It’s hot and sultry outside but inside I discovered the arts are flourishing. I swung by the Crestview Public Library this morning and saw a really cool exhibit in the lobby display cases. A talented young mixed-media artist named Eliezer Nieves has on display a captivating selection of pieces done in what he calls “color graphs.” He employs clippings and text from publications as well as photos and hand-written thoughts to make bold, eye-catching statements about a variety of topics, including current events, politics, relationships and people. The exhibit will be up through August. Check it out.

Next I swung by the library meeting room and watched a slew of youngsters making piggy puppets under the watchful gaze—and with a bit of assistance from—their guardians, parents and teachers. It was the regular monthly Family Crafts gathering, one of the many great services offered at our library. With a broad smile, four-year-old Aaron Bailey held his puppet up proudly. Look for a photo of Aaron, his puppet, and his proud mom, Donia Bailey, in next Wednesday’s Arts & Entertainment page in the News Bulletin.

Over at the high school, rehearsals are in full swing for the Drama program’s fall production of Neil Simon’s comedy, Brighton Beach Memoirs. Sadly, drama teacher and director Joe Hernandez is leaving CHS to work on his master’s degree in theatre, but he assured me an equally talented and enthusiastic replacement, one of his classmates, will most likely be hired to take his place and continue the momentum as the lavish, professional and enjoyable productions the community enjoys continue at CHS.

Down at the north end of the main hall, Summer Art Camp is in full swing under the instruction of art teachers Laurel Siwicki and Lori Phillips. Aided by rising seniors and alumni artist aids, the camp boasts its largest enrollment ever, with 39 young artists making everything from mixed-media self portraits in a cubist style to sculptures using pipe cleaners. Today they were writing their own fairy tales, which they will then illustrate.

The arts are as valuable to our schools—and community—as sports and academics. They are a hallmark of a civilized and cultured people. We are fortunate to have so many venues for locals to express themselves in visual and performing arts here in the Crestview area. Go out and make or support art!

PS: If you love art, support art, make art or teach art, be at the Crestview Public Library on Monday, 20 July, at 6 pp.m., for the organizational meeting of a Crestview area committee of the Okaloosa Arts Alliance. Let’s get some of that county art money and events flowing to the county seat, Okaloosa County’s largest city. To get more information, e-mail Rae Schwartz at bakerny@yahoo.com and just ask.

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