Up and Coming Weekly is a weekly publication in Fayetteville, NC and Fort Bragg, NC area offering local news, views, arts, entertainment and community event and business information.
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WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM 14 UCW AUGUST 9 - 15, 2023 EVENTS e Cumberland Community Foun- dation will host a celebratory lun- cheon with their donors and program organizers that are integral to the Summertime Kids program on Aug. 17 at noon. Kimmi Nettles, Summertime Kids Program Manager, explained more about the celebration and program. For over 20 years the staff and volunteers of the Summertime Kids nonprofit programs have gathered to celebrate the programs, collaborate and share ideas and resources. is event is not a fundraiser. It is an invitation only event for the Summer- time Kids programs and the donors who provided the funding. "It's a special way to show apprecia- tion to the nonprofits for their efforts," said Nettles, CCF Program Manager since 2007. is year's celebration is a luncheon. Nettles says these programs help students obtain social skills including time management, initiating action in new situations, self-confidence, task leadership and interpersonal skills. Nettles said these things have always been important for children and youth but even more today with the rise in social media platforms that have replaced face-to-face interac- tions, outside play, interpersonal skills and real-life relationships. "We welcome two representatives from each organization to attend. We also invite the generous donors to the STK program, those that have founded endowments that benefit the STK program as well as our board of direc- tors," she said. "ose in attendance enjoy lunch while hearing the STK grantees share heartwarming stories of the highs and lows of their summer programming." It is an end-of-summer report and celebration of impact for children. Nettles said there are always happy tears when grantees share stories like how a child overcame a fear by touch- ing a tadpole at Cape Fear Botanical Garden, received a book of their very own from the Cumberland County Public Library, made a friend for life at Camp Rockfish or simply had the best summer ever! e programs funded provide op- portunities for local children and youth, regardless of their financial status. Chil- dren learn new skills such as archery, fishing, acting, swimming and golf. Some programs enhance learning through reading and tutoring. Nettles said the benefits of summer camp include social- izing, self-esteem, self-regu- lation, friendship building, screen-free time, connection to nature, increasing exercise, independence and resiliency, lifelong skills, learning personal growth and creating happy memories. Every summer since its inception in 1992, over 1,000 children and youth have participated in Summertime Kids programs funded by Cumberland Community Foundation. "e STK program provides quality programming that simply lets kids be kids," said Nettles. is year, there were 18 organiza- tions that are supported by the Summertime Kids programs. e STK program ends the first week of August or at the end of the last camp of the participating organizations. Most of the youth are 1st through 12th graders. Nettles added that there are programs on the list that accepts youth at the age of five. e Vision Resource Center, Fayetteville Urban Ministry and Cape Fear Regional eatre are a few non- profits participating in the program. CCF hosts celebration for Summertime Kids program by KATRINA WILSON KATRINA WILSON, Staff Writer. COMMENTS? Editor@upandcomingweekly. com. 910-484-6200 Cape Fear Studios hosts exhibit of miniature artwork a STAFF REPORT Cape Fear Studios Miniature Sculp- ture and Art Challenge exhibit will be on display through Aug. 22 in the Main Gallery, located at 148 Maxwell Street in Fayetteville. e exhibit is an interesting and unique collection of mini artworks from local artists. e exhibit was judged by local professional artist Leslie Pearson, who selected the two Best of Show Awards — one for 3D sculpture and one for 2D art. Amber Tyler-Elliott was awarded Best of Show 2D for her Intaglio (print making) "Air Potato Leaf Beetle." Austin Sheppard was awarded Best of Show 3D for his cast bronze, found object piece "Self-Contained Man." "I really appreciated the opportu- nity to jury this miniature exhibition," Pearson said. "As someone who prefers to work on a larger scale, it's inspiring to see the quiet restraint that can be achieved in miniature," she said. "Each painting and sculpture require the viewer to get up close and personal with the work." Sheppard's piece was the winner of the 3-D category. "I was drawn to the small figure of a man weighted by chains. A powerful visual that will no doubt resonate with many people." "Amber Tyler-Elliott, the 2-D winner's postage-stamp sized print of an Air Potato Leaf Beetle, an invasive species, is the perfect example of how an artist can speak volumes within the confines of a small space — this beetle alters plant com- munities by displacing native species, and changing community structure," Pearson said.w "Perhaps this is a commentary on our current grappling with AI or other perceived threats. Overall, the exhibi- tion is a treat for Fayetteville to enjoy." Pearson is a multimedia artist who pursues art as a studio artist, commu- nity arts advocate and educator. In 1998, Pearson earned a bache- lor's degree in Fine Art from Southeast Missouri State University. She was the Assistant Director of the Arts Council of Southeast Missouri and co-curator of Gallery 100 and the Lorimier Gallery in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. In 2000, she earned a master's de- gree in Museum Studies at Newcastle University in England and completed an internship at the Northern Gallery for Contemporary Art in Sunderland, United Kingdom. In 2011, she earned an Master of Fine Arts in Textile Design at East Carolina University's School of Art and Design in Greenville, North Carolina. Pearson has taught at various col- leges and universities and served on the Board of Trustees at the Arts Council of Fayetteville Cumberland County, and on the Board of Directors for the Surface Design Association. Pearson exhibits her work nationally and internationally. For more information on the Min- iature Sculpture and Art Challenge ex- hibit, visit www.capefearstudios.com or call 910-433-2986. "Air Potato Leaf Beetle" by Amber Tyler-Elliott "Self-Contained Man" by Austin Sheppard "Ruby roated Humming Bird" by Linda Sue Barnes "Conch Shell at Sunset" by Susan Hester