The season of thanks and giving is upon us. Everyone here at DCA extends a heartfelt thanks to the community for your support. Donors and sponsors, visitors and volunteers, stage performers, program participants and presenters – the entire creative circle we call family. We extend to you our gratitude – we are not a community art center without you! Join us over the next few weeks to share in the holiday spirit.

Bring friends and family for a final visit to the Smithsonian Water/Ways exhibit, open Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday noon – 4 p.m. On Dec. 5, DCA welcomes D. M. Paul Lewis for a concert from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.

Fresh from the “America’s Got Talent” auditions, Paul will perform singing, playing the guitar, the harmonica and the piano. Hear his original pieces as well as traditional songs. Admission is $10 for DCA members, $12 non-members.

Dec. 14, Helen Bannon will present a candy house decorating workshop, 10 a.m.-11 a.m. and 11 a.m.-Noon (two workshops, two times!). All ages enjoy decorating these houses. A great start to the holidays and a wonderful family tradition. Children 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult. $8 DCA members, $10 non-members.

Dec. 14 will also feature a Second Saturday Artists’ Reception with a lively community choir sing and festive holiday treats from 5-7:30 p.m. The traditional holiday show and sale “Wednesday Morning Artists and Friends Gallery of Gifts” continues in the galleries through Dec. 23; a showcase of local artists and hand-crafted work for thoughtful gift giving.

The Chorus of Dorchester, under the direction of Cookie Brohawn, brings the sounds of the season to the George B. Todd Performance Hall on Dec. 17. This annual holiday concert will begin at 7 p.m. and admission is free. DCA will be closed for the holidays from Dec. 24 through Jan. 1.

Next Up: Annual Members’ Show
The New Year brings the Annual Members’ Show to the galleries Jan. 7–24, with an Artists’ Reception and Awards Ceremony Jan. 11, 5–7:30 p.m. This exhibition is open to all Dorchester Center for the Arts members. If you are unsure about the status of your membership, please call the Center to verify. If you are not yet a member, now is the perfect time to join.

emberships make great holiday gifts, too! All show entries must be original works of the exhibiting artist. “Original” means never having occurred or existed before, and invented or created by the exhibitor. No copies of art or photographs by other persons may be exhibited.

Work shown in a previous DCA Members’ Show may not be entered again. Find complete information and application form online at www.dorchesterarts.org.

The winter program catalog will soon be out. Watch for the news on Facebook or visit online at www.dorchesterarts.org. For more information on additional programs and events, membership, volunteer opportunities or facility rentals, phone 410-228-7782 or stop by 321 High St. in Cambridge. Like us on Facebook! Programs at DCA are supported by the Maryland State Arts Council.

Editor’s note: Spectrum is the weekly column of the Dorchester Arts Center. It is written by Barbara J. Seese, executive director.