ArtsOhio Blog

Celebrate the Arts With Me

Wed, 31 Jul 2019 20:16:56 GMT

This month is chock-full of celebrations. For instance, we awarded more than $14.7 million in grant funding this month—but it's more than that. It’s about leadership for the arts, support for artists and arts organizations, appreciation for volunteers in the arts, celebration of professional staff in our arts organizations, and a huge thank you to our authorizers: Governor Mike DeWine, and members of the Ohio House of Representatives led by Speaker Larry Householder (R-Glenford) and Ohio Senate President Larry Obhof (R-Montville Twp.)! We also acknowledge grant review panelists and the Ohio Arts Council board for their review and approval of grant awards. All of this to say—we are celebrating people, resources, creativity, arts learning, and so much more because Ohio values the arts!

We also celebrate the Massillon Museum and the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County with Lit Youngstown, who received National Endowment for the Arts Big Read grant awards. Look for more details on the fantastic programming these organizations have in store for the upcoming year. Through local partnerships and creative leadership, they are planning so many fun events that will make literature come alive in ways you’ve never seen before.

Did you know the Ohio State Fair is more than agriculture, amusement rides, concerts, and food? Recently, the Ohio Arts Council honored 15 Ohio artists for their work with awards at the 2019 Ohio State Fair Fine Arts Exhibition. From artwork that reflects the world around us through a natural lens to pieces that encourage interactive exploration, this exhibition—considered the largest juried exhibition in the state—is fabulous, and it was difficult to pick the honorees with nearly 250 artists participating in the amateur and professional artist categories this year.

This month we also celebrate a first for the Ohio Arts Council’s Riffe Gallery. The Natural Expressions exhibition now on view through October 19 was curated by four high school students with guidance by Erin Shapiro, curator of the Springfield Museum of Art. Student curators include Mikayla Anderson (Elyria High School), Kaia Armstrong (Colerain High School), Sydney Chabot (Portsmouth High School), and Jayden Nanthavong (Whitehall Yearling High School). This experiment was an opportunity for us to explore how real-world experiences can bring Ohio’s Fine Arts Standards in the Visual Arts to life, with the curatorial process touching on elements such as: exploring various methods of art criticism in responding to artworks; using appropriate vocabulary to define and describe techniques and materials used to create works of art; analyzing the work of individual artists and explain how they are influenced by cultural factors; applying methods of art criticism when discussing selected works of art; and engaging in discourse and express a point of view about issues related to the public display of works of art—to name a few!

And, of course, we are celebrating the adoption of the state fiscal year 2020-21 biennial budget for arts and culture through the OAC, an historic high of $34.5 million. This great news comes at a time when increased funding was desperately needed, as application numbers soared higher than ever before—requests during this past grant application cycle were at an all-time high! Public funding for the arts is always something to celebrate, and I hope you agree that a vibrant arts and cultural state makes Ohio a better place to live, work, and learn.

Our state funding allows us to provide resources that reach all 88 Ohio counties. The experiences and engagement you have with our governor, your state representative and senator; and your mayor, county commissioners, and city council members matters. Always, always invite these policymakers to your events, tell them your stories of success, and remind them that they helped make the experiences you’re presenting possible through public funding for the arts through the OAC.

I've traveled the state to meet with some of the finest arts leaders in the world, and I often have to remind them that their work, long hours, innovations, and engagement also need celebrated. So, for just a moment, I’d like you to consider your successes. If you work with an arts organization, think about those successes, and now schedule time to celebrate. Share the good news—pat yourself and your colleagues on the back for jobs well done. And remember to thank your board members, patrons, audience members, and legislators for their part in making your work worth doing and experiencing in the most generous way.

Until next time,

Donna S. Collins
Executive Director

Featured Photo: The Ohio Arts Council staff recently participated in a screen printing workshop at Blockfort in Columbus. It was a great experience getting out in the field and seeing the inspiring work Ohio artists are doing every day.

