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Artist

Mark Echtner – Artist and Educator

August 12, 2024 By Bill Franz

I visited Mark at his home in Dayton’s South Park neighborhood.  There was no answer when I knocked on his front door so I went around behind.  I walked towards a small frame building at the back of the lot that I thought that might be Mark’s studio.

People tell me that should be my studio” said a voice behind me.  “It’s an old carriage house, built in 1895.  But the light is better inside the house.  I didn’t hear you knock, but since you’re out back you can see my other artistic pursuit – this flower garden.  When I bought this house in 2001 this backyard was just grass.  I’ve planted all of this.”

We went into the house and into a small room off the dining room, with an easel on one side and a walls filled with art.  “Much of this art will be in a show at Sinclair Community College, Building 13 (corner of 5th and Perry) in the 4th floor gallery.  There’s free parking in lot K behind the building.  The show runs from August 12 to September 13 and the gallery is open 8-6 Monday through Friday and 9-12 Saturday.”

Mark’s recent paintings, the ones that will be in his show, are different from the ones I’ve seen several years ago.  I asked him about that.  “I had a desire to include more abstract images along with realistic components, much like this de Kooning image I have framed on my shelf.  This piece is a good example, with the primarily realistic images of the two men and the primarily abstract elements in the lower right.

“The colors of this series are also a change for me.  I used to work in more earth tones but in this series I’m using a lot of cooler, more synthetic tones, more blue and especially magentas.  And I use a lot of blacks to try to anchor things so the painting doesn’t get too busy.   As I work on these pieces it’s less about tightening up my portrayal of something and more about the colors – do I need more blue, not does that eye look right.”

I asked Mark is he’d always been an artist I’ve always been an artist.  “It was sort of a given since infancy.  My parents met in college.  My mother was a painter and my Dad was a metalsmith.  My grandmother was an art teacher and her father was an architect.  Both my sisters went into art as well.  I got my MFA in Miami, which brought me to Ohio from my home in Wisconsin.  Then I landed at Sinclair Community College where I’m a Professor in the Fine Arts Department.”

 

“I rework my paintings a lot.  In one piece a woman was shopping at a corn stand carrying a bag.  Now it’s a man shopping at the stand and carrying a baby.  This piece I’m painting now probably has about 5 more hours of work before it’s done.  I’ve already changed the position of the lady’s hand.  I think I’ll darken the right side, to give the illusion of looking through a screen door.  I’ll also pull the shadows a bit.  And I need to decide if the man’s pants need a pocket.  Now it sort of looks like he’s wearing tights.”

“I’ve created a lot of work for this show at Sinclair, and I’m looking forward to seeing it all up.  You’ve seen a lot of it, Bill as you walk around the house.  But some of it’s hanging beside older pieces and some is stacked two or three deep.  It’ll be fun seeing it as a body of work all hanging together.”

Filed Under: The Featured Articles, Visual Arts Tagged With: Artist, Mark Echtner

We Care Arts presents Debut Gallery Show!

June 11, 2019 By LIbby Ballengee

Calling all art lovers! The local nonprofit, We Care Arts, is hosting it’s first ever gallery show White Knight this Friday June 14th from 6-8pm at their Berkeley Center studio location at 3035 Wilmington Pike in Kettering. Kick off the weekend with exclusive art pieces, online bidding, a gallery shop and more! Not only are you getting original and unique art, you are supporting an impactful area nonprofit. All proceeds will empower artists to achieve their goals.

We Care Arts believes in the healing power of creating and producing art that transforms physical, developmental and mental health challenges into a future rich with possibilities. Since 1983, We Care Arts has been providing a caring and safe space for artists to engage in artistic exploration as they work through life’s challenges.

This debut dual exhibition show and reception will feature two Dayton-based artists, Teresa White and Mitchell Knight, from We Care Arts. Teresa White is a sculptor from Dayton, OH.  She enjoys creating whimsical animal shapes, drawing inspiration from colors and forms in nature. She finds happiness in the process of developing each piece and sharing her art with others. Mitchell Knight is a painter from Dayton, OH.  He graduated from Chaminade Julienne High School.  Mitchell enjoys art because it allows him to focus on what he is creating and enjoy that moment.  Mitchell specializes in abstract paintings on canvas, and is inspired by the lines and shapes found in art by Paul Klee. 

