Dogs from the Thomas and Marsha French Collection.

At a time when people seek to rediscover the value of family and community within the context of contemporary life, it is helpful to examine the ways of the Amish as they strive to protect a simple way of living. Made by Loving Hands: Amish Children's Clothing, Toys and Quilts will be on display April 26-July 8 at the Ohio Arts Council's Riffe Gallery. Organized by The Kent State University Museum and curated by Jean L. Druesedow, Made by Loving Hands features Amish children's clothing from the Thomas and Marsha French Collection. Amish toys, quilts and household objects, also from the French collection, provide context for the garments.

Most Amish clothing is made at home, of plain fabrics and natural fibers, now often blended with synthetics. The Amish color palette includes shades of purple, blue, wine, brown and gray. Most groups advocate quiet, subdued colors as more in keeping with modest clothing and humble demeanor, but interpretations vary. The colorful stockings in the exhibition indicate that brighter colors are used in private circumstances.

The lives of Amish children include work, play, school and worship. By the time they are able to walk, Amish children have some participation in the chores of daily life. They are taught to enjoy the hard, practical, hands-on work that contributes to the welfare of the family and community. Although work predominates in Amish life, children have many opportunities to play together. They enjoy swimming and ball games in the summer and sledding and skating in the winter.  (CONT'D PAGE 3)

OAC ANNOUNCES SPRING INDIVIDUAL ARTIST MEETINGS

Representatives from the Ohio Arts Council will visit seven cities across Ohio to discuss the following individual artist programs: Individual Artist Fellowship, Artists' Projects, Percent for Art, Online Visual Artist Registry, Arts in Education Residency and Traditional Arts Apprenticeship. Information on the Appalachian Arts Program will be included in the Appalachian county meetings.

May 9-Yellow Springs, hosted by Yellow Springs Arts Council
May 10-Woodsfield, hosted by Monroe County Arts Council
May 15-Bowling Green, hosted by Bowling Green State University Art Gallery
May 16-Oberlin, hosted by Firelands Association for the Visual Arts
May 22-Wooster, hosted by Wayne Center for the Arts
May 23-Kent, hosted by Kent State University Art Gallery
June 6-Nelsonville, hosted by Foothills School of American Crafts

All meetings are from 6-8 p.m. Please visit www.oac.state.oh.us or call 614/466-2613 for specific locations and directions.