Happy New Year!

Very warm wishes for the new year from the Arts Initiative at Ohio State to you! We are delighted to be part of an exciting venture -- Arts in the Alley -- at South Campus Gateway, with Campus Partners, the Gateway, Ohio Art League and some amazing emerging artists. Take a look at the video from a recent "first Thursday" opening. . . and stop by and visit us sometime!

Arts in the Alley Celebrates 2010

Visit Arts in the Alley this Thursday, Jan 7, 6-9 pm to kick off the new year! The alley -- a collaborative venture with the Arts Initiative, South Campus Gateway, Campus Partners and Ohio Art League -- will come to life with a gallery opening, comedy sketches, music and more.

Sketch By Number presents Your New Year's Resolution Sucks, two 20 minute shows at 6:30 and 7:30 pm, admission free, in the Arts Initiative space. Dwayne Blackaller’s “Act-O-Matic” provides entertainment around the shows. The opening reception for This is not a Coincidence, artwork by Dan Gerdeman, whose work centers on conversations, pop culture, flights of fancy and imprints on our psyche, takes place in the Shoebox space. DJ and VJ entertainment will be provided. Plus, a new exhibition is on view at the Ohio Art League gallery and continuation of works by Sarah Weinstock is in at the Arts Initiative Space.
Arts in the Alley is at South Campus Gateway, N High St at 10th. Artwork above: My Castle, Dan Gerdeman, Acrylic on Panel. 2009

Notable News

WOSU TV's monthly arts and culture news program, Artzine, produced by Cindy Gaillard, recently featured the OSU/Royal Shakespeare Company partnership, airing the video created by Jake Housh and Kristen Convery from University Relations. Watch it here.

Whistling in the Dark Theatre Company presents Sundays @ 7 -- weekly staged readings starting at 7 pm in the Shoebox, 1570 N High St, in the alley at South Campus Gateway. Upcoming shows include Top Gun (Jan 10) by Chip Proser, directed by Kal Poole; The Faculty Room (Jan 17) by Bridget Carpenter, directed by Liz Martin; and Tis Pity She's a Whore (Jan 24) by John Ford, directed by Andrew Blasenak.

Sketch Comedy by Sketch by Number comes to Arts in the Alley the Second Saturday of each month in the Shoebox, 1570 N High St at South Campus Gateway. Sketch by Number is a community of young writers, jokesters, editors, philosophers, artists, managers, and trash talkers who believe that comedy is the greatest vehicle to any topic. Shows begin at 8 pm. $5 at the door.

Jam Jam Productions and (Mix)ed Media announce the premier of 3rd Thursday Birthday Bashes at The Shoebox. Each month will celebrate the life and culture of a famous, or sometimes infamous, historical figure whose birthday falls that given month. On Thursday, Jan 21, the series remembers an American gangster with the first birthday bash of the season: The Al Capone Speakeasy. Come to the Shoebox for Jazz era dance, music, fashion and 1920s style merriment. Festivities start at 7 pm. Pay what you can.

Commotion in the Alley

Arts in the Alley came alive last night (Dec 3) with lots of gallery openings and activities in the South Campus Gateway alley. Sarah Weinstock (above with Dance's Dave Covey) celebrated the opening of her solo exhibition In the Overlap installed in the Arts Initiative space, while Jenai Cutcher's OSU tap dance class (below) broke in the new wood, sprung dance floor there, with tunes provided by DJ Lisa McLymont.Across the alley at the Ohio Art League gallery, the popular annual Thumb Box Show opened with a wide variety of works -- all 6 x 6 x 6 inches or smaller -- on display (right). And in The Shoebox (below), large-scale photographs from featured artist Dave Kube were on display along with artwork from ARTillery member artists and an interactive arts activity from (Mix)ed Media.
Notable News

The Emerging Artist Studio -- a short, weekly radio feature from the Arts Initiative on WOSU's new Capital City Radio -- has begun airing on Fridays at 7:40 am and 12:33 pm. The shows, hosted by Karen Bell, each feature an interview with a local emerging artist. They're also available in podcast form; you can listen to the first four features here.