Both artists attend programming at We Care Arts where they have developed collections.  Teresa’s unique ceramic pieces have become quite popular at the studio.  Mitchell creates modern acrylic paintings that have been quite popular among buyers. Mitchell also currently has a piece on display in the VSA Ohio’s Accessible Expressions Ohio statewide exhibition for 2019.

Art by Mitchell Knight created at We Care Arts – Berkley Studio

How To Go?

Friday June 14th from 6-8pm

We Care Arts is located at 3035 Wilmington Pike in Kettering, OH just south of Dorothy Lane and across from Eudora Brewery.

Parking is available in the back of the studio. 

This is a free event, open to the public!

Can’t make the gallery?  View/Shop the collection online – https://one.bidpal.net/wecareshow/welcome

If you would like to see more about We Care Arts, please visit them online at wecarearts.org and follow on social media. 

For gallery information, you may contact Rebekah Orr at Rorr@wecarearts.org or by phone at 937 252 3937.

    

 

 

 

Filed Under: Arts & Entertainment, Charity Events, Getting Involved, The Featured Articles Tagged With: art, Artist, debut, friday, gallery, Kettering, nonprofit, Things to Do, We Care Arts

Artist of the Week: Megan Fiely

September 28, 2018 By Bill Franz

Megan Fiely moved back to her home state of Ohio a little over a year ago, after living in Colorado and Kansas. She lives in Dayton’s South Park neighborhood and shares a studio in the Old North Dayton neighborhood.

Megan was nice enough to let me hang out and watch her paint for awhile. When I started watching this canvas was almost completely white, with some texture made from modeling paste. As I watched her paint I could start to see one of her colorful abstracts emerge.

You can see Megan painting tonight, Saturday night and Sunday afternoon at the Benjamin & Marian Schuster Performing Arts Center. The Dayton Philharmonic is playing three concerts that include the Final Movement from Modest Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition. Before the concert the audience will see Megan and two other artists creating their own pictures.

“I don’t mind painting while people watch,” Megan told me. “I did that as part of Art in the City in August, and also at Crane Studios Market in June. In November I will be painting alongside a dozen other artists at the Art Off fundraiser for K12 Gallery and TEJAS, In just two hours we will each create a finished painting.”

“My love of music is something that influences my art. There’s a musical element in most of my work, so painting before performances by the Dayton Philharmonic is great.”

Filed Under: The Featured Articles, Visual Arts Tagged With: Artist, Megan Fiely

Rebecca Sargent – Artist and Educator

October 2, 2017 By Bill Franz

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Rebecca Sargent spends her days at K12 Gallery & TEJAS, Dayton’s leading arts education organization, which is in Dayton’s most colorful building. 

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“I started volunteering at K12 eighteen years ago” Rebecca told me.  “Then I went to college at Wright State and taught art part-time at K12.  I left to go to grad school in Philadelphia and came back to Dayton at the perfect time.  K12 had just doubled their space and was adding TEJAS (Teen Educational Adult Studio).  I was hired to coordinate TEJAS on a part- time basis and I also did the “adjunct shuffle” – teaching at Wright State, Sinclair Community College and Stivers School for the Arts.  Then eight years ago I started working at K12 full time.  Recently I was promoted to Program Director.”

“Working for a non-profit can be challenging.  There’s so much work to do and the financial rewards aren’t great.  But I love it.  I feel very fortunate to be here.”

“Anytime I feel low, I can just walk around the building and see young artists like these, and then I cheer right up.”

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Rebecca makes her own art in a studio at her home.  She and her husband live in this home on a quiet side street in Dayton.

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Rebecca paints in a converted garage at the rear of her home. It’s an ideal space, with lots of light from skylights she’s added.  With the windows and the roses, it reminded me of a rustic cottage.

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When I entered, I looked for Rebecca’s work bench.  I make a habit of photographing work benches whenever I get the chance.  No two are ever alike.  Rebecca’s work bench didn’t disappoint, with its pens, pencils, brushes, papers for her collages, some paints, and a pile of garlic bulbs from her garden.

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Her painting work table was less individualistic, but more colorful.

