A day in the life of a community arts facility 132 W. State St, Athens, OH 45701 (740) 592-4315
Friday, December 26, 2008
This weekend- Wrap up your year with ARTS/West
Our monthly concert series rolls on with: NYC's String Gone Deaf (members of (the) Giants of Gender); Clan of the Cave Bear (cle); Remainder (our own from Athens. Remainder vs. The Princes). Some holiday improv music from all of us and some other surprises. Spend the holidays with your Aquabear! Saturday, December 27 from 8:00pm-11:00pm. (I think there's a small cover for this show...)
Follow-up the improv flow with our monthly improv night and pot-luck. We've added some improv dance. A good time is always had by all the tens of people that make the last Sunday at 6pm of every month a regular event.
Monday, December 22, 2008
Happy Holidays
Please remember ARTS/West in your holiday giving. Our wish list can be found on the previous post.
We cannot thank our community enough for their support in 2008 and we will continue to earn it throughout 2009!
Winter class registrations are open and information is below.

Monday, December 15, 2008
Winter shows abound!
Christmas Carol runs Monday-Tuesday, December 22-23 at 7:00 pm.
Ticket information: Tickets are now on sale at O'Betty's, Mountain Laurel and Hyacinth Bean. They are $6.00 for adults and $4.00 for ages 12 and under. They will also be available at the door before the show. The show has pretty much sold out the last two years, so advance tickets are recommended.
We are very humbled by your generosity for our floor campaign! And, here are some of our other needs this season...
Wish List for ARTS/West
The following is an alphabetical list of supplies/equipment that would be put to great use by ARTS/West. And, remember, just like with a monetary donation, the value of an in-kind gift of any of these items is tax-deductible!
Items of greatest need are starred like this: **
Art/Sculpture pedestals | | | ||
Art Supplies** | | | ||
Bunn or other industrial Coffee Maker, high-volume** | ||||
Changing Table | | | ||
Conference table | | | ||
Data storage - burnable CDs, DVDs, and/or external drives | ||||
Hanging supplies for artworks - wire, hooks, etc. | ||||
Kitchen Cabinets/Metal kitchen racks | ||||
Lightweight tables | | |||
Lockers | | | ||
New Floors ** (Currently raising funds for cork flooring for downstairs level - call for details!) | | | ||
Paint | | | | |
Printer Ink (Call for model numbers)** | | | ||
Round table | | | ||
Shelving - Book and Storage** | | | ||
Utility sink for art supplies/classes** | ||||
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If you can help by providing any of these items, or if you know of a good source, please call us at 740-592-4315 or drop by our office at
The staff and patrons of ARTS/West Thank You!
Tuesday, December 09, 2008
Angela Keslar
Before you do that be sure to come on out for Angela Keslar's Trunk Show this Thursday, December 11th at 5:00pm.
December 11, 2008, 5:00 p.m. Project Runway’s Angela Keslar at ARTS/West! You don’t want to miss this special event where designer Angela Keslar will display her latest clothing and accessory designs. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet Angela in person, ask questions about her season, view episodes from season 3, and purchase pieces from her collection. Some items will require special order, to be delivered in time for the holiday season. FREE!
December 12, 13 & 19, 20 at 7:30 p.m., December 13, 14 & 20 at 2 p.m.
Pinocchio opens for public performances Dec. 12 at ARTS/West. OVST takes a bit of the Italian Renaissance, adds a touch of Ringling Brothers and stirs them both into 21st century
Pinocchio will run for a total of 7 public performances: Dec 12, 13 and 19, 20 at 7:30 p.m. and Dec 13, 14 and 20 at 2:00 p.m. General admission ticket price is $10. Two children (under 18) are admitted FREE with each paid adult. Tickets are available at www.ovst.org or by calling 740-593-9696.
December 22-23, 7:00p.m. An annual tradition! The Studio For Young Actors presents A Christmas Carol
December 27th 8:00 p.m. Aquabear Live @ ARTS/West (the) Giants of Gender (NYC) www.myspace.com/thegiantsofgender and more. $4 admission.
FRONT & CENTER
a free music event for school age kids every third Saturday of each month (Sept.-May) at noon –1 pm. Second half of event is always an open stage for any kids, solo or group, to share instrumental or vocal music--if you choose.
