Governor Kasich Proclaims October Arts & Humanities Month in Ohio
by Karine Aswad
Governor John Kasich has issued a proclamation declaring October Arts & Humanities Month in Ohio.
"I hereby designate October 2012 as Arts & Humanities Month throughout Ohio and encourage the residents of Ohio to celebrate and promote the arts and culture in our state," proclaimed Governor Kasich.
The Ohio Arts Council will kick off the month-long National Arts & Humanities Month (NAHM) celebration at the Riffe Gallery on Thursday, October 11 from noon to 1 p.m. Following a reading of Governor Kasich's proclamation, OAC will celebrate poetry with readings by notable Ohio poets Steve Abbott, Nancy Kangas, Wendy McVicker and Rose Smith; and Ohio Poetry Out Loud finalist Lake Wilburn, Centennial High School. The event is free and open to the public.
Beginning October 10, every Wednesday in October, from noon to 1 p.m., visitors to the Statehouse can take a special Art Tour highlighting the People's Art Collection. Depicting the hopes, dreams, values and aspirations of Ohioans, the collection commemorates Ohio's accomplishments and struggles. The tour will include the governors' portrait collection, the impressive artwork in the Rotunda and other paintings and sculptures throughout the Capitol Square complex. Tours will depart at noon from the Map Room on the ground floor of the Statehouse, easily accessible from the Third Street entrance. Leslie Adams, portrait artist and painter, will talk about her portraits of Governors Bob Taft and Ted Strickland on October 24 at noon.
For visual art lovers, the Outside in Ohio: A Century of Unexpected Genius exhibition will be on display at the OAC's Riffe Gallery in the Vern Riffe Center until October 14. For more information, visit www.riffegallery.org.
On Thursday, October 25 at noon, our celebration continues at the Statehouse with a dance performance by Inlet Dance Theatre--one of Ohio's most exciting contemporary dance companies. Inlet is dedicated to quality, skill, innovation and to speak creatively about human issues through dance. Visit their website to learn more about the company and its work. Inlet also conducts artist residencies across the state through our Arts Learning Artist in Residence program.
Downtown Columbus is just one place where Ohioans can discover and explore the arts during NAHM. To discover the rich variety of arts and cultural activities going on throughout Ohio, visit ArtsinOhio.com. The OAC also encourages arts organizations to schedule events in coordination with NAHM and to use ArtsinOhio.com to promote them. Organizations can register online for free and post their events to the website.
Ohio Arts & Humanities Month events are organized by the Ohio Arts Council and the Capitol Square Review & Advisory Board.
NAHM 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. NAHM has been celebrated since 1993 and provides a great opportunity for people to participate in the arts offered in their communities. For more information or for suggestions on how to celebrate the arts, visit the OAC website.
About the Ohio Arts Council:
The Ohio Arts Council is a state agency that funds and supports quality arts experiences to strengthen Ohio communities culturally, educationally and economically.
About the Capitol Square Review & Advisory Board:
The Capitol Square Review & Advisory Board is responsible for maintaining the historic character of the Statehouse and Capitol Square while providing for the health, safety and convenience of those who work in or visit the complex.
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