The 10,000 square foot former Skye Bar at South Campus Gateway is being revamped into ARTillery's first annual Holiday Art Market on Dec 12 and 19, noon - 6 pm. Enjoy live music, unique gifts and original artwork from more than 35 local artists, from ceramics, glass and jewelry to photography, fibers, ornaments and more. Prices starting at only $1! The first 30 shoppers will receive free tickets for the Art Market raffle, featuring artwork donated by local artists. Bring the whole family for Kids Holiday Craft Workshops and Holiday Movies taking place in The Shoebox during the sale, and stick around on the 19th for the Ohio Art League Holiday Mirror Ball in the Skye Bar at 8 pm. The Holiday Art Market is brought to you by Allied Arts in the Shoebox, a program of the Arts Initiative.

ARTillery is currently accepting applications for its featured artist program for 2010. Featured artists show their work in a solo exhibition within The Shoebox space, with an opening reception on Arts in the Alley First Thursdays (corresponding with receptions at Ohio Art League and the Ohio Arts Initiative) and have the opportunity to participate in ARTillery's artist lecture series. For complete application details and to apply, please go here. Deadline Dec 31. Contact Kate Dowell at artilleryohio@gmail.com with questions.

Royal Visit

Eight educators and actors from the UK's Royal Shakespeare Company were in town last week to work with teachers in local schools and take part in a public panel discussion hosted by Karen Bell, associate vice president and head of the Arts Initiative (above). More than 80 people from the university and community attended the Thursday evening event at South Campus Gateway. The panel included Jacqui O'Hanlon, RSC; Brian Edmiston, OSU; Amy McKibben, Reynoldsburg teacher; and David Rubin, RSC. The discussion focused on the partnership between OSU and the RSC, and the 20 local school teachers who are taking part in a three-year teacher leadership program based on the RSC's Stand Up for Shakespeare program. They posed, below, under the Gateway movie theatre marquis that touted their visit.

While in town, the RSC guests spent time with the participating teachers in a Reynoldsburg elementary school, at Linden McKinley High School and at Metro High School. The British guests also spent an afternoon with the OSU Department of Theatre's new class of MFA actors (below), who are gearing up to be involved in the partnership by working with the teachers and schools.

Notable News

WOSU's ArtZine, produced by Cindy Gaillard, shot a video introduction for a feature about the OSU/RSC partnership (above), with host Charlene Brown (left) interviewing Jacqui O'Hanlon, director of education at the RSC, and Karen Bell, the Arts Initiative at Ohio State. The feature included the video about the unique international partnership that's airing on OSU's main web page.

WOSU theatre critic Joy Reilly interviewed Bell and O'Hanlon for a feature that aired last Thursday. You can listen to the interview here.

Head to Arts in the Alley at South Campus Gateway on Thursday, Dec 3, for lots of arts activities! An opening reception will be held that night 6-9 pm for the solo show Sarah Weinstock: In the Overlap, with drawings and paintings (left) by the local artist and OSU alumna in the Arts Initiative space, 1568 N High St. Her show continues until Jan 22. That same night, Take the Floor will be part of the festivities at the Arts Initiative to celebrate our new wood, sprung floor. Surprise performances to celebrate the floor and join-in-the-fun sock-hop dance party will be part of the evening, says organizer Jenai Cutcher of JamJam Productions.

Across the alley at the Ohio Art League Gallery, the popular Annual Thumb Box Exhibition kicks off the same evening, showcasing small works by OAL members. That show continues until Dec 29. All pieces, available for sale, will be 6 x 6 x 6 inches or less.

The Shoebox, 1570 N High St, next door to the Arts Initiative, launches its featured artist program Dec 3, with an opening reception 6-9 pm for photographer Dave Kube's series Queering the Landscape (above).

Also in the South Campus Gateway community, Dec 3 is a special holiday shopping event at Aveda Institute, 1581 N High St, with all sorts of holiday specials 6:30-9:30 pm.

Looking ahead, ARTillery, the emerging visual artists who are part of the Shoebox space, will host a Holiday Art Market Dec 12 and 19, from noon to 6 pm each day, at the former Skye Bar space in South Campus Gateway. The group is still seeking vendors for those events; to apply go to the website.

