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Artist Opportunity Grant

Local Artist Invites You to Create A Piece For Community Art Exhibition

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Leesa Happapurro is a local Dayton artist whom I personally love with all my heart. Not only is she a talented artist, she is good people. Originally from Detroit, Haapapuro has made Dayton her home. Her work has been described as whimsical, ethereal, and magical—and there is true magic in her ability to engage the community. Last year, at the start of the pandemic, Haapapuro participated in the Dayton Artists United show at the Orphanage Gallery, demonstrating the making of colorful, complicated, fragile looking paper flowers for her Garden of Hope exhibition. This year, she is launching a new exhibit with the Dayton Metro Library, called BRIDGES, which runs from May 1 to June 30, 2021 and explores ideas of unity and the things that connect us.

The community can participate by picking up materials at their library, beginning May 1st,. Kits can be reserved online. The kits include gorgeous rectangular cutouts that feature scrollwork and designs that evoke the designs of wrought iron bridgework. Participants color their “bridge” piece and return it to any branch library. The pieces will be delivered to Haapapuro for installation at the Main Branch library. She plans to connect them together to create an installation piece that is a visual representation of unity. The artist will host free workshops on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, 11 am-3 pm.* in the Opportunity Space @ Patterson, inside the Main Library at 215 E Third Street in downtown Dayton and the public can view the work in progress through the windows at the corner of Third Street and St. Clair Avenue. *If the public health advisory is at orange or higher, workshops will take place online.

Haapapuro hopes the installation will engage the community in thinking about how we unify fractured communities and create a focus for conversations about equity. The project has been made possible through an Artist Opportunity Grant from the Montgomery County Arts and Cultural District administered by Culture Works and the Dayton Metro Library.

Leesa Haapapuro has a Bachelor of Fine Arts from University of the Arts in Philadelphia and a Master of Fine Arts degree from Cranbrook Academy of Art in 2000. In addition to being known for creating temporary site-specific installations which invite community participation, Haapapuro is a well-known regional arts educator, which is how I first met her. She has a huge following, because her classes are wonderful and deceptive—she makes you feel like you can create anything, then she connects your work to the works of others and makes you feel like you are a part of something bigger. Her work is shown through-out the region, and she has sculptures in the permanent collection of the Dayton Art Institute and at Wright State University. I think she is one of Dayton’s gems, and I advise you take advantage of this opportunity to participate in her installation. Reserve your kit today!

Author:  Curtis Bowman
Dayton Artists United

Montgomery County Artists Awarded $31,000

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12 Montgomery County artists will receive a total of over $31,000 in grants in 2019 through the Artist Opportunity Grant program, which is funded by the Montgomery County Arts & Cultural District (MCACD) and administered by Culture Works.

The Artist Opportunity Grant program was created in 2016 to help local artists take advantage of specific, imminent opportunities for professional development and the creation or completion of new work. “Artists in our region are incredibly community minded,” said Culture Works Executive Director Lisa Hanson. “They invest countless hours into community projects and collaborations. We want to make sure that they also have the opportunity to invest in themselves, whether that means building their skills or simply carving out time to focus on creating.”

Since the first grant cycle, 33 Montgomery County artists have been selected by independent review panels to receive over $80,000 in grants. When making funding recommendations, panelists consider each project’s artistic merit, feasibility, potential impact on the artist, and potential impact on the larger community. “As one of our past panelists said, the better the artists in our community, the better our community,” said MCACD Executive Director Matt Dunn. “Year after year, we’ve been impressed with the quality of project proposals we’ve received from Montgomery County’s artists, and we’re proud to support their endeavors.”

 

2018-19 Artist Opportunity Grantees

Adam Alonzo

Opportunity: To present a workshop production of a new play about Dayton’s poet Paul Laurence Dunbar.
About the Artist: Adam Alonzo is a lifelong Dayton resident who is involved in writing, photography, and music. Through his work, Adam hopes to help people achieve a better understanding and appreciation of the arts.

