The Tryon Fine Arts Center is beginning its second year of Explore the Arts, a series of programs planned to pique your curiosity and creativity, and to explore diversity in todays arts.

Each program is planned for the first Thursday of the month from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the Mahler Family Board Room at TFAC, located at 34 Melrose Avenue in Tryon.

The schedule is as follows:

September 2: Explore Installation and Found Object Art – Janet Orselli, artist. Create art with what youve got in your house, yard and memory. Janet Orselli will discuss the creative process involved in this popular art form.

October 7: Explore Poetry in Black – Warren Carson, Ph.D., African American Literature. Who are the best contemporary African American poets? What do their poetic voices say about our America? Carson leads the discussion with readings from modern poets.

November 4: Explore Altered Photography – Elaine Pearsons, photographer. Pearsons demonstrates the process of hand-altered, embellished photography.

January 6: Explore Music, Mystery and Method – Mark Schweizer, writer. Author of six highly acclaimed liturgical, comical mysteries, Schweizer mixes music, mystery, and mayhem as he leads participants down the road to literary perdition.

February 3: Explore Drumming Around the World # 2 – River Guerguerian, percussionist. River Guerguerian returns&bsp; to explore more drumming around the world, emphasizing the percussion of the Himalayas: Tibetan singing bowls, gongs, cymbals, and water with John Vorus on the didgeridoo.

March 3: Explore Contemporary Dance – Kathleen Carson, artist and dancer. The Tap Dames and Dude explore this unique American dance form.

April 7: Explore Photography In and Around the Garden – Chris Bartol, photographer. Bartol will combine his expertise with cameras, computers and technology and his enthusiasm and humor to reveal secrets you can use to capture the beauty in your own garden.

May 5: Explore&bsp; Art on a Plate – acclaimed chefs and artists. Like to eat? Enticed by tantalizing tastes and colorful cuisine? There will be demonstrations by creative chefs, displays of artistry with food, and tastes for the palate.

The TFAC committee includes cochairmen Jean Pettigrew and Chris Bartol, along with Warren Carson, Marianne Carruth, Jeanie Daniel, Sofia Dow, Pat Ferullo, Frances McCain, Mimi Traxler, Judy Warden.

No reservations are necessary. Light refreshments will be served. For further information call 828-859-8322 or visit the web site www.tryonarts.org.