Jun 9, 2002 By Frances Borsodi Zajac 8 min read

Marjorie Arnett walked the grounds at Touchstone Center for the Arts in Farmington, showing off improvements at Pennsylvania’s only residential arts facility and talking eagerly about new programs that are starting in the center’s 30th season. “Two of the programs I’m most excited about are the children’s program and the student resident assistants – we call them emerging young artists,’ said Arnett, executive director for this renowned mountain facility that attracts teachers and students from throughout the country.

It’s a few days before Touchstone started its weeklong summer classes and the studio resident assistants were already here working in their particular studios. The SRAs, as Arnett referred to them, are college students and graduates who are assigned to a specific studio throughout the summer. Each week, the studio receives a new art teacher (an accomplished artist who teaches in a particular field) who will be assisted by the SRA.

“It’s a great opportunity, like an apprenticeship,’ said Jason Eberl, an SRA who is an Edinboro graduate from the Erie area and will work in the jewelry/metal studio.

Jennifer Adamson of Waynesburg, who is a senior at California University, has been assigned to the ceramics studio.

“It’s wonderful,’ Adamson said. “It’s a nice amalgamation of the arts and a retreat, utilizing nature to put into your artwork.’

“We supply room and board and an opportunity to meet outstanding artists,’ said Arnett, who noted the SRAs went through a selection process with five students chosen from 30 applicants.

In addition, Arnett pointed out, Touchstone’s students will have the benefit of observing the work of these young artists, who are also busy with their own creations.

Matt Kaczynski of Bay City Michigan, who is attending the University of Michigan, has been assigned to the painting studio.

“I had no idea what to expect coming in,’ said Kaczynski. “I had never been here before, but I knew Marjorie. When I got here, I was surprised by the quality of the facility.’

The other SRAs who had yet to arrive are Kaley Finegan of Connecticut who is working in the glass and ceramics studios and Fred Weisenborn of Missouri who is in the blacksmith studio.

Besides the SRAs, Touchstone is expanding its youth program by adding courses for teen-agers.

“I think there’s such a need for this,’ said Arnett, adding hopes that local residents will take advantage of Touchstone’s youth programs.

The youth programs are now divided into Touchstone Pebbles for children age 3 to 5, Touchstone Skipping Stones for children age 6 to 12 and Touchstone Teens Rock for youths ages 13 to 17.

According to 2002 class schedule, Touchstone Pebbles is a three-day program available July 15, 17 and 19 and Aug. 5, 7 and 9.

“Pebbles will experience a variety of visual art activities designed for their age level and ability,’ noted the Touchstone schedule.

Skipping Stones runs weekly through Aug. 19-23 and will offer two specialized areas of concentration each week, including drawing and sculpture, painting and weaving, journal making/outside maze design, painting and jewelry, clay and painting, puppets and theatre, movement games.

But Arnett said the children would also be exposed to a variety of mediums throughout each week. Meanwhile, she noted the teen-agers would work on larger formats, such as murals and sculptures. The teen-agers program also runs through Aug. 23.

To work with youths, Touchstone has hired certified instructors, including Christin Thomas, who will teach the children, and Brian Honan who will teach the teen-agers.

Stephanie Payne, a student at Seton Hill College, was in the children’s studio as Arnett gave her tour. Payne, who was preparing the studio, will work primarily with Thomas but also be able to assist Hunan.

Speaking about the attributes of the program, Payne said, “It allows children an opportunity at a young age to enjoy art in a creative environment. They have more freedom, the setting is more relaxed and there’s time to think about what they want to do. And we’re surrounded by nature so we want to work with it as much as possible.’

Officials intend for the youths to have fun and that means not worrying about their clothes. Participants are advised not to wear good clothing for their visit to Touchstone.

Among the changes that are taking place, the children’s program has moved to a different studio in 2002.

