanities, such as languages and writing, computers, culinary arts, and wellness.
Program Areas Served
Robertson, Davidson, Cheatham, Montgomery, Sumner Counties in TN; Logan County in Kentucky
$7,715.00
Description
Willow Oak offers classes and workshops for children and adults in the visual, performing, folk, and expressive arts. Educational opportunities also include the humanities, such as languages and writing, computers, culinary arts, and wellness.
Program Areas Served
Robertson, Davidson, Cheatham, Montgomery, Sumner Counties in TN; Logan County in Kentucky
Budget
$15,000.00
Description
Willow Oak presents an annual Multicultural Arts Festival in May. It is funded by a grant from the Tennessee Arts Commission and individual and corporate donors. The Saturday event is free and open to the public. Children and adults enjoy African drumming and dance and other performances by the Global Education Center's dancers. Art projects, games, face painting, and displays created by all county public schools are part of the festival. The Willow Oak Children's Chorus also performs. Robertson County 800 eighth grade students are bused in to participate in African dance and create an art project on the second day of the festival.
Program Successes
500-800 children and adults attend the festival each year. Parents comment that they thoroughly enjoy the festival and are grateful for a multicultural type of event that is free to the public. They are usually surprised at the number and quality of activities offered. The Board of Education is very appreciative of the opportunity for the eighth grade students to experience this one-of-a-kind multicultural festival.
Beneficiaries
Adults
Children and Youth (0 - 19 years)
Long-term Success
Willow Oak has offered multicultural arts festivals 2009-2012, and 2017-19. Global Education Center provides three performing groups including NYAMA African drumming and dance group. Art projects for all ages are offered. The event is offered to the public at no charge. 500-800 children and adults attend each year. In 2017, a day was added to bus in 400 eighth grade public school students at no cost to the students.
Program Areas Served
Middle Tennessee and Southern Kentucky, 8th grade students in the Robertson County public school system are bused in to the festival
$15,000.00
Description
Willow Oak presents an annual Multicultural Arts Festival in May. It is funded by a grant from the Tennessee Arts Commission and individual and corporate donors. The Saturday event is free and open to the public. Children and adults enjoy African drumming and dance and other performances by the Global Education Center's dancers. Art projects, games, face painting, and displays created by all county public schools are part of the festival. The Willow Oak Children's Chorus also performs. Robertson County 800 eighth grade students are bused in to participate in African dance and create an art project on the second day of the festival.
Program Successes
500-800 children and adults attend the festival each year. Parents comment that they thoroughly enjoy the festival and are grateful for a multicultural type of event that is free to the public. They are usually surprised at the number and quality of activities offered. The Board of Education is very appreciative of the opportunity for the eighth grade students to experience this one-of-a-kind multicultural festival.
Beneficiaries
Adults
Children and Youth (0 - 19 years)
Long-term Success
Willow Oak has offered multicultural arts festivals 2009-2012, and 2017-19. Global Education Center provides three performing groups including NYAMA African drumming and dance group. Art projects for all ages are offered. The event is offered to the public at no charge. 500-800 children and adults attend each year. In 2017, a day was added to bus in 400 eighth grade public school students at no cost to the students.
Program Areas Served
Middle Tennessee and Southern Kentucky, 8th grade students in the Robertson County public school system are bused in to the festival
Budget
$3,500.00
Description
Our folk arts classes include the fiber arts (wool spinning, felting, knitting, crocheting, weaving), cheese making, beekeeping, and papermaking. (See fiber arts program). The new culinary program offers classes for children, teens and adults, ranging from beginning cooking to gourmet, ethnic, cake and gingerbread house decorating. Classes/workshops in the humanities are creative writing, languages (Spanish), and etiquette. Photography, health and wellness, beginning computer technology, and social networking round out the special interests area.
Beneficiaries
Adults
Children and Youth (0 - 19 years)
Program Areas Served
Robertson, Davidson, Cheatham, Montgomery, Sumner Counties in TN; Logan County in Kentucky
$3,500.00
Description
Our folk arts classes include the fiber arts (wool spinning, felting, knitting, crocheting, weaving), cheese making, beekeeping, and papermaking. (See fiber arts program). The new culinary program offers classes for children, teens and adults, ranging from beginning cooking to gourmet, ethnic, cake and gingerbread house decorating. Classes/workshops in the humanities are creative writing, languages (Spanish), and etiquette. Photography, health and wellness, beginning computer technology, and social networking round out the special interests area.
Beneficiaries
Adults
Children and Youth (0 - 19 years)
Program Areas Served
Robertson, Davidson, Cheatham, Montgomery, Sumner Counties in TN; Logan County in Kentucky
Budget
$5,000.00
Description
Summer camps are offered in June and July, 9:00 am - 3:00 pm, Monday-Fridays. Beginner, intermediate and advanced arts is offered for grades 2-8. Other areas include cooking, drama, music and sewing.
Beneficiaries
Children and Youth (0 - 19 years)
Long-term Success
Summer camps have been offered each year since 2009. 50-55 students attend camp each summer.