Or just listen and enjoy!
December 20 TBA
January 17 Randy Shoup and the 8 AM Band, local popular musicians
February 21 Jane Palmer and company with African drumming
March 21 No meeting—Spring Break
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Get in on the Ground Floor!
A huge Thank You to everyone who has donated to the "Get In On the Ground Floor" Campaign so far! We are up to 9% of our fundraising goal, and we are truly amazed at the enthusiasm the Athens community is showing for this campaign!
"Wait, what's this campaign they speak of?" Haven't heard of our latest endeavor? Well, let me tell you all about it!
ARTS/West has been growing in leaps and bounds since we opened in 2005 - it's been an amazing ride so far, and we are thrilled to now be serving more than 21,000 community members each and every year! But that kind of traffic takes a toll on a floor - especially a floor covered in an old, worn-out and stained carpet (anyone who has used our basement level can attest to that).
So, Emily and Tammy (with the help of some ARTS/West friends) cooked up a solution that will give us a clean, comfy floor surface that is environmentally-friendly AND kid-tough - Cork Flooring!
Cork is:
Shock-Absorbing! Sound-Absorbing! Warm to the touch! Saves on Energy Bills! Fire-Retardant! Anti-Microbial! Beautiful AND Tough! And, most importantly, Renewably-Sourced!! It would be a dream come true to install fresh, clean, beautiful cork flooring in the main lobby and every lower-level classroom of ARTS/West!
But, we need YOUR help to make it happen - so we've launched the "Get In On The Ground Floor" campaign to raise funds. $5.00 covers purchase and installation of one (1) square foot of new cork flooring. Give $25, get ARTS/West 5 square feet! Give $100, and you'll help us install 20 square feet!
So, if you'd love to see ARTS/West with a clean, durable, safe and beautiful floor on our basement level that will last for years, give us a call at 740-592-4315, or email Emily at eprince@ci.athens.us to make a donation today! All gift levels are welcome and gratefully accepted - every little bit helps!
Thank you to those who have already given, and thank you to anyone still considering making a gift - your support is truly appreciated, and ATS/West is thankful for YOU!
Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!
Emily, Tammy, and the ARTS/West community
Friday, November 21, 2008
Leave and more
ARTS/West Usage for 11/23/08-12/6/08 | ||||
DATE | TIMES | RENTER/ACTIVITY | A/W STAFF? | ROOM |
23-Nov | 9:00am-12:30pm | Vineyard | N/a | lobby |
1:30pm-4:30pm | Painting class | N/a | Rm 1 | |
4:30-7:00 | SFYA rehearsal | N/a | Rm 1 | |
24-Nov | 9:00-11:30 | office hours | EP | |
6:00-10:00 | SFYA rehearsal | N/a | Per Space | |
25-Nov | 7:00-9:00 | Knitting Class | TY | Rm 2 |
26-Nov | 9:00-11:30 | office hours | EP | |
27-Nov | OFFICE | CLOSED | ||
28-Nov | 11:00-4:00 | office hours | TY | |
30-Nov | 9:00-12:30 | Vineyard | N/a | lobby |
6:00-9:00 | Noise Show | EP | Per Space | |
1-Dec | 9:00-11:30 | office hours | EP | |
12:00-5:00 | OVST rehearsal | N/a | Per Space | |
6:00-10:00 | SFYA rehearsal | N/a | Rm 1 | |
2-Dec | 12:00-5:00 | OVST rehearsal | N/a | Per Space |
11:00-4:00 | office hours | TY | ||
7:00-9:00 | Knitting Class | N/a | Rm 2 | |
3-Dec | 9:00-11:30 | office hours | EP | |
11:00-4:00 | office hours | TY | ||
12:00-5:00 | OVST rehearsal | N/a | Per Space | |
3:30-4:30 | Teen Belly Dancing Class | N/a | Rm 1 | |
5:00pm-7:00pm | Belly Dancing Class | N/a | Rm 1 | |
4-Dec | 9:00-11:30 | office hours | EP | |
5-Dec | OFFICE | CLOSED | ||
10:00am-11:00pm | OVST tech rehearsal | N/a | Per Space | |
6-Dec | 10:00am-11:00pm | OVST tech rehearsal | N/a | Per Space |
3:30-6:30 | SFYA rehearsal | N/a | Rm 1 | |
12:30-3:30 | Painting class | N/a | Rm 1 | |
You can see that Tammy will be in and Corina will be filling in some and all the rental activities will occur as scheduled.
