Please Note: Arts West will be Closed November 27th & 28th for the Thanksgiving Holiday

Arts West News & Events Jessica Ashley Art Opening SATB Benefit Concert 2019 Holiday Craft Swap Friday, Dec. 6, 5-7pm: Art Opening for A Solo Show by Jessica Ashley. An artist with an emphasis on landscape and animal acrylic painting, Ashley completed her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in 2014. Based out of Middleport, Ohio, she has been adding to her already large body of work, creating a bunch of new paintings of all different sizes for this upcoming exhibition. Ashley's work will be featured in both the upstairs and downstairs galleries, and on display December 3rd-January 3rd. Come check it out! Free Admission. More info @ Jessica Ashley Solo Show  Saturday, Dec. 7, 7:30pm: Stars, Astronomy, & Travel Beyond, an S.A.T.B. Choir Concert. Join us for a musical journey to the stars!  A benefit for the John Glenn Astronomy Park, presented by SATB: a different kind of choir. SATB’s mission is to create powerful and inspiring music in partnerhsip with social justice organizations and bring support and awareness to their causes. The John Glenn Astronomy Park is dedicated to sparking an interest in science, learning, and exploration by sharing the wonders of the sky. Set in the Hocking Hills of rural southeastern Ohio, the park offers one of the few areas in Ohio where the night sky can still be seen in its near pristine state. Suggested Donation: $10 per person / $15 per Family. More Info @ Stars, Astronomy, & Travel Beyond   Sunday, Dec. 8, 2-4pm: 2019 Holiday Craft Swap. Bring your handmade items and swap them out for a cash-free, swapping good time! Participants bring X number of homemade, giftable items and arrange them on tables at Arts West at 2 pm. Once the swap begins, everyone roams around, taking the same number of items that they brought themselves. Items of lesser value can be bundled (to balance out with more labor or resource intensive items). The swap is run with a spirit of fair trading and community celebration, and it provides a great way to share your talents and wares! It's also a holiday celebration, so feel free to bring snacks or cookies to share. It's helpful to respond on Facebook if you plan to attend, but not required. More Info @  2019 Holiday Craft Swap  Become an Arts West Member or Renew Your Membership Whether you're renewing, becoming a member for the 1st time, or just want to support your local community arts center, now is a great time for it. With perks like free entry to the Cat's PJs Clothing Exchange, the ability to borrow instruments from our Musical Lending Library and a free hour of rental time (or more depending on the level of your pledge), it's a win-win when your tax deductible contributions help us keep improving our facility and expanding our programming. Thanks! More Info @ Arts West Membership Please Note: Arts West will be Closed November 27th & 28th for the Thanksgiving Holiday

Arts West News & Events Square Dance Social & Jam Harvest Moon Benefit Concert For the Love of Athens Contest Arts West Membership

Thursday, Nov. 21, 6-10pm: Third Thursday Square Dance Social & Jam Caller T-Claw from Elkins, WV, and band, The Corndoggers will offer an evening of lively old time music. No Experience or Partner Needed. Bring friends, a good attitude & an adult beverage of your choice (with valid 21+ ID). Open String Jam at 6pm, followed by Dancing at 7pm. $6 Suggested Donation. More Info @ Square Dance Social and Jam  Friday, Nov. 22, 7-10pm: Harvest Moon Benefit Concert for the Appalachian Peace and Justice Network (APJN). With music, dancing, and local Celebrity Karaoke Performances for Peace and Justice! Featuring: Amethystone, Megan Bee, Steve Zarate, Walk the Ridge, and special guests the Athens Justice Choir and the Unitarian Fellowship Choir. Beer on tap from Jackie O's and other refreshments. Suggested Donation $5-20. More info @ Harvest Moon Benefit Concert    For the Love of Athens Submission Guidelines Entry Deadline - Saturday, December 14th, 2019 - Entry is free! Selected Photographs will be announced on January 6th, 2020 For the Love of Athens is a photo exhibit that focuses on images of people, places or things in Athens County. Entries can be taken with traditional, digital and smart device methods. Any photographic method is welcome! Chosen photographs (30-35 pieces) will be in the For the Love of Athens Exhibit in the Arts West galleries for the month of February, 2020. You could win prizes! Awards will go to top 3 photographs chosen by our juror + folks attending the opening will be invited to vote for an audience choice award. Exhibit Opening - Friday, February 7, 5-7pm Guidelines for Submissions Take some fun, creative photos of your favorite people, places or things in Athens County. They can be straight forward, interpretive, color or black & white. The subject matter must be in Athens County, but the artist need not be from Athens County to submit. All ages are welcome to submit. EMAIL Email up to 5 entries to: artswestmarketing@gmail.com (limit of 5 entries please) In the subject line write: “LastName_number (1-5)” (your name) In the body of the email please include: * Full name * Email address * Phone number For each photo include: * Title of photo + give each photo a number please (1-5) * Medium (type of camera or cellphone used) * Price or Not For Sale (NFS) designation * Your age (if a minor) INSTAGRAM Submit up to 5 photos on Instagram, each one separately with the hashtag: * #fortheloveofathens * followed by another hashtag directly afterwards - either #1, #2, #3, #4 or #5 * Please, keep photos separated and not one after another in the same post. * In the body of text please provide your email address, the title of the work, the medium (type of camera or cellphone used), and the price or Not For Sale (NFS) designation More Info @ For the Love of Athens: Photo Exhibit & Contest Become an Arts West Member or Renew Your Membership Whether you're renewing, becoming a member for the 1st time, or just want to support your local community arts center, now is a great time for it. With perks like free entry to the Cat's PJs Clothing Exchange, the ability to borrow instruments from our Musical Lending Library and a free hour of rental time (or more depending on the level of your pledge), it's a win-win when your tax deductible contributions help us keep improving our facility and expanding our programming. Thanks! More Info @ Arts West Membership

