Local performs at the Dayton Theatre Guild

Local artist, actress and model Claire Alemdar (aka Bayraktaroglu) is performing with the Dayton Theatre Guild in "Dividing the Estate" by Horton Foote from 

April 27 - May 13, 2012.

Dayton Theatre Guild FaceBook Page

Website Page and Ticket Information

Claire's artwork is currently on display at the Sunrise Cafe and The Wellness Center in Yellow Springs, Ohio

"And, The Winner Is..."

(Pictured above is "Home Grown" by Jami Miles, receiving First Place in the 2012 YSAC YS High School Senior Awards.)<BR><BR>

The First Annual Yellow Springs Schools Art Gala was a great success.  With hundreds of friends, family and folks in attendance, local students were able to prominently display their art.  Each student contributed a work of art to the show, and the images are stunning!<BR><BR>

The Yellow Springs Arts Council annually awards outstanding art work from YSHS Seniors, with three cash prizes given to students.  Jami Miles won First Place for her photograph "Home Grown," Second Place went to Sami Worsham for the graphic design piece "Black and Gold," and Sady Sparks received Third Place for her portrait titled, "Argument."  Of course, all YS students were winners this year as indicated by the highly positive critiques from attendees and judges.  Check out www.facebook.com/YellowSpringsArtsCouncil for more pictures of our youth's notable artistic endeavors!

Why Art Creates Good Health

"Art positively impacts both individual and community wellbeing. Incorporating art into own daily life, into our community and into our health care systems will help us all create good health."

10 Ways Art Helps to Create Good Health

Art For Health's Sake

Research has shown art/cultural appreciation vastly improves men's health.

From Arts and Health Australia
"Arts and Health Australia (AHA) is a networking and advocacy organisation and consulting agency, established to enhance and improve health and wellbeing within the community through engagement in creative activity. AHA is a groundbreaking organisation providing up-to-the-minute research and strategic solutions to its clients, and hosting conferences, forums and training programs."

 ‘Artists catalysing change and facilitating health and flourishing’ from Durham University Centre of Medical Humanities 

Creativity and Aging Study

Arts the Key to Future Generations

Research and Online Resources

YSAC Gallery Re-Opens!

(Kent Bristol pictured above with his portrait from Nancy Howell-Koehler's "Yellow Springs Photographic Survey")<BR><BR>

The Yellow Springs Art Council's Gallery Re-Opening Ceremony was held last Friday with over 100 community members in attendance.  The YSAC Gallery is currently open on Saturdays from 1-4pm, and we intend to expand our hours in the near future.  This is a community gallery and an indoor/outdoor public space - please contact us at 937-679-YSAC if you are interested in using the facility for an arts-related or other event.  Isn't it wonderful that Yellow Springs has another aesthetically pleasing area dedicated to the Arts!

Cosy Sheridan & TR Ritchie at Antioch College This Friday!

Antioch College presents award-winning songwriters Cosy Sheridan and TR Ritchie in concert April 27th, 7 PM at the Coretta Scott King Center at Antioch College in Yellow Springs, immediately following a birthday celebration honoring Coretta Scott King (which begins at 5:30).<BR><BR>
Between them Cosy Sheridan and TR Ritchie have won most of the major songwriting contests in the country, among them the Kerrville Folk Festival, the Telluride Bluegrass Festival, The Sisters Folk Festival, The Napa Valley Folk Festival, The Silverton Folk Festival and the Snowbird Mountain Festival in Utah.
Frequently traveling together but also performing as solo artists, they have toured for the past 20 years, singing their songs in coffeehouses and concert halls, at festivals and in living rooms across the country.

YSAC Event Not To Be Missed!

(Homemade cookies are just some of the 'groovy' treats in store for your evening with the Yellow Springs Arts Council.)<BR><BR>

Tonight's the night...the Yellow Springs Arts Council re-opens its Gallery doors with fotos, food and fun from the 70s.  The YSAC's reception for Nancy Howell-Koehler's "Yellow Springs Photographic Survey" begins at 6pm with disco music & dancing on our outdoor patio.  At 7pm, we will start the YSAC Gallery re-opening ceremony, followed by an open mic for stories about Yellow Springs in the seventies.  Join us from 6-9pm at 111 Corry Street for an evening of quality sensory stimulation!

Yellow Springs Arts Stroll, Friday, April 20 (6-9pm)

During the YS Experience eARTh Day Weekend, several galleries and cafes will be open to provide artistic entertainment. Start your weekend off with a feast for the senses!  Visit www.facebook.com/YellowSpringsArtsCouncil for details about what is going on at each venue.

Paint It Up!

Members of the Western Ohio Watercolor Society were on Xenia Street yesterday, capturing the beauty that is Yellow Springs.  Artist Andrew Evansen, visiting from Minnesota, guided a team of painters including Jennifer Horner of Creative Explorations as they explored the subtleties of hues and shapes.  Thanks for coming to our Village for your artistic endeavors!

