News Releases

Multi-talented Artists Regan Patno and Julia Snyder Opens Family Fun Sundays at Owens Community College, Oct. 25

Posted on October 19th, 2009

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Community members of all ages are invited to be entertained by the creative talents of performing artists Regan Patno and Julia Snyder and their death-defying acts ranging from balletic feats to precision juggling as Owens Community College’s Center for Fine and Performing Arts welcomes The Tweaksters on Sunday, Oct. 25.

The performance, which will be held in the Center for Fine and Performing Arts’ Mainstage Theatre at 3 p.m., is the first in the series of three Family Fun Sundays presented by Owens. The College is located on Oregon Road in Perrysburg Township.

“Owens Community College is proud to welcome the highly-accomplished Regan Patno and Julia Snyder and their masterful talents to the Center for Fine and Performing Arts stage,” said Barbara Barkan, Owens Operations Manager for the Center for Fine and Performing Arts. “The Tweaksters have dazzled audiences worldwide with their unique ability to transform the mundane into the magical, which is tailor-made for both family and adult audiences alike. Attendees are in for an afternoon of laughter and unforgettable entertainment that will include everything from ping-pong air raids to glow-in-the-dark illusions.”

The Tweaksters are known worldwide for their death-defying act, which blends balletic feats, precision juggling, acrobatics and creative choreography with odd objects. Whether launching a ping-pong air raid, deftly manipulating flower pots or making percussive music with plumbing pipes, the two-person group of Regan Patno and Julia Snyder bring zany humor into their fantastic feats, which are designed to “tweak” and delight audiences of all ages.

The entertainment group’s mesmerizing and humorous antics have amazed audiences around the globe to include visits to India, France and China. In addition, The Tweaksters have made appearances on many national and international television shows such as “The Miss India” pageant in Bombay, India and “The Tonight Show”.

Tickets for The Tweaksters performance are $15 and all seats are general admission. To purchase tickets, visit www.owens.edu or contact the College’s Box Office. For more information about this event, contact the Center for Fine and Performing Arts at (567) 661-2787 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. ARTS (2787).

One of the fastest-growing higher educational institutions in Ohio, Owens Community College is a fully accredited two-year, state-assisted institution of higher education that has served Northwest Ohio since 1965. With a commitment to providing small classes, personal attention and unmatched affordability, the College serves the diverse academic needs of credit and non-credit students on the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses. Owens offers associate degrees that transfer to baccalaureate degrees in the Arts and Sciences and over 130 technical program areas in Agriculture, Business, Health Sciences, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Skilled Trades, and Engineering and Transportation Technologies. Owens students also can earn the first two years of a bachelor’s degree with a smooth transfer to any area four-year college or university. For more information, visit www.owens.edu.

Owens Community College Welcomes Beachfront Property in ‘Jukebox Gold’ Performance, Oct. 9

Posted on September 28th, 2009

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Area residents are invited to take a journey back to the 1940s, 50s and 60s and a time when the rich sounds of jazz swing and rock n’ roll filled jukeboxes around the country as Owens Community College’s Center for Fine and Performing Arts welcomes Beachfront Property in a “Jukebox Gold” performance on Friday, Oct. 9.

Beachfront Property’s “Jukebox Gold” performance will begin at 8 p.m. in the Mainstage Theatre. Owens’ Toledo-area Campus is located on Oregon Road in Perrysburg Township.

“Owens Community College is proud to welcome one of the country’s leading touring show in capturing America’s most beloved musical classics to Northwest Ohio,” said Barbara Barkan, Owens Operations Manager for the Center for Fine and Performing Arts. “Beachfront Property’s four-part blend is spun out in seemingly effortless fashion creating mellow and exciting, woven-together cords that treat the listener to an arrangement of familiar songs with a whole new sound. Attendees are certainly in for an evening of high energy entertainment featuring a wide selection of timeless musical classics.”

Barkan added, “Whether singing classic standards like “Sophisticated Lady” and “You Go To My Head” or a medley of The Beach Boys or The Beatles songs, each note is song with impeccable precision along with ever so subtle hesitations and syncopated timing to make each song unique.”