Monday, November 17, 2008
Jan Classes
Join us for Angela Keslar's Trunk Show on Dec. 11th from 5-8. Angela will be here to talk about her latest designs, available for purchase and order, and we will also screen some highlights from Project Runway Season 3. I might even make hot apple cider, who can say for sure.
The APE Center has a full line up of classes and you can download their brochure here:
APE Program_winter 08 classes_for Emily.pdf
Or, visit their website www.apecenter.org.
Monday, November 10, 2008
Aquabear and so much more
Saturday, November 15 from 12:00-1:00 brings our montly installment of Front and Center. This month's featured guest is Kevin Vaught, local vocalist and actor. As always, the second half is an open stage for kids.
Aquabear Legion is also having a Record Swap on Sunday, November 16th on the stage of ARTS/West from 1pm-6pm. There will be local merchants and bands selling and swapping their LP’s, CD’s, tapes, 45’s, and more. Admission is free, with donations encouraged.
There are still tables left if you are interested in selling some music, you can set up for a fee of only $10. Table fees and donations will support Aquabear Legion and ARTS/West. If you are interested in setting up a table, please e-mail contact@aquabearlegion.com.
Then,
ARTS/West is ecstatic to present “Project Runway” Season 3 Designer Angela Keslar’s trunk show on December 11, 2008 at 5:00 PM. All activities will take place at ARTS/West.
Do not miss this special event where designer Angela Keslar will display her latest designs, including clothing and accessories. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet Angela in person, ask questions about her season, view episodes from season 3, and purchase pieces from her collection. Some items will require special order, to be delivered in time for the holiday season.
Angela, formerly of
She was featured in The New York Times, cementing her famous style in a story by Eric Wilson, Blame the Rosettes. The New York Post, US, and People MagazineAthens News featured Angela in a cover story: Amesville Designer Hopes to Conquer 'Runway'.
Beloved host Tim Gunn remarked: "Angela's attention to and love of detail will take her far." consistently named her “one to watch” and one of the top 5 designers most likely to win season 3. Our own Angela grew up in
Angela Keslar’s TRUNK SHOW will take place at ARTS/West, 132 W. State Street, Athens, OH, December 11, 2008 at 5:00 PM.
Tuesday, November 04, 2008
Vote: It matters
And when you are done support some art.
Here is what is happening Saturday around
The Dairy Barn Arts Center cordially invites you to an opening celebration for our Can-Do Exhibit Saturday, November 8th from 5-7 pm. Featuring drinks and hors d’ oeuvres “canned style.”
Can-Do is a design/build Exhibition highlighting the following area Businesses: Chaddock & Associates, Athens County Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, The Athens News, RVC Architects, Panich & Noel Architects, Peoples Bank, AmeriCorps, The Dairy Barn Arts Center and Kroger who will artisticly display canned goods for the benefit of the SE OHIO REGIONAL FOOD CENTER. This exhibit will run through November 22nd.
AND
Stuart's Opera House Fall Fundraiser with Bettye LaVette, Nov 08 2008
TICKETS: PLEASE CALL THEIR OFFICE AT (740) 753-1924 FOR TICKETS.
This is one of the biggest nights of the year for Stuart's. Hors d'oeuvres, silent auction and more. This year's fundraiser will feature music from Soul legend Bettye LaVette! Bettye wowed audiences when she closed out this past years Nelsonville Art and Music Festival and you will not want to miss this performance.
The Stuart's Fall Fundraiser will also feature a silent auction.
$100 tickets include a seat in row A-D, heavy hors d'oeuvres, drinks from 6pm-7pm, and first chance to bid on silent auction items.
$25 reserved seats will be available for rows E-I on the floor and the balcony.
Fall Fundraiser Schedule:
6:00pm: Lobby opens for patrons with $100 tickets for silent auction and drinks
6:30pm: Heavy Hors D'oeurves and drinks for $100 ticket holders in the theater
7:30pm: Lobby opens for all ticket holders, silent auction in lobby.
