IMPACT is presented by the Ohio Arts Council (OAC) in partnership with the Ohio Arts Presenters Network (OAPN) and Arts Midwest. Spoken Hand began in 1996, when drummer Daryl Kwasi Burgee invited tabla player Lenny Seidman to join in the final ceremony of the 1996 AfricAmericas Festival at Philadelphia's African American Museum. Seidman brought with him a four man tabla batterie, and the concept of Spoken Hand was born. The synergy of the ensemble, whose drummers concentrated the richness and variety of a traditional drumming community on a single stage, resulted in a powerful, joyous ceremony, celebrated by artists and audiences alike. Burgee and Seidman set out to explore the potential of this phenomenon, fueled by a desire to see the collaboration extend past a one-time engagement. The ensemble made their national debut in 1998, playing to a sold-out house at the National Black Arts Festival in Atlanta. Since then, Spoken Hand has established itself as one of the most unique and vibrant groups performing in the genre of world music, showing a willingness to creatively extend themselves.

Summer IMPACT will feature educational outreach programs in each community in addition to the performances. For more information visit the Ohio Arts Council Web site at http://www.oac.state.oh.us/, call 614/466-2613 or e-mail kathy.cain@oac.state.oh.us.

Since 1998, IMPACT has been bringing international artists to Ohio each fall for a statewide tour of places of worship. Because of its popularity, the OAC, OAPN and Arts Midwest have partnered to create Summer IMPACT. Summer IMPACT continues the tradition of exposing new audiences to art forms from around the world through performances and festivals that unite communities around the state. IMPACT is designed to bring the best international performing arts groups to audiences in Ohio.

Spoken Hand Percussion Orchestra
Schedule of Performances
July 2006
All performances are free and open to the public.

Springfield Thursday, July 20, 8 p.m. Veterans Park Amphitheatre 250 Cliff Park Rd. Springfield OH 45504 Presented by Springfield Arts Council www.springfieldartscouncil.org 937/324-2712

Lakeside Monday, July 24, 8:15 p.m. Hoover Auditorium 3rd St & Walnut Ave. Lakeside OH 43440 Presented by Lakeside Association www.lakesideohio.com 419/798-4461

Ashland Thursday, July 27, 8 p.m. Myers Memorial Band Shell Parkside Dr., Brookside Park Ashland OH 44805 Presented by City of Ashland www.ashlandarts.org 419/281-9836

Growing Pains features artwork by Ohio artists working in a wide range of media and exploring the many markers in life's journey-from family dynamics to that place we call home.

"There is no guidebook, no way to plan, and no absolute path. Childhood, adolescence, career, marriage, children, aging-it's anyone's guess what is the best way to navigate these universals," said curator Bellamy Printz. "In this exhibition, we explore the voyage from infancy onward: growing up, parenting and growing old. The viewer is invited to dig below the surface, to remember, or consider a different time, different life choices."

As the experiences that frame us are varied so are the ways in which artists can explore these themes. Growing Pains brings together many artistic disciplines from Janis Mars Wunderlich's witty sculptures to mixed-media works by Michael Arrigo. Each artist seizes different influential experiences to explore. Bridgette Murphy Milligan revisits her childhood home in her mixed media paintings; Paige Williams' abstract latex paintings explore her role as a new mother and look at the lexicon of new imagery that has entered her life; while Eliana Calle-Saari's woodcut prints are rich with her exploration of cultural identity and the cross generational ties between mothers and daughters.

Summer gallery hours from July 27 to September 13 are: Tuesday, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.; Wednesday, 10 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.; Thursday, 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.; Friday, 10 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday noon - 4 p.m. The gallery is closed Monday and state holidays. Admission is free. For more information, visit http://www.riffegallery.org/, e-mail riffegallery@oac.state.oh.us or phone 614/644-9624. To schedule a free group tour contact Riffe Gallery Director Mary Gray at mary.gray@oac.state.oh.us or 614/728-2239.