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Before she starts a painting, Rebecca creates a collage that guides her as she paints.  This collage was taped to the wall to the right of her easel.

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When I visit some artists, they pretend to paint while I take photos. But Rebecca didn’t want to waste time. She had a few free days and she was going to make them count.

When I started watching her work, this canvas only had a background color. But in a relatively short amount of time Rebecca brought it to life, loosely guided by the collage.

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This painting was for an exhibition that Rebecca and Ann B. Kim were having at Dutoit Gallery called “Same Same but Different.”

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I asked Rebecca how long it takes her to complete a painting.  “Once I’ve made the collages and worked out ideas as a starting point, I typically finish an individual painting in a few weeks.  I’m a pretty fast painter and tend work in bursts.  However, an entire series of 12-14 paintings will take me an entire year to complete.”

“I create work in a series, working on several paintings at one time.  I tend to stop working on a painting before I totally finish it.  Sometimes I fear that I’ll “over-work” the piece, or need to work out a few more ideas before I feel like I can finish it.”

“My work typically involves structures and architectural spaces.  This series is different for me because I have added figures into these spaces.  This presents a new challenge so far as paint handling.  But I like this addition because it provides me the opportunity to further explore a narrative in my work.

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Before leaving, I asked Rebecca to lay down her brush and pose for me.

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A month or two after this visit I went to Rebecca’s show at Dutoit Gallery.  I loved her work, especially the piece I watched her work on.  The title of the piece was great:  “Is Bill Still Watching?”

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More of her work can be found at: rebeccasargent.com

Filed Under: The Featured Articles, Visual Arts Tagged With: Artist, k12 gallery, Rebecca Sargent

Christopher’s Restaurant Features Local Art of Tom Watson

July 12, 2016 By Dayton937 Leave a Comment

“The Vagueness of Youth” by Artist Tom Watson III.

Local artist Tom Watson III has experienced more in all his years than most people will live in a lifetime.   Tom is a stroke survivor, a cancer survivor and a man who keeps fighting to live a full life.  Food Adventures recently sat down with Tom at Christopher’s in Kettering, a restaurant that is showcasing his art through July 30th.

Christopher’s Art Show Closing Reception and live painting session is Saturday, July 30, from 2:30 to 4:30pm.

Tom’s paintings adorn the walls of the far dining room, and if you didnt know better, you would think the place was purposely decorated that way.  His art blends well with the warm scene at Christopher’s Restaurant. Tom explained the toll that having a stroke has taken on his life, and how art and painting, helped him rehabilitate in so many ways.   With a lovely wife and 2 healthy, happy boys, he has so much to live for, and has accompished so much.

From the nearly 1,000 “Stem Re-assemblage” collection of paintings

 

HERE’S THE SKINNY on  LOCAL ARTIST TOM WATSON III:

— In the 90’s Tom had recently graduated high school.  He became a fixture on the local art and music scene.  He was known around Dayton as a scenester and a zinester.  As the millenium passed he concentrated on college.

— March 17th, 2005 – Tom Watson’s life changes forever as he suffers a brain-stem embolism, a severe stroke, while in class at  the University of Dayton.  He was 34 years old.

Christophers in Kettering is where the art is displayed

Against the odds, he survived the stroke, but he had to learn to walk and write again.

— Tom Watson III used art to fuel his recovery.  In the coming years, his strength returns and his motor skills improve and he graduates college. His art is well received and his story hits local media outlets.  His art was featured at Ha Ha Pizza, where Big Ragu did a Food Adventure with Tom.   His art was also displayed at Emporium Wines in Yellow Springs, and the Dayton Art Institute as well as others.  Many of his paintings of this era feature a prominent artery map of his stroke, taken from an x-ray.

The incomparable Meat Chili from Christopher’s Restaurant

— In 2011, Tom was awarded the first annual RAISE Award from the National Stroke Association.  The RAISE Awards highlight individuals and groups who have impacted the lives of others through stroke advocacy and education.  He was presented the award by iconic 70’s celebrity, Henry Winkler, who played “the Fonz” on the “Happy Days” TV Show.  “Fonz” has a painting of tom’s that hangs in his home ’til this day.

