600 Golfers at Gateway

Over the weekend, more than 600 people played Couchfire Collective's mini golf course created by 18 groups of artists at South Campus Gateway. From the Price is Right set and a Big Bird to a farmyard -- complete with "cow pile" hazards and farm-tool putters, the 18-hole course was a fun fundraiser and a chance for the artists to showcase their creativity.



Notable News

Put April 1 on your calendar! No fooling, it's the next triple-gallery-opening-night in Arts in the Alley at South Campus Gateway. The Arts Initiative space presents Mathematic Abstraction, new works by Carly Witmer, curated by Kate Dowell; the Shoebox gallery hosts a show called Iconic Columbus; and the Ohio Art League presents Open House, works by Allison Buenger and Colin McDonald, curated by Amy Koenig. Live music and refreshments will add to the opening festivities, which run 6 to 9 pm.

One of the Arts Initiative's objectives is to support individual emerging artists in central Ohio, and an event last Friday helped do just that. OSU President E Gordon Gee (below) generously hosted a "salon and conversation" at the University Residence for artists and local business and arts leaders. Reps from City Council, the Greater Columbus Arts Council, Experience Columbus and other local leaders mingled with and discussed the state of the arts in Columbus with 30 emerging visual and performing artists. The conversation focused on how to build on the already-dynamic independent arts community here. Above, David Barker of Experience Columbus chats with artists Lisa McLymont (left) and Amandda Graham.

GCAC’s OPPArt (Opportunities for Artists) Series is a way for local artists to connect with each other and further themselves and their work through professional workshops, roundtable discussions, social events and more. On March 25, 11:30 am-1 pm, the series features Jodie Engle discussing the OAPN (Ohio Arts Presenters Network) in GCAC's large conference room, 100 East Broad Street, Ste. 2250. Celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2010, OAPN invites performing artists to learn more about the organization and how to apply to showcase at the group's annual conference, to be held in Columbus in October. RSVP by Mar 22 by calling or emailing Ruby Classen at rclassen@gcac.org or 221-8406.

Two OSU tap dance classes -- taught by Jenai Cutcher -- produced, presented and performed a "tap informance" for an appreciative crowd that gathered at the Arts Initiative space (above) on Weds, March 10.

St. Patty's Day Comedy Show

The comedy troupe Sketch by Number teams up with Whistling in the Dark Theatre Co. to present a new show -- called Sketching in the Dark -- at South Campus Gateway on St. Patrick's Day. The event includes a comedy show and reading of a Transformers episode, and kicks off at 8 pm on Wednesday, March 17. Catch the fun in the Black Box at the Gateway Film Center. Cost is $5. . . or $4 if you buy a drink before the show.

The Other Paper published a review of two Arts in the Alley exhibitions in last Thursday's paper -- ARTillery's exhibition of print works by Bobby Rosenstock (above) and the Ohio Art League show of works by Larissa Mellor. Read it here.

Community dance event: the King Arts Complex and Ministries in Motion present From Bondage to Breakthrough Dance Concert at 7 pm Saturday, March 20, at the King Arts Complex. Columbus community churches and local dance companies will present dance, mime, drama and music. Tickets available at the King Arts Complex.

Don't forget about this weekend's artist-built mini golf course -- dubbed A-Holes by its organizers, Couchfire Collective. It's open to the public March 19-21 in the Gateway Film Center Lobby at South Campus Gateway (High Street at 10th). Cost is $8 for a round of golf, with coupons good for discount movie tickets included and snacks and beverages close by. Hours are 5 pm-midnight Friday, noon-midnight Saturday and noon-5 pm Sunday. Artist groups include Artillery, Wild Goose Creative, Crafty Cotillion, Junctionview Studios, Primary Colours, Cow Brow, F.A.D., Super Collider Theater, 13 E. Tulane, Zen Genius, Idea Foundry, CAW, CCAD, Cloud Haus, Etsy Team Columbus, Skylab, Mother Artists at Work and Couchfire Collective. For more, go to www.thecouchfire.org

An Artistic Round of Golf?

