Welcome to the Ohio's Arts Council's new statewide initiative--Take pART! The Ohio Arts Council wants to hear how the arts have made an impact on your life and your community. Whether through a memorable concert or play, a favorite art teacher, an engaging book group or a popular sculpture in your community, the arts play a part in everyone's life.
We look forward to hearing your story and sharing it on our Web site with citizens throughout Ohio and the nation. Each submission will be reviewed by the Ohio Arts Council and posted within two business days on the Take pART pages. The most recent 10 submissions will be viewable on this page and all submissions will be viewable on a searchable page linked below.
Following are the most recent Take pART stories.
We hope you enjoy learning more about how the arts impact the lives of Ohioans.
From Magga (Sandusky) on 11/2/2009
Art has been such a huge part of my life since I recieved in my hands, from my grandmother, the most beautiful box of assorted watercolors. And I continue to paint to this day. Still trying to break through to the other side...Art has been my soft place to fall...it carries me through to the next season where I am always inspired. When I sold my first painting, I knew that art would always be a friend to me..even in the stormy weather. I teach my children about the wonderful arts and hope they will do the same with their children. Margaret Canino
From Virgina (Wadsworth) on 10/29/2009
"Ginger! Close the screen door! The flies are getting in." I can still hear my grandmother's shrill voice yelling as she shuffled around the kitchen with her fly swater. It was 1952 and in Akron, Ohio polio was running rampant. I remember one evening at the supper table when my fifteen year old brother begged to go swimming with his friends. Tears came to his eyes as my grandmother told him he couldn't go. He might get polio germs. A few days later, I was playing outside with my younger brother. All day we rode out bicycles,our two-wheeled horses, playing cowboys. I was hot, sweating and weak. My mother came out often to feel my head, but I begged her not to take me inside. I remember finally going inside, lying down on the couch and being carried upstairs by my grandfather. The next morning I woke, swung my legs over the bed and collapsed in pain from my head to my toes. When the doctor arrived with his black medicine bag, he diagnosed polio. I was sent to the hospital where I stayed for three months gradually learning to move my arms, sit up, and walk with braces and crutches. I would lie on the couch watchng out the window as my brothers and sisters played. One day my mother came home from work with two packages. IN one was a small child-size easel and in the other a set of oil paints. From that day on, I was an artist. By the time I reached middle school, my art teacher had taken an interest in me and recognized my talent. She encouraged me to pursue art as a career. I became an art teacher.
From Bobbie (Williamsburg) on 10/20/2009
Growing up as the middle child in an extremely abusive household, I was searching for any hope, any positive, to grasp on to. I found that hope through my art teachers throughout school. It really started in 7th grade and progressed from there. Each of my art teachers encouraged me and took a special interest in me. In ME!!! Art was the ONE thing in life that I recieved affirmation for. Art was the ONE thing in life that I knew I was competent in. Art was the ray of light, the ray of hope that brought me through a tortured and traumatic life. I slowly and steadily realized that I had a purpose, I had some worth!
I am now in my 40's and still use art as a therapeutic outlet. That is why I have started a therapeutic-style art group for children in foster care in my county. Hopefully, I can bring affirmation and hope to lives I touch, just as my teachers did!
Sincerely, Bobbie
From Del (Toledo) on 8/4/2009
A few years ago my band,the Amazing Grace Praise Band,which has a unique seventy year history useing the steel guitar as the lead instrument,were invited by Larry Meyers to attend the "Original Mix" in Toledo,Ohio.
This event encouraged me to research,document and preserve the history of our African American steel guitar history to share with others. We now travel with an extensive photo exhibit showcasing many past and present African American steel guitar players. We have a detailed website and youtube page dedicated to showcasing some of the greatest sacred steel guitar music ears have never heard.
From Cathy (Hamilton) on 7/24/2009
The Fitton Center for Creative Arts in Hamilton, Ohio keeps a journal in which we invite visitors to share their stories or tell us about their visits. This entry appeared on July 10, 2009 during which we featured a multi-media exhibition of artworks created by Fitton Center instructors.
