Eufaula Area Arts Council is pleased to announce two new Board of Directors members, Lenore Bechtel and Chelsea Lewis.

The announcement came during the last Board of Directors meeting on April 18 at the Chamber of Commerce building.

Lenore Bechtel said, “As a founding member of the Jordan River Arts Council in Michigan, I enjoyed seeing it grow to have its own gallery and its own performing arts group. It’s now a privilege for me to serve as a director of an already established arts council that provides many opportunities for the community. My wish is for the Eufaula Arts Council to someday have its own building for both a gallery and a live theatre venue.”

Executive Director Glenna McBride said Eufaula Area Arts is committed to promoting and incorporating the arts into this community for the betterment of its residents.

“With its educational outreach platform and various art projects, such as Eufaula Summer Arts, the council aims to enhance the quality of life in this rural area. With the addition of new board members and their vision, the council is looking forward to expanding its reach and impact,” Mc-Bride said.

Projects this year include the creation and sponsorship of the Eufaula Performing and Arts Club for kids.

“They had their first successful performance of a play called ‘10 Ways to Survive the Zombie Apocalypse’ by Don Zolidis. There is also the renewal of the summer arts program on June 5-9 to be held at the Eufaula High School.” Mc-Bride said.

The program will have seven Teaching Artists inspiring kids in the 1st through 12th grades. Eufaula and area students will learn about storytelling and dance, cartoon drawing, African drumming, painting and drawing, sewing, several types of printmaking and vocal music.

The upcoming Eufaula Summer Arts -2023 program is a creative opportunity for children to discover and explore their artistic talents while having fun and meeting new friends.

Students are eligible for hardship scholarships that are unable to pay the $50 per week enrollment fee if they have Medicaid, Medicare or other aid.

Interested parents can enroll their children by visiting the Eufaula Area Arts Council at www.eufaulaareaarts. org or by picking up an enrollment form at Eufaula Chamber of Commerce on North Main or contacting glenna.mcbride@.

Filled-out enrollment forms can also be delivered to the Eufaula Chamber of Commerce.

The works of Eufaula Area Arts are funded in part thanks to the generous grants, awards and partnerships provided by the Carol Watson Rural Oklahoma Community Foundation, Oklahoma Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Acknowledgment of gratitude is also given to Vickie Allen, a Director of Eufaula Area Arts for her praiseworthy contributions, who passed away this year.