Straw Hat 2020 productions cancelled due to gathering restrictions
In a decision we know is going to be as disappointing to our supporters as it was for us, the Ashtabula Arts Center is officially cancelling our scheduled Straw Hat Theatre 2020 productions: Tuck Everlasting, Matilda, and The Secret Garden. Restrictions on gatherings necessitated by the COVID-19 pandemic have made holding auditions and rehearsing shows impossible for the time being, and it’s still uncertain when it will be safe for theaters to reopen to audiences.
However, while producing and staging our usual theater shows may not be possible right now, we are looking into alternative programming for this summer. We’ll be posting updates on what will be happening here at the AAC this summer as that programming develops. In the meantime, we hope you’ll check out our schedule of remote classes and consider registering for one or two of them (or more, should the creativity bug bite you).
Should the situation change, and the opportunity arise for us to produce any of our summer shows, we will announce it, along with updated information on audition and production dates.
We are eagerly awaiting the day we can have our actors back on stage, our crews bustling in the wings, and our audiences in their seats. Be safe, friends. We miss you.
Art from “Women’s Rights” exhibit available for purchase
Many of the pieces from our “Women’s Rights” exhibit are available for purchase.
To order online, use the link provided for each piece. Email Nancy Nelson-Brotz at visualarts@ashtabulaartscenter.org to arrange pickup or delivery (NE Ohio only).
To order and arrange pickup/delivery by phone, call (440) 964-3396.
Pieces here are available through May 30, 2020.
“Harriet”
by Katey Hudson
acrylic
8″ x 10″
$25
purchase
“The Fight for Women”
by Katey Hudson
acrylic
16″ x 20″
$30
purchase
“I Am Woman”
by Bev O’Reilly
mixed media
28″ x 22.5″, framed w/glass
$650
purchase
“Around”
by Diane Fleisch-Hughes
ink on yupo
14″ x 20″, framed w/glass
$150
purchase
“Split”
by Diane Fleisch-Hughes
ink on yupo
14″ x 20″, framed w/glass
$150
purchase
Untitled
by Sydney Manis
ink
12″ x 18″, framed w/glass
$20
purchase
“Courage”
by Emily Glink
mixed media
12″ x 15″, framed w/glass
$90
purchase
“Title IX”
by Tracy Zakraysek
digital (giclee print)
18.5″ x 22.5″, framed w/glass
$95
purchase
“Frida Kahlo”
by Tangerine Tirado
acrylic
16″ x 20″
$200
purchase
“No More Stolen Sisters”
by Nancy Nelson-Brotz
oil pastel
22″ x 26″, framed w/glass
$95
purchase
“RBG’s Dissent Collar”
by Belinda J. Rogers
acrylic
14″ x 14″
$150
purchase
“RBG’s Majority Jabot”
by Belinda J. Rogers
acrylic
14″ x 14″
$150
purchase
“Moving on Up!”
by Judy Campbell
acrylic on wood panel
24″ x 48″
$850
purchase
“Shirtwaist Liberties: Triangle Fire, 1911″
by Susan Phillips
acrylic
18″ x 24”
$100
purchase
“Women’s Prayer Flags”
by Valerie Rose Gale
mixed media on muslin cloth
approx. 120″ x 7″
$500
purchase
“Fight Like a Girl”
by Elizabeth Ginn
oil
22″ x 28″
$200
purchase
Theater group takes storytelling into their own hands during COVID shutdown
Looking for a good story? Check out Quarantine Radio 19, created by a crew of actors and production staff (Jordan Malin, Kimberly Weston, Stephanie Figer, Benjamin Gates, Sadie Portman, Anneli Curnock) – most of whom met at the AAC!
Production crew of Radio Quarantine 19
“I had posted on Facebook asking if anyone in senior living facilities, or just those living alone, would want to be entertained,” says Jordan Malin, the group’s organizer. “I honestly had no idea so many of my theater friends — past and present — would want to be involved. Since so many of us involved in the arts are out of work right now, we are also getting an opportunity to create, express. It gives us time to escape for a while, and we hope it does the same for those listening.”
