Ashtabula Arts Center News

Four different classes in Art, Dance, Music and Theater will be offered for your preschooler, ages 3 to 5, on Thursday mornings. Sign up for one, two, three or all four classes! Each class $28 class fee/$25 member rate OR sign up one child for all four classes and save! $100 class fee /$90 member rate when you take all four!

Preschool Art Expression
9:30 a.m. - 10:10 a.m.
with Meeghan Humphrey
$28 class fee/$25 member rate
5 weeks beginning Sept. 16
We will explore the tools and materials used in making art. Students will learn to relate their projects to a story or idea and the season. They will receive instruction in the proper use and care of art materials and be encouraged to develop confidence through doing. Dress for a mess!

Creative Dance for Tots
10:15 - 10:45 a.m.
with Caitlin Dubsky
$28 class fee/$25 member rate
5 weeks beginning Sept. 16.
We will utilize different body parts, work with shapes and move in different directions as we explore space and movement that will improve coordination and improve a children’s understanding of time and rhythm. Bring your creative imagination with you!

Music for Tots
10:50 - 11:20 a.m.
with Dr. Carol Linsenmeier
$28 class fee/$25 member rate
5 weeks beginning June 24
As a start for a lifelong love of music, children will sing folk and traditional songs, play musical games, learn about the structures of music through movement, and perform on simple instruments. Through music, children will develop listening, social and pre-reading skills.

Preschool Drama
11:25 - 11:55 p.m.
with Kim Godfrey
$28 class fee/$25 member rate
5 weeks beginning Sept. 16
Your preschooler will learn to act out different animals, emotions and activities. This class will be based around movement, working with others to tell a story and just having fun with acting.

Grand River Academy recently received a gift of unique “Jet Art” paintings from alumni parents Mr. and Mrs. Michael Colarik of Akron.

Jet Art, a term that begs explanation, is exactly what its title implies. It literally is created through the use of jet engines. Jet Art was the medium of iconic artist, Prince Jurgen Von Anhalt. The artist, a native of Germany, used the engines from jets as large as 747’s as the prepulsion for his oils. With large canvasses set up on an airport runway, Von Anhalt was able to create one of kind layered oil paintings that have gained in value with the princes passing in 2008.
The two paintings titled, “orange, White, Blue” and “Round Two” will be on display at the Ashtabula Arts Center June through August of this year.

Michael Colarick, an vaid art collector, learned of GRA when he attended Camp Grand Pines, a summer camp that was formerly held at the Austinburg campus in the early 60’s. He later enrolled his son, Devon, at GRA and has continued to be a strong supporter of the Austinburg college prep school.

Stop in this summer and view these interesting works!

~Auditions~

Auditions are first come, first served.
For more information: 964-3396

For "Drinking Habits"--Sat., August 7, 5 - 7 p.m.
And Sun., Aug. 8, 1 - 3 p.m. and Mon., Aug. 9, 7 - 9 p.m.
Cast includes three men and five women ages 17-65.
Bring a list of conflicts. All readings will be from the script.

For "Of Mice and Men" -- Sun., Aug. 29 5 - 8 p.m.
and Mon., Aug. 30 5 - 8 p.m.
Bring a list of conflicts. All readings will be from the script.

For “Hairspray” --
Sat., Nov. 6, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. open call, singing & monologue
12:30 p.m. dance call
And 1:30 - 3 p.m. open call, singing & monologue
3 p.m. dance call
And Sun., Nov. 7, 4 - 5 p.m. open call, singing and monologue
5:30 dance call
Bring a list of conflicts, short song and short monologue

For “Proof”--Sun. Dec. 5, 6 - 8 p.m.,
And Mon., Dec. 6, 7 - 9 p.m.
There are four roles. “Robert” age 40-60, “Catherine”
age 23-32, “Claire” age 25-40 and “Hal” age 25-35.
Bring a list of conflicts. All readings will be from the script.

For “25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee”
Sat., Jan. 8, And Sun., Jan. 9 from 2 - 4 p.m.
The cast includes six "12 year olds" played by adults
ages 18 - 50, and 3 adults. Several roles are doubled.

Ballet Theatre Ashtabula presents "Who Dunnit?"