15 Ohio Artists Win Awards at 2019 Ohio State Fair Fine Arts Exhibition

Fri, 26 Jul 2019 18:19:46 GMT

Staring at a ceramic and wood sculpture displayed on a tiered podium in the Cox Fine Arts Center, Lily Elison admitted that her piece looks a bit different sitting in the white-walled gallery than it typically does at home.

“It looks pretty nice out here,” said Elison, a junior studying art education and art therapy at Miami University. “It sits on my floor at home. It looks better up here.”

Titled “Intertwined” and featuring a row of five rectangular frames containing interlaced black and white ceramic hands, Elison’s piece is one of 357 works of art on view at the 2019 Ohio State Fair Fine Arts Exhibition.

“This was one of my first sculptural pieces. It was the last piece I did in high school in my ceramics class, and it was my introduction to actually sculpting things,” Elison said. “It kind of stands for really anything. It’s up to the viewer and what they interpret. It is like two different things coming together in many different ways.”

Each year, hundreds of amateur and professional artists from all around Ohio come together at the exhibition, which officially opened with an awards reception on July 23. At the event, 43 exhibition awards totaling more than $20,000 were distributed to artists in categories such as “Best of Show,” “Juror’s Choice,” and awards funded by the Ohio Arts Council (OAC) and other Ohio-based organizations. In keeping with this year’s exhibition focus on the themes of sustainability and conservation, several “A Perspective From Nature” awards were given to artists who featured natural materials in their work.

Considered the largest juried art show in Ohio, the 2019 exhibition, presented in the Cox Fine Arts Center on the fairgrounds, features work by 249 artists hailing from 34 Ohio counties. It is estimated anywhere from 40,000 to 53,000 visitors will stop by the exhibition during the fair this year.

“The Ohio State Fair Fine Arts Exhibition is a wonderful opportunity to view the work created by the many diverse and talented artists who are living in our state,” said OAC Executive Director Donna S. Collins. “The Ohio Arts Council congratulates all of the artists on their exceptional work and also the time and commitment they give to making Ohio the best place to live, work, and play.”

For Elison, receiving one of the OAC’s amateur division winner awards was unexpected but welcome news.

“I only entered this piece this year, and I was surprised to see it get in,” she said. “I think it is pretty awesome that they give out amateur awards where you don’t need to be a practicing artist or anything. I am in college, and that money is going to really help out with the studios.”

In addition to the visual art on view, for the first time in its history, the Ohio State Fair Fine Arts Exhibition will host a day dedicated to poetry on Aug. 1. Held in the Cox Fine Arts Center's rotunda from 1 to 7 p.m., the poetry showcase will feature an afternoon of poetry readings and recitations by student poets, members of the Ohio Poetry Association, and Ohio Poet Laureate Dave Lucas.

A youth art exhibition and creative arts showcase are housed across the fairgrounds in Kasich Hall.

The Ohio State Fair Fine Arts Exhibition is open from July 24 through Aug. 3, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. On Aug. 4, the last day of the fair, the exhibition is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

For more information about the Ohio State Fair, visit ohiostatefair.com.

A full list of OAC award winners follows:

A PERSPECTIVE FROM NATURE AWARDS

Professional Division ($500)

Amateur Division ($500)

OHIO ARTS COUNCIL AWARDS

Division Winner Award - Professional Division ($300)

New Artist Award - Professional Division ($250)

Division Winner Award - Amateur Division ($250)

New Artist Award - Amateur Division ($250)

Special Art Purchase

ABOUT THE OHIO ARTS COUNCIL
The Ohio Arts Council is a state agency that funds and supports quality arts experiences to strengthen Ohio communities culturally, educationally, and economically. Connect with the OAC on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, or visit our website at oac.ohio.gov.

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Article by Amanda Etchison, Communications Strategist
Featured Photo: A collage of images from the 2019 Ohio State Fair Fine Arts Exhibition. Photos by Amanda Etchison.

Ohio State Fair Fine Arts Exhibition Hosts Inaugural Poetry Showcase Aug. 1

Wed, 24 Jul 2019 19:02:23 GMT

For the first time in its history, the Ohio State Fair Fine Arts Exhibition will host a day dedicated to poetry on Aug. 1.

