Meet our Music Staff...
A 1970 graduate of Ashtabula High School, James Fuller started his musical career participating in his school band and various church groups. He has studied under Oliver Kaura, Ward Hamm, Norman Taylor, Hector Martinez, Chris Bumpus, and William Slocum. He attended Kent State University and the Dana School of Music.
While in his teens, Jim met local legend Spencer Thompson and was introduced to blues and jazz standards while attending the many jam sessions that Thompson held.
Jim has performed in many area bands including the Ashtabula Symphonic Band, Ashtabula Area Orchestra and Northeasterly Winds. He is currently a member of “King Pins” and “Blues Project 2008.” He also serves Good Shepherd Lutheran Church and United Church of Christ in Conneaut and Indian Creek Chapel in Geneva.
At the Ashtabula Arts Center, Jim gives lessons in trumpet, French horn and trombone. Lessons are $14 per half hour. Most students take one lesson per week. Lessons can be arranged with any of our music instructors by calling the Arts Center at 964-3396.
Posted on 12/16/2008 — Read More
Kids Day Out!
9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
$30 Per Child / $27 Member rate
Preregistration and Prepayment Required.
(440) 964-3396
We will spend the day learning about Christmas traditions from around the world. Kids will have fun making ornaments, decorations, foods and crafts from many countries. We will read folk tales and learn about how the holiday is celebrated in different places. Join us for a whirlwind tour of the Christmas holiday around the globe!
Space is limited. Register early! Bring a packed lunch and dress for a mess!
Winter Print Shop
Kitchen Cupboard Concoctions
Posted on 12/16/2008 — Read More
January/February Exhibit
The word “icon” derives from the Greek word meaning “image.” While icons usually represent the divine, Mike Wheeler’s series “Mortal Icons” and “Mortal Images: Kindred Souls” use the form of the icon to express the images and convictions of every day people. These wooden tabernacles are done mostly in copper and brass using hammering techniques called ‘chasing’ and ‘repousse.’
“The mission and foundation of my art work,” says Wheeler, “is to be a voice for people whose voices go unheard by the many others around them who are reluctant to hear.”
Mike’s piece, “Maple Leaf” from his first “Mortal Icons” series, tells the story of a woman who is unhappily married to a man that she is not in love with. On prescription drugs to fight depression, she manages to find the strength and courage to stand on her own. Nevertheless, she still faces the nagging question of whether or not leaving her husband is the right thing to do in a downturned economy.
The icon’s leaf is a representation of the woman who has reached a fork in the road. Pushed upon rocks by the current, circumstances will push the leaf either to the left or to right. But which way? In the icon, the image of the praying mantis represents the woman’s husband waiting for its prey. The dragonfly represents the woman’s freedom to fly if she chooses. Mike’s second series “Mortal Images: Kindred Soul” is more serene and tranquil, representing unity, the common bond, one soul next to another. In the piece “Uriah,” an alignment of stones expresses how society shuns Uriah because of his piercings and tattoos. Although he is a kind and playful young man, no one sees him for who he is inside but judge him only by his outward appearance.
Mike’s exhibit will be on display in the Arts Center’s main gallery January 14 through February 26. An opening reception will be held on Friday, January 16 from 7 - 8:30 p.m.
Admission to the exhibit and reception is free. Stop in and see this unusual, beautiful and fascinating exhibit!
Mon. through Thurs. 9.- 8
Admission to the gallery is free.
Posted on 12/16/2008 — Read More
January/February
Happy New Year!!
It has been a whirlwind holiday season for all of us at the Ashtabula Arts Center, and I'm sure many of you have experienced the same. For the very first time, the AAC offered half price tickets to "The Nutcracker" at one performance if an audience member donated a non-perishable food item to the Safe Food Pantry. The response was wonderful! We would like to thank all of you who participated. We know each and every one of us has been affected by these tough times, and sharing with others even less fortunate is a way to reach out even further into our community.
NOW'S the time to relax and enjoy some of those activities that will simply entertain you, open you up to a new experience and/or get you involved in meeting new people or sharing activities with old friends. The Arts Center has numerous classes and workshops beginning mid-January - please check them out in this issue. "The Miracle Worker" is our opening GB Community Theatre Production - it's a heart warming story of hope and love. In February, just in time for Valentine's Day celebrations, we will be producing the gallery show "Tuesdays With Morrie." This is not your classic love story, but a true story of admiration and devotion.
I know it's very tempting to stay at home and cocoon during the dark, cold winter months, but I know I always feel more energetic and refreshed after participating in an activity which clears my mind of the everyday clutter, etc. Don't necessarily want to enroll in a weekly activity? - No problem, we always need volunteers to help out with many of our offerings. You can be an usher, work backstage, sell concessions, help with kids' school programs, and/or serve a dinner. There are numerous ways to get involved. Just let us know your interests, and we'll be glad to work with you.
The Arts Center is extremely grateful to all of you who are involved in your many, many ways. We consider ourselves to be one big extended family. We hope all of you would like to join us. So this winter - please come join in the activity and warmth generated by the many happy individuals who make up our Arts Center family and our area community!
Posted on 12/16/2008 — Read More
Next on stage...
The Miracle Worker
January 23, 24, 25, 30, 31, February 1, 6, 7
William Gibson’s enduring drama, The Miracle Worker, is based on the early life of a deaf, mute, and blind child who meets the teacher who awakens her intellectually. The classic story is based on Helen Keller’s autobiography. In this stage version of the story, Helen, without the means to connect her intelligence with the world she navigates, meets Annie Sullivan, the feisty teacher determined to awaken her young charge to learning. Sullivan begins by taming the feral Helen, realizing, as she says, "discipline is the way knowledge enters the mind of a child." The parents are delighted to leave matters at that since they now have a child who is controllable. Sullivan, however, recognizes that unless the child understands the world around her, she has been consigned to being an automaton, not a person whose intelligence can provide a life worth living.
Posted on 12/16/2008 — Read More
Posted on 12/10/2008 — Read More
Spotlight Singers
Fri., April 24 at 7:30 p.m.
and Sat., April 25 at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets: $8 adults/ $7 seniors
Join “The Good Life Singers” for their annual spring concert!
“The Spotlight Singers”
Posted on 12/10/2008 — Read More
Coming this Season...
Tuesdays with Morrie
Based on the book by Mitch Albom
This is the stirring and heartfelt autobiographical story of an accomplished journalist and his former college professor who is battling Lou Gehrig’s Disease. Mitch is reunited with Morrie, and what starts as a simple visit turns into a weekly pilgrimage and a last class in the meaning of life.
Directed by Tom Milligan
Crazy for You
Directed by Ray Beach
All G. B. Community Theatre shows:
“Dinner Before the Show”
prior to select performances this season.
Each menu is usually announced about two weeks prior to the dinner. Reservations and prepayment are required to be made no later than noon on the Wednesday prior to the event you wish to attend. However, dinner seats often sell out well before the deadline and those wishing seats should make their reservations as early as possible. (440) 964-3396. Seating for dinner begins at 6:30 p.m. Cost will be $16 plus the price of your theater ticket.
2008-2009 Dinner Dates
“Zombie’s from the Beyond”on Oct. 11, 2008
“The Hobbit” on Nov. 8, 2008
“The Miracle Worker” on Jan. 31, 2009
“Crazy for You” on Feb. 28, 2009
“An Evening of One Acts” on March 28, 2009
Posted on 12/10/2008 — Read More
