Announcing auditions for “Nunsense II”
Announcing auditions for “I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change”
Our 2021 Straw Hat Theatre season is still a work in progress, but we are VERY excited to announce auditions for I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change on May 4-5 between 6:30-8 p.m.! Call (440) 964-3396 to schedule your audition spot. This show will be directed by Steve Rhodes, and performance dates will be July 23-25 & July 30-August 1. All Straw Hat performances begin at 7:30 p.m. If possible, auditioners should wear clear masks and/or face shields for their auditions. Please come prepared with a short song and a monologue. We ask that anyone auditioning to perform this summer be vaccinated for COVID.
We’ll be announcing the rest of our summer season as soon as we are able!
call for artists for June exhibit: Plein Aire
We are seeking artists for our June juried exhibit, “Plein Aire.”
Get the application: artist entry form Plein Aire
Winners of 2021 Women’s Show
Winners of “Art in Isolation” show
Congratulations to the winners of “Art in Isolation.” Winners were chosen by juror Lisa Ruschman.
Winners:
Best in Show: “Solitary Celebration,” Nancy Baker
Painting – First Place: “Art on the Wall – Chris Davis,” Judy Campbell
Painting – Second Place: “Pieces of Herself,” Juniper Mainelis
Painting – Third Place: “Ashtabula at Blakeslee Run,” Ralph Bacon
Painting – Honorable Mention: “Solace Beneath the Surface,” Susan Snipes
Graphics – First Place: “Folding In,” Linda Janosko
Graphics – Second Place: “Magic Lamp,” Kaitlyn Kirchmeir
Graphics – Third Place: “Emotionless,” Angel Kaiser
3D – First Place: “Rapunzel,” Diane Montagino
3D – Second Place: “Solid Road,” Rebecca Stowell
3D – Third Place: “Nativity,” David Gildersleeve
Fiber – First Place: “Love Knows No Barrier,” Mattie Dramis
Fiber – Second Place: COVID-19, Rosemary Humphrey
Mixed Media – First Place: “By My Window,” Dennis Mastrangelo
Mixed Media – Second Place: “Gone or Imprisoned,” Diana Montagino
Mixed Media – Third Place: “Tunnel Vision,” Julie Cook
Accepted artwork for February Exhibit
drop off art for February exhibit through Saturday, January 30th.
If you are planning to submit artwork for the “Art in Isolation” exhibit, you have until Saturday to drop it off — if you don’t want to brave the snow today, you can wait until tomorrow or Saturday. We are closed to the public on Friday, but if you call us today at (440) 964-3396, we can set up a time for you drop off tomorrow. Saturday you can drop off between 9 a.m. & 1 p.m.
Christmas Cabaret cancelled
Due to the current situation in our county with COVID-19, we have made the decision to cancel our Christmas Cabaret concert. As with Nutcracker, we have concerns about being able to rehearse the production safely.
At this time, we plan to hold private lessons, art classes, and our December Pop-Up Art Boutique as planned.
Thank you for your understanding.
Call for artists for February and March 2021
We are seeking artists to submit work for two upcoming exhibits. “Art in Isolation” will be on display February 2021, and will feature art focused on and created during the COVID pandemic.
Get the application: artist entry form Art in Isolation
The 2021 Women’s Show will be on display in March 2021 and will feature work by women artists.
Get the application: artist entry form Women’s Show 2021
Nutcracker 2020 has been cancelled
Many of you probably know that we’ve been working on an adapted production of The Nutcracker that we were going to make available via livestream. Today, we made the decision to cancel that production. We know this is a disappointment, but we don’t feel it’s safe or responsible to continue rehearsals given the level of community spread of COVID in our county. Our first priority is the safety of our students and patrons. The Arts Center isn’t going anywhere, and there will be a Nutcracker next year. We need everyone to stay healthy now so they can come back for it.
With that said, we need to offer some thanks for the work that has gone into this process, even though the final production won’t happen. First of all, thank you to our Ballet Theatre Ashtabula dancers. These kids have rolled with some pretty hard punches this year, and have met a really daunting set of extra challenges with flexibility and determination. We would have liked to be able to give them their Nutcracker, but hopefully they’ll be able to have their Spring Dance Concert. They are a fantastic group of young artists, and we’re so thankful we have them.
Next, thank you to Bob Lebzelter, our volunteer videographer, who gives us his time and skills for any video we ask of him. Thanks to Bob we’ll have some fun behind-the-scenes moments from the rehearsal process to share with you all.
Thank you to Mike Brenneman and Jayson Gage, who volunteered their time and knowledge to help us with the technical side of this year’s Nutcracker.
Thank you to Lea Nesbitt of Buckeye and Dave Miller of Lakeside, who gave so much of their time and expertise helping us produce the livestream.
And finally, thank you to Clover Robinson, our director of dance, who leads the charge on Nutcracker every year. Clover wanted her students to have as much of a technical, artistic experience as was possible this year, and did a lot of soul-searching to decide what was best for these kids at every step of the process.
Hang in there, everyone. That curtain is going to go up again. Stay safe.
Art Wellness workshop series delayed until January — new dates TBA
Art Wellness Workshop Series
with Heather Denning
This workshop series is designed to use art as a way to cope with stress and find greater wellness in the midst of the COVID pandemic. All materials will be provided and transportation support may be available; call (440) 990-1734 for more information or to register. (Please note that you do not register through the Arts Center for these workshops.) You can also register at accaa.org.
There is no cost to register, but space is limited and pre-registration is required. If you register, please plan to attend all 8 weeks.
COVID safety protocols will be observed.
Outdoor Open Mic Night on September 26
Open Mic Night
Saturday, September 26
5-7:30 p.m.
The Ashtabula Arts Center will hold an outdoor open mic night on Saturday, September 26 from 5-7:30 p.m. Anyone who wants to sign up to perform needs to call the Arts Center at (440) 964-3396 or email Mandi Frazier at marketing@ashtabulaartscenter.org with the subject line Open Mic Night Sign Up. The deadline to sign up to perform is Thursday, September 17 at 6 p.m. Participants can perform a maximum of two songs each (any genre), and will need to let the Arts Center know what instrument, if any, they will be playing, and how many mics they’ll need. Debra Fleming will be available as accompanist; performers will need to send their own sheet music in advance if using accompaniment (contact info will be provided at signup).
This event will be free to attend, however space will be limited, so attendees must make a reservation, either at (440) 964-3396, or online at ashtabulaartscenter.org, and let the Arts Center know how many will be in their group. Attendees wishing to make a donation to the Arts Center may do so at the event or at ashtabulaartscenter.org. Seating will be outside on the lawn, and attendees should bring lawn chairs or a blanket. No concessions will be sold, but attendees are welcome to bring their own snacks or picnics. The building will be open for restroom access – masks are required when inside. A seating grid will be marked out on the lawn to ensure safe social distance between groups is maintained.