Tom’s Artwork on display in Christopher’s

— Things were looking up for Tom, he now had 2 sons and his health had improved tremendously.  As fate would have it, on Valentines Day 2014, he was diagnosed with tongue cancer.  He went forward with aggressive treatment.  After some surgeries, he is currently cancer free.

— Saturday July 30, 2016 – 2:30 to 4:30pm  Tom will be be at Christopher’s Restaurant in person making some more of his unique paintings.  Here’s more info on this event.

Art adorns the walls, showing a story of survival

As we sat there having lunch with Tom, we talked about everything from the local music of Boxcar Suite to the favorite restaurants of Dayton.  We talked about his art, about how depressed his stroke and cancer had him.  He talked about his beautiful painting “The Vagueness of Youth,” explaining, we all dont know who we are yet at that young point in our lives.

Tom has come full circle.  These days he is very pensive and thoughtful.  He appreciates

Tom’s Art Portfolio is an incredible journey of triumph

life.  He knows what is means to stare death in the face.  It has given him a new appreciation on everything.  He is grateful for friends and family.  He is thankful for his health.  He even told us about how he is a true foodie and just appreciates good food.  Tom gifted us a piece of his artwork, and the Food Adventures crew will display it proudly at home.

Tom’s story is a tale of perseverance.  It is the story of succeeding in life, the will to live and what to learn from life’s experiences.  His art was the tool that brought him back from the brink.  It is a story of an artist, but it is really the story of a rugged survivor.

Tom Watson with his national award, the recognized individual for Stroke Awareness for the year 2011

 

VISIT CHRISTOPHER’S FOR GREAT FOOD, MEET TOM WATSON, and HIS ART – restaurant is at the corner of Woodman and Dorothy Lane.

MUST EATS at CHRISTOPHERS:

— MEAT CHILI:  Always a top vote getter at the local chili cook offs, this version is insanely god when served with onions, sour cream and cheese.

— MUSHROOM BISQUE:  You have never had something so creamy and good.  Be a fun guy, and try the fungi.

— THE GROUND BEEF BURGER :  Local meat is the secret and so is the grain bun.  Get

The Beef Burger from Christopher’s

cheese and all the trimmings.  See why this made the list of one of the top burgers in Dayton.

— BUFFALO CHICKEN SOUP:  Phenomenal homemade soup with a kick better than Pelé.  Eat some and become a Buffalo Soldier like The Big Ragu.

— RASPBERRY PIE:  With 2 bakers on staff you know their desserts are stellar.  This pie tops the list!

— CARROT CAKE: Some say it is the best in the world….. we think they may have a point !

People eating and enjoying the artwork of Tom Watson

— BREAKFAST: We would be remiss if we didn’t mention that the entire breakfast menu is a must eat at Christopher’s.  Butter Pecan Pancakes will start you in the right direction. … and they serve breakfast every day until 1pm

Want a fresh serving of foodie fun every day?  Then click here and join the thousands of Dayton area foodies that follow Food Adventures on Facebook!  The Big Ragu, Hungry Jax and Chef House will see you at the restaurants !

Calm, relaxing atmosphere

Raspberry Pie – OH MY

A Fish Sandwich from Christopher’s

What the hell did you order , Tom? The Manhattan Beef ?

Insightful and poignant

You might be cool, but you’re not “Fonz gave you an award” cool. heeeeeeyyyyyy!

Beef Burger to go

Kettering standard

Brother Rueben – honorable mention for a must eat

Carrot Cake perfection

Buffalo Chicken Soup

Mushroom Bisque – open up and say awwww gawd

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Filed Under: Dayton Dining, Food Adventures, The Featured Articles Tagged With: art, Artist, Big Ragu, Burger, cancer, carrot cake, chef house, Chili, Christophers, Dayton, Food Adventures, hungry jax, painting, raspberry pie, stroke, Tom Watson

True Man Group

September 29, 2010 By J.T. Ryder Leave a Comment

The Blue Man Group Set To Perform At Schuster Center

September 29th, 2010

            I somehow became fascinated with the Blue Man Group quite some time ago. It is an easy thing to do, what with the level of musicianship, production values and sheer creativity of the troupe. What fascinated me most, however, is that the basic premise of the Blue Man being the perfect empty vessel, the perfect blank screen on which countless elemental dreams could be projected upon. The music seems to serve as an insistent accompaniment for the journey.

