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JCA Impresses with Visual and Performing Arts Offerings
In its last meeting of the year, the Jasper Community Arts Commission provided feedback on
recent events and updates on some exciting opportunities coming up in December.
The board approved a request from Dubois County Cares to waive the rental fee for the Jasper
Arts Center Auditorium for a planned two-day event supporting students and their families.
CARES will be hosting an interactive talk with author Jessica Lahey to encourage young people
to be alcohol and drug free.
A request from Parents Supporting Education was also approved by the board. The rental fee
for the Center’s black box space will be waived for an event for MLK day that will lead into Black
History Month. The organization will be sponsoring two contests for Dubois County students,
with details announced in the coming weeks. A Black History Writing contest will be held for
students in grades 6-12 with a junior and senior division, and a themed Coloring Contest will be
held for students in grades K-5.
The purchase of 15 iPads was approved by the board in preparation for digital art classes. Grant
funding was secured for the iPads as well as peripherals and accompanying software for the
program. Class curriculum is in development, but the Commission heard that there has been
considerable interest from instructors and students alike.
A recent guest on the Main Stage, guitarist Lucas Stricagnoli, also performed for local high
school students last month. Audience response for Stricagnoli was so enthusiastic that he will
be returning early in 2025. Norm Lewis, veteran of Broadway and London’s West End, will be
appearing on the Main Stage this Saturday, December 7. There are still tickets available.
The board approved a request to support shipping costs related to visual artist Mark Brosmer’s
upcoming exhibition. There will be over 80 pieces in the show, all of which will be available for
purchase. A holiday reception and opening for Brosmer’s exhibit will be held this Thursday,
December 5 from 5-7. Guests are invited to come and enjoy live Christmas music and catered
snacks. A cash bar will be available. Brosmer’s art will be on display through February 23. Also
on display in the gallery are the two existing 2-person shows. The exhibit by Valerie Eickmeier
and Cara Lee Wade will be available until December 26, and the exhibit by Maria Del Pilar and
Katie Knoeringer will be in the gallery until January 26.
Schools are reaching out to arrange spring field trips, and the Center is expanding its offerings
by building a preschool curriculum into gallery learning. On December 17, a meeting with
school administrators and the superintendent of curriculum will be held to discuss the JCA’s in-
school artist residency program.
On December 7, the Jasper High School Ambassadors Choir will appear in a benefit concert,
“Curtains Up,” to support their upcoming trip to perform at Carnegie Hall. The concert will be
held at the Jasper High School auditorium, with a suggested donation of $20. The featured
performer will be Mary Beth Donahue, who will appear with the choir, special guest Katie
Stone, and past and present student performers. Donahue and Stone will also be on hand to
work with area students at a master class on December 5.
In additional updates, the board heard that funding is in place for upcoming projects that
include its artist residency program, a performance by Squonk Opera, and the rebranding
process of Jasper Community Arts. Additionally, the Arts Center safety inspection report was
positive overall, and some minor concerns were identified and have been addressed.
For more information on these and other updates, visit jasperarts.org.
- By Drew Hasselbring