Arts writer Meredith Moss writes about the people and events making news in our regional arts community. If you have news you’d like to share, please contact Meredith: MMoss@coxohio.com
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Those who love both historical homes and art are in for a treat on the afternoon of Saturday, Sept. 6.
The Art House Hop in Yellow Springs combines the two — not only will ticket holders have the chance to see some interesting homes, but each house contains a special art collection.
Nancy Mellon, coordinator of the Yellow Springs Arts Council gallery, says last year’s initial event was such a happy experience last year for both the home-owners and the guests that they’ve decided to do it again with a new group of homes.
Some of the homes on this year’s tour date back to the 1850’s; one is a old Baptist Church that was turned into a house.
“The Art Collections are amazingly varied — from paintings to historical furniture, silver and glass, to a collection of an artist’s hand crafted quilts,” Mellon says. “They go from ceramic art and intricately beaded Egyptian style necklaces to textile art dolls in meticulously researched and hand sewn Folk Costumes.” She says many well-known local, regional and international artists are represented.
Chuck Taylor and Kim Iconis, for example, describe their collection as “intentionally local, somewhat longitudinal.” Eight works by painter Jean Koeller show her development over more than 25 years and there are paintings, drawings and prints by other nationally and internationally recognized Dayton area artists.
Sandi Sharp of Yellow Springs, who took the tour last year, says it was wonderful to be able to see the art in the natural setting of homes.
“The hosts were very gracious and shared stories about their art collection: the artists, where they got their pieces and why,” Sharp says. “It was refreshing, unique, and a lot of fun.”
Hours are noon to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 6. Tickets are $10 and may be purchased on the day of the event at the Yellow Springs Farmers Market in King’s Yard parking lot between the hours of 9 and noon and from noon to 4 p.m. at the Yellow Springs Arts Council Gallery, 111 Corry St. They can also be purchased in advance on-line at http://ysartscouncil.org/event/art-house-hop/
Dayton Society of Painters and Sculptors host event today
“This summer’s great weather has been a boon to artists who take their brushes and easels outdoors to capture landscapes and cityscapes,” says Lisa Johnson of the Dayton Society of Painters and Sculptors.
You’ll see the results at the organization’s annual DSPS Plein Air Exhibit. the works on display have have been created at least in part outdoors and within the past two years.
At today’s opening event — from 2 to 5 p.m. — the group will celebrate the 100th birthday of member Fred Betz. A past-president of the organization, he has been a member for more than 50 years.
The show runs through Sept. 14. The gallery is located at 43 High St. in Dayton.
Glass artist visits DAI
Visitors are oohing and aahing over the incredible glass tapestry created by Harue Shimomoto that’s currently on display at the DAI.
The glass artist visited Dayton last week to see the current museum exhibition and the installation of her work, entitled “Yume.”
Shimomoto, a student of Toots Zynsky, whose work also appears in the the DAI exhibition has written: “Many people see glass as functional object or decorative material. I want to break those images of glass and give it a different quality.” She’s definitely achieved that goal — it’s hard to believe her work is really glass.
“Dayton Celebrates Glass: Chihuly, Littleton, Labino and Beyond” can be seen at The Dayton Art Institute through September 28.
“American Gothic” will be at Cincinnati Art Museum
American Gothic, the famous American Regionalist painting by Grant Wood, will be on display at the Cincinnati Art Museum for the first time from Aug. 30 through Nov. 16. The masterpiece will join Wood’s “Daughters of Revolution” in the exhibition, “Conversations around American Gothic.”
The two celebrated paintings of the 1930s are the focus of an historic loan exchange between the Art Institute of Chicago, the permanent home of “American Gothic,” and the Cincinnati Art Museum, which houses “Daughters of Revolution.” In turn, Daughters will journey to Chicago, Paris and London in the 2016 exhibition, “Freedom and the Brush: American Painting in the 1930s.”
It’s hoped that the Cincinnati exhibition will engage visitors in debates about why a painting of a steadfast farm couple standing before a Gothic Revival cottage became the most widely recognized American painting of all time.
Admission to “Conversations around American Gothic” is $8 for adults, $5 for students with an ID and free for members and children 12 and under.
General admission to the Cincinnati Art Museum is always free. The museum is open Tuesday – Sunday, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. and is closed Monday.
Roosevelt class hosts film screening
Sidney Poitier’s film “Buck and the Preacher,” starring Poitier, Harry Belafonte and Ruby Dee, will be shown at noon on Saturday, Aug. 30 at The Neon movie theater in downtown Dayton.
The film, set in Kansas Territory immediately following the Civil War, is a fundraiser for the Roosevelt High School Class of ‘67.
The $20 ticket includes the film screening, a glass of wine, soda and popcorn. Tickets are available at the theater.
Ohio Arts Council names director
Dan Katona, the Ohio Arts Council’s (OAC) research and program development director, has been promoted to the position of deputy director.
Katona joined the OAC in 2001. He began his career at the agency as community arts coordinator and then director of organizational services before being named research and program development director in 2010.
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