The performance schedule includes recitations and readings by 2019 Ohio Poetry Out Loud (POL) State Champion Anna Kahle and other POL participants, Ohio Poetry Association poets, and Ohio Poet Laureate Dave Lucas.

Held in the Cox Fine Arts Center's rotunda from 1 to 7 p.m., the poetry showcase will feature an afternoon of poetry, during which guests are encouraged to come and go as they please.

A full schedule for the day follows:

Ohio Poetry Out Loud students

1 p.m. | Introduction of the Poetry Out Loud student performers by Ohio Arts Council Arts Learning and POL Coordinator Chiquita Mullins Lee

1:05 - 1:15 p.m. | Addison Horowitz, Columbus Torah Academy graduate and POL Columbus regional semifinalist

1:15 - 1:25 p.m. | Ihsanah Muhammad, senior at Whetstone High School and POL Columbus regional semifinalist

1:25 - 1:35 p.m. | Anna Kahle, senior at Lima Central Catholic High School and 2019 Ohio POL state champion

1:35 - 1:45 p.m. | Chiquita Mullins Lee, Ohio Arts Council Arts Learning and POL Coordinator

1: 45 - 2 p.m. | Short break

2 - 3 p.m. | Music/poetry performance by Robert Harvey

Ohio Poetry Association poets

3:30 p.m. | Fred Andrle

3:45 p.m. | Geoff Anderson

4 p.m. | John Burroughs

4:15 p.m. | Mark Jordan

4:30 p.m. | Pauletta Hansel

4:45 p.m. | Kerry Trautman

5 p.m. | Furaha Henry-Jones

5:15 p.m. | Barbara Fant

5:30 p.m. | Susann Moeller

5:45 p.m. | Cathy Essinger

6 p.m. | Karen Schubert

6:15 p.m. | Kari Gunter-Seymour

6:30 p.m. | Short break

7 p.m. | Dave Lucas, Ohio Poet Laureate

The Ohio State Fair Fine Arts Exhibition, considered the largest juried art show in Ohio, is open from July 24 through Aug. 3, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. On Aug. 4, the last day of the fair, the exhibition is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. This year, the exhibition, which is on view at the Cox Fine Arts Center, features 357 works created by 249 professional and amateur artists.

For more information about the Ohio State Fair, visit ohiostatefair.com.

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Article by Amanda Etchison, Communications Strategist
Featured Photo: (from left) Playon Patrick of Fort Hayes Metropolitan High School, Addison Horowitz of Columbus Torah Academy, Anna Kahle of Lima Central Catholic High School, Ihsanah Muhammed of Whetstone High School, and Ohio Poet Laureate Dave Lucas.

CALL FOR ARTISTS: Ohio State Fair Fine Arts Exhibition Focuses on Natural Perspective

Mon, 22 Apr 2019 15:02:22 GMT

This year's Ohio State Fair Fine Arts Exhibition is celebrating artists' work focusing on the themes of sustainability and conservation in "A Perspective From Nature." Special awards will be given to artists who feature natural materials in their artwork.

To encourage and promote this year’s perspective, five awards have been designated to highlight this discipline. Additional support for the awards is provided by the Ohio Arts Council (OAC), Bareclay Studios, and the Morgan Conservatory.

More than $20,895 in awards will be given to artists in a variety of categories. Each year, the OAC sponsors awards in the professional and amateur divisions, in addition to the "New Artist Award" for artists who have never had work accepted to the Ohio State Fair Fine Arts Exhibition in the past, a "People's Choice Award" determined by votes cast by exhibition visitors, and "Special Art Purchases" of artwork to be displayed in the OAC office.

Considered Ohio's most visible art exhibition, the Ohio State Fair Fine Arts Exhibition is on view throughout the duration of the fair at the Cox Fine Arts Center. It is annually viewed by more than 40,000 visitors and regularly receives more than 2,000 entries.

Several on-site fine art competitions are also offered during the fair. These include plein air painting and sidewalk chalk art.