I had heard that the Blue Man Group were creating a new production, so I secured an interview with Mark Frankel, one of the members of the Blue Man Group who will be appearing inDayton. I

“Yeah, we just finished a load-in and tech in Fayetteville,Arkansas and we were sort of working out the bugs. We did some previews there that showed us that we really have a great show on our hands.” Frankel went on to say that, “Fayetteville was exciting and inDallas, the opening has been really, really strong and then the next city isDayton. Daytonians are going to be some of the very first people to have a chance to see this show.”

What are the differences between this new show and the other tours that the Blue Man have embarked on?

“There will be some elements that you may recognize from the Vegas shows, but then there is some brand new content that is focusing on technology and our relationships to things like Facebook and our devices like iPhones and Blackberries…these devices that kind of put up barrier between us, so we’re taking a good look at it. If you go around outside and you’re walking with your kids and you’ll see a parent that’s got his face down into his Droid or whatever and looking at stuff on Facebook…he’s actually experiencing the world through this little two dimensional device when there is a whole three dimensional world right in front of him.”

So, if I’m connecting the dots correctly, a group of blue mutes are going to teach us something about communication?

Mark Frankel

“That’s a fair point. Yeah, but it speaks to the honest nature that the Blue Man communicates. Because he is silent, he is not bound to any sort of text that would dictate an emotion, the audience member can take away an experience that’s personal to them.” Frankel said. “It’s a very effective way to communicate an emotion as opposed to a play, where there’s lines that dictate, ‘I’m angry’ or ‘I’m sad.’ It’s a charm of the character and it’s a unique way to convey an idea.”

With technology and communication as a theme, have there been a lot more technological elements added to the show?

“With regards specifically with the new show, I think that there are some very, very exciting technical elements that really have never been tried before. I know that that is kind of trite to say, but truly, we are doing stuff where these systems had to be designed to do exactly what we wanted them to do, so it’s not just lights. We’re using video and lighting as well and the video screens are interactive with…the whole stage is part of what we are calling 2.5 D (two and a half dimensional).” Explaining further, Frankel said, “It’s a 3D show interacting with two dimensional video and we are kind of jumping between those two worlds a lot. Again, we are dealing with these two different worlds all the time and I think the lines are starting to blur. I don’t know if that is a good thing or a bad thing.”

Sometimes, hiding in plain sight was the best way to show your true self, your actual nature. I wondered if Frankel had found this to be true from becoming his character.

“Yeah, that’s a very true part of this character…a truism, if you will. By putting on this mask, we’re actually able to be more honest. It’s not unlike, and I’m sure we’ve all had this experience, when you meet somebody and you know that this relationship is going to be finite and you know that you’ll probably never see this person again, you’re way more honest with them than someone with whom you would see again and who you’ll have consequences with. So, by the same stroke, with this mask, they don’t know who we are and they shouldn’t really care who we are: they’re just looking at this character and I can be totally myself with them. In fact, in a way, some people have said that with this character, that by putting on this mask, we’re not really putting on a mask, but that we’re taking away the normal mask that we wear and what you’re seeing with the Blue Man character is the layer beneath…maybe even several layers beneath.”

Frankel went deeper with his explanation of the Blue Man character by putting it in terms of everyday life.

“We all put on masks every day. You go to your job and we have to put on that smiling face for your boss and your co-workers and you go home and you have to pretend that the day hasn’t driven you nuts and you have to be a good dad or a good partner or whatever.” Frankel went on to say that, “These things, if you were really, really stripping them down and really being honest. The Blue Man is essentially taking the human condition and bringing it down to its basic elements: wonder, love, caring, humor, the hero, the shaman, anger happiness. All these things are arc of the show that the Blue Man is experiencing in a very open and a very clear way.”

The piercing lights and percussive sounds emanate from the stage, with frenetically moving figures silhouetted against a backdrop of flashing video screens as knurled and curled PVC instruments wend their way this way and that. This is the performance. This is the routine…but not the reality. The Blue Man Group, while being an entertaining and creative force, also serve as a microscope by which we can view our own relative existence from a very safe distance, allowing these blue mutants the luxury of exploring the outer fringes and base realities of the human condition.

