How to go
What: 25th Art on the Commons
Where: Lincoln Park Civic Commons, 675 Lincoln Park Blvd., Kettering
When: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 11
More info: (937) 296-0294 or www.ketteringoh.org
A quarter of a century is a long time to annually plan, advertise, call for entries, judge and execute a popular arts festival. Rosewood Arts Centre has drawn artist talent from multiple states to participate in Art on the Commons. Out of submissions from 154 artists, 104 were invited to attend.
Judging those entries were three jurors: Julia Gourley, executive director of Krasl Arts Center in St. Joseph, Mich.; David Kirchner, a ceramic artist/educator in Dayton; and Sue Ellen Boesch, artist and Kettering Arts Council member.
“For the actual judging we had a lot of really good submissions,” said Boesch. “It was difficult. According to our criteria, it had to be original art and done by hand.”
Some of those original works will be jewelry by Jason Teilhet of Yellow Springs. His process is tedious and very time-consuming. He hammers and grinds the raw materials for his sterling silver and precious gem pieces. Then they have to be cut, assembled and soldered together. His final shapes usually incorporate special surface treatments like brushed/polished silver, oxidized metal, kumbu or layers of gold. The end result is a masculine melding of straight and curved lines.
Participating artists include those traveling from Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, South Carolina and Tennessee.
“The festival has continued to grow each year, with artists traveling from several states to participate, and well over 7,000 visitors attending the one-day event,” said Rosewood cultural arts manager Shayna McConville. “It began as an arts festival at Rosewood Arts Centre and now takes place in Civic Commons, one of the most beautiful parks in the region.”
Miami Valley artists at the show will be: Beavercreek, Heidi McGrew (mixed media) and Loretta Wikstrom (mixed media); Cedarville, Jim DeLange (glass); Centerville, Jana Song Bobo (jewelry), Susan Huff-Pleimann (ceramic) and Don Keith (wood). Dayton artists include: Dave and Sandra Brand (jewelry), Carole Fox (ceramic), Peter Frederick (watercolor), Rosie Huart (mixed media), Kate Lally (ceramic), and Daniel Powers (photography).
Nancy Whitfill of Huber Heights will show her oil/acrylic paintings. Hailing from Kettering: Karen Becker Benedetti (mixed media), Jason Boyer (glass), Matt Breunig (jewelry), Staron Stolzenberger (watercolor) and Esther Wende (ceramic).
Three traveling north from Lebanon are: Tom Croces (photography), Michael Davic (photography) and Greg Neal (ceramic).
Chris Noah-Cooper of Miamisburg will be presenting printmaking, Alena Hagedorn of Springfield will be showing her photography. Other cities represented: New Carlisle, Trish McKinney (mixed media); Waynesville, Kathy Gross (drawing); Vandalia, Guustie Alvarado (glass/jewelry); Xenia, Marylou McMullen (jewelry); and three artists from Yellow Springs: Dianne Collinson (ceramic), Pam Geisel (fabric) and Teilhet.
“There are a couple of new things this year. We received a sponsorship that we are designating for cash awards to artists,” said McConville. “There will also be an interactive arts booth organized by the Kettering Arts Council. It’s all about getting your hands dirty.”
According to Boesch, the interactive booth will feature the Gem City Balley, We Care Arts, the Dayton DPO “Petting Zoo” and The School of Advertising Art.
“People who visit the booth will learn not only about visual arts, but also other performing arts and other arts organizations,” said Boesch. “People can see them perform, and then ask questions about their work and their talent.”
Entertainment is scheduled throughout the day featuring “American creative music” by local band Puzzle of Light, and the Motown-inspired music of The Sly Band. Concessions include the Fraze Pavilion’s Ernie’s, Go Cupcake! homemade goodies, pizza from Catch-A-Fire, and the cool-off treats of Kona Ice of Dayton. Offerings will also include the chef prepared cuisine of Harvest and Kettering’s own Sweet P’s Handcrafted Ice Pops.
Art on the Commons is programmed by Rosewood Arts Centre through the City of Kettering Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts. The fair is sponsored in part by 91.3 WYSO, the Dayton City Paper, the Kettering Arts Council, the Ohio Arts Council, and United Art & Education.
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