The deadline to enter artwork for consideration is May 29. More information is available at rebrand.ly/statefair-2019.

More about the Ohio State Fair Fine Arts Exhibition

Gahanna Artist Wins People's Choice Award at 2018 Ohio State Fair Fine Arts Exhibition
15 Artists Receive Ohio Arts Council Awards at 2018 Ohio State Fair
Ohio State Fair Fine Arts Exhibition Announces People's Choice Award Winner
Ohio Artists Showcase Talents at Ohio State Fair Fine Arts Exhibition

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Gahanna Artist Wins People’s Choice Award at 2018 Ohio State Fair Fine Arts Exhibition

Thu, 09 Aug 2018 17:27:00 GMT

Patrick Wayner’s “Spiritus Invictus” makes a big statement, but the small personal details are what make it the artist’s favorite piece.

“Most of my work is kind of based in totems or spirit animals and stuff like that,” said Wayner, owner of Painted Patch. “The animals in the piece are related to my spirit animals. So, it’s kind of me, per se.”

The 6-foot-by-4-foot wall-mounted work is an intricate synthesis of flora and fauna, brought to life through precisely cut wood pieces layered to form antlers, feathers, fur, and leaves. The result is a “faux taxidermy” showstopper—not only did it win Amateur Best of Show in the 2018 Ohio State Fair Fine Arts Exhibition, it also received the People’s Choice Award this year.

For Wayner, the piece is sort of a self-portrait featuring animals that have special meaning to him.

“My mom has called me ‘bear’ ever since I was a child. That is always a mainstay for me, the bear, so that is usually what I go off of,” he said. “And then the owl kind of replays a lot. I like doing wings. Wings are always fun to make and you can always make them different each time.”

Wayner has been creating his wooden artwork for the past five years. From leafy sea dragons to sleepy sloths, he’s created a veritable zoo of creatures.

“Everything starts with just a 2D sketch. I have an idea in my head that I want to come to fruition, but at the same time, I don’t really know what I’m going to do,” he said. “It’s just letting the wood speak and lead you where it wants to go. That connection keeps me grounded, and it really keeps me going to make more stuff.”

Wayner said “Spiritus Invictus” is the largest piece he’s created, adding that it took about six months to complete.

“It fought me tooth and nail. It did not want to be made,” he said. “I just wanted to get something out there to really push myself and see if I could do it. I love it. I think it’s one of the best I’ve ever made.”

And the public seems to agree. Wayner said he was thrilled to hear that he had been selected for the People’s Choice Award.

“I couldn’t believe it,” he said. “It was the first year that I entered (the exhibition), so it was even more surprising.”

In addition to the People’s Choice Award, the OAC sponsored 15 other awards, which were presented to artists during the exhibition’s opening ceremony on July 24. This year, the fair distributed 56 awards totaling more than $22,000 to both amateur and professional artists whose work was in the exhibition.

Wayner said he is already thinking of what he will submit for next year’s show because he enjoys seeing the connection that forms between his artwork and the viewer.

“It is fun to see people connect with a certain animal as their spirit guide. So, I hope they take that out of them,” he said. “All of the small pieces are sort of personality traits, so when you add all of those up, you get that kind of attitude from each individual piece. That’s what I’m trying to portray.”

To view more of Wayner’s work, visit paintedpatch.com.

For more information about the Ohio State Fair, visit ohiostatefair.com.

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Article by Amanda Etchison, Communications Strategist
Video by Broad and High, Published on March 30, 2017

It’s Summer: Quick, Grab It While It’s Here!

Tue, 31 Jul 2018 18:17:48 GMT

Can you believe we’re more than halfway through summer and the days are already getting shorter? Don’t dismay—do something about it.