Arts West News & Events Drum & Flow Jam on Saturday! Travelers' Treasures Market & Prints-Pots-Plants Sale Accordion Basics Workshop

Saturday, Nov. 16, 8-10:45pm: Drum and Flow Jam.  A night of drumming and dancing. All levels and ages welcome. Put the worry of your days away and become one with the rhythm. Drum, dance or just listen and take it in. There is a place in the circle for everyone. If you have never played an instrument, feel free to borrow one and participate in the sound! Free Parking on the street and in the lot.  Food & Bevs allowed. B.Y.O.B (w/Valid 21+ I.D.). 3rd Friday of the month at Arts West.  $5-$10 Suggested Donation. More Info at: Drum and Flow Jam      Saturday & Sunday, Nov. 23 & 24: Many Moons-Travelers' Treasures Sale (Downstairs at Arts West) An exquisite shopping experience of items personally gathered through travels to Thailand ~ India ~ Bali ~ Nepal ~ Guatemala ... Includes: Jewelry ~ Textiles ~ Wood and Metal Sculptures ~ Sacred Objects ~ Unusual Gift items ... and more. Sat. 10am-6pm; Sun. 1-6pm. More iInfo @ Many Moons: Travelers' Treasures   (happens simultaneously with Prints, Plants & Pots sale upstairs)   Saturday & Sunday, Nov. 23 & 24:  Prints, Plants & Pots Sale The first ever Prints, Plants & Pots Sale to be held in the Performance Space of Arts West! A truly unique shopping experience, the focus will be on handmade printed artwork, live plants, and ceramic work, all created or grown by local artists or horticulturalists. Sat. 10am-6pm; Sun. 1-6pm Prints: Bobcat Print Club (Ohio University Students & Faculty) Plants: Seeds & Things; Moxahala Micro Farm More Info @ Prints, Plants & Pots Sale  (happens simultaneously with Many Moons sale downstairs)   ​Sunday, Nov. 24, 2-4pm: Accordion Basics with Morgan Hager Presented by the SEO Musical Lending Library AT STUART'S OPERA HOUSE. Morgan learned to play accordion to become her own one woman band.  Now she is coming to Nelsonville to teach you to do the same.  Workshop will cover bass lines on the buttons, melodies on the keyboard and how to put the two together!  Please register so we make sure we have enough accordions, and also let us know if you're bringing your own!  $12 suggested donation optional with registration. ​ More Info @ Accordion Basics with Morgan Hager  Reminder: Gaelynn Lea's Special Performance is this Thursday. Nov. 14, 7pm at Arts West Presented by OU Performing Arts Series & Arts West Free and Open to the Public - Doors Open at 6pm "Velvet Underground meets Little House on the Prairie." (Jeremy Ylvisaker) Gaelynn Lea won NPR Music's Tiny Desk Contest in 2016, and has been on the road ever since playing her signature mix of haunting original songs and traditional fiddle tunes.  Gaelynn also does speaking engagements about disability rights, finding inner freedom, and accessibility in the arts. More info @ Gaelynn Lea (special add-on)   Thanks for Supporting Arts West: Athens Community Gateway to the Arts!