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KR3ZcTb-PJU’]

Filed Under: Community Tagged With: Artist, Blue Man Group, BMG, Chris Wink, Dayton Music, J.T. Ryder, Mark Frankel, musicians, performance, pipes, pvc, Schuster Performance Center, tubes

Portrait of an Artist – Rodney Veal, the Blue Sky Project and Dayton

July 31, 2010 By Megan Cooper 1 Comment

Rodney Veal is a talker.  He’ll talk to you about his art, his family, and his passion for this city.  Upon a first meeting, he’ll talk to you like you’re old friends, and he’s not afraid to tell you what he thinks.  I got the opportunity sit down with Rodney over a long lunch to talk about his experiences.  He’s doing something right – as a Dayton native making it as an artist and giving back to the community through the Blue Sky Project.  I wanted to know his story in hopes that it could help others on a similar journey.  Luckily, Rodney is happy to tell his story.

Who is Rodney Veal?

Rodney Veal is a performance artist who hesitates to use that term to define his art.  He uses visual art, dance, film, photography, music, and more to create experiences for his audiences.  Originally, he was drawn to art school for design, but dabbling in dance while in college gave him a new direction.  After graduation, he found himself clerking at the Department of Transportation, but missing the vibrancy of movement.  He decided that he needed to find a creative outlet.  Luckily, he knew he could take a beginning ballet class at Sinclair Community College at a cost next to nothing and revive his excitement for dance.

That class started the ball rolling.  Basic Ballet at SCC shifted to adult dance classes at the Dayton Ballet which opened further doors for him.  His teacher and soon-to-be champion, Barbara Pontecorvo, told him that he had good qualities; he was musical with good turn out (and he was a man), but he would have to lose weight and learn technique.  Pontecorvo’s honesty and encouragement pushed him along to work harder.

Photo Credit: Kenny Mosher

Rodney believes it was the feedback, criticism, and encouragement from local dance professionals that kept him in the scene.  Bess Imber was his “catalyst for change,” making him take dance seriously as a career.  DeShona Pepper-Robertson shared with him her great passion and positive spirit to transform lives.  It was meeting these women in the Dayton community – and so many more – that created an atmosphere where he could work and thrive.  That’s what he claims makes Dayton such a special place – the support system available to artists.  He argues that the history of Dayton in the dance world is a “history of legendary performers and teachers” all with reputations that extend beyond Dayton.

With more feedback, he kept getting better.  The success he achieved as a choreographer really enticed him and that became his passion.  He learned he was honestly good when four of his works were performed and recognized at Regional Dance America.  He credits his continued success to the fantastic support structure that exists in Dayton; his work with friends at the Dayton Ballet, Gem City Ballet, DCDC, and other dance organizations have built him into a professional dancer/choreographer.  With a light in his eyes, Rodney says, they “gave to me and they didn’t have to be generous – but they were.”  He is forever grateful for his mentors and teachers; it is because of them that he is excited to give back to his own community through the Blue Sky Project.

His days of clerking for the Department of Transportation are long gone.  Now he teaches at Sinclair (the same college that re-introduced him to dance years ago) and Stivers, acts as the President of the Board of Involvement Advocacy which operates the Blue Sky Artist Residency Program, and he freelances as an artist.  Good work brings about more good work.  Because he was a Blue Sky resident artist in 2009, Rodney has been asked to install exhibits and create other works.  Local boy definitely makes good.

The Blue Sky Project

It’s through Blue Sky that I learned about Rodney’s story.  According to their Web site, Blue Sky is “an artist-centered program committed to producing significant works of contemporary art.”  They provide a communal environment for diverse artists to collaborate with local young people, they use the creative process to teach important lessons to the youth participants, and they build up the Dayton community by contributing to the cultural experience.  Blue Sky is changing the landscape of the Dayton region with their creative and collaborative approach to art making.  Rodney believes in the mission and its benefits for Dayton, stating “if we support individuals in what they’re passionate about, it’s a win-win for the community.”