Program Areas Served
Robertson, Davidson, Cheatham, Montgomery, Sumner Counties in TN; Logan County in Kentucky
$5,000.00
Description
Summer camps are offered in June and July, 9:00 am - 3:00 pm, Monday-Fridays. Beginner, intermediate and advanced arts is offered for grades 2-8. Other areas include cooking, drama, music and sewing.
Beneficiaries
Children and Youth (0 - 19 years)
Long-term Success
Summer camps have been offered each year since 2009. 50-55 students attend camp each summer.
Program Areas Served
Robertson, Davidson, Cheatham, Montgomery, Sumner Counties in TN; Logan County in Kentucky
Budget
$5,000.00
Description
Art in the Park changed from an arts and crafts festival to a fine and folk arts festival in 2019 with its new director, Lacie Beu. Art in the Park was created in 2009 by artist/event director Jay Swafford. The free annual event is held the last Saturday in September at Springfield's J. Travis Price Park. Paintings, photography, handmade jewelry, pottery, wood working, sculpture, stained glass, and Native American crafts are featured. Average attendance is 4,000-5,000 with 70 vendors, food booths, face painting and musical acts. Art activities for all ages and a paint splatter booth were added in 2019. Funding is provided by corporate sponsors and vendor booth fees.
Beneficiaries
Adults
Children and Youth (0 - 19 years)
Long-term Success
The festival was created in 2008 by artist/event director Jay Swafford. It was through Jay's 12-month promotion and countless hours of volunteer work each year that Art in the Park grew from a small arts and crafts festival with 25 vendors and 500 in attendance, to a successful arts festival in Middle Tennessee. In 2019, approximately 5,000 children and adults attended the festival which had 60 artist/artisan vendors.
Program Areas Served
Middle Tennessee and Southern Kentucky
$5,000.00
Description
Art in the Park changed from an arts and crafts festival to a fine and folk arts festival in 2019 with its new director, Lacie Beu. Art in the Park was created in 2009 by artist/event director Jay Swafford. The free annual event is held the last Saturday in September at Springfield's J. Travis Price Park. Paintings, photography, handmade jewelry, pottery, wood working, sculpture, stained glass, and Native American crafts are featured. Average attendance is 4,000-5,000 with 70 vendors, food booths, face painting and musical acts. Art activities for all ages and a paint splatter booth were added in 2019. Funding is provided by corporate sponsors and vendor booth fees.
Beneficiaries
Adults
Children and Youth (0 - 19 years)
Long-term Success
The festival was created in 2008 by artist/event director Jay Swafford. It was through Jay's 12-month promotion and countless hours of volunteer work each year that Art in the Park grew from a small arts and crafts festival with 25 vendors and 500 in attendance, to a successful arts festival in Middle Tennessee. In 2019, approximately 5,000 children and adults attended the festival which had 60 artist/artisan vendors.
Program Areas Served
Middle Tennessee and Southern Kentucky
CEO/Executive Director/Board Comments
| Willow Oak offers an excellent variety of classes. With the larger building, we can now add to our current classes and performing opportunities. Willow Oak continues to offer classes in the visual and performing arts, expressive arts, folk, fiber, and culinary arts, as well as the humanities. Painting and pour painting parties are quite popular. Classes are offered for children (starting at 18 months) through senior adults. Qualified teachers are hired to teach one-day workshops, a series of classes, or week-long summer camps. Tuition and supply fees are charged. Scholarships are offered to children and adults requesting financial assistance. Instructors range from university degreed teachers to self-taught experts in their fields. Willow Oak offers all the arts under one roof. Students travel from all counties adjacent to Robertson County as well as within our community. In June-July 2023, Willow Oak hosted 95 children in seven weeks of art and STEAM camps. The average for past years was 55. This represents an increase in attendance as well as the number of camps offered. Willow Oak's visual arts classes include watercolor, oil, and acrylic painting, gouache, drawing, printmaking, paper crafting, pour and painting parties, jewelry making, mixed media, canvas making, calligraphy, and photography. Classes in the expressive arts are Soul Collage, nature journalling, and a morning coffee-time journalling class. Fiber arts offerings are macrame, sewing, quilting, Shibori and natural dying, embroidery, knitting, crochet, and fiber spinning. Offerings in the folk arts include a blacksmithing workshop that was offered for the first time in November 2022. Soapmaking, cheese making, and beekeeping have been part of the curriculum. Children's classes include art, sewing, creative writing, and children's chorus. Mommy and Me for children ages 18 months to age 4, and Kids Create for children ages 5 to 8. In the fall of 2023, they will be funded by a Tennessee Arts Commission grant and offered at no cost. Offerings in the humanities are writing classes such as the basics of writing, letter writing, and self-publishing. American Sign Language was taught spring semester 2023. Conversational French and Spanish are taught. The Willow Oak Chorale performed the Faure Requiem in June 2023. The chorale and children's chorus will present concerts November and December 2023. Voice classes as well as private lessons in piano, voice, and guitar are available. The theater program will be developed with workshops in acting, how to audition, and scene study. The culinary program will be re-started after minor kitchen renovations have taken place. These classes will include beginning cooking to gourmet, with some classes for children. |
