Join the Barbara Ingram School for the Arts Foundation to celebrate our seniors! Take a stroll through downtown to see the lamp post signs for each 2021 graduate. We are incredibly proud of our students!

Stephane Mohr ‘16 closed a chapter when she graduated from the BISFA Creative Writing department and began writing a book. Her debut collection of poetry and prose, “This Heart,” is described by the author as “sad, strong [and] uplifting.” She explained, “Most of these started out as just notes I would write to myself when I was having a bad day. A lot of them are journal entries and just pieces of me remembering good things to get me through bad times… I realized I had a lot of stuff that… other people could also use.”
Mohr hopes this book reminds its readers that they are not alone and advises artists that, “the most important thing you can do is consume art in all of its forms.” “This Heart,” is available now at Barnes and Noble and Amazon.
Written by Kelsi Maddock ’17
After Josh Hollin ‘15 played upright bass as an BISFA Instrumental Music major, he dropped the bass under the stage name PAJAMA JOSH. His passion for music began at his father’s marching band rehearsals and in the backseat of his mother’s car. This encompassing love for music led him to audition for ABC’s vocal music competition, “American Idol”: “One of the first CDs I would listen to growing up was the “American Idol” Season 2 compilation CD with Ruben Studdard and Clay Aiken. I would steal this CD from my mom’s car visor, pop it into my walkman, and sing (scream) along to the cast version of God Bless the USA. As I got older and watched more ‘eccentric’ contestants like Adam Lambert and Jax pave their own lane on the show. I saw that there might be a space for me, so I auditioned, and now, here we are!”
You can follow Hollin’s career on social media and music streaming platforms under the name PAJAMA JOSH, and the new season of “American Idol” premiers on Feb. 14 at 8 p.m. ET.
Written by Kelsi Maddock ’17
The Barbara Ingram School for the Arts Foundation recently asked BISFA students to share what distance learning is really like.
Please take a few moments to watch these creative, thoughtful videos that give you a peek into the day-to-day of today’s high school students, in real life (IRL). Thank you to all the students who participated!
While the Holiday Spectacular looks a little different this year, we hope you’ll join us in celebrating the season with the students and staff of BISFA!
This holiday season, Give the Gift of BISFA to someone special! Making a donation in someone’s honor is a simple way to make a meaningful impact. The Barbara Ingram School for the Arts Foundation offers a number of ways to put BISFA under the tree this year:
On December 1st, also known as Giving Tuesday, donors will receive a special BISFA Foundation-branded gift based on the levels below:
Keep it for yourself or give it as a gift! We will reach out to all Giving Tuesday donors by December 7th to coordinate a time to pick up your gift. Shipping will be available to those outside Washington County.
It’s more important than ever to support, nurture, and develop young student artists, scholars, and leaders of the future. Through the Arts young people learn respect, creativity, inclusiveness, excellence, poise, confidence, a sense of community. and so much more. And our community benefits equally by being entertained, inspired, and enriched. The benefits derived are much greater than what we give.
Thank you for supporting the BISFA Foundation on Giving Tuesday and every day!
On Wednesday, September 23, 2020, Washington County Public Schools hosted a virtual ribbon cutting for the new BISFA building!
From WCPS:
We are celebrating expanded space and enhanced educational opportunities for our students at this beautiful new school in downtown Hagerstown! Join us as we take a short tour around the building and officially mark the opening of the Vincent Rauth Groh Academic Center at the Barbara Ingram School for the Arts.
The Barbara Ingram School for the Arts Foundation “Hearts for the Arts” Annual Membership Campaign provides the additional financial support necessary for students to experience master classes, an enriched arts curriculum, artist-in-residence instructors and guest performers/instructors and off-site learning opportunities. The Barbara Ingram School for the Arts Foundation believes students should be provided the best opportunities to discover and develop their artistic talents and grow as artists. We believe that such growth is rooted in a strong academic foundation along with partnerships with businesses and the arts community.
Updated May 5, 2020
Dr. Ann Anders
Katie Anderson Laurie Bender Gosia Carter Larry DeHaan Roman Ganoe James Gelwicks Karen Giffin Ken Grove Dr. Rob Hovermale Linda Howard Steve Hummel |
Denise Hunt
Victoria Neiman Peter Perini Joan Perrin Elizabeth Schulze Randy Scott Paula Stokes Mary Helen Strauch Kathleen Swayze Toni Webb Marcella Whitmore Vicki Willman |
A huge “THANK YOU” to the Washington County Chamber of Commerce, 28 South, and C&O Taco for sharing this fun day with the BISFA Foundation!
Original Post:
EVENT DETAILS
On Tuesday, May 5, 2020, Barbara Ingram School for the Arts Foundation is joining in the international #GivingTuesdayNow and request that you please join us in this effort. In this unprecedented year of pain and uncertainty, which in normal times would have been one of joy and celebration as the school marks its 10th anniversary, it is more important than ever to support, nurture, and develop these young student artists, scholars, and leaders of the future.
By supporting BISFA, we all gain in so many ways. Through the Arts young people learn respect, creativity, inclusiveness, excellence, poise, confidence, a sense of community. and so much more. And our community benefits equally by being entertained, inspired, and enriched to name only a few. We are fortunate to have this wonderful school in the heart of our downtown! Please join with me and the other members of the BISFA Board and donate to the best of your ability on Tuesday May 5th. Our benefits derived are much greater than what we give. Thank YOU!
~ Mary Helen Strauch
BISFA Foundation Secretary
Paul and Latta Mellott
Your support directly impacts the daily success of BISFA students and the opportunities are as unique and diverse as they are! From program sponsorship to seasonal lamp posts and other campaigns, you are sure to find the perfect fit for your budget.
Make a difference..donate today!Located in the Heart of the Arts and Entertainment District in downtown Hagerstown, Maryland.
38 S Potomac St Hagerstown MD 21740Suite 305Phone: (240) 347-4934