Arts West News & Events 1st Thursday Old Time String Jam Gaelynn Lea Special Performance For the Love of Athens Photo Show Poet Laureate Request for Proposals

Thursday, Nov. 7, 6-8pm: 1st Thursday Old Time String Jam In the parking lot or basement of Arts West depending on the weather, a beginners' style slow string jam with a special guest "leader" each month. November's jam leaders are Hilarie and Mark Burhans, local musicians with plenty of expertise to share. They're knowledgable about many instruments, they've toured nationally with their various bands and have taught for many years (along with owning Restaurant Salaam!). Bring your own instrument or borrow one from the musical lending library. All levels and ages welcome. BYOB (w/valid 21+ ID). Free admission - donations appreciated. More Info @ 1st Thursday Old Time String Jam Thursday, Nov 14, 7pm: Gaelynn Lea Special Performance at Arts West Presented by OU Performing Arts Series & Arts West Free and Open to the Public - Doors Open at 6pm "Velvet Underground meets Little House on the Prairie." (Jeremy Ylvisaker) Gaelynn Lea won NPR Music's Tiny Desk Contest in 2016, and has been on the road ever since playing her unique mix of haunting original songs and traditional fiddle tunes.  The singer-songwriter and violinist has appeared in 43 states and 7 countries - she's graced the stage of renowned venues like Nashville’s Music City Roots, The Kennedy Center, House of Blues and even BBC World News. “The way her voice resonates is so unusual and beautiful, like nothing I’ve ever heard before.” (Jess Wolfe, Lucius) In addition to performing and recording, Gaelynn also does speaking engagements about disability rights, finding inner freedom, and accessibility in the arts. In recent years, she has used her music as a platform to advocate for people with disabilities and to promote positive social change. Gaelynn is currently working on a memoir that she plans to release in 2022. More info @ Gaelynn Lea (special add-on)   Friday, Dec. 14: For the Love of Athens 2020 Submission Deadline The For the Love of Athens Photo Contest & Exhibition is on! Send up to 5 photographs to artswestathens@gmail.com or enter through Instagram #fortheloveofathens and add a number  #1, #2, #3, #4, #5 for your chance to be selected into the 2020 show! The deadline is Saturday, December 14th at midnight. This year, 35 photographs will be selected by a juror to be displayed in the Arts West upstairs and downstairs galleries for the month of February. Submission guidelines will be added to our Arts West Facebook Page and the For the Love of Athens: Photo Contest & Exhibition Page, however, some of the guidelines have changed. This year selected photographers must print and frame their photographs. Black frames are a requirement, and matting is optional but highly encouraged. Photographs will also be required to be placed in frames no smaller than 12x14 (no 8x10s!). Printed photographs may include a white border to fit this requirement, and as always we encourage photographers to try to source locally for printing services and frames. More info @  For the Love of Athens 2020  Monday, Dec. 2, 5pm: Entry Deadline for Athens Poet Laureate Proposals  The City of Athens and the Athens Municipal Arts Commission (AMAC) is seek-ing its third Poet Laureate. AMAC encourages project submissions from candidates that embrace poetry and explore its place in the community. This honorary 2-year position commences February 1, 2020. The Poet Laureate is an advocate for the arts and fosters a love of poetry and literature among the diversity of all residents. A $2000 per-year honorarium will be awarded to the selected poet. The poet will be selected by an ad hoc committee of 3-4 members from the Athens poetry community and one representative from AMAC. Factors considered when reviewing submissions: - Ability and willingness to fulfill the roles of the office - Appropriateness of poetic project - A 3 year residency in the Athens area, involvement in the cultural life of the community, and plans to remain in the community throughout the Poet Laureate tenure - Must be at least 18 years of age - Demonstrated commitment to and passion for poetry - An attitude of embracing the opportunity to engage in civic discourse - A history of literary excellence, including a publication history The City of Athens is committed to the non-discriminatory treatment of all persons regardless of race, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national orgin or ancestry, marital or familial status, religious belief, age or disability. See full prospectus on the City's AMAC web page (in the left column): http://www.ci.athens.oh.us/313/Athens-Municipal-Arts-Commission Entry deadline: 5 p.m., Monday, December 2, 2019 Thanks for Supporting Arts West: Athens Community Gateway to the Arts!