International Artists Swarm to McDaniel College for Common Ground on the Hill

Forty-two years ago, Common Ground existed as nothing more than a seed in Walt Michael’s head and as words in a letter sent to nationally-recognized peace activist Ira Zepp.

The principals were firmly established: provide the opportunity to teach and study musical instruments and art forms representing various ethnic and cultural traditions.

And in 1994, Michael moved to Westminster to found Common Ground on the Hill. Years later, it still perpetuates the ideas of social justice and artistic inspiration.

Common Ground is held the first and second weeks of July at McDaniel College. Artists travel from around the globe to attend the camp, and from 9 a.m. until 5:30 p.m., attendees can learn to hone their bodies, their visual artwork or their instrumental prowess, no matter the skill level.

Though those are only the established times for courses, Common Ground continues late into the night with concerts that are open to the community, with different themes ranging from Celtic to blues. There are also informal “Common Ground After Dark,” sessions where musicians, poets and performers form circles in the campus gazebo or rock garden to jam and share their art.

Michael said that though Common Ground has expanded in its 17 years, there are still staple courses and lectures present that have been present since the beginning.

“We’ve always had a gospel choir and from the very beginning we had Native American Culture,” he said “The growth that has occurred is the involvement of the Carroll County public school teachers.”

Carroll County often pays public school teachers to attend Common Ground as a part of the federally mandated Diversity Training requirement. Michael said that the teachers have become instrumental in spreading the ideals of Common Ground.

“The fact that teachers are taking our curriculum, it means that the curriculum is reaching students in some way,” he said. “Whether it’s through lesson plans, Capstone projects, or their lives are changed by being around these folks.”

Michael said that he invites anyone to attend Common Ground and be a part of the experience.

“My moniker has become lately: if you think you know what Common Ground is, but you haven’t been to Common Ground, you don’t know what it is,” he said. “It’s a very broad thing. You could even go to Common Ground and know what it is by way of your experience but you’re not the migrant worker who came here and took classes in Chinese, you might be the person who came here to take Swing Guitar.”

Below are several courses offered in each artistic category.

Recommended Beginner Courses

Lecture Series: The lecture series at Common Ground relates to the various ethnicities present on campus, as well as various causes and activists, such as cleaning up the Chesapeake Bay. Open to the public. For a full listing, click here.

"Search for Common Ground": Artists present their work that they perform in their local communities, and how that functions, as well discussing political, environmental and social issues from across the globe.

"Searching for the Right Instrument": Participants can play 20 different instruments to figure out which is suited for them. You can proceed to focus on any instrument you choose.

Visual Courses

Anyone Can Draw!: "This class will teach you how to learn to 'see' as it relates to drawing and will introduce fundamental concepts in composition and developing drawing skills. Throughout the week, participants will do a series of exercises with a particular focus on the process of drawing. Each exercise will culminate in a group critique and are designed to achieve significant progress.

Japanese Dyeing, Painting and Texturing-- Fabric Surface Design: "Participants will explore numerous ways to accentuate a variety of fabrics for use in garments, quilts, and wall hangings, and also explore blending color rolls with dip dyeing and the use of a spray compressor. Layering and sandwiching with sheer fabrics and found objects such as plant materials or feathered trinkets will be emphasized."

Instrumental Courses

Beginner Fiddle: "This beginning level class will teach the basics of playing the violin, with the goal of having students emerge from the class with the confidence and techniques necessary to play simple fiddle tunes. Tuning, bowing, scales, intonation and tunes themselves will be taught in this first step into the fascinating world of fiddling."

African Drumming with Sankofa Dance Theater: "This morning course will teach the rudiments and nuances of African drumming as played for dance. Drumming is a community-building experience; teenage understudies from the Sankofa Youth Ensemble will assist principal Sankofa teachers."

Physical Courses

Mexican Folkloric Dance: "Class participants will experience and learn a delicious taste of folklore from Mexico. The goal is to share the beauty of the popular period through a Mexican dance called 'Los Viejitos,' the Dance of the Elderly, which comes from the state of Michoacán. The dance is performed with a great sense of humor - the dancers wear masks of smiling elderly people that have lost some teeth, yet the skin color is rosy and full of youth."

Yoga: "A wonderful way to get centered and greet your morning at Common Ground on the Hill, this class is for everyone: those who have practiced Yoga for years and those who are eager to try it out. The class focuses on optimal alignment by increasing strength and flexibility as well as integrating the body, mind, and spirit to celebrate wholeness and inner peace."

For a full course listing, click here. Course information courtesy of Common Ground on the Hill.

Keep an eye out for more artist profiles, as well as information about the weekend Roots Festival July 9-10.