Artist Spotlight

RAYMOND ROACH
Growing up on the Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation in South Dakota, Native American traditional artist Raymond Anthony Roach learned the traditional ways and ceremonies of the Lakota people.

In 1980, Roach began performing old style singing and drumming. After drumming with many groups in South Dakota, Ray is now drum keeper and song leader for the Many Voices Singers, formed in 1995. The group has performed at powwows, schools, churches, festivals and social service organizations throughout Ohio and other states.

Last year Roach was a master artist in the OAC's Traditional Arts Apprenticeship Program. During the apprenticeship, Roach taught the traditional ceremonies of Native American manhood and the importance of the song and drum leader in Native American culture. "I would like to thank the Ohio legislature for supporting the Ohio Arts Council in their commitment to help preserve Native American traditional art forms," said Roach. "Such support helps all cultures to thrive and grow."

2002 GOVERNOR'S AWARDS ENTERTAINMENT AND CENTERPIECES SELECTED

Flute and guitar duo Bachiana will provide musical entertainment for the 2002 Governor's Awards for the Arts and Arts Day Luncheon on March 13. Rodolfo Vásquez and Sean Ferguson perform elegant, sophisticated and graceful tango music. Guest violinist Christian Howes will accompany the duo at the event.

Vásquez is a former professor of flute at the National Conservatory of Music and principal flute with the National Conservatory of Music Philharmonic Orchestra, both in Mexico City. He has received awards from the Ohio Arts Council and Greater Columbus Arts Council. Ferguson holds degrees from The Ohio State University where he studied classical guitar and music history. He has studied with John Leonard and Earl Segal at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia and has performed throughout Pennsylvania and Ohio.

Table centerpieces for the event will be made by the Short Stop Production Team. The Short Stop Youth Center is a community-based prevention program of Directions for Youth, a private nonprofit agency that empowers young people to overcome significant challenges, make sound choices and create opportunities for a positive future. Young artists will work with professional artist Richard "Duarte" Brown to create sculpture out of donated and recycled wood. The centerpieces may be purchased for $20 at the luncheon. Proceeds from sales will help support the Short Stop Youth Center.

Shared Inspiration: Work by Artists in Education will be on view at the Ohio Arts Council's Riffe Gallery January 24-April 7. It is the third in a series of four Riffe exhibitions celebrating the YEAR OF THE ARTIST, July 2001-2002. For information call 614/644-9624.

Deborah Griffing, Grace, 6" x 8-1/2", 2001