The Ohio State Fair runs through Aug. 5, so now is the time to plan your trip to the state fairgrounds in Columbus to enjoy the arts! The All-Ohio State Fair Band and All-Ohio State Fair Youth Choir are performing daily, offering more than 90 concerts during the run of the fair. I can attest that their performances are fabulous. Just last Sunday I had the opportunity to spend the afternoon with the two groups, composed of 400 talented high school musicians and singers, not to mention a fan base of more than 2,000 people. It was an honor to thank the professional music staff, the Ohio State Fair commissioners, and of course, the parents! Together these talented young people are being supported by a “choir” of people who believe in the power of the arts and the joy and educational opportunities that music brings to their lives. Aside from great performances, while you’re at the fair, don’t forget about the art exhibitions (youth, emerging, and professional artists) in Cardinal Hall and the Cox Fine Arts Center. You won’t want to miss a thing.

Speaking of not missing out - I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream! - and you can find it on the Ohio Ice Cream Trail! The Ohio legislature has designated this the year of the trail – and that’s not just limited to nature! Artisanal culinary products await you throughout the state. On the Ice Cream Trail, you can find 15 shops with creative, fresh, and local ice cream flavors from Youngstown to Cincinnati, from Findlay to Athens, and just about everywhere in between. Check out the locations map here and plan your visit to the ice cream shop!

And, of course, in between our sweet visits, we must find time to visit all the local attractions too. One of my favorite opportunities is the 78th Street Studios in Cleveland. They host an art walk from 5-9 p.m. on the third Friday of each month. Admission is free, and you can experience it too! This fabulous indoor art walk boasts more than 50 studios and galleries. And, the Northcoast Artisans’ Market features up to 20 local ever-changing guest artists. Support local art and small business! See you there - 1305 W. 80th St. Cleveland, Ohio, 44102. For a list of festivals across the state, check out the OAC 2018 Festival Directory!

As summer winds down, many schools across the state will be ringing the back-to-school bell starting mid-August, and we’ll be there with them through TeachArtsOhio (TAO). The Ohio Arts Council’s TAO program brings schools and community organizations together with teaching artists to share engaging, personal, high-quality arts learning experiences. Engagements can vary from short introductory exposures lasting just a few days to in-depth immersive experiences spanning a full school year. Creative and experienced teaching artists, through TAO grant awards, offer learners the opportunity to participate in a unique creative process, bridge cultural differences, develop fresh ways of learning through the arts, and realize lasting benefits from in-person contact and collaboration with professional artists who are experienced in working with school-aged children and youth. Learn more!

As we take one last summer vacation day, prepare for back to school, and enjoy the beauty of the arts, I hope you will grab a friend and find the arts in your everyday life and in a neighboring Ohio town! The arts are Ohio’s treasure and as our friends in tourism say, “Ohio, find it here!”

Until next time,

Donna S. Collins
Executive Director

Featured photo: Visitors to the 2018 Ohio State Fair Fine Arts Exhibition interact with "2.48," a piece by Erek Nass.

15 Artists Receive Ohio Arts Council Awards at 2018 Ohio State Fair

Fri, 27 Jul 2018 17:47:29 GMT

When viewers approach Erek Nass’ “2.48,” they can’t help but peer into the tiny portholes dotting the piece’s surface.

“It’s rewarding,” said Nass, a Columbus-based multidisciplinary artist. He watched as a woman walked up to the first wooden lightbox and squinted at the photograph within. “That is when it comes alive—seeing people interact with it and not just in the isolation of my studio.”

Inspired by the ability of the human brain to automatically merge the two separate images recorded by each eye into one, Nass said the piece is a “mechanical metaphor” that similarly combines a collection of layered photographic slides into a visual representation of passing time.

“Each of us, those of us who can see, has 2.5 inches between our eyes. Our brain is able to reconcile that. I was thinking of that idea,” he said. “The first image is of trees budding during the spring. It was a photograph I was taking while I was on the phone with my sister, and I didn’t realize that was the last time I was going to speak to her. It’s now the starting point for this piece. Over five years unfolds from there.”

More viewers will undoubtedly take this trip through time by interacting with “2.48” over the next week, as Nass’ piece is currently on view in the 2018 Ohio State Fair Fine Arts Exhibition.

