September/October 2006 Published by the Ohio Arts Council
 
2007 Governor’s Awards for the Arts in Ohio Online Nominations Open

Do you work with an organization that contributes significant resources to the arts in its community? Do you know an artist whose work makes a considerable impact on his/her community? Can you think of an individual that has shown visionary leadership to an arts organization? Is there someone in your community that has made extraordinary advancements to arts education in your schools and local programs? You should nominate this person or organization for a 2007 Governor’s Award for the Arts in Ohio.

The Ohio Arts Council is now accepting nominations for the 2007 Governor’s Awards for the Arts in Ohio. The annual awards are given to Ohio individuals and organizations in recognition of outstanding contributions to the arts statewide, regionally and nationally. Deadline for nominations is Monday, October 16, 2006.

Submit your nominations and support letters online. A complete explanation of the nomination process is available on the 2007 Governor's Awards for the Arts in Ohio and Arts Day Luncheon Web site. Nominations will only be accepted online. For more information about the Governor’s Award nomination process contact Jodie Engle at the Ohio Arts Council, 727 East Main Street, Columbus OH 43205-1796; phone 614/466-2613; fax 614/466-4494; e-mail stephanie.dawson@oac.state.oh.us.

Awards are given for Arts Administration, Arts in Education, Arts Patron, Business Support of the Arts, Community Development and Participation and Individual Artist. Winners will receive a work of art by Ohio mixed-media artist Brian Joiner at a public ceremony during Arts Day.

Julie S. Henahan Hired as
Ohio Arts Council Executive Director


Executive Director Julie S. Henahan		  

The Ohio Arts Council Board has chosen former Ohio Arts Council Deputy Director Julie Henahan as the new OAC Executive Director. Henahan had been serving as Interim Executive Director since early April of this year when Wayne Lawson, former OAC Executive Director, retired.

“The Search Committee was looking for someone to lead one of the best arts councils in the nation and Julie Henahan has demonstrated her commitment to this level of excellence,” said Susan Sofia, Ohio Arts Council Board Chair. “During her tenure with the Council she has demonstrated her dedication to serving individual artists, arts organizations and arts communities throughout the state. Julie is familiar with the full range of arts activities in the state of Ohio and is well known and respected regionally and nationally. She is diplomatic, intelligent and dedicated, and brings continuity to the Ohio Arts Council with her experience and knowledge of the agency’s past and dedication to its mission in the future. Transitions in leadership always come with challenges, but I am confident that with the support of the OAC Board, staff and our constituents that this transition will be smooth.”

“I am honored and very happy to accept this challenge and appreciate the Council’s trust and confidence in me to oversee the continuing legacy at the Ohio Arts Council. With the support and hard work of the Ohio Arts Council board and the experience of a talented staff, I look forward to working with the Governor’s office, Legislature, Ohio arts organizations and artists to carry the mission of the Ohio Arts Council to the citizens of our wonderful state and to sharing that mission with our regional, national and international partners.”

Henahan is a long-tenured member of the Ohio Arts Council staff with nearly 22 years experience as an arts administrator. Henahan has also honed her leadership and visioning skills through a close-mentor relationship with former Executive Director Wayne Lawson and Deputy Director Sue Neumann. In addition, her recent role in leading three important projects at the Ohio Arts Council demonstrates her knowledge of the national arts environment, professionalism and capability to take the agency to new heights.


SAVE THE DATE!

The Governor’s Awards for the Arts in Ohio and Arts Day Luncheon will be held in conjunction with Arts Day, March 21, 2007. This daylong event demonstrating public value and support for the arts is sponsored by Ohio Citizens for the Arts Foundation. Arts Day will include an arts advocacy briefing, legislative visits, arts tradeshow, Statehouse tours and student exhibitions. For more information on Arts Day 2007, visit http://www.ohiocitizensforthearts.org/or call 614/221-4064.

Arts Day was created to foster a greater awareness of the value of the arts in Ohio. Citizens are encouraged to participate in Arts Day by visiting with their state legislators and communicating the need for public support of the arts and arts education. Each year on Arts Day the Capitol is filled with arts supporters sharing the importance of the arts in their communities. To learn more about participating in Arts Day contact Ohio Citizens for the Arts Foundation at mailto:info@ohiocitizensforthearts.orgor 614/221-4064.

The 2007 Governor’s Awards for the Arts in Ohio and Arts Day Luncheon is made possible by Duke Energy and Ohio Government Telecommunications.

Ohio Citizens for the Arts Foundation was formed in 1990 as a companion organization of the Ohio Citizens for the Arts, which was established in 1976. OCA is a volunteer, nonprofit grass roots organization working to increase public support of the arts in Ohio. Through the efforts of thousands of individuals and arts and education organizations, Ohio Citizens for the Arts advocates on behalf of the Ohio Arts Council and the arts throughout the state.

