At the end of the school year, the SVCA brought three unusual programs to Sweetwater schools. The first program showcased Athens artist Ralph DeWitt at Brown Intermediate for a cartooning class called “Tricks of the Trade” with all students. Mr. DeWitt showed students how to draw cartoons and give the characters mood and personality. Students drew along with him and created their own cartoons.

The second program was a musical duo, Preston and Scott, makers of didgeridoos, Aborigines musical instruments. Sweetwater Elementary was the recipient of their entertaining and informative programs. They both played the instruments, made of hollow tree limbs and allowed students to try their skill at playing also. They had stories and pictures of their adventures in Australia with the Aborigines. Martin and Scott were at the Sweetwater Arts Celebration with many of their beautifully hand-decorated instruments. 

The third program was African-American folk artist Lem Sheppard who played the guitar and banjo while singing folk songs and telling students of the contributions of African-American cultural heritage in different regions of the country. He performed at Sweetwater Junior High and Brown Intermediate. Mr. Sheppard was such a hit that he will return this fall for a week-long workshop at Sweetwater Elementary. 

He does an entire program about the slave who accompanied Lewis and Clark on their historic journey across America. Lem will use his musical skills to enhance the study of Westward expansion in our country with third and fourth graders.