 

 

Leah Byrd

Opportunity: To produce the second season of the award-winning web series Hot & Bothered.
About the Artist: Leah Byrd is the writer, director, editor, and star of the comedic web series Hot & Bothered. She was born and raised in Dayton, Ohio. She grew up spending 13 years in Catholic school in a small Midwestern city leaving very little room for queer spaces within her childhood. Discovering all of the queer content available online was a real game changer on her path towards self acceptance. This has driven a strong passion within Leah to create diverse characters within her own media. She knows firsthand what representation can do to one’s mental health and the incredible power that media can have on opening minds.
Leah Byrd has a BFA in Motion Picture Production from Wright State University. 
leahbyrd.com

 

 

Phillitia Charlton

Opportunity: To create a theatrical performance comprised of works from her book The Death of a Lie–a poetic journey from foster care and abandonment to self-acceptance.
About the Artist: Phillitia Charlton believes in hope and the power of resilience. She uses her storytelling and poetry to share her story and inspire others. While only 2% of foster care children earn a bachelor’s degree, Phillitia exceeded the odds by completing and excelling in multiple graduate-level programs. Phillitia has been recognized as a National Urban School of Excellence Leader and a rising star. She is a passionate author, life coach, artist, and educator. Phillitia’s faith and fundamental approach to embracing her past are the tools she uses to empower others. Her book, The Death of a Lie, is a poetic diary which exposes the lies women tell themselves in search of happiness.

 

 

Dan Cleary

Opportunity: To travel to Le Mans, France and photograph the locations where Wilbur Wright first made his European flight demonstrations for use in the photographic series “Then and Now – Wright Brothers Photographs.”
Artist Statement: “After reading David McCullough’s biography of the Wright Brothers, I was struck by how they used photography in their process of discovery. Since 2016, I have been working on a series of photographs about the Wright Brothers that uses their original photographs in combination with images that I have taken at the same locations. Each image also contains a narrative element taken from their personal journals and publications from the era. Traveling to Le Mans, France will help me to complete this series of photographs, which I hope to publish as a book.”
ClearyCreativePhoto.com

 

 

Tess Cortes

Opportunity: To attend a week-long workshop with German artist Hannah Perner-Wilson and learn how to create interactive objects using electricity as a material property.
Artist Statement: “My work is grounded in the tradition of early video artists who experimented with the tools of mass media production—video cameras, sound recording, and editing equipment—to create non-narrative and experimental imagery and sound. I’m looking to expand my practice to include work informed by electronic sensors.”
nettabits.net

 

 

George Drake, Jr.

Opportunity: Produce a multi-part podcast to tell the story of 1920s Dayton through a mysterious letter found hidden beneath a bathtub during a 2008 renovation of a home in Oakwood.
About the Artist: George Drake, Jr. consistently allows his ears and intuition to find sounds that tell stories. After graduating with a Bachelor’s in Telecommunications from Indiana University, he went on to pursue his Master’s in Radio from Goldsmiths, University of London. From programming for a local music station in Indiana, to writing news for an online radio startup in Chicago, to producing his own podcastEverything Sounds, George has been involved in almost every level of radio. He currently lives with his lady in Dayton, Ohio, and he loves researching, writing, recording, producing, and voicing all things radio. George believes that radio is essential to disseminating information, exploring challenging topics, and changing the world.
georgedrakejr.com

 

 

Jocelyn Green

Opportunity: To produce and choreograph a dance show to broaden Dayton’s interaction with dance and develop her choreographic and business skills.
About the Artist: Jocelyn Green has spent the last five years dancing professionally with the Dayton Ballet. She has been featured in lead roles with the company and performed with the National Choreographers Initiative in the Summer of 2018. Jocelyn is excited to use the Artist Opportunity Grant to focus on her own choreography and build an avenue for artists to share innovative dance with the Dayton community.
daytondanceinitiative.com

 

 

Reginald Harmon

Opportunity: To create a 36” prototype for a larger-than-life statue of Paul Laurence Dunbar that can be placed in a prominent location in Dayton, Ohio and fulfill a lifetime goal and dream.
Artist Statement: “My sincere belief is that art is a gift that is available to everyone. As individuals, we must seek to discover what aspect of that gift we can grasp. I truly love the many aspects of being an artist. We invite you to come closer to this world of expression and find that place which is yours. As an artistic historian, I invoke a power to give birth to joy, happiness, and positive energy through my art.”
www.infiniteconceptsllc.com