Glass Axis, a not-for-profit community glass studio in Columbus, is currently seeking candidates for the new position of executive director. For more information, go to the website.

A panel discussion -- "Catching the Glass Bug: Life as a Glass Blower" kicks off a new series of presentations at Franklin Park Conservatory, co-sponsored by Arts and Sciences and the Institute for Collaborative Research and Public Humanities. The presentation, Weds, Dec 2, 6-7 pm, will be moderated by Kelly Stevelt Kaser, and will include artists Richard Harned, Adam Kaser, Kami Meighan and Dan Schreiber.

Sprucing up the Alley

Arts in the Alley -- the new arts community at South Campus Gateway -- has a brand new look! Banners were installed this week along buildings in the alley and along High Street to draw attention to the area. The installation, created by artist Adam Brouillette, pairs images of passers-by with artwork by local artists, and ask questions such as "Are you paying attention?" and "Does art make your community better?" Arts in the Alley is a forward-thinking collaboration with South Campus Gateway and the Arts Initiative that brings together arts and entertainment organizations within a commercial development, creating a vibrant and open community dedicated to learning, commerce and the arts. Stop down at the Gateway and take a look!


Notable News

Dispatch theatre critic Michael Grossberg devoted his theatre blog to news about the OSU/Royal Shakespeare Company partnership and this week's visit by eight RSC guests to campus. Take a look here.

The Arts Initiative welcomes the Wexner Center to South Campus Gateway! The Wex's just-announced film collaboration with Campus Partners at the Gateway Film Center will bring innovative programming and add to the energy in the Arts in the Alley community.

ARTillery is currently seeking vendors to participate in the Allied Arts Holiday Extravaganza, a two-day event Dec 12 and 19, designed to provide local artists with a venue to sell their work before the holidays arrive. The group -- which recently took up residence in the Shoebox at South Campus Gateway -- is looking for energized and motivated artists who produce quality objects for sale including ceramics, jewelry, photography, painting, printmaking, sculpture and wearable items. The event will be at the former Skye Bar space at South Campus Gateway both days noon-6 pm. For details, click here. ARTillery is a program of Allied Arts sponsored by the Arts Initiative and South Campus Gateway.

Learn the Shim Sham! Talented tap dancer Jenai Cutcher (above) is offering adult beginner tap dance classes every Weds at 5:30 at the Shoebox in the South Campus Gateway as part of the Arts in the Alley activities. Come when you can, pay what you can. More details on Jenai's JamJam Productions website.

Please join the Arts Initiative at Ohio State for A Talk with the Royal Shakespeare Company: "Building Ensemble with Ohio Teachers” on Thursday, Nov 19, 4:30-6 pm, at the Event Place at South Campus Gateway. Karen Bell, associate vice president, OSU, will moderate a panel discussion and open conversation with representatives from the UK’s Royal Shakespeare Company, Ohio State and local schools. A casual reception follows the program. Panel members include Jacqui O’Hanlon, director of education and David Rubin, actor, Royal Shakespeare Company, along with Brian Edmiston, associate professor, OSU, and Amy McKibben, middle school teacher from Reynoldsburg. Admission is free but space is limited.
Please RSVP to ellwood.1@osu.edu.

OSU's Royal Web Feature!

The main page of the OSU website is curently running a video and story about the Arts Initiative’s collaboration with the Royal Shakespeare Company. The feature follows the first group of local school teachers (above) working with the RSC over the summer, and highlights the university’s commitment to the arts, outreach to local public school children, education and building international relationships.

The piece was beautifully produced by Kristen Convery and Jake Housh in Ohio State’s New Media Unit. It will also be promoted via Ohio State’s social media platforms, and in Connect, the e-newsletter for OSU alumni and donors.

Notable News

Please join the Arts Initiative at Ohio State for A Talk with the Royal Shakespeare Company: "Building Ensemble with Ohio Teachers” on Thursday, Nov 19, 4:30-6 pm, at the Event Place at South Campus Gateway. Karen Bell, associate vice president, OSU, will moderate a panel discussion and open conversation with representatives from the UK’s Royal Shakespeare Company, Ohio State and local schools. A casual reception follows the program. Panel members include Jacqui O’Hanlon, director of education and David Rubin, actor, Royal Shakespeare Company, along with Brian Edmiston, associate professor, OSU, and Amy McKibben, middle school teacher from Reynoldsburg. Admission is free but space is limited.
Please RSVP by Nov 11 to ellwood.1@osu.edu.