Imagine 18 groups of creative local artists dreaming up and crafting 18 unique putt putt golf holes. That's the idea behind an artist-built mini golf course -- dubbed A-Holes by its organizers, Couchfire Collective. It's open to the public March 19-21 in the Gateway Film Center Lobby at South Campus Gateway (High Street at 10th). Cost is $8 for a round of golf, with coupons good for discount movie tickets included and snacks and beverages close by. Hours are 5 pm-midnight Friday, noon-midnight Saturday and noon-5 pm Sunday. Artist groups include Artillery, Wild Goose Creative, Crafty Cotillion, Junctionview Studios, Primary Colours, Cow Brow, F.A.D., Super Collider Theater, 13 E. Tulane, Zen Genius, Idea Foundry, CAW, CCAD, Cloud Haus, Etsy Team Columbus, Skylab, Mother Artists at Work and Couchfire Collective. For more, go to www.thecouchfire.org.

Whistling in the Dark Theatre Company invites you to a sneak preview of its new play -- HG Wells: The Science of Fiction, by Dwayne Blackaller. The piece will be presented on Sunday, March 14, at 7 pm as part of the troupe's Sundays @ 7 series in the Shoebox at South Campus Gateway. Admission is $3. The play combines the elements of science, English and theatre, and follows the exploits of a young Wells as he examines questions of scientific morality, the future of mankind and his place in a wildly imaginative universe of possibilities. The play was developed to tour to schools.

The Arts Initiative's weekly radio feature -- the Emerging Artist Studio -- on WOSU's new Capital City Radio station was featured last week in the Lantern. Read about it here. The weekly feature, which airs twice a day on Fridays, also is available on the station's website. A new group of emerging artists in town -- including theatre artist Chris Roche, jazz musician Joe Graziosi (left), theatre artist Emily Bach and visual artist Helma Groot -- were interviewed by host Karen Bell last week; their pieces will be up on the website shortly.

Catch a free dance concert with OSU dancers at 7 pm Wednesday, March 10, in the Arts Initiative space at South Campus Gateway. The program includes one long dance, two shorts and 5 minis, performed by Jenai Cutcher's Tap 1 and 2 classes.

Art Market Saturday

It's a celebration of everything clay! Mugs, cups, bowls, plates, tiles, vases, tumblers, magnets, sculptures, teapots, stoneware, porcelain, raku work, figures and more. Stop by the Clay Art Market with hand-crafted clay work by local artists for sale on Saturday, Feb 27, noon to 6 pm, at the Arts Initiative office, 1568 N High St in the alley at South Campus Gateway.

Notable News

Please touch the art! Couchfire Collective presents a hands-on exhibition -- Touchy Feely -- in the Ohio Art League Gallery Feb 25-27. This interactive exhibition invites visitors to pick up the artwork and really get "in touch" with it. Opening reception is Saturday, Feb 27, 6-10 pm. The gallery is located in Arts in the Alley at South Campus Gateway. Stop in after the Art Market (see above).

Enjoy a hot lunch. . . for a cause! Stop by the ShoeBox Gallery in the South Campus Gateway alley for lunch on Friday Feb 26, 11:30 am - 1:30 pm when ARTillery will host an empty bowls fundraiser. For $20 you can choose a hand-made ceramic bowl that will be filled with vegetarian black bean soup from MadMex. Enjoy it with a piece of artisan bread while you check out the this month's Art Market preview featuring clay work from local artists. The bowl is yours to keep. Money from sales will go to a central Ohio food bank, ARTillery Ohio and the artist.

ARTillery is seeking submissions for Iconic Columbus, an exhibition of artworks that capture the essensce of our city. For complete information and to submit an application please visit www.artilleryohio.com. Deadline to apply is March 10.

ARTillery's March featured artist is Bobby Rosenstock, whose exhibition in the Shoebox opens Thurs, March 4, 6-9 pm. The exhibition of Rosenstock's work continues until March 27.
Rosenstock runs a letterpress shop, Just A Jar , in Marietta, Ohio. His large-format woodcuts and artist books evoke a quality of modern mythology and storytelling. With an old-fashioned, raw style and a bit of quirky humor, his unique prints speak of his process while channeling philosophy, history and science.

On that same evening -- March 4, 6-9 pm -- in Arts in the Alley at South Campus Gateway, the Ohio Art League gallery opens a new exhibition of works by Larissa Mellor, curated by Nicole Langille. And Heroes and Legends, an exhibition of new works by Adam Brouilette, continues in the Arts Initiative space.

ARTillery Kicks off ARTtalks

by Kate Dowell, ARTilllery Assistant Director

ARTillery ARTtalks (above) kicked off this past Thursday at the Shoebox featuring Adam Brouillette, Larissa Mellor and Bobby Rosenstock. Friends and community members came out to hear about their work straight from the artists’ mouths. (And to try my homemade pie of course).

