Oh, to be living in South Dakota at the end of May! For most of us adults, the weather itself is a wonderful treat; however, area school kids have the added bonus of the end of the year to celebrate.

To add its part to the festivities, Yankton Area Arts recently presented its 2010 J. Laiten Weed Scholarships to two graduating Yankton High School seniors, Matthew Black and Kate Ehresmann. These two students were selected from a group of wonderful candidates. Thank you to all the applicants we had — it made for a difficult decision this year!

Matthew Black has shown a strong commitment to Yankton High School with his participation in several school activities over the course of the past four years. To name just a few, Matthew has been a member of All-State Choir, Student Council and Jazz Band. In the fall, Matthew will attend the University of South Dakota, where he will major in Music Performance.

Kate Ehresmann has actively participated in the Chamber Music Contest and Yankton High School Orchestra. Kate has displayed a strong sense of community with her volunteer services and participation in area events. Ehresmann will be attending the University of South Dakota in Vermillion and plans to major in Health Sciences.

This scholarship was established in 1990 by the Yankton Area Arts board. The scholarship is designed to encourage graduating Yankton High School seniors to continue to pursue their education in one of the art disciplines. The scholarship is an annual award of two $500 gifts. Yankton Area Arts is grateful we are able to help further the education of such gifted individuals!

J. Laiten Weed was one of the first professional string instrument instructors in South Dakota and was the director of the Yankton College Conservatory of Music. Weed was also instrumental in forming the South Dakota Honors Orchestra, which is still in existence today.

Yankton Area Arts is proud to say that Weed was one of the first members of our organization. Hats off to Matthew and Kate for following in this wonderful tradition!

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Although school has come to a close for the summer, Yankton Area Arts will be continuing our educational efforts by offering a Memoirs Writing workshop on June 16th at the G.A.R. Hall Art Gallery. Writing Coach Bev Oliver from Sioux Falls will be facilitating the class “Writing Your Memoirs: The Early Years.” The class is scheduled from 1-5 p.m. and is designed to assist you in documenting your own personal history. During the workshop, you will be presented with writing guidelines for your memoir, literary warm-ups, techniques and in-class exercises.

Ms. Oliver holds a Bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education-English Communications and a Masters in Environmental Interpretation.

The cost of the workshop is $20 per student and it would be a perfect opportunity to start putting your own past onto paper. If you are interested in registering or would like more details, please contact the Yankton Area Arts office at 605-665-9754.

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Even beyond the J. Laiten Weed Scholarships and the Memoirs Writing workshop, there are many wonderful things in store this summer for area residents who are interested in the arts — so stay tuned to this column for more exciting activities to come.

In the meantime, make sure and stop in and see us at Yankton Area Arts. There are just a few weeks left to catch Susan Heggestad’s fantastic exhibit and the weather is just right for a lovely stroll down to the G.A.R Hall Art Gallery. I hope to see you there!

YAA Calendar of Events:

• through June 15 — “Variations on a Theme: One-of-a-Kind Prints” featuring the works of Susan Heggestad;

• May 22 — Landscape and Fantasy Art Lesson Studio Art Center. Call 665-4686 to register;

• May 28 — USD Photo Show Reception at the Art House Gallery at 110 W 3rd Street, 7-9 p.m.

• June 16 — Memoir Writing Workshop: “Writing Your Memoirs: The Early Years” with Bev Oliver, from 1-5 p.m. Call 665-9754 to register.

For more information on area art events please visit our calendar online at www.YanktonAreaArts.org

The G.A.R. Hall Gallery and Yankton Area Arts office are located at 508 Douglas Avenue, Yankton. The gallery is open to the public free of charge from 1-5 p.m. weekdays and from 1-3 p.m. on Saturdays. For more information, please contact Pam Meylor, executive director, via e-mail at Pam@YanktonAreaArts.org or drop us a line at 665-9754.