8:30pm: Bettye LaVette begins
*SILENT AUCTION BIDDING WILL END AFTER THE INTERMISSION*
AND
Here's what we're doing at ARTS/West:
There are still so many wonderful things to do and see around town in November!
If you were are all involved in the Humble Play: Appalachian New Play Festival- You're invited to join us for a postmortem/thank you potluck dinner to officially bring our festival to a final close! We will dine Friday, November 7 at 5 pm at ARTS/West and everyone is asked to bring ANY kind of dish to share.
And of course if there are other volunteers or staff members that should be included, please share this info with them as well. Let's all give ourselves one more chance to review, process, and celebrate all of the teamwork that went into the festival this year - with food! Hope to see everyone there.
In addition, many of you know that we lost a very dear friend in October, Pat Elisar. I would like to invite you to participate in the Celebration of Pat Elisar's life on Tuesday, November 18th from 11am to 1 pm at ARTS/West.
With your help, we will all celebrate a great lady, a great friend and a great actor.
Friday, November 14th, 8pm, Aquabear Live @ ARTS/West- $4 with: She Bears http://www.myspace.com/shebearsband, Barn Burning (
Sunday, November 16, 2008, 1:00pm-6:00pm. In August we had our first Aquabear Legion Record Swap and it was so incredibly awesome we decided to make it a regular thing. If you missed it the first time, make sure not to miss this one! Browse through tables of LP's, CD's, Tapes, 7 inches, Instruments, Local Music, Record Gear, and anything else music related. Some
Save the Date
December 12, 13 & 19, 20 at 7:30 p.m.
December 13, 14 & 20 at 2 p.m. OVST presents Pinocchio by Kathryn Shultz-Miller
December 22-23, 7:00pm The Studio For Young Actors presents A Christmas Carol
Saturday, December 27th 8pm Aquabear Live @ ARTS/West (the) Giants of Gender (NYC) www.myspace.com/thegiantsofgender and more. $4
Ongoing:
Third Saturday Jan.-May 12:00 PM-1:00 PM Front and Center- Music program and open stage for kids
Last Sunday of every month: Experimental-improv music workshops at pot luck dinner. 6:00 PM-9:00 PM www.myspace.com/artwestnoiseshow
Thursday, October 30, 2008
You're invited.
If you were are all involved in the Humble Play: Appalachian New Play Festival- You're invited to join us for a postmortem/thank you potluck dinner to officially bring our festival to a final close! We will dine Friday, November 7 at 5 pm at ARTS/West and everyone is asked to bring ANY kind of dish to share.
In addition, many of you know that we lost a very dear friend in October, Pat Elisar.
I would like to invite you to participate in the Celebration Of Pat Elisar's life on Tuesday, November 18th from 11am to 1 pm at ARTS/West.
Pat's sisters, brother, nieces and nephews will also join us from Boston, NYC & Tennessee.
If any of you would like to speak on behalf of yourself or your theater group in the program, please let me or Karen Chan know. If any of you have pics or film of Pat, please contact me.
With your help, we will all celebrate a great lady, a great friend and a great actor.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Thank you and upcoming
Donations: $10-50; $2-10 limited income; Available for pre-sale at Blue Eagle Music, Athens Book Center and Arts West -- Cash or Check only
Event at 7pm takes place at ARTS/West, 132 W. State Street, Athens, OH 45701.
Reception after the concert at Toscano's, 4 Depot St., 10:15 p.m. $5 cover. Good food, more music!
This event is free to the public but donations for Artists in the Schools residencies are accepted. The event is being held on Saturday, October 25th from noon-6pm at The Dairy Barn Arts Center. Children’s events are being conducted from noon-3 and co-sponsored by Well Works and The Dairy Barn Arts Center. Please bring your own scooped out pumpkin and decorations and tools will be provided for pumpkin carving. Games and healthy seasonal treats will also be provided.
______
The Stuart's Fall Fundraiser will also feature a silent auction.
$100 tickets include a seat in row A-D, heavy hors d'oeuvres, drinks from 6pm-7pm, and first chance to bid on silent auction items.