 

 

Mikee Huber

Opportunity: To attend a photography workshop with Colleen Miniuk-Sperry to hone her skills for nature photography.
Artist Statement: “Controlled chaos” is fitting for the approach I take with the mediums and unconventional tools I use in creating my paintings, as well as a reflection of the busy lives many of us live. Tongue depressors, toothpicks, eyedroppers, tweezers, and my fingers dance across the canvas, taking the place of the traditional paintbrush to combine layers of paint, glitter, glue, and foil leaf. Most of my paintings are untitled to allow the viewer to have their own personal emotional connection. When viewing my paintings some may see geodes, seascapes, or a microscopic organic new world where others may remember their grandmother’s garden. The fluid movements lead the eyes from abstract landscapes and pools of color into the unknown, begging the viewer to see their own story. My obsession with abstracts found in science and nature help fuel my experimentation with fluid oil-based mixed mediums, which allows a creative process that is both calming and energizing. As a graphics designer at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, I draw inspiration for my mixed medium abstracts from intriguing imagery scientists and engineers produce for their research. I enjoy interpreting and reimagining factual data into colorful realms of possibility. I often allow viewers to touch the glossy surfaces of the paintings and enjoy their reactions of wonder revealed by how the surface feels. Therefore, I encourage those viewing the paintings online to zoom in to see the details. Areas that appear rough can be as smooth as glass while some areas appear smooth yet can have a texture, thus surprising the viewer. I also experiment with scale, my paintings range in size from a quaint 4”x4” to an expansive 36”x48”.
mikeehuber.com

 

 

Glenna Jennings

Opportunity: To travel to Photolucida Portfolio Reviews Festival in Portland, Oregon during April 2019 to seek publication and exhibition opportunities for her long-term photographic series At Table, 2004-2018.
About the Artist: Glenna Jennings is an Assistant Professor of Photography at the University of Dayton, Ohio whose work includes photography, curating, and socially-engaged art. She holds BAs in English and Spanish (Pepperdine), a BFA in Photography (Art Center College of Design) and an MFA in Visual Arts (University of California San Diego). Jennings has exhibited throughout the US, Mexico, Europe, and China. Recognition of her work includes an Ohio Arts Council Individual Excellence Award and a Peter McGrath Human Rights Fellowship. Her work resides within the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego, AMNUA Museum China, and multiple private collections. Jennings is a passionate educator whose teaching, research, and service inform her dynamic practice. She has a specific interest in food justice, and her series At Table (2004-2018) documents everyday spaces of human expression and connection in dining rooms, kitchens, bars, and restaurants around the world.
glennajennings.com

 

 

 

Annie Pesch

Courtesy of Nick Coleman Photographix

Opportunity: To originate a one-person show about a woman with dissociative identity disorder.
Artist Statement: “My professional career as an actor has been devoted to working on new plays at all stages of development. I prefer plays where I can broaden my range as an actor–playing multiple characters, using a variety of accents and dialects, et cetera. It is also important for me as an artist to give back to the community by providing thought-provoking and impactful performances/productions.”
anniepesch.com

 

 

Gabriela Pickett

Opportunity: To attend a two-week residency with artist Artemio Rodriguez to develop her skills as a printmaker by better understanding the techniques that stem from medieval engravers that rely on simple lines to create an image.
About the Artist: Gabriela is a native of Mexico. Coming from a long line of artists, she studied art at Wright State University in the United States. Her life is full of experiences that have allowed her to develop her talent as an artist. When Gabriela paints or creates sculptures she uses a fusion of influences from her native country. Gabriela aims at raising awareness regarding the living conditions of the Mexican indigenous people who have been marginalized by economic realities and social discrimination.
As an activist, Gabriela uses her art as a venue for social commentary in the hope that indigenous people are not forgotten. In an era where Zapatistas have put down their guns and use words as a weapon against tyranny, she uses her art to complement the messages of peace and respect for human rights emanating from the jungles of Mexico. Her landscapes are memories of her childhood recorded for posterity. As urbanization takes over the Mexican landscape, Gabriela wants to show the world the beauty of Mexico’s countryside before it fades away.