Photo Credit: Betsie Molinsky

Rodney was a resident artist in 2009, and is so pleased to be involved in the Project again this year.  He gushes about youth participants from last year and the difference the Project has made in their life.  Each year, forty young people have the opportunity to be next to someone making art at a professional level, and those youth get to be actively engaged in the process as artists with ideas that are critiqued, validated, and utilized.  Talking about the kids from 2009, he believes their whole demeanor has changed; they see life in a different way.  And he believes that even if they choose to leave Dayton – they leave with a good story to share, and that story will make outsiders more interested in the region.

But it’s not only the youth participants who benefit; the professional artists from around the world are finding that they can work freely in Dayton.  Artistic collaboration is available and resources can be utilized.  There are so many possibilities available if you only ask.  Giving an example from his own experience, on Thursday, July 22, 2010, Rodney filled the Schuster Center Wintergarden with music, silk and dancers for two spectacular performances.  How in the world was this allowed?  He asked.  And Ken Neufeld, the President and CEO of the Victoria Theatre Association, said yes.  According to Rodney, this type of access isn’t available anywhere else – Dayton is a welcoming arts community.

In the Wintergarden - Photo Credit: Betsie Molinsky

Although the summer residency program is coming to an end, you haven’t missed out yet.  Coming up this weekend is the R U Experienced Final Exhibition; there are three ways to check it out.  How you enjoy it is up to you.  Thursday is a special gala with a ticket price that goes to support the project.  Dress up, meet and greet, and put your money toward this great cause.  Low on cash?  Friday is about hipsters and hanging out and seeing the art during First Friday.  Saturday is a friends and family event; although it’s more intimate, it’s not closed to the public.

In the future, Rodney hopes Blue Sky will expand to a year-round program.  The artists this year love the freedom and collaboration available in Dayton and they really want to come back.  Blue Sky hopes to host them through the year and connect them to what they need.

Future Growth in Dayton

The story could end there.  It was a great conversation about his history and what makes Dayton such a great place for young artists.  But I told you Rodney likes to talk, and our conversation didn’t stop with the good news about his history and the Blue Sky Project.  He also has strong ideas about what might be holding Dayton back.

When talking about the art scene in the region, Rodney calls it “an embarrassment of riches.”  But he fears that the audiences aren’t always “present” to enjoy it.  I asked what he means.  He points out that too often audiences will “stop the experience to beat traffic.”  Too many people don’t live life as it comes– they are always thinking of what comes next.  Rodney sounds like he gets his philosophy from an inspirational poster when he encourages that people should work to live rather than live to work, but you can tell that this is a man who honestly lives by that credo.  Life is about the choices that you make; he asks, “What are you running toward on that treadmill?”

He encourages more artistically-minded people to get involved in civic leadership.  New voices at the table will bring fresh, new ideas.  The myth that artists are too removed from “real people” and aren’t hard workers also must be dispelled.  Rodney says he has learned management and finance through the arts business, and he argues that many artists have the capability to use both sides of their brain for creative project management.  These individuals who bring the artistic “full-mindedness” can help implement the changes our region needs to succeed.  It’s a two-sided challenge; our region’s leadership must value the work done by the artists and call on them for help, and the artists must take up arms to help in the revitalization of the region.

Beyond the individual motivations of audience members and the commitment of artists, Rodney has recommendations for the region.  He wants Dayton to be the city that changes the mindset of middle-class America.  Believing that Dayton is behind the times in relations to many societal norms, Rodney wants to see more people feeling empowered to be themselves.  Rodney argues against what some people call “hometown values,” he says that it’s the region’s antipathy toward gay rights, a pigeon-holing of women, and the expectations that our young people should be on a track to marry and start having children quickly that results in stagnation.  In his opinion, breaking out of this mold can encourage more openness, creation, and progress.

Rodney’s last words of advice for those working to make a difference in the region: affect change for the people in front of you – don’t worry about how many are moved, just be sure that you can move those people as much as possible.  Trust the people around you to work.  Critique and feedback is good – Blind validation is bad.  And finally, he has words for the naysayers in Dayton.  “Change it or get out – find the place that makes you happy.”

Learn more about the BLUE SKY PROJECT here or here.

Filed Under: Arts & Entertainment, The Featured Articles Tagged With: art, Artist, Blue Sky, Rodney Veal

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+ 10 More
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