$25 reserved seats will be available for rows E-I on the floor and the balcony.
______
Get Tickets:
online at www.stuartsoperahouse.org
or call (740) 753-1924
She Bears
http://www.myspace.com/
Barn Burning (Providence, RI)
http://www.myspace.com/
Winter Makes Sailors (Columbus)
http://www.myspace.com/
-Part of Aquabear Legion/Action Committee Weekend!!!-
Thursday, 11/13: The Needy Visions (Boston), Casual Future, Five Deadly Venoms @ Brown Town
Friday, 11/14: Aquabear Live @ ARTS/West with She Bears, Barn Burning, Winter Makes Sailors
Saturday, 11/15: TBA
Sunday, 11/16: Aquabear Legion Record Swap @ ARTS/West, FREE, 1pm-6pm
Sunday, 11/16: Dust from 1000 Years, more @ Bruce Manor, 7pm
www.aquabearlegion.com
www.myspace.com/aquabearlegion
contact@aquabearlegion.com
Sunday, November 16, 2008, 1:00pm-6:00pm. In August we had our first Aquabear Legion Record Swap and it was so incredibly awesome we decided to make it a regular thing.
If you missed it the first time, make sure not to miss this one!
Browse through tables of LP's, CD's, Tapes, 7 inches, Instruments, Local Music, Record Gear, and anything else music related. Some Athens bands will even be selling their own merchandise and of course so will Aquabear.
If you want to get your own table to sell and trade from they are only $10! Send us an e-mail at contact@aquabearlegion.com if you are interested.
This time we will be on the stage of ARTS/West!
Admission is FREE!!! Donations are encouraged though.
And we will be playing records all afternoon...
And it's a potluck so bring some sweet food.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
ARToberfest

ARTS/West will turn into a sweet gallery space for the weekend, with visual art hanging in every possible spot in the building.
Additionally, there will be music, theater, spoken word performances, and dance! Check back later this week for a complete schedule of performances.
ARTS/West will be open to the public on Friday, October 17 from 6 pm to 7 pm; Saturday, October 18 from 12 pm to 8 pm; and Sunday, October 19 from 2 pm to 7 pm. Come and check it out, the art will be up all weekend and there's sure to be an awesome performance going on!
Friday, October 17, 6 pm - Reception for artists! Community members are encouraged to attend; free food will be provided by Village Bakery and Della Zona.
Friday, October 17, 7 pm to 10 pm - Aquabear Legion Showcase featuring Russenorsk, Bram Riddlebarger, and Jesse Remnant. Don't miss this!
Saturday, October 18, 12 pm to 6 pm - Open air art fair! Come out to the parking lot of ARTS/West and check out the sweet art from local vendors!
Sunday, October 19, 2 pm to 7 pm - We will have demonstrations by various local artists going on all day. You can check out yarn spinning, pyrography, chair caning, and more!
ALL EVENTS ARE FREE ALL WEEKEND LONG. SERIOUSLY.
Performance schedule:
SATURDAY OCTOBER 18
12 - 1 pm Front and Center Children's Open Stage (music)
1 - 1:30 pm Quinn, Eryah, and Zion Everson (dance)
1:30 - 2 pm The Fifteen Minute Hamlet (theater)
2 - 3:00 pm Free time! Go see some art!
3 - 3:30 pm The Fifteen Minute Hamlet (theater)
3:30 - 4:00 pm Min Choi (classical piano)
3:30 - 4:30 pm Free time! Go see some art!
4:30 - 5:30 pm Steve Zarate (acoustic)
5:30 - 6 pm Free time! Go see some art!
6 - 7 pm Designated Spaces (spoken word)
7 pm - 8 pm Eva Destruction & the Ohio Country Outlaw Band (rock n' roll)
SUNDAY OCTOBER 19
2 - 3 pm Free time! See some art!
3 - 4 pm Tony Xenos (pop)
4 - 5 pm Colonies (noise)
5 - 6 pm Peterson/Marotta/Jewell (sound/improv)
6 - 7 pm Dead Winds of Summer (noise)
Thursday, October 02, 2008
Humble, ART/Oberfest, Mauvais Sort
Thursday, Oct. 2, The Corporation for the Performing Arts presents The Fourth Indian by Lynn Veach Sadler at 7pm.