Quarantine Radio 19’s Facebook page can be found here.
Hip Hop students keep dancing with Ryan Rosinski
Check out Hip Hop dancer and teacher Ryan Rosinski’s latest video, featuring a whole crew of his dance students!
Thank you to our recent donors!
The board and staff of the Ashtabula Arts Center would like to thank our recent donors for their contributions to our annual fund drive. Some are people who have chosen this time to renew their gift, some are new donors, and some are those who have chosen to give an additional gift this year to help the Arts Center weather this difficult financial period.
During these uncertain times, these gifts are especially valuable. Right now, the Ashtabula Arts Center is officially closed to the public and the core staff are working from home. There will come a time when we can safely reopen but we will most certainly face funding challenges in the coming months. Our donors will help us preserve this wonderful organization and assist us as we navigate these difficult times.
If you would like to donate to the Arts Center, you can do so here.
Donors who have given since March 16:
Ashtabula Carpet Workroom
Paige Beach
Alan Block
Perry Boal
Paul & Toni Bodnar
John Breznai
Robert & Linda Callahan
Donna Cooper
Heather Denning
John & Candace Doherty
Paul & Catherine Findlay
Brant Gebhart
Bob & Lauren Godfrey
Nick Jammal & Lisa DeCato
Mary Howe
Stephen Kerekes
Linda Koob
Jean Lowery
Shawn Metzler
Judy Mudd
Marybeth Nassief
Pat & Sandy O’Brien
Anthony Platano
Dave, Lyn & Meadow Pontius
Linda Profant
Stephen Rhodes
Barbara & Gus Saikaly
Caitlin Santill
Harry Schwentker
Mardi Snyder
Cherie Stebner
Maryann Stevenson
Kathleen & Jeffrey Studer
Sandy & Ed Taylor
David Uthe
Christine Banks VanAllen
Samantha & Ryan VanBuren
A request for our supporters
We have to take a moment to make a request of our AAC supporters, whether you’re audience members, artists, students, or volunteers. With all of our programming shut down, the Arts Center is struggling financially right now. We know this is a scary time for many people, and we absolutely understand that not all of our supporters are in a financial position to make donations. We are grateful for all the ways you show your love for the arts, and the Arts Center. If, however, you are someone who is able to donate to the Arts Center, at any level, it would be a tremendous help. You can donate online here.
Updated programming changes for COVID-19
The Ashtabula Arts Center is closed to the public until at least Friday, May 1. All programming is also suspended until at least May 1. Staff will be available for limited hours at (440) 964-3396, and Executive Director Meeghan Humphrey will be available by email at mhumphrey@ashtabulaartscenter.org. If you would like to be added to our email list, please contact Amanda Frazier at marketing@ashtabulaartscenter.org.
Straw Hat auditions are postponed indefinitely. New dates for auditions will be announced as soon as possible.
The following events are cancelled:
all performances of Boeing Boeing
all performances of the spring dance concert, Perpetuum Mobile
the wine tasting before the spring dance concert
the Children’s Dance Recital
reception for “Women’s Rights” exhibit
Kiwanis 2020 Student Art exhibit/receptions
The Good Life Concert: Greetings from Ashtabula County
The Dining for the Arts Cocktail Party is postponed; new date TBD.
New dates for classes and workshops will be announced as soon as possible.
Call for art — share your Granny Squares!
Stuck at home and looking for a project? Help yarn bomb the Arts Center for a fiber arts exhibit this August! We are looking for Granny Squares — any size, any color! Acrylic yarns are best. We will be collecting them in a box in our lobby as soon as we reopen.