Get Your Hands Dirty!

Join Beth Holyoke and Kaethi Seidl at the YSAC Gallery (111 Corry Street) this Saturday, April 21 from 1-4pm. Kaethi & Beth are inviting the Yellow Springs community to join in building a snake sculpture on our outdoor patio, employing the 'straw bale' method. Wear clothes that you don't mind getting muddy, and this is a kid friendly event. If it rains, this 'green' sculpture project will be re-scheduled to Sunday, April 22 from 1-4pm.

Volunteers MAKE it Happen

Joanne Caputo 

Arts & Culture Manager

The new Yellow Springs Arts gallery space is all topsy turvy at the moment, BUT it is getting there thanks to the efforts of so many. Bob Baldwin's support for the Arts Council has and is fantastic, along with Les Gilford and his construction crew who redid the walls.

But what would happen without the volunteers who have spent hours planning, buying/fetching supplies, painting/building and preparing the gallery. 

The gallery fix it team: Nancy Mellon, Jerome Borchers, Joanne Caputo, Corrine Bayraktaroglu, John Garrit, Sondy Kai, Brian Housh, Talitha Greene, Sharon Mohler, Meg Miller.

(let me know if I left anyone off)

Considering recent events regarding the John Byran Community Gallery it is even more imperative we have a not for profit gallery in town. Please consider supporting it, we have a fantastic line up of shows and events and much more.

JOIN

Mr. Fubs Artwork is baaaaaaaaaaaack

Back in 2007 I did a blog entry about Mr. Fub artwork done by Priscilla Moore, sadly the original painted panels deteriorated beyond repair. Luckily I still had the photographs and Priscilla was able to have them printed on metal panels. It's wonderful to see her work back outside Mr.Fubs.

Mr.Fubs Website

What does the Art say about our Village?

Sharon Mohler Clay Sculpture 


A local brought up the question (and a fair one I think) about what sort of message does the artwork in the John Bryan Community Gallery send to visitors to our village. I think the new interim police chief answered that when he explained in the Yellow Springs News his appreciation for the village: "that the community is unique can be clearly seen by the nature of the Women's Voices Art Exhibit in the hall of the Bryan Center".  Whether he liked the work or not is another issue, but at least he came to the job fully appreciating and understanding the unique personality of this village. It is important that we hire people who understand and appreciate the unique nature of this village but also employees who can handle that unique quality with diplomancy and consideration of not only their employees but the people who are paying their salary, the local taxpayer.

Some towns might have ordinary trash cans BUT

if Beth Holyoke and Käthi Seidl had their  way all Yellow Springs trash cans would sparkle with their ceramic magic.  Alas they don't have the money or free time to cover every single trash can, but it is hoped that seeing their sample locals/business' might want to sponsor or support more around town. I got a chance to see some of the possums they are working on and they're just adorable. 

Any questions contact Käthi at

 seidl(at)yellowsprings.com

Other work by Beth and  Käthi

Note from Karen Wintrow: The Village is replacing the existing trash cans with colorful new ones and hoping that some of the old ones can be transformed with art. The idea would be for the art cans to be located at individual businesses as opposed to being used as street cans like they are not.

April Exhibit at the YSAC Gallery Re-Opening Event

For any updates please visit the Arts Council Facebook Page

Event Page Info

THe Power of Art

If we had to wait around for  Village Government to determine what art/creative activities should or shouldn't go up around town we wouldn't have had the Chamberpot Gallery, Keith's Alley Graffiti Art/Murals, Yarnbombing, Art Park Art Panels, Yelloween Scarecrows, Banner Festival, Ceramic Benches,impromptu street theatre, buskers,  and so many other wonderful examples of what makes this village click and tick as an alternative arts community. It is the passion and joy of the creative community that drives the arts in this village (not local government), and to crush that drive by mandating it and boxing into a public art policy that is determined by the tastes of a few will turn this village into just another flipping generic suburb.

If you value and support the arts in this community, then please do consider supporting the Yellow Springs Arts Council and help them pay for a gallery  space where artists are free to share their work, events, and programs that advocate for the arts in this village. 

Yellow Springs Arts Council Website

Arts Council Facebook Page

Disrupting the Public Spirit

Tonight, many individuals will attend the YS Village Council Meeting to voice their concerns over the potential censoring of artistic expression in Yellow Springs. I am reminded of a recent conversation with Glen Owen, former YSHS art teacher, and Richard Simons, former YSHS music teacher, over this controversy. These YS devotees pointed out that our community has always been enlightened with a "move ahead" attitude; Antioch College has symbolized the 'freedom to think' at the core of the Village.

"These seeds cannot prosper in Yellow Springs, and we are obligated to weed them out." Join your community in speaking out against this disruption of the public spirit.