Legislative Spotlight

  

Representative
Tom Raga (R)

District 67

Years in Office: Six


Hometown: Mason

Education: B.S. in Agricultural Economics, Cornell University

Standing Committees:
Finance and Appropriations (Vice Chair)
Agriculture and Development Subcommittee
Primary and Secondary Education Subcommittee

Memberships/Affiliations:
Warren County Foundation; Warren County Republican Party; Warren County Humane Association; Farm Bureau; Warren County: Strengthening Our Families; Young Republicans; Delta Upsilon Alumni Association; Moeller Alumni Association

Recent Honors: Candidate for Lieutenant Governor with Ken Blackwell

Personal: Born 1965, Married,
2 children

Favorite Arts Pastime:
Reading and attending the symphony

Favorite Artist:
Conductor Paavo Järvi

Most Memorable Arts Experience: Viewing the European Collection at the Met in New York

 
Field Bouquet, by Gary Harwood

Riffe Gallery Photography Exhibition Offers Portrait of Migrant Life

The Ohio Arts Council’s Riffe Gallery presents Growing Season: The Life of a Migrant Community in the lobby of the Vern Riffe Center for Government and the Arts from September 19 to October 25, 2006.

With photographs by Gary Harwood and text panels by David Hassler, Growing Season portrays the life of a community of migrant workers in northeast Ohio. These portraits show a community rich in social capital and give voice in a new way to a group of people largely unseen and misunderstood.

Harwood discovered that the workers and their families live in a strong, tightly knit community supported by the Hartville Migrant Center and many caring neighbors. About 70 percent of the workers return annually to this small Ohio town where they have established solid friendships and stable lives. Through the course of four growing seasons, Harwood came to know and gain the trust of the Mexican American and Mexican migrant families who travel each year to Ohio from the southern United States and Mexico.

From the beginning he displayed his photographs on the walls of the Migrant Center so that the entire community of more than 300 workers and their families could see what he found to be special and captivating about their lives. Though his work began with field photos, over time he focused more on family pictures, as he was invited to photograph baptisms, first communions, weddings, birthday parties and private family events.

In 2004 writer David Hassler began collaborating with Harwood on this documentary project. That spring, when the workers returned to the farm, David began interviewing the migrants as well as community members and volunteers at the center. Working from the transcripts of his interviews, David wrote first-person narratives that speak with the voices of the people themselves.

The narratives with Harwood’s photographs give viewers an intimate glimpse into the lives of this tight-knit community and provide a new understanding of the migrant experience.

Growing Season is on view in the Riffe Center lobby from September 19 to October 25. The Vern Riffe Center for Government and the Arts is on the corner of State and High streets, downtown Columbus. For more information, visit http://www.riffegallery.org/, e-mail riffegallery@oac.state.oh.us or phone 614/644-9624.

Ohio Arts Council Holds Regional Meetings throughout Ohio

The Ohio Arts Council will hold a series of FREE regional meetings and receptions in October. The meetings will allow constituents to meet the OAC’s new Executive Director Julie Henahan, as well as offer presentations on the Ohio Arts Council’s 2006-2009 Strategic Plan, Ohio Arts Council Guidelines updates, arts advocacy and other important OAC announcements. Attendees will have opportunities to participate in round table discussions about OAC grant programs, OnLine Grant Applications system (OLGA) and ArtsinOhio.com.
Advance registration is required at least one week before the meeting or reception.

Meetings:  

CANTON Wednesday, October 4, 1-4 p.m. Canton Museum of Art 1001 Market Ave. North
CLEVELAND Thursday, October 5, 9 a.m.-noon Idea Center

1375 Euclid Ave.

LIMA Wednesday, October 11, 1-4 p.m.

Veteran's Memorial Civic
& Convention Center

 7 Town Square
TOLEDO AREA Thursday, October 12, 9 a.m.-noon Franciscan Theatre & Conference
Center of Lourdes College		 6832 Convent Blvd.
COLUMBUS Thursday, October 19, 1-4 p.m. Columbus Museum of Art 480 East Broad St.
ATHENS Friday, October 20, 9 a.m.-noon ARTS/West 132 W State St.
DAYTON Monday, October 23, 1-4 p.m. Dayton Art Institute 456 Belmonte Park North
CINCINNATI Tuesday, October 24, 9 a.m.-noon Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park 962 Mt. Adams Circle

Receptions:  

CLEVELAND Wednesday, October 4, 5:30-7 p.m. Wyndham Cleveland at
Playhouse Square		 1260 Euclid Ave.
TOLEDO Wednesday, October 11, 5:30-7 p.m. Radisson Hotel Toledo 101 N. Summit St.
COLUMBUS Wednesday, October 18, 5:30-7 p.m. Ohio Statehouse Downtown Columbus, Capitol Atrium
ATHENS Thursday, October 19, 5:30-7 p.m. Ohio University Inn &
Conference Center		 331 Richland Ave.
CINCINNATI Monday, October 23, 5:30-7 p.m. Millemium Hotel
Cincinnati		 150 W. Fifth St.

All are welcome for hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar.

