31 July Creative Spark in the City of Sculpture July 31, 2015 artists, For Artists, For Organizations, For the Public, Organizations, Public Butler County, Fitton Center for Creative Arts, Hamilton, Ohio, Ohio Arts Council, Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park, sculptures 0 Hamilton, Ohio, may seem like an unlikely place for creatives to flock, but with Artspace lofts, the Fitton Center for Creative Arts, a popular outdoor concert series, and hundreds of sculptures—it's clear this city's dedication to public art goes beyond the surface. The Ohio Arts Council had the opportunity to spend a day in Hamilton, and we left with a plan to return. Follow our itinerary and we're sure you will too. Getting There Hamilton is nestled by the Greater Miami River in southwest Ohio--a 40-minute drive from downtown Cincinnati or nearby Dayton and less than two hours from Columbus. It's worth a look if you're close by and warrants a day trip if farther away. First Stop: Fitton Center for Creative Arts From the reimagined theatre to a transformable ballroom, the Fitton Center for Creative Arts is poised to be a go-to arts and culture space in southwest Ohio. Add to the mix--robust studios for everything from children's art camps, to wine and pottery classes, music lessons, and curated galleries--we'll see you at the Fitton. Special thanks to our gracious hosts and itinerary designers: Ian MacKenzie-Thurley, Executive Director, and Kim Neal, Coordinator of Public Relations, Marketing, and Performances. Don't Miss: RiversEdge concert series An outdoor amphitheater that books local, regional, and national touring acts, with a proposed park space, and a festival under its belt. Keep up with what's next on their Facebook page. Second Stop: City of Sculpture So what exactly does it mean? Formally recognized in 2000, Hamilton adopted the "City of Sculpture" moniker and has been living up to it ever since. You won't miss the larger-than-life Alexander Hamilton statue when you drive into town, and then do yourself a favor and download the Otocast mobile audio app for a full tour. Check Out: Artspace Lofts on High Street Thanks to an Our Town grant from the National Endowment for the Arts, these affordable artist apartments are slated to add another layer of vibrancy to this creative community. Final Stop: Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park and Museum At first glance Pyramid Hill is an ocean of meadows and forest--that is, until monumental pieces of outdoor sculpture rise out of the ground before your eyes. Permanent pieces mix in the gardens--stroll past an authentic Pioneer home, and look right to see a blazingly modern glass pyramid dot the bucolic landscape. Grab an Art Cart and explore a little. Look For: Ancient Sculpture Museum. A 10,000-foot space on the grounds displaying Egyptian, Greek, Roman, and Etruscan sculpture dating back to B.C. In the field with the @Fitton_Center in Hamilton today. More photos and stories coming soon #artsohio pic.twitter.com/uiwWNTY0t9 — Ohio Arts Council (@OhioArtsCouncil) July 30, 2015 Final stop of our full day in Hamilton, an art cart tour of @PyramidHill #sculpture #publicart #artsohio pic.twitter.com/28d2RKOxPr — Ohio Arts Council (@OhioArtsCouncil) July 30, 2015 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. ### Photo Credit: Melinda at the Beach by Bill Barrett, courtesy of Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park and Museum Comments are closed.