But there is also a brand new painting studio, located along McIntire Run Creek, as well as a new state-of-the-art photography studio, constructed in the lower level of the Hart Moore Blacksmith Museum, and new glass studio, which will now offer glass blowing with instruction by Ed Francis of the University of Illinois. The jewelry studio has also been renovated.

Arnett is proud of the new facilities, noting the painting studio is one of the largest studios at Touchstone. It will also be the site of Touchstone’s first wedding, taking place July 6 with a reception in the dining hall and dinner at the lodge. Touchstone has also been rented out for another wedding in 2003 during this same week, when Touchstone shuts down for a week over the Independence Day holiday.

Touchstone will be adding more improvements as the Eberly Foundation has provided funding for two new year-round dormitories and a new infrastructure. Work on the housing units will begin this summer, Arnett said.

And in celebration of the 30th anniversary, Touchstone is opening a new gallery at the lodge called simply Gallery II. It will carry high-end pieces of art by the 2002 season instructors, such as ceramics, blacksmithing items, paintings and jewelry, the latter in gold, metal and glass. In comparison, Gallery I sells less expensive items, which cost under $100.

A grand opening for Gallery II will take place on Thursday, June 14 with dinner in the dining hall at 5:30 p.m. and opening of Gallery II doors at 6:30 p.m. There will also be music and an auction. Those planning to attend the dinner are asked to call.

The galleries are open Mondays through Fridays from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. and Saturdays until noon. But anyone interested can call ahead to see the galleries at other times.

Local residents can also phone to see the contemporary blacksmith exhibit in the Hart Moore Blacksmith Museum, which runs through mid-June and includes about 30 pieces by major contemporary artists. They include Nol Putam, who created the gates for the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C.

In addition, a 30th anniversary celebration dinner will take place onsite on Aug. 3. The affair is semi-formal with tickets $75 a plate. There will also be an art auction and dancing with music by Gary Racan and the Studio E Band.

According to a history supplied by the center, Touchstone was incorporated in 1972 as the Pioneer Crafts Council and was established to foster interest in and preservation of the history and techniques of traditional mountain crafts.

“Touchstone’s first home was in the Mill Run Grange Hall. In 1982, Pioneer Crafts Council bought Camp Dunneback in Farmington. Camp Dunneback was built in approximately 1919 as a camp for children. In the 1940s, the site was used as a sports training camp for regional high school sports teams. Pioneer Crafts Council renovated Camp Dunneback, added new structures, remodeled buildings into art studios and adopted the name Touchstone Center for Crafts. In 1995, approximately 60 additional acres were acquired, bringing the total acreage owned by Touchstone to 150 acres,’ the history reported.

In the years since its inception, Touchstone has expanded its mission to preserve, educate and teach the techniques of traditional mountain crafts to include many fine art disciplines.

“Courses in both traditional and contemporary disciplines such as blacksmithing, painting, drawing, jewelry and metals, textiles, glass, ceramics, wood, oil, watercolor, pastels and photography, with a limited number of classes in music, movement and dance are offered,’ the history reported. “Classes and workshops are taught by some of North America’s finest and most renowned artists and artisans, and students attend from local, national and international locations. Beginner, intermediate and master level courses are available to people of all ages.’

In addition, Touchstone is the site of many school field trips and Touchstone also provides off-site outreach presentations.

Asked how the people who support Touchstone are reacting to the 30th anniversary, Arnett said, “I think they’re amazed and when they look back over the hard times and the tenacity of all the people who kept this place running through think and thin and where it’s at today. It’s a nice feeling for them.’

For more information on Touchstone Center for the Arts, 724-329-1370 or visit the Web site at www.touchstonecrafts.com

. Information is available on classes, 30th anniversary celebration dinner, access to the gallery shops and Hart Moore Blacksmith Museum. In addition, Touchstone welcomes visitors who would like to come for lunch or dinner or a tour of the facilities. Arrangements can also be made for groups.

Said Arnett, “We want so badly for people in the area to come here. It’s the only residential arts and crafts facility in Pennsylvania. It is the wish of Touchstone to have Uniontown and other area people involved.’