The Dorchester Center for the Arts (DCA) is announcing a Call for Artists for its Annual Community Photography & Digital Arts Exhibit and Competition. This show is open to the public and offers three divisions: Youth, Amateur Adult, and Professional Adult. The exhibit will run Sept. 29-Nov. 12. The show is judged and each photographer may enter up to three works. Submissions should be numbered in order of preference, in the unlikely event that the number of photos received exceed gallery space available. Work must be original and never before shown at DCA. All photographs must be either gallery wrapped or matted and framed, and properly wired, so they are ready to hang. Digitally altered photos and photo collages are acceptable; however, if extensive alterations have been done, a notation must be included on the Registration and Label forms. Basic editing, such as cropping, color correcting or adjusting contrasts, is not considered to be digital alterations in this exhibit. Judging will be based upon the following criteria: quality of the photograph, originality, composition and overall presentation. Cash awards will be presented at the awards ceremony in each of the three divisions, and for Best Local Treasure (Eastern Shore.) In addition, DCA gift certificates will be presented for Best in Show, and ribbons will be awarded for People’s Choice and honorable mentions. There is no fee to submit for the Youth Division (18 and under); Amateur Adult Division fees are $8 per photo for DCA members, $10 for non-members; and Professional Adult Division fees are $10 for DCA members, $12 for non-members. The Registration deadline has been extended to Sept. 24, and all entries must be delivered to DCA on Sept. 24 or 26, between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., or on Sept. 25 between the hours of 1 and 5 p.m. The Artists’ Reception will be held on Oct. 8 from 5 – 7:30 p.m. and awards will be presented at that time. If artists chose to sell their work, DCA commission is 35 percent of the selling price. Artists should set pricing accordingly. All entries must be picked up on Nov. 13 between the hours of 1 and 5. p.m. or on Nov. 14, between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. For more information call 410-228-7782, or visit the website at dorchesterarts.org. Registration forms are available at DCA, located at 321 High St. in Cambridge. Register now for fall classes at DCA The Dorchester Center for the Arts (DCA) invites the community to participate in upcoming classes and programs. Supply lists for classes are available from DCA. • Oil Painting for Beginners and Intermediates - Instructor: Tom Ryan This class utilizes the grid method, and supports both beginners and more experienced students continuing to perfect their skills. Beginners learn the fundamentals of still life painting including color, composition, form, and materials; while intermediate students improve existing skills and explore increasingly complex challenges. More advanced students will complete finished, professional quality work. The six-week session will begin on Oct. 11 and the class meets from 9. a.m. to noon. Fees are $95 for DCA members; $135 for non-members. • Zentangle® Revisited – An Introduction – Instructor: Susan Green Zentangle® is an easy to learn, fun, and mindful way to create beautiful black and white images using patterns that exist within the environment. Zentangle art uses organized and repetitive patterns; increases focus and attention; develops creativity; and increases a sense of personal well being. No artistic experience is required. This class provides background information and sets the groundwork for personal Zentangle art. With guidance, students will learn 4-5 tangles; leave with 1-2 paper tiles completed, and will have what is needed to begin using this art form as a centering meditative practice. Susan Green is a Certified Zentangle® Teacher, and has been involved with the art for six years. One session will be held on Oct. 5 from 6 – 7:30 p.m. Fees are $25 for DCA members; $45 for non-members, and a $5 kit fee is payable to the instructor on the class date. • Knitting for Everyone - Instructor: Windy Karpavage Beginners as well as more experienced knitters will create projects using patterns purchased in the class. Supply prices vary depending on project selection, $50 – $200/project. Students work on one project until completion or can select from an array of projects. Pattern selections can be found at www.nonipatterns.com. No experience is necessary to enroll. Quality matters—all supplies are purchased through the instructor to ensure student success. The class is open to ages 16 to adult. Six week sessions run on Wednesday evenings, beginning Sept. 21 from 6 – 8 p.m. and the class is ongoing with additional sessions to follow. Fees are $75 for DCA members; $125 for non-members, and the supply fee is payable to instructor. Drop-ins are also welcome with fees at $15 per class for DCA members; $22 for non-members. • Traditional Rug Hooking - Instructor: Elissa Crouch This traditional rug hooking class uses 100 percent wool flannel, and the kit will be a pineapple that can be customized. Elissa Crouch is a certified McGown Teacher who has been teaching for 20 years, rug hooking for 35 years. One session, which will meet from 10:00 a.m. to 1 p.m., will be presented on Thursday mornings for 8 weeks beginning Sept. 29. Fees are $95 for DCA members; $135 for non-member, and there is a $125 kit fee that includes all wool flannel, pattern on linen, and hook. Students are welcome to bring a lunch or snack. • Decoy Carving for All - Instructor: Warren Saunders Students will carve a decoy using a knife or more advanced students will power carve in the Ward-style. All decoys are completed with paint. A $50 supply fee is payable to the instructor at the first class for the wood, paint, and eyes for the project. A list of additional supplies and power tools is available. Saunders is a master decoy carver who was born and raised in Dorchester County. He studied with noted carvers over the years, and participates in exhibitions throughout the Eastern United States. A 10-week session will be held on Thursday evenings, beginning Oct. 6 and will meet from 6 -9 p.m. Fees are $125 for DCA members, $165 for non-members, and a $50 supply fee is payable to the instructor. • Piano: Beginner to Intermediate - Young People and Adults - Instructor: Bonnie Forgacs Weekly piano lessons are being offered for beginner to intermediate level students of all ages. Children should be at least 7 years old; younger children can be accepted after an evaluation with the instructor. Lessons will include theory, technique, sight reading, and playing a variety of musical styles. Lessons will be individualized to meet the needs of each student. There will be themed recitals and students will write their own compositions. Instructor Bonnie Forgacs formerly maintained piano studios in Weston and Redding, Connecticut. Weekly sessions are held on Thursday, with actual times for the 30-minute lessons to be determined by the instructor. Fees are $20 per lesson and the session runs from October – December. • Voice: Classical Italian Style - Instructed by Bonnie Forgacs Vocal instruction in the classical Italian style will be individualized to meet the needs and goals of each student. Lessons are open to ages 13 and up. Classical vocal music, musical theater, technique, and singing in various languages are a few of the areas that can be explored. Weekly sessions are held on Thursday, with actual times for the 30-minute lessons to be determined by the instructor. Fees are $30 per lesson. Bonnie Forgacs is a mezzo soprano and gifted teacher, who has had a distinguished career in opera, oratorio, musical theatre, television, and radio. She has 24 opera roles in her repertoire, and has performed in many of the Gilbert & Sullivan operettas that she now enjoys sharing with young people. • Poetry Workshop with Sue Ellen Thompson The first of two poetry workshops will be held on September 21. (An additional workshop is scheduled for Nov. 16 with details to be announced at a later date.) The Sept. 21 session, which will meet from 6 – 8 p.m., is entitled, “Opening the Door: How Poems Begin.” Poets and poems are often remembered for their opening lines, and in this workshop, participants will explore some of the ways in which poets have traditionally chosen to open their poems; and then look at some poems that break with tradition and still manage to draw the reader in. The fee for this session is $50 for DCA members; $75 for non-members, and the session is open to poets at all levels, from beginner to advanced. For information on these and other programs, visit the DCA website at dorchesterarts.org and download the class schedule. Or, you can call 410-228-7782. Editor’s note: Spectrum is the weekly column of the Dorchester Arts Center. It is written by Mickey Love, executive director.