Friday, Oct. 3 The Lost Flamingo Company presents Strike! by Reyshan Parker at 7pm.
Saturday, Oct. 4 the Youth Division presents You've Got to be Joking by Rheal Radwany at 1pm
and
The Appalachian Regional Theater presents the Pick of the Festival, Dignity by Celeste Parsons. Closing reception starts at 6pm and the reading is at 7pm.
ARTISTS (this is for you) please visit artoberfest. blogspot. com!! Applications for ART/Oberfest are due Friday!
Stuart's Opera House would like to invite you to kick off our week with Quebec's Mauvais Sort with an Opening Reception at Stuart's on Sunday, October 5th at 7pm. Mauvais Sort is coming to Athens County as part of the Arts Midwest Worldfest program, which has previously brought Los Utrera (from Mexico) and Esta (from Israel). Mauvais Sort will be here all week doing workshops and performances, there is a full schedule below.
Come see Mauvais Sort on Monday, October 6 at 1:00 at ARTS/West!
This opening reception is a great chance to meet the band and find out more about them and this wonderful program. You will be able to also find out about the week's schedule. For the media, this is a great opportunity to get to interview band members and even myself to find out more about this program and the week's events.
Come on out and join us!
Thank You,
Brian Koscho
Stuart's Opera House
Sunday, October 5th
Opening Reception at Stuart's, 7pm
Monday, October 6th
Workshop/performance at ARTS/West in Athens, 1pm
Workshop/performance at Athens Library, 7pm
Wednesday, October 8th
Workshops in Nelsonville-York Schools (private)
Thursday, October 9th
Workshop/performance in Nelsonville-York Schools (private)
Workshop/performance at Ohio University's Front Room, 8pm
Friday, October 10th
School concerts at Stuart's (private)
Saturday, October 11th
Week ending performance at Stuart's!, 7pm
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Humble Play ya'll
The reception will be followed by a playwrighting lecture by Mary Tensing who's play An Algonquin Cinderella will be performed at Stuart’s Opera House on Friday, October 3rd at 7pm. An Algonquin Cinderella is a Native American variation on the classic story written by Mary Tensing and presented by ArtReach: A Division of the Children's Theatre of Cincinnati.
The full schedule is :
Opening Reception, Sept. 29, 6 p.m.
(Music by Michael and Becca Lachman)
Playwriting Workshop Lecture 7 p.m.
(With Mary Tensing)
Laying Off by James McLindon: Tuesday, September 30, 7 p.m.
(Produced by Actors Moveable Theater)
Coal Creek by Walter Thinnes: Wednesday, October 1, 7 p.m.
(Produced by Athenian Players Theatre)
The 4th Indian by Lynn Veach Sadler: Thursday, October 2, 7 p.m.
(Produced by The Corporation for the Performing Arts)
Strike!: Friday, October 3, 7 p.m.
(Produced by The Lost Flamingo Company)
Youth Division
(Sponsored by ARTS/West)
Closing reception on Saturday, October 4 at 6 p.m.
(Music by Charlie and Celia Lewis)
Dignity by Celeste Parsons: Saturday, October 4, 7 p.m.
(Pick of the Festival, produced by the Appalachian Regional Theater Company)
TICKETS
$3.00/reading, $10.00 for a week pass (or seven admissions)
Passes are available at the ARTS/West office- call (740) 592-4315.
But Emily, who are the playwrights? Oh, here you go:
Humble Play Playwright Bios
Reyshan Parker (Strike!): was born April 11th, 1979 to Jim and Cindy Parker. He has written seven full length plays, two of which he has produced at ARTS/West theatre in
Celeste Parsons (Dignity): was born in
Lynn Veach Sadler (The Fourth Indian): Former college president Dr. Lynn Veach Sadler has published widely in academics and creative writing. One story appears in Del Sol's Best of 2004. She recently published a novella and a short-story collection, was 2007 Writer of the Year at
Walter Thinnes (Coal Creek): is an early career playwright trapped in a later life body. Despite his belated start he has received competition recognition, readings and/or productions in more than sixteen states, The Kennedy Center and several Off-Off-Broadway Theaters. Walter currently resides in