The exhibition, presented at the Cox Fine Arts Center throughout the duration of the fair, features 362 works by 249 Ohio artists and is considered the largest juried art show in Ohio. Each year, the exhibition attracts anywhere from 40,000 to 53,000 fairgoers.

An awards reception celebrated the opening of the exhibition on July 24. For “2.48,” Nass received one of the Ohio Arts Council’s (OAC) awards in the professional division.

“The Ohio Arts Council is thrilled to support the work of emerging and professional artists at the annual Ohio State Fair Fine Arts Exhibition,” said OAC Executive Director Donna S. Collins. “2018 marks our 20^th year celebrating the creative talents of Ohio’s artists at the Fair.”

This year, more than $22,000 in exhibition awards were distributed to artists in categories such as “Best of Show,” “Juror’s Choice,” and awards funded by the OAC and other Ohio-based organizations. At the ceremony, 55 awards were presented.

As in past years, the Ohio State Fair Fine Arts Exhibition incorporates work in a variety of mediums that is created by artists in both professional and amateur categories. The 2018 exhibition features the highlighted discipline of metal and glass.

A full list of OAC award winners follows:

A METAL AND GLASS PERSPECTIVE AWARDS

Ohio Arts Council Award – Professional Division ($500)

Ohio Arts Council Award – Amateur Division ($500)

OHIO ARTS COUNCIL AWARDS

Ohio Arts Council Award – Professional Division ($300)

New Artist Award – Professional Division ($250)

Ohio Arts Council Award – Amateur Division ($250)

New Artist Award – Amateur Division ($250)

Special Art Purchase

In addition to the exhibition, other arts-related activities scheduled for the fair include an on-site plein air painting competition July 25-27 and an on-site sidewalk chalk art competition July 27-28.

A youth art exhibition and creative arts showcase are housed across the fairgrounds in the Cardinal Hall.

The Ohio State Fair Fine Arts Exhibition is open from July 25 through Aug. 4, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. On Aug. 5, the last day of the fair, the exhibition is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. While the exhibition is on view, visitors can vote for the Peoples’ Choice Award, an annual prize sponsored by the OAC that is given to the work of art that receives the most votes from the public.

For more information about the Ohio State Fair, visit ohiostatefair.com.

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Article by Amanda Etchison, Communications Strategist

Get Ready for the Ohio State Fair!

Wed, 20 Jun 2018 18:42:03 GMT

When was the last time you went to the Ohio State Fair? Or, maybe the better question is this: What do you remember about going to the Ohio State Fair when you were a kid?

My first State Fair was a family outing. My parents, brothers, and grandparents all piled into the car and drove across town to the fairgrounds. My brothers and I were so excited because our parents told us about the animals we would see; my grandmother talked about the exhibitions we would soon explore; and my grandpa said, “There will be more people in one place than you’ve seen in your entire life.”

When we went through the gates I remember my dad telling us to stay together and not to be afraid to say hello to people. Those were the days! What my brothers and I did not anticipate were the fair attractions – rides, games, and food vendors. We had the time of our lives.

It’s hard to believe, but the Ohio State Fair began in 1851 and traveled around annually from city to city until 1874, when the Fair finally settled at what is now known as Franklin Park Conservatory. The fair next moved in 1886 to the site it calls home today in Columbus at the Ohio Expo Center.

As a teenager, my neighborhood friends and I took public transit (the COTA bus) from our home to the State Fair and spent the entire day exploring, riding rides, seeing the sights, and eating lots of food from the vendors up and down the midway. I remember seeing so many animals and wondering if the kids from the country (out in rural Ohio, where I now call home) would all become veterinarians!

As an adult, when I was working at Head Start, I was approached to work at the Fair during Dagmar Celeste’s tenure as Ohio’s First Lady. She engaged a professional, locally-owned company to set-up child care services on the fairgrounds so that children who needed to take a nap, get hydrated, or find a creative outlet (like making art and playing games) could do so in a safe, clean, welcoming environment. It was a great idea, but I only accepted that invitation one time!

