Sculpture will be on display (11/01/07)

"High Energy Haircut," a kinetic sculpture by former Portland resident Dennis Cole, will be among the featured works in "Red Bull the Art of Can" at River East Art Center in Chicago in an exhibit that opens Friday, Nov. 9.

Cole, now a resident of Syracuse, is a barber as well as a TIG (tungsten inert gas) welder. He designed the piece for a national competition of artwork made from Red Bull cans.

"Being a barber is much like welding," Cole told Red Bull. "You have to use both hands at the same time as you design, and you have to be thinking ahead during the creating process." He goes on to state, "Because of these two art mediums, I have been able to be a part of many people's lives: either designing an iron piece for someone to enjoy in their art collection, or helping someone's self-esteem with an awesome haircut!"

Cole's entry - a rotating aluminum barber pole that incorporates 100 cans - clearly reflects his interests, and because he teaches wrought-iron classes at the Creative Fish Artistic Workshop in Syracuse, Indiana, he said, "Who knows? Maybe I'll teach "How to Make Art of Can Projects' next year!"

He is the son of Ron and Sharlette Cole, Portland.

The exhibit can be seen on-line at www.redbullartofcan.us.

Arts Place classes

Innovation classes will begin at Arts Place in Portland the week of Nov. 5. Classes include Portfolio Plus (for students in grades six through 12 working on art projects), Hip Hop Dance (for students 14 and older), Jazz Dance (for ages 14 and older), Oil Painting (for all levels), After School Art (for children in K through sixth grade), Ceramic Mix (for all ages), Watercolors (for all ages), and Ceramics Open Studio (for experienced ceramicists).

Registration forms are available at Arts Place, 131 E. Walnut St., Portland. For more information, call Arts Place at (260) 726-4809.

Awards grants

The Women's Giving Circle, established by The Portland Foundation, recently awarded grants in accordance with the Circle's focus on education for 2007-08.

Bloomfield Elementary School received a grant for $850 to purchase library books for an after school reading program for preschool-age children.

Redkey Elementary School received a grant for $399 to purchase 50 leveled books for classroom reading instruction.

Receives scholarship

Julie Sours, a graduate of Jay County High School, has earned the Burnett/Masters Junior Scholarship worth $1,000.

The scholarship is awarded to junior men and women who are members of the Hutton Honors College at Indiana University in Bloomington and maintain a grade point average of 3.6 or more.[[In-content Ad]]