Artists chosen for library’s Miamisburg branch


Each week, arts writer Meredith Moss shares news about the people ane events making arts news in our region.

If you have information you’d like to submit, contact Meredith: MMoss@coxohio.com

Please include a photo when available, and a daytime phone number.

The latest commissions in the Dayton Metro Library’s exciting ReImagining Works project have just been announced. The innovative program will result in original new artwork at each of the library locations. The project is made possible by an anonymous bequest intended to integrate original art and innovative programming at the 17 new or renovated Library buildings.

Four proposals for art installations at the new Miamisburg Branch have just been selected with artists using pieces from the Dayton Art Institute’s permanent collection as inspiration: “Huck Finn,” a bronze sculpture created in 1930 by local sculptor Robert Koepnick, and Rockwell Kent’s painting “Endless Energy for Limitless Living.”

Cincinnati artist Susan Byrnes will create a large scale sculptural work, "Great Miami School," comprised of 60 multicolor cast resin fish referencing the importance of the river to Miamisburg. The translucent fish will respond to light and cast colored shadows.

Dayton artist Darren Haper will create a large acrylic and enamel painting on canvas to depict Huck and Tom's river rafting adventure. Dayton artist Mychaelyn Michalec will illustrate the influence of various energy sources on the City of Miamisburg. The images will be layered on an abstract background and use blues, blacks and whites, referencing the importance of water to the history of Miamisburg.

Dayton artist Amy Kollar Anderson will blend acrylic paint and the sparkle of mica in a series of three paintings on panel called "Miamisburg Mandala. " Mica was important to the pre-Columbian Adena culture, creators of the Miamisburg Mound who used it to carve sculptures.

The larger, updated Library will be located on Linden Avenue at Sixth Street, about two blocks from the current building. It will include a children’s program room, large meeting room and increased parking. Artists who are interested in the ReImagining Works project should visit DaytonMetroLibrary.org or call (937) 463-BOOK. An Intent to Apply form is available online.

Bay Street Brassworks

For its second concert of the season, The Miami Valley Community Concert Association will present Bay Street Brassworks at 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 18, at the Performing Arts Center at Centerville High School.

The “Hot Horns” show will blend classical, jazz, Dixieland, swing and rock music. Tickets are $30 for adults, $5 for students and can be purchased at the door, online at www.mvcconcert.org, or by calling (937) 297-0463 or (937) 938-1109.

“Meet the Wyld Man” slated for Yellow Springs

If you’ve visited the Ohio Renaissance Festival, you’ve probably encountered seasoned performers Jonathan Crocker and Douglas Mumaw. Crocker started Theatre in the Ground Mudde Shows where he plays Jake the Wild Man. Mumaw is a founding member of “The Swordsmen,” portraying Dirk Perfect.

For the past 20 years, in addition to their separate acts, the two friends have been developing a show entitled “The Wyld Men,” performing and perfecting it over the years at the Arizona Renaissance Festival. Joining them is percussionist Jimi Torrey, who some may remember from his days with the Minstrels of Mayhem at the Ohio Renaissance Festival.

The group will introduce the new show to the Miami Valley on Wednesday, Oct. 7 when they’ll stage two performances — at 12:30 and 7 p.m., at the Miles Budd Goodman Amphitheater at Antioch College in Yellow Springs.

Crocker, who lived in Yellow Springs as a child, said he realized in college that Renaissance Festival performances combined his love of history and theater. “I fell in love with the improv and interaction with the audience that performing in that environment requires,” he said. “I also discovered the secret power of mud.”

He describes the family-friendly new show as a “live cartoon”appropriate for all ages. “Meet the Wyld Man” is about 70-80 minutes in length and tickets can be purchased at the door. For the matinee, adults are $12, children $12 and children five and under free. At night, it’s $16.50 for adults; $9.50 for children 18 and under and children under five are free. Food trucks will be available in the evening.

Culture Works awards scholarships

Culture Works has awarded three scholarships from the Leonard P. Roberts Scholarship Fund totaling $11,000 to local students for the 2015-2016 Academic Year.

The recipients are University of Dayton senior Francis A. Brown; Cedarville University senior Johanna Raquet, and Wright State University junior Kaitlynd Valentini.

Tipp City Paint Out next weekend

You don’t have to live in Tipp City to participate in the town’s annual Tipp City Paint Out and Wet Paint Exhibit and Sale. It’s open and free to artists of all skill levels.

The plein aire event, which will be held Friday and Saturday, Oct. 9 and 10, offers a variety of historic and scenic settings for artists to paint. This year’s Dinner and Demo guest artist is Joseph Lombardo, adjunct professor at the Columbus College of Art and Design who will be speaking and demonstrating his work at a dinner held at Coldwater Cafe (19 E. Main St., Tipp City) at 6 p.m. Friday, October 9. For more details see www.tippcityartscouncil.com

“Chaplains” documentary to screen in Kettering

A new two-hour, two-part documentary that explores the role of the chaplain will have a free preview screening at the Kettering Seventh Day Adventist Church, 3939 Stonebridge Road, at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct 10. The film was created by Martin Doblmeier who has done a number of award-winning films on faith and spirituality including “Bonhoeffer,” “The Adventists” (which was partially filmed in Dayton) and “The Power of Forgiveness.” Doblmeier will introduce the film at the event.

He says from the war zone to the workplace, chaplains serve as pastor, social worker, counselor and bridge builder. The film follows a group of men and women into a multitude of arenas where they offer help and support: the battlefields in Afghanistan, a motion picture retirement home in Hollywood, a poultry processing plant in Tennessee, a state penitentiary in Oregon, the U.S. Congress, at the hospital bedside, and at the NASCAR racetrack.

The new film on chaplains is being distributed by American Public Television and will be seen on PBS stations around the country this fall.

About the Author