Today, we enjoy one of the best state fairs in the nation. I’m most proud of the Ohio Arts Council’s affiliation, which started in 1998. That means 2018 marks our 20^th anniversary in partnership to bring artists to the people through the Fine Arts Exhibition at the Cox Fine Arts Center. Amateur and professional artists enter this adjudicated event and the results are an outstanding exhibition that is a feast for the eyes and soul.

And I can’t forget about the Youth Arts Exhibition that has grown extensively over the past few years. The artwork created by Ohio’s young people is phenomenal! You won’t want to miss either of these exhibitions this year.

Another highlight of the fair is hearing the All-Ohio State Fair Band and All-Ohio State Fair Youth Choir. The All-Ohio State Fair Band established itself as a tradition way back in 1925! Between the band and choir, 400 young people participate annually. This year I’ll have the opportunity to introduce these young people at their concert on Sunday, July 29 – I hope you’ll join me to hear the other best band (and choir) in the land!

Let’s all get ready for the Ohio State Fair, running July 25 – August 5, a favorite family tradition!

See you there,

Donna S. Collins
Executive Director

OAC Guide to the Ohio State Fair

Thu, 09 Jul 2015 15:03:53 GMT

Ohio State Fair July 29 - August 9, 2015

State fairs by their very nature are controlled chaos. With antiques to peruse, livestock to judge, and festival food to find, it's easy to get swept up in the grandness of it all (and we're not just talking about that slide). For many families the State Fair is a bonafide tradition, and 2015 continues the summer memories. If it isn't already marked on your calendar, now's the time to start a new tradition. We've got your itinerary covered. Just make sure you grab a funnel cake (and a map!) on the way.

Ohio Heritage Day

Thursday, August 6, at the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Stage

A welcome oasis among the crowds, Ohio Heritage Day at the ODNR stage is a hidden gem among attractions. The Ohio Arts Council's Ohio Heritage Fellowships are awarded to individuals and organizations whose work in the folk and traditional arts has had a significant impact on the people and communities of Ohio. Folk and traditional arts grow out of particular cultures and are recognized as the artistic expressions of ethnic, linguistic, occupational, or regional groups. The amphitheater schedule is jam-packed, but we've got two traditional acts you won't want to miss.

11:30 a.m. - Traditional Master Artist Whitt Mead and his apprentice Ellie Hoffman

Whitt is committed to both old-time music and the culture it champions. He believes in the importance of reinforcing the community aspect of fiddling, which he demonstrates by playing at square dances and community events while also recording with the traditional Appalachian string band, “The River Rats.” Ellie Hoffman, despite her young age, is an accomplished musician in both violin and fiddle. Ellie is interested not just in performing music, but also in learning about the historical periods that accompanied the music she plays. Learn more about Whitt and Ellie.

4:30 p.m. - The Jericho Old Time Band

Join Traditional Master Artist Warren Waldron with Susan Pepper and Jonathan Bradshaw (a husband-and-wife apprentice duo) when they take the stage with Jericho. A self-described group of old-time musicians who like to share the fun and variety of old-time music. Jericho presents an eclectic mix of American roots music including lively old-time fiddle tunes, lonesome ballads, early country vocal duets, mountain dulcimer, a variety of banjo styles and more! It is important to us to honor the rich traditions of these wonderful old tunes, while at the same time bringing our energy to make them our own.

Follow along on Facebook and check out their website for past performances and future shows.

Fine Arts Exhibition

July 29 to August 9 in the Cox Fine Arts Center

Looking for a way to take part in the art? Find some relief from the heat and head over to the Cox Fine Arts Center to view an impressive roster of original work from professional and amateur artists alike. This annual exhibition results in thousands of dollars worth of award money for Ohio artists, and you get a say! The "People's Choice Award" is selected by you and other fair attendees. The OAC sponsors the $500 award and we want to know what you think! Be sure to grab a ballot and vote for your favorite artwork before the end of the fair on August 9.

Know someone who should submit next year? Policies and procedures, information on past competitions, and related news can be found on the Ohio State Fair website.

Discounts and pricing information available online.

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