Three Ohio artists will travel to Israel in July and August for the first residency program sponsored by the Ohio Arts Council in that country. The Herzliya, Israel, Center for the Creative Arts, a working retreat for writers, visual artists and composers, will host the OAC Individual Artist Fellowship recipients. The OAC's International and Individual Artists Programs are collaborating on these residencies to give Ohio artists opportunities to exchange ideas, perspectives and techniques with other artists and expand the international dialogue in the arts community. "Columbus enjoys a strong relationship with our sister city of Herzliya in Israel," said Columbus Mayor Gregory Lashutka. "The Ohio Arts Council's residence program for artists will strengthen the bonds between our cities and our people." Participating artists are Aminah Brenda Lynn Robinson of Columbus, a visual artist whose work documents her life growing up in a housing project and traces her African American heritage to Senegal, Nigeria, Kenya and Egypt; Michael Rosen of Columbus, a poet, illustrator, children's book author and literary director at the Thurber House; and Walter Zurko of Wooster, a professor of art at the College of Wooster who creates sculpture and installation art. The Ohio Arts Council's International Program develops long-term cultural, economic and educational ties between Ohio and foreign countries. It encourages individual artists and arts organizations to exhibit, perform, study and sell their work in overseas markets and gives other nations opportunities to send their art and artists to Ohio. The International Program supports exemplary projects and innovative partnerships that give Ohioans increased access to international arts activities. The program is committed to bringing together individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds, encouraging them to explore what they have in common and how they differ, creating a stronger sense of community.