Governor Taft has named Susan R. Sofia chair of the Ohio Arts Council Board, Sheila Markley of Canton has been named vice chair, and Barbara Robinson, previous chair, has been appointed chair emeritus. Sofia, of Bexley, has been a board member since 1995. She is past chairman of Twig III of Children's Hospital and founder and past chairman of Popcorn Pops at Children's as well as past chairman of the board of Marburn Academy. She has served in numerous other community organizations. The Council Board consists of four non-voting members from the Ohio legislature in addition to the 15 gubernatorial appointees. Speaker of the House Larry Householder appointed Representatives Patricia Clancy, District 35, Cincinnati and Barbara Sykes, District 44, Akron and Senate President Richard Finan appointed Senator Priscilla Mead, District 16, Columbus and reappointed Senator Robert Hagan, District 33, Youngstown to the Council Board.

Aspirations: Toward a Future in the Middle East, an exhibition of more than 170 images by Israeli and Palestinian photographers, is on view at the Ohio Arts Council's Riffe Gallery through April 8. Aspirations seeks to address a goal that seems impossible and inevitable at the same time - peace in the Middle East between the Israeli and Palestinian people.

In conjunction with this exhibition, the Riffe Gallery will present the Aspirations Photo Project, March 20-25, to bring youth from diverse neighborhoods together through photography. Project partners include: Parkmoor Urban Academy, Beck Urban Academy and South High School, the Greater Columbus Arts Council's Children of the Future Program and Strategies Against Violence Everywhere, Student Network (SAVESNet) from Linden McKinley High School.

Artists in Aspirations were chosen for their ability to convey a sense of self, place and community. The Aspirations Photo Project will challenge participating young people to reflect on the same themes. Through the medium of photography, the students will explore the boundaries of their lives and connect with children from other walks of life. Their efforts will culminate in this large-scale exhibition of their photography.

An opening reception for the Aspirations Photo Project will be held at the Riffe Gallery on March 20 from 5-7 p.m. The event is free and open to the public, and will feature a performance by the Parkmoor Urban Academy Peace Choir.

The Riffe Gallery is in the Vern Riffe Center for Government and the Arts, across from the Statehouse. For more information call 614/644-9624 or visit www.oac.state.oh.us.