Friday, Sept. 17 at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 18 & 19 at 2 pm.

Does it bring back memories to hear the words, “Miss Scarlet in the library with a rope?” That’s right! It’s from the favorite board game Clue! You can now share with your entire family those fun times you had playing Clue as a kid when you see Ballet Theatre Ashtabula’s murderously funny tale “Who Dunnit?” The ballet, a spoof in the tradition of Agatha Christie and the famous Clue game will present notorious suspects to share their darkest secrets of their wicked past! You’ll love the silly yet dastardly efforts to hide motives and murderous deeds as one by one, the characthers die...either by foul play or their own mishap! You and your family can play detective and solve the crime along with this cast of zany characters and watch as the answers unfold to the intriguing questions, “What happened?,” “What could have happened?” and “What really happened?” Order your tickets today and get ready for the fun! (440) 964-3396.

General Admission: $12
Senior & Student: $11
Children under age 12: $10

OR save $2 per ticket when you purchase in advance!
Advance sale tickets must be purchased prior to 4 p.m. on the day of the show.

“The Spotlight Singers”

Attention youth singers!
Come join us for a journey through music!
Our children’s choir directed by Deborah Inks invites you
to join the fall session beginning Sept. 14th.
Ages 5-10: Tues., 4:30 - 5 p.m.
Ages 11 -16: Tues., 5 - 5:30 p.m.
After the first 4 weeks, the class will be combined and all
students will rehearse 4:30 - 5:30. Cost is $15 for the session.
We will end our session by performing a holiday concert
on Dec. 9th at 6 p.m. Come join the music fun!

September Exhibit
“What If?”
Textile Art by Rosemary Humphrey
On display September 3 - 27

My first experience with quilting resulted in a vest I wore proudly as a guest to a quilting guild in Florida. One member commented on the flowers made from a book by Kumiko Sudo and as she looked at the garment more closely she said “You didn’t bury your knots.” Harrumph! Not only was I clueless as to what she was telling me, I found that when I learned proper technique, I couldn’t care less.
My approach to fiber arts is summed up in two words--”What if?” Shopping in thrift stores, hardware stores, walking the beach and woods provides a never ending supply of embellishments. This exhibit inclues jackets made from matress pads, tablecloths, original silk screen works of art, Yukata from Japan and hand painted art from an unknown Masai woman.
Each item of wearable art started with one main piece of fabric and a “what if” idea. The fun for me is the “auditioning” process where many fabrics are pinned to a design wall and colors, textures and patterns are chosen sometimes instantaniously and sometimes after months of thought.
Thinking outside the box has brought a quirky tongue in cheek element to my work and conversely to my view of the world as a senior citizen.”
--Rosemary Humphrey

Gallery hours: Mon. through Thurs. 9 - 8 Fri. and Sat. 9 - 4 The gallery is also open before all theater performances and during intermission. Admission to the gallery is free.

October Exhibit
“Discovery”
by Scott T. Morrison
On display Sept. 30 - Oct. 28
An opening reception will be held Fri., Oct. 8 from 7:00 - 8:30 p.m.

Scott Morrison is a graduate of Shaker Heights High School, class of 1979. He graduated from the Florida Institute of Technology in 1983 with a triple major in Management Science, Marketing and Computer Science. He has also graduated from the New York School of Photography, and attended the continuing education programs at Rocky Mountain School of Photography, The Cleveland School of Art, The Nikon School of Photography, and EPIC (Evience Photography International Council). Scott has worked in video and corporate, architectural and fine art photography and has been published locally, nationally and internationally. Scott has traveled to 46 of the 50 states to capture his landscape photos. His particular area of interest is the western landscape and water in motion. Currently, Scott is the owner of Discovery Photo, a full service photo studio, located in Beachwood. Scott is married to Liz and the father of 2 children, Daniel and Amanda. In his spare time, he enjoys cruising in his classic convertible and making hand crafted beer. Stop in to the Arts Center to see this show filled with amazing photos!


Gallery hours:
Mon. through Thurs. 9 - 8
Fri. and Sat. 9 - 4
The gallery is also open before all theater performances and during intermission.
Admission to the gallery is free.