"My colleagues and I are here on business and we were awed and overwhelmed by this creative and diverse expression of the arts. You have a wonderful facility. An oasis of the future in the midst of the history representing the past. I leave with tangible artistic torch burning in my heart. Thank you, Derek."
From Nanette (Columbus) on 7/21/2009
On Saturday, July 18 we went to Picnic with the Pops in Columbus Ohio at Chemical Abstracts lawn concert featuring Aaron Neville and the Columbus Symphony Orchestra. The musicianship by all involved was truly excellent the orchestra backing up Aaron Neville and the Columbus Symphony made me glad to be alive - it was a type of therapy! A therapy for the soul to hear such talented musicians - honestly now, I thank all of the sponsors because the concert was definitely affordable, well organized and absolutely enjoyable...wet feet & all. Keep this quality of artist/artists coming back to Columbus we have a wonderful city that people need to enjoy! Respectfully submitted, Nanette Hayakawa
From Karen (Jeromesville) on 7/11/2009
By chance we learned of the play "Voices from the Home" that shares the memories of former residents and staff of the Ohio Soldier's and Sailor's Orphans Home. The two and a half hour drive was worth it to hear about this piece of Ohio history as well as to hear the impact that this home had on more than 13,000 children over 125 years that included reminices of a beloved drama teacher. Thank you to those who told their experiences as well as to those who contributed to the sharing of this delightful compilation in the form of a drama. I hope it and similar reflections will be shared with others across the state.
From Kirsten (Fort Lauderdale) on 6/18/2009
Weathervane Playhouse in Newark, OH was the place I started my career in Theatre. I spent my summers in high school working backstage, and helping out with Educational programs. I was able to use that experience to be accepted into wonderful college theatre programs and eventually earn my Master's in Fine Arts Degree for performance. The Last two years I have been able to return to Weathervane Playhouse and act as their General Manager from May 15- August 3, 2008, and May 21-Aug 9, 2009. Without the funding of the OAC, Weathervane Playhouse would not be able to maintain such artistic integrity or offer so many employment opportunities for me, a native Ohian, and my fellow artisans. Weathervane 2009 company is made up of nearly 75% Ohio residents. My life has been changed by the work done at this theatre. I have risen from the under priviledged class with a bleak future, to having hopes and dreams for the life I am born to lead. Weathervane Playhouse now gives this same opportunity to so many of our community youth. Their education programs reach hundreds of children every summer, and their continued support of the OAC, and community allows for special programs making their mainstage series an affordable experience for everyone.
From Warren (Delaware) on 5/6/2009
We recently sold out two days of a concert featuring Holst’s Planets and Williams Star Wars Suite. The Planets included a wonderful video of each of the planets from the Adler Planetarium in Chicago. One of the musicians took her 5 year old son to the first concert and later sent me this note following the second performance a day later.
“When I got home last Sunday evening, my 5-year-old had built a Mars Rover out of Legos on his own. It's all he talks about now. He enjoyed the Star Wars but the Planets was the real hit for him. This is the kind of impact I want my music to have!”
She later told me they heard the Planets on the radio in the car 2 months later and said to her son “Listen, It’s Neptune” to which he replied, “No Mom, it’s Uranus” When she asked him how he knew he replied “its the music with the moons.”
From john (columbus) on 4/27/2009
I went back to school to study art a bit later in life than most (37) and ended up getting an MFA in Art and Technology. I started college in my early twenties in the medical field but dropped out two different times. Now reasonably successful as an artist, I will never forget when my professor (later he became the head of my thesis committee), Mr. Ken Rinaldo, told me after I questioned why I should make art after the 9/11 tragedy, that throughout time, various peoples have defined cultures: Politicians, Scientists, Philosophers, Warriors and Artists! It is our duty to document and influence our culture.
Due to the implementation of cost savings days (furloughs) by the State of Ohio, the OAC office will be closed on the following days: Friday, November 27; Thursday, December 24; and Thursday, December 31.
In each case the office will reopen at 8 a.m. the following Monday. Thank you for your cooperation during these periods.
