ART EXHIBIT:  209 pieces of artwork in a variety of media and subjects by students of Swain County High School and Swain County Middle School will be on exhibit during April through May 10.  Media include drawings in graphite, charcoal, colored pencil, marker, scratchboard, crayon, mixed media, and pen & ink; paintings in watercolor, gouache, acrylic, oil, tempera, oil pastels, markers, ink wash, and mixed media; ceramic pottery, weaving, beadwork, basket weaving, paper cut design, origami, print making, and papier machè animals and masks. Sheena Kohlmeyer is the art teacher at the middle schools andDora May is the art teacher at the high school.  Included in the exhibit is a collection of 48 Cherokee arts and crafts that include finger weaving, beadwork, and white oak basket weaving and basket weaving designs by Angela Gunter’s middle school Cherokee Language and Culture class.

May 16-July 16 Exhibit:  Realistic portraits, animals and landscapes in acrylic by Kel Tanner of Waynesville, NC, and Florida.

May 1 Swain County High School JROTC Awards Ceremony.  Coordinated by John Beaulieu.  1:15 pm to 2:45 pm in the Auditorium.

May 2 Art League of the Smokies- "Oil Painting Techniques" Workshop taught by Pauline Marr of Cashiers, NC.   Pauline Marr will demonstrate oil painting techniques in a landscape from underpainting to finished painting while talking about composition and color.  Students will then complete an 11" x 14" oil painting of a subject of their choice on a stretched canvas, which will be provided.  Handouts and all materials will be provided for the workshop.  Pauline will also have photos available for possible painting subjects.  Sponsored by the NC Arts Council, Swain County Center for the Arts and Swain County Schools, this program received support from the North Carolina Arts Council, a division of the Department of Cultural Resources.  Contact Jenny Johnson at 488-7843 to register or for information about future Art League artist demos and workshops.  This workshop is limited to 16 people.  Registration and supply fee of $30 required in advance. 4:00 pm to 9:00 pm in the Lobby.

May 3 SCHS & SCMS Spring Concert-SCHS Vocal Ensemble directed by Maggie Jennings and SCMS Chorus directed by Rachel Lewis.  Everyone is invited to attend free of charge. 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm in the Auditorium.

May 7 Showcase of Artists Celebrating Dance, Guitar and Visual Arts. Swain County Schools Arts Enrichment After School Program.  Everyone is invited at no charge. 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm-Program in the Auditorium. 8:00 pm to 9:00 pm-Reception in the Lobby.

May 9 Awards Ceremony and End of Year Celebration-Swain County Bright Adventures Pre-K. Susan Sale and the Pre-K teachers invite everyone to attend free of charge. 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm in the Auditorium.

May 11 Date could change:  SCHS Annual Dedication & Signing-SCHS Assembly in the Auditorium. 1:20 pm to 1:40 pm-Recognitions and Annual Dedication. 1:40 pm to 2:45 pm-Yearbook signing.

May 11 SCMS and SCHS Spring Band Concert & Awards Ceremony following dinner in the SCHS cafeteria.  Band Director, Karen Williams, and Student Teacher, Carmen Ramsey. SCHS & SCMS artwork on exhibit. 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm-Dinner in SCHS Cafeteria. 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm-Concert & Awards Ceremony in the Auditorium.

May 17 East Elementary Kindergarten Graduation Ceremony with Shirley Grant, Principal. Family and friends are cordially invited. 9:00 am to 10:30 am in the Auditorium.

May 18 Swain County Schools Awards and Recognition following staff and faculty cookout. 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm in the Auditorium.

May 19 SCHS Senior Slide Show immediately following breakfast at the SCHS cafeteria for SCHS seniors and their families. 8:00 am to 8:45 am-Breakfast in SCHS Cafeteria. 8:45 am to 9:30 am-Slide Show in the Auditorium. 10:00 am to 11:30 am-SCHS Graduation in Swain Memorial Stadium.

May 24 Meeting-Swain County Center for the Arts Advisory Board 10:00 am to 11:00 am in the Lobby.

Call Jenny Johnson at 488-7843 to reserve the Center for the Arts for your own event or to view exhibits. Go to www.swain.k12.nc.us/cfta for the latest calendar of events.