As the new president of the Contemporaries, Kathryn G. Hermans has quite a task in front of her. She’ll be leading the group that raises money for Temple’s Cultural Activities Center - the hubbub for local art and history works.

She starts her term with many years of club experience behind her. She’s served as vice president and committee chair while working on dozens of projects.

As for her new role, Ms. Hermans said she’s enjoying it.

“A big goal is to increase participation,” she said, mentioning that meeting attendance can be sporadic. “In order to be more inclusive of the people with full-time jobs, I’ve moved to the meeting times to noon.”

The meeting day will remain the third Wednesday of the month unless otherwise announced.

Several projects are already planned.

Launching the year’s activities, the Contemporaries’ President’s Coffee will take place Aug. 27 at the home of Raye Virginia Allen, the founding mother of the CAC.

“This being the CAC’s 50th year, so we thought that would be a good way to celebrate,” said club member Marianne Stringfellow. “Ms. Allen is the woman who helped get the CAC started.”

Fall for the Contemporaries will mean the continuation of two of its longtime projects - the Hands On program and acting as CAC docents.

“As docents for arts and education at the CAC, we recruit professional travelling companies to come and give entertaining educational programs,” Ms. Stringfellow said.

Covering a variety of topics from dance to mythology, the programs usually take place once a month.

An interactive program for third and fourth graders in Bell County, Hands On is the Contemporaries’ way of introducing art to children.

“The purpose is to flesh out the art experience,” Ms. Stringfellow said. “Each class is divided into four groups - art, gallery, movement and theater. Each year, we use a different theme.”

España will be the focus of this year’s Hands On program. Theater activities will be based on “Fernando the Bull,” a short story about a big, strong bull who doesn’t like to fight.

“Countries are fun themes,” Ms. Stringfellow said. “They have a lot of built-in things that are easy and fun to do.”

Two hours in length, programs will start at the end of August and run twice a week through the end of October.

To enlist the aid of local teachers, the Contemporaries has added a new program to its educational calendar.

“We will be inviting teachers to an after-hours social so they can preview our material,” Ms. Hermans said. “We want to make sure our programs meet task objectives.”

To celebrate the holidays, the Contemporaries will have their BOW-tique Nov. 4-5. Christmas decorations and handcrafted items from local vendors will be on sale. Proceeds will benefit the community. The Contemporaries disperses the revenue among local charities and food pantries.

And the gala - the Contemporaries’ largest fund-raising effort for the CAC - is set for Jan. 31.

“Supported by members and friends alike, the gala is always a fun and elegant evening that raises money for a good cause,” Ms. Hermans said.

Almost echoing those words, Ms. Stringfellow said people should plan on attending the enjoyable evening.

“The gala’s success comes from generous participation from the community,” Ms. Stringfellow said. “Calendars need to be marked.”

--tlunsford@temple-telegram.com