 

 

$40,000 in Grants Available for Montgomery County Artists

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The Artist Opportunity Grant program, which is funded by the MCACD and administered by Culture Works, provides grants to help artists take advantage of specific, imminent opportunities for professional development and the creation or completion of new work. The $40,000 available in 2018 represents a significant funding increase—up from $30,000 in each of the first two years of the program.Culture Works and the Montgomery County Arts and Cultural District (MCACD) are pleased to announce that $40,000 will be available for Montgomery County artists through the 2018 Artist Opportunity Grant program.

“MCACD understands the role artists play in the vibrancy of our community,” said Matt Dunn, MCACD Executive Director. “We want to see artists advance in their careers and continue to contribute to the community.” According to Dunn, this year’s funding increase is a result of careful planning and a decision to carry forward previous unspent funds in order to benefit as many artists as possible.

Awards given in the 2018 grant cycle will range from $500–$3,000. Artists can apply through the Culture Works website from August 1 through October 1, 2018. The project or opportunity for which an applicant seeks funding must take place between January 1, 2019 and December 31, 2019. Applications will be reviewed by an independent panel, and funding decisions will be announced later in the fall.

“Support for working artists is essential to creating vibrant communities,” said Lisa Hanson, Culture Works Executive Director. “The funding provided through Montgomery County Arts and Cultural District encourages artistic growth and creates opportunity for meaningful public engagement with the arts. Our community thrives when artists thrive.”

Montgomery County artists of all disciplines—including writers, painters, photographers, actors, musicians, dancers, sculptors, and film makers–are encouraged to apply. Past grantees have received funding to create public murals and exhibitions, record albums, attend international workshops and residencies, and more.

Learn more about the Artist Opportunity Grant program at cultureworks.org/artistgrants.

Montgomery County Awards Grants to 6 Local Artists

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montgomery_county_logoSix Montgomery County artists have been awarded grants for professional development opportunities through a new program funded by the Montgomery County Arts & Cultural District and administered by Culture Works.

The Artist Opportunity Grant program, announced earlier this year, invites individual artists of all disciplines to apply for funding to support career-enhancing professional development opportunities, such as residencies, conferences, and exhibitions. Applications are reviewed by an independent panel of artists, arts administrators, educators, and community leaders.
2016-artist-opportunity-grant-recipients-horizontal
Based on the funding recommendations made by the panelists at a public meeting in mid-November, $11,022 will be awarded to this year’s grantees: Nicholaus Arnold, gallery director at The Blue House Gallery and an instructor of printmaking and photography at several local institutions; Glenna Jennings, a visual artist and assistant professor at the University of Dayton; Ashley Jonas, co-founder of The Blue House Gallery and an adjunct professor; Gina Handy Minyard, founding artistic director of Magnolia Theatre Company and theatre magnet director at Stivers School for the Arts; Christin Rondeau, a soprano, voice teacher, and director of the St. George’s Orff Ensemble; and Francis Schanberger, a prolific photographer.

Opportunities being funded by this grant cycle include local and international exhibitions, two artist residencies, and professional training in music and theatre. Minyard received funding to pursue certification in the Michael Chekhov Acting Technique, which isn’t currently taught anywhere in Dayton. “As actors, we are always looking for new ways to uncover truth and bring that to the characters we portray,” she said. “The opportunity to learn and share this technique helps me to attract artists who are looking for professional training, as well as bring my students at Stivers another way of approaching a role.”

Matt Dunn, Executive Director of MCACD, emphasized that the panelists considered not only the quality of applicants’ work but also evidence of their commitment to strengthening the local network of artists and the community as a whole. “Since this was the first year of the grant program, it was important to the panelists that we set a standard of excellence,” he said. “Our six grantees are individuals who are not only producing incredible artistic work but who are constantly challenging and expanding the role of art in our community.”