Tell us about special arts achievements
If you have some good news from the local arts scene or special achievements you'd like to share with our readers, send it to Meredith Moss: MMoss@coxohio.com to consider for future publication. Be sure to leave a daytime phone number.
Arts organizations are finding creative ways to fund their arts-related programming.
The Mason-Deerfield Arts Alliance (MDAA), for example, is hosting the second annual Powder Keg 5k Walk-Run Trail Race on Saturday, Aug. 25. The event, co-sponsored by Deerfield Twp., will use monies raised for a variety of arts projects, according to Alliance executive director Meredith Raffel.
Participants will run through the woods, loop around toward the Little Miami River, follow along the old abandoned King Road past the old dam and make their final ascent up a series of steps back toward the Kings Mansion.
“In 2013, we would like to be able to offer a few scholarships,” Raffel explains. “This year, as a gift, we gave a camper a week of camp. Her little sister is ill with cancer and we thought it would be nice to offer this kind of break to the family and give that child some time to herself to work on arts programming that was all about her.”
The Alliance is also developing a free Community Enrichment series for 2013 and will invite speakers who are “inspiring individuals” either because they are working artists or those who work for large arts institutions.
“We are also planning on installing a ‘Little Library’ at Cottell Park in Deerfield Township,” Raffel says. “If you’ve never heard of these, they are these wonderful little bird box shaped boxes that allow people the opportunity to share books. You give a book, you get a book. It will be a nice way for moms to read to kids at the park, too. The monies from the Powder Keg will go toward artist supplies to build the box.”
The run will be held at 9 a.m.at the Kings Mansion, 1720 E. Kings Ave. Donation is $10 per person pre-registration and $15 at the event. For information, visit www.runningtime.net, call (513) 398-8585 or email masonarts@gmail.com.
Miamisburg Art Gallery to raffle painting
As a fund raiser, The Miamisburg Art Gallery will raffle a pastel titled “Pitcher and Tulips” painted by artist Janette Maloy. Maloy was a well known artist and guest teacher who conducted workshops in Middletown, Miamisburg, Fairborn and Cincinnati and had a studio in Waynesville.
Mrs. Maloy’s three children have donated several items to the Miamisburg Art Guild and this pastel will be raffled on Nov. 3 when the Gallery holds its Holiday Art Exhibit.
Raffle tickets are $1 each or 6 for $5 and can be purchased at 16 N. Main St. in downtown Miamisburg. For more information, please call Bonnie Milligan at (937)-657-2807 or call the gallery at (937) 866-3891.
Muse Machine alum give surprise performance
When Muse Machine teachers and board members were in New York in June for their Advanced Teacher Training Seminar, they were surprised with a performance planned by alumni living and working in the Big Apple.
Patty Rapp, secondary program liaison for Muse Machine, said the 90-minute Cabaret featured 15 Muse graduates and was held at The Player’s Club, the members-only Greek Revival townhouse started by the Shakespearean actor Edwin Booth. It was the brainstorm of Muse founder Suzy Bassani in celebration of the organization’s 30th anniversary. One of those in the show was Jill Paice, who has the lead in the upcoming production of “Rebecca.”
Rob Signom produced the show, and Schele Williams directed. Each participant performed and then shared memories from their Muse Machine days.
Art Museum temporary space a big hit
Everyone’s commenting about the great job the Dayton Art Institute has done with its temporary space for The Museum Store and the Cafe. The two areas were moved to the lower level due to renovation on the main floor and they both look terrific.
The Café’s temporary space is smaller than it was upstairs, but it’s pleasant and can accommodate about 35 people.
Both the restaurant and the gift shop are open during all regular museum hours. Note that if you’d like to stop by for lunch or shopping, you won’t need to pay admission to the museum. Members are free.
The hope is to open the new space around the time of Oktoberfest.
The featured illustrations on the walls of the Cafe are by artist and Cox Media Group designer Randy Palmer. When you visit the current “You Are My Superhero” exhibit, you can pose for photos in front of another Palmer creation — an original Dayton Art Institute comic-themed book cover that cleverly incorporates images from famous works in the museum’s collection, including Peter Paul Rubens’ “Study Heads of an Old Man” and Edward Hopper’s “High Noon.”