COVID-19 update for Frozen JR and AAC programming
In light of Governor DeWine’s declaration canceling all gatherings of 100 people or more to reduce the spread of COVID-19, the Ashtabula Arts Center is canceling all performances of Frozen JR this weekend, as well as the Frozen Luncheon on Saturday. We know this is a disappointment to our audiences, performers, and crew, and we are very sorry to have to make this decision. We are so very grateful for the support our audiences have shown for this performance and our Youth Theatre actors. We will be refunding tickets purchased for the March 13-15 performances of Frozen JR, and the Frozen Luncheon, starting tomorrow, March 13. Anyone who has purchased tickets should contact us at (440) 964-3396 so we can collect the information needed to process your refund. If you are able and willing to donate the price of your ticket to help the Arts Center weather what will be a difficult period financially, we are grateful.
We are looking into the possibility of running the final four performances of Frozen JR at a later date.
Straw Hat auditions this weekend and next will be held as scheduled, however, we are asking that all auditions be by appointment. Please arrive 5 minutes ahead of your scheduled appointment time to fill out your audition form, and please exit the building promptly when your audition is complete.
Boeing Boeing will not open as scheduled; we will provide updates on that show as soon as possible.
The building will be closed to the public and all classes & programming at the Arts Center will be suspended for the next 3 weeks, resuming on Monday, April 6.
Thank you so much for your understanding and patience in this situation.
“Women’s Rights” accepted pieces
The following pieces have been accepted into the 2020 Ashtabula Arts Center Women’s Show. The theme this year was Women’s Rights.
All work not accepted into this year’s show should be picked up by March 7. Please make sure you sign your work out at the front desk. Thank you for everyone for sharing your art with us!
Heather Denning – Miss Cheyenne
Sharon Konkoly – Force Fed for Freedom
Nancy Nelson-Brotz – No More Stolen Sisters
Shelby Kacludis – Susie be Proud
Bev O’Reilly – “I am Woman”
Diane Fleisch-Hughes – 1. Around 2. Split
Tracy Zakraysek – Title IX
Valerie Rose Gale – A Women’s Prayer Flags
Tangerine Tirado – Frida Kahlo
Sydney Manis – Untitled (Lucille Ball Quote”)
Belinda Rogers – 1. RBG’s Majority Jabot 2.RBG’s Dissent Collar
Judy Campbell – Moving on Up!
Elizabeth Ginn – Fight like a Girl
Merrily Edgecombe – 1. The Color of our Skin 2. Honor all Women of Suffrage
Emily Glink – 1. Courage 2. Legacy
Deborah Boyd-Tressler – Respect and Value their Commitment
Katey Hudson – 1. The Fight For Women 2. Harriet
Ashley Platt – 1. Terminus 2. Dr. Mary Miller Battels
Susan Phillips – Shirtwaist Liberties: Triangle Fire, 1911
Get 20% off your order at Edgewood DQ when you show your AAC ticket stub!
Save your ticket stub from the next show you see at the Arts Center! Edgewood DQ, show sponsor for Frozen JR, will give you 20% off your next order when you bring your ticket stub from any Ashtabula Arts Center production.
Edgewood DairyQueen is located at 1723 E. Prospect Rd., Ashtabula, OH 44004. Ticket stubs must be forfeited upon use at the DQ.
Private art lessons are now available
The Arts Center is now offering private instruction in visual arts. Students can receive one-on-one artistic guidance from a professional artist, learning foundational art techniques that support their unique goals. Build a personal artist portfolio, or get professional feedback and guidance on an existing portfolio. Private art lessons are available for all experience levels and ages, and are held at the Ashtabula Arts Center. All lessons are $30 an hour. For mediums in which students must provide their own materials, a materials list will be provided prior to the first lesson. Call (440) 964-3396 to arrange a lesson schedule.
Instructors & Mediums:
Jim Loomis – Drawing, Art Portfolio Mentor
Ralph Bacon – Drawing, Acrylics, Art Portfolio Mentor
Nancy Nelson-Brotz – Mosaics, Oil Pastels, Needle Felting
Rebecca Ollikainen – Drawing, Watercolors
Sandy Rill – Sculpture, Clay
Mary Underwood – Chalk Pastels