The regional meetings and receptions are free; however registration will be limited. Complete registration information, parking instructions, meeting agendas and more information is available on the OAC Web site at http://www.oac.state.oh.us/.

 
10 Simple Things to Do to Celebrate Arts & Humanities Month

1. Include the National Arts and Humanities Month logo in your newsletter.

2. Invite your state legislator to an arts event.

3. Read a book out loud.

4. During dinner, have each family member share one creative thing they did that day.

5. Donate used books to local schools and libraries and encourage others in the community to do the same.

6. Notify all local cultural groups that October is National Arts and Humanities Month; encourage collaborations and partnerships!

7. Write a letter to your state legislator or member of Congress listing events in the district during the month.

8. Read the arts section of the newspaper first.

9. Take up a musical instrument—or rekindle your interest in one.

10. Ask the local convention and visitors’ bureau to include a National Arts and Humanities Month flier in all October mailings.

Read the entire listing of ideas for National Arts & Humanities month activities on the AmericansfortheArts Web site.

Celebrate National Arts & Humanities Month!


 

The Ohio Arts Council is encouraging Ohio citizens to take part in the arts during National Arts & Humanities Month. October marks the month-long celebration that provides hundreds of exciting opportunities for Ohioans to participate in and appreciate the arts. Organized nationally by Americans for the Arts, arts organizations across the country will recognize the importance of the arts in our communities.

The OAC urges artists and arts organizations to participate in Arts & Humanities Month by planning activities to honor the cultural heritage and arts in communities throughout the state. Many organizations offer discounts on tickets throughout the month of October or select a special event to celebrate National Arts & Humanities Month. People interested in taking advantage of these special offers can visit ArtsinOhio.com and click on the special National Arts & Humanities month logo to see a list of special offers throughout the state.

Everyone in the community is encouraged to participate in what has become this country’s largest annual collective celebration of the arts and humanities. Organizations interested in promoting their Arts & Humanities Month events may enter events on http://www.ohioeventfinder.com/ to be included in the special promotion on ArtsinOhio.com.

National Arts and Humanities Month is coordinated by Americans for the Arts, the national organization working to empower communities with the resources and support necessary to provide access to all of the arts for all of the people. More information about National Arts and Humanities Month is available online at www.AmericansForTheArts.org/nahm or www.oac.state.oh.us/events/artsandhumanitiesmonth.asp. 

In Fond Memory …

Hilary Morrow Fletcher, 64, friend and director of Quilt National, died on August 11, 2006 in Columbus. As director of Quilt National starting in 1982, Fletcher placed this biennial international quilt show and Athens, on the world map as the premier exhibition of contemporary art quilts. An endowment has been set up to honor the memory of Fletcher, the driving force behind the success of Quilt National and a longtime friend and supporter of Quilt art. This endowment will fund an award given at each Quilt National opening.

Ora Eaton Anderson, 94, of Athens died August 16, 2006 at The Lindley Inn, The Plains. Born October 5, 1911 in Hendricks, Kentucky, Eaton was a strong supporter of the arts. He encouraged many local artists and students by allowing them to create works of art in the fields and woodlands of his farm. He received many honors including the Eusebia Hunkins Award for Life Time Support of the Arts in 1994, The Ohio Designer Craftsman Outstanding Achievement Award and Ohio Arts Council Governor’s Award for the arts in 1999. He was a former board member of the Ohio Arts Council. He and his wife were instrumental in the preservation, restoration and development of The Dairy Barn in Athens.

Masumi Hayashi, 60, a photographer who used panoramic collages to make beautiful and powerful statements on toxic waste sites, abandoned prisons and remnants of the internment camps that held Japanese Americans during World War II died on August 17, 2006. Masumi Hayashi was an artist whose photographs and installations gained attention in the United States, Europe and Japan.. Hayashi was a Professor in the Art Department at Cleveland State University. She was awarded the 1994 Cleveland Visual Arts Award and an individual artist fellowship from the Ohio Arts Council, National Endowment for the Arts, Arts Midwest and Florida Division of Cultural Affairs.

Hope Taft’s TREASURES FOR THE TREE
In 1999, First Lady Hope Taft started a project called Treasures for the Tree. The project showcases the works of current Ohio artists and craftspeople by decorating the Governor’s Residence official holiday tree with a maximum of 50 juried ornaments. All Ohio artists and craftspeople are encouraged to submit one original holiday ornament for the juried selection. Entries will be juried in five regional areas in October 2006 and will be accepted October 1-15. Selected ornaments will be added to the Governor’s Residence official permanent holiday decoration collection. Official winners will be notified with a letter from Mrs. Taft in early November and invited to attend a reception at the Governor’s Residence to celebrate Ohio’s artists. The Ohio Arts Council supports the efforts of Treasures for the Tree by awarding $200 to the artist of the ornament judged to be the best in each region. For more information, visit http://www.hopetaft.org/.
www.arts.govwww.ArtsinOhio.comwww.oac.state.oh.us