Public meeting to discuss HUD funds
The city of Pine Bluff will receive more than $800,000 ($640,000 in Community Development Block Grant and $189,000 for HOME funds) this year.
A public meeting for property owners and the general public is scheduled for 5 p.m. today at the old City Council Chambers at the civic center. The meeting will provide an opportunity for people to ask questions, be heard and participate in the planning process for delivering U.S. Housing and Urban Development funding in the community, according to a news release.
In today’s public meeting, the city’s Economic & Community Development Department will listen to what the citizens prioritize as needs for their community.
In a public meeting June 20, the ECD office will share how they will allocate CDBG funding based on the citizens’ stated desires.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
Details: Michael McCray, cultural development specialist, city of Pine Bluff’s Economic & Community Development Department, (870) 543-1820.
Art league plans meeting, reception
The Pine Bluff Art League’s June events include its monthly meeting and a reception.
The meeting will feature cartoonist, muralist, and sign painter Layet Johnson from 2-4 p.m. Sunday at the Donald W. Reynolds Community Services Building, 211 W. Third Ave. The league invites art enthusiasts and beginners ages 15 and older to attend. Anyone ages 14 and under must be accompanied by a league member, according to a news release.
A Little Rock resident, Johnson will discuss his current comic book projects and give a demonstration on cartooning as a form of observational drawing. Participants are encouraged to bring paper and pencil and join Johnson as he breaks down cartoon figure drawings into basic shapes using perspective to develop movable characters in three-dimensional spaces. Details: https://layetjohnson.com/.
League members are also encouraged to bring their original work to be voted on by their peers. The works will be displayed at Simmons Bank in Pine Bluff, Relyance Bank in Pine Bluff and Fairfield Community Credit Union in White Hall for a month.
League yearly membership dues are $45. Artists can mail a check to the Pine Bluff Art League, Donald W. Reynolds Community Services Building, 211 W. Third Ave., Box 8, Pine Bluff, AR 71601.
The art league will host an exhibition featuring husband and wife artists Paul Owens and Gail Greenstreet at the Reynolds center. The league invites the community to the reception from 5-6:30 p.m. June 4.
Greenstreet is a California native who moved to Tucson, Ariz., with her family. She studied briefly at the University of Arizona before backpacking across Europe.
Owens is a White Hall High School graduate and Arkansas native. He studied at Arkansas AM&N College (now University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff) and Arkansas State University before graduating from Southeastern College in Winfield, Kan., with a degree in theater. The two have retired and live in White Hall.
UAM sets freshman registration
The University of Arkansas at Monticello will offer a fall 2024 class registration event June 10 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for first-time freshmen and new transfer students who have submitted necessary materials to the Office of Admissions.
Students will also have the option to visit any office related to attending school in the fall. Parents and legal guardians are welcome, according to a news release.
In-person registration is recommended, but over-the-phone registration is also available. Students should RSVP to reserve a time to register for classes. RSVP at www.uamont.edu/admissions. Details: (870) 460-1026 or admissionsoffice@uamont.edu.
UAM plans music camps
The Division of Music at the University of Arkansas at Monticello will host three band camps, a jazz camp and an auxiliary camp for sixth to 12th-graders. Students can choose to stay on campus or off campus during their camp, according to a news release.
Beginner band camp will be held June 11-15 for students who have played an instrument for at least one year. Campers will practice band and music basics and learn two months’ worth of music during the camp.
Junior high band camp will be held June 11-15 for incoming seventh and eighth graders. Campers will practice improving their performance skills while interacting with students from different school districts.
High school band camp will be held June 11-15 for incoming freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors. Campers will participate in rehearsals, sectionals, master classes, performances, choice classes and a culminating public concert.
Jazz camp will be held July 16-20 for incoming freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors. Campers will take classes in jazz theory, jazz techniques and jazz history and work on their improvisation skills as they perform in small combos, big bands and jam sessions.
Auxiliary camp will be held July 16-19 for incoming freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors and offer two track options: drum major and color guard/majorette. In the drum major track, students will acquire skills in conducting techniques, showmanship, fundamentals of marching, leadership, score study, teaching and cleaning drill and problem solving within different areas of the band. In the color guard/majorette track, students will take classes in movement, flag, rifle, saber and performance and will acquire techniques to prepare them for marching season.
June 6 is the deadline to apply for the June camps, and July 11 is the deadline to apply for the July camps.
For an application or details, visit https://www.uamont.edu/academics/music/camp.html. Details: bandcamp@uamont.edu or (870) 460-1060.