To start the night Eric Rausch gave a brief intro about ARTillery and officially announced that we are seeking new members. If you are interested in becoming a member check out the benefits at www.artilleryohio.com and submit a form on the site telling us why you what to be involved and what you can bring to the group.

Continue reading Kate's article here.

Notable News

You can catch the latest four interviews on our very own WOSU radio feature here. The short program, The Emerging Artist Studio, features Karen Bell of the Arts Initiative interviewing promising emerging artists. The most recent interviews spotlight Maggie Page, Eric Rausch, Matt Slaybaugh and Liv Gjestvang. Enjoy!

Enjoy a hot lunch. . . for a cause! Stop by the ShoeBox Gallery in the South Campus Gateway alley for lunch on Friday Feb 26, 11:30 am - 1:30 pm when ARTillery will host an empty bowls fundraiser. For $20 you can choose a hand-made ceramic bowl that will be filled with vegetarian black bean soup from MadMex. Enjoy it with a piece of artisan bread while you check out the this month's Art Market preview featuring clay work from local artists. The bowl is yours to keep. Money from sales will go to a central Ohio food bank, ARTillery Ohio and the artist.

RSC to Perform in New York in 2011, in association with OSU

Ohio State to join with Lincoln Center in presenting England's Royal Shakespeare Company in 2011

The Ohio State University today announced it is joining with Lincoln Center Festival and Park Avenue Armory to bring England's Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) to the New York-based Festival, for an unprecedented six-week residency in July and August 2011.

The announcement was made at New York's Lincoln Center with Karen Bell, associate vice president and head of The Arts Initiative at Ohio State, and David Frantz, secretary of Ohio State's Board of Trustees, representing the university. Both were instrumental in creating the university's partnership with the RSC. (read complete press release)

See additional articles:

Wall Street Journal: Royal Shakespeare Co. Announces 2011 Run in NYC

Los Angeles Times: Stratford-upon-Avon coming to New York city via Royal Shakespeare Company

Minneapolis Star: Royal Shakespeare Company plans 6-week New York visit during summer 2011

The Columbus Dispatch: Wexners, OSU sponsor plays

The Other Paper: Ohio State to join with Lincoln Center in presenting England’s Royal Shakespeare Company in 2011 Unique private gift enables Ohio State’s participation

Notable News

Not only are we at the Arts Initiative involved in bringing the internationally renowned Royal Shakespeare Company to the US. . . we're also supporting our own talented emerging artists here in Columbus. And. . . some no-talent acts as well. Read on:


The first No-Talent Talent Gong Show attracted a crowd of over 100 people, with about 10 to 12 talented acts vying for the top prize, a golden faucet. In the end, it was awarded by flambouyant MC Eoin O'Brien to two artists (above) Amandda Tirey Graham (left) and Lisa McLymont. The duo's act was a feather-filled skit called Avant Birds. Other acts included a mother/daughter lion-taming act, songs, jokes and a performance by an OSU tap dance class (below, awaiting their turn onstage, with Gong Show organizer Jenai Cutcher, right). The evening's performances were detailed in a next-day Columbus Dispatch article by Jeff Sheban.


Meanwhile, the Arts Initiative space opened Heroes and Legends, an exhibition of new large-scale paintings by Adam Brouillette (below).

Galleries and Gongs

Arts in the Alley will be bustling with activity this Thursday, Feb 4, from 6 to 9 pm. Three gallery openings will spotlight work by four artists in the South Campus Gateway alley: Heroes and Legends, new large-scale paintings by local artist Adam Brouillette (Arts Initiative space, 6-9 pm), After, fiber works (below) by Erin Riley (Shoebox, 6-9 pm), and Constructing Color, works by Ohio State alums Christin Hutchinson (above) & Ian Magargee (Ohio Art League gallery, 6-8 pm). The No-Talent Talent Gong Show kicks off at 8 pm in the Gateway Film Center lobby with Eoin O'Brien serving as MC and a panel of celebrity judges.

Notable News

ARTillary presents Art Talks -- chats from artists who are featured in Arts in the Alley exhibitions in February and March. Stop by the Shoebox (1570 N High St) at 7 pm Thurs, Feb 11 to enjoy talks by Adam Brouillette, Larissa Mellor and Bobby Rosenstock.