Check out the activities in Arts in the Alley this Thursday, Nov 5, 6-9 pm. A number of events are planned that evening in the arts community that's sponsored by South Campus Gateway and the Arts Initiative. The Ohio Art League gallery presents the opening reception of Effervescent, works by Laura Alexander, curated by Somer Mager. The exhibition continues in the gallery until Nov 28. The same evening, the Allied Arts in the Shoebox, across the Alley from OAL, will come to life with music and a DJ, along with a wide range of artwork for sale from local, emerging artists. The Arts Initiative space -- also in the Alley -- will be open with large-scale work by Ian Magargee.

Alley Activity

The grand opening of Arts in the Alley -- the new arts community sponsored by the Arts Initiative at Ohio State and South Campus Gateway -- on Oct 8 attracted big crowds and lots of activity. The festive evening welcomed new partners to the area, including the Ohio Art League (below), Couchfire Collective and emerging artists taking up residence in the Shoebox, all in the alley at the Gateway on High Street at 10th Avenue. Some of the evening's activities included a tap dance class doing the Shim Sham (above), along with a DJ and VJ, a wide range of artwork for sale and two solo exhibitions.


Works by Joey Monsoon (above) were featured in the Ohio Art League gallery, while the Arts Initiative spotlighted paintings by Ian Magargee (below), who chatted with special guest, OSU President Gordon Gee.
Notable News

The Shoebox -- part of Arts in the Alley at South Campus Gateway -- is gearing up with all sorts of events and activities. The space came to be after local artists submitted proposals for the space, outlining their vision to perform, teach, display and sell artwork that will energize the neighborhood. The groups that are collaborating together within the Shoebox space (below) are ARTillery (artilleryohio@gmail.com), JamJam Productions (http://jamjamproductions.org/), (Mix)ed Media (http://learnmakeshare.com) and Whistling in the Dark Theatre Co. (http://www.whistlingtheatre.com).

A few upcoming Shoebox activities include:

• Monster Mash, Weds, Oct 28, door opens at 6:30 pm, screening of Psycho at 8. Halloween mixer with live DJ spinning spooky tunes, VJ mixing monster mashups, and a goblin-themed art market, followed by an 8 pm screening of Hitchcock’s Psycho. $5 donation suggested. More info at: www.learnmakeshare.com.

• The Howlariouis Hahalloween Puntastic Sketch Show, Oct 31, 7 pm. Sketch by Number, a sketch comedy troupe of young Ohioans committed to new, exciting, observational comedy is haunting the Gateway. Stop by on your way to High Ball in the Short North. After this, Sketch by Number will be presented every Thursday night at 11 pm. $5 suggested donation.

• Workshop: DVDesign, Weds, Nov 11, 7 pm. Looking for a way to organize your digital photos and video? This hands-on workshop in basic DVD design will help you make a keepsake DVD of your favorite digital files. $15. For more info and to sign up, go to www.learnmakeshare.com.

• William Shakespeare’s classic Macbeth, Nov 15, 7 pm. Directed by Kal Poole, the inaugural ShoeboxSundays@7 is a staged reading of the most horrifying Scottish tragedy ever written for King James I of England. Sundays@7 is a series of staged readings of new plays, classics, slam poetry and live radio dramas offered in the Shoebox every Sunday at 7pm. $3.

ARTillery also has regular gallery hours at the Shoebox with an ever-changing inventory of original works of art. Hours are Tuesdays and Fridays 11 am-7 pm, Wednesdays and Thursdays 11 am-2 pm, and Saturdays 11 am-4 pm.

For more, go to http://artsinitiative.osu.edu and click on Arts in the Alley.

Photo Op! Photographers were snapping pics of lots of passers-by in Arts in the Alley on Oct 26. Why all the shooting? The banners hanging on some of the store fronts in the alley are getting spruced up. Watch for the area's brand new look in a few weeks.