Beachfront Property was by created by Tom Dustman, Artistic Director and Professor of Music at Long Beach City College, in 1979 to write and record jingles for radio and television. In 1990, the group expanded to live concerts and began touring concert halls, performing arts centers, colleges and universities, and music festivals across the country, performing some of America’s most beloved jukebox classics from the 1940s, 50s and 60s. In addition to headlining, Beachfront Property has shared the stage with such internationally-recognized performers as Mel Torme, The Four Freshmen and Emerson, Lake & Palmer. Their three CDs “Beachfront”, “Straighten Up” and “A Beachfront Christmas” are nationally and internationally distributed by Cexton Records and have appeared on jazz polls and “high rotation” play lists throughout the country.

In addition to Dustman (bass), other members of Beachfront Property include Jennifer Dustman (soprano), Jill Mumaw (alto) and Bill Mumaw (tenor). Among the group’s repertoire of crowd-pleasing musical selections include “At Last”, “The Twist”, “Angel Eyes”, “Blackbird”, “In My Life”, “Sesame Street” and “The Flintstones Theme”.

Tickets for Beachfront Property’s “Jukebox Gold” performance are $26 for floor level seating and $22 for raised level seating for the general public. To purchase tickets, visit www.owens.edu or contact the College’s Box Office. For more information about this event, contact the Center for Fine and Performing Arts at (567) 661-2787 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. ARTS (2787).

Owens Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery Welcomes ‘Vessels’ Art Exhibit, Sept. 28 – Oct. 31

Posted on September 23rd, 2009

Ellen Jantzen’s contemporary vessel, which is on display as part of Owens’ “Vessels” art exhibit, is titled “Gathering” and made out of recycled paper bags.

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Owens Community College invites area residents to view the unique artistic expressions and interpretations of the classic vessel form through a contemporary and traditional perspective as the Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery presents the exhibit titled “Vessels”, Sept. 28 – Oct. 31. The Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery is located in Owens’ Center for Fine and Performing Arts on the Toledo-area Campus in Perrysburg Township.

In addition to the exhibit, Owens’ Center for Fine and Performing Arts will serve as host to a lecture and artistic ceramics demonstration by guest artist Karen Roderick-Lingeman on Thursday, Oct. 8 at 7 p.m. in the Center for Fine and Performing Arts Ceramics Laboratory Room 214. A free exhibit reception will also take place on Friday, Oct. 2 from 7-9 p.m. in the Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery.

“Some of the most beautiful and diverse objects created by artists today are vessels,” said Wynn Perry, Owens Part-Time Coordinator of the Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery. “Owens Community College’s Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery is proud to bring to the forefront one of the most celebrated mediums within the art world through the presentation of the ‘Vessels’ exhibit. Attendees will be amazed by the masterful forms in which vessels can take shape to include vases, containers, bottles or simply vessels made of clay, glass, metal, wood and found object as interpreted through the contemporary and traditional eyes of 13 nationally-recognized artists.”

Thirteen artists from Northwest Ohio and the Los Angeles area, who have garnered regional and national artistic acclaim, will showcase their expressions and interpretations of the classic vessel form through a contemporary and traditional perspective as part of the “Vessels” art exhibit, including University of Toledo Ceramics/Art Education Lecturer Karen Roderick-Lingeman, College of Creative Studies Chair of Crafts Thomas Madden, Toledo Museum of Art Glass Studio Manager Jeff Mack, Stephan Kemmerly, Danielle Crissman, Judy Lynn Kahle, Brian Donahue, Rachelle Woo Chuang, Ellen Jantzen, Michael Rohde, Rodnney Tsukashima, Carol Shaw Sutton and Susanna Speirs.

Approximately 35 featured artistic pieces will be on display in Owens’ “Vessels” exhibit highlighted by vases, boxes, bowls, containers, pea pods, mummies and bottles made of glass, fibers, ceramics, metals and wood.

Admission to the Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery is free and open to the public from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays; from 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays; and from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Saturdays. For additional information, contact the Center for Fine and Performing Arts at 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 2721 or (567) 661-2721.

Owens Findlay-area Campus Features ‘Life as I See It’ Exhibit, Sept. 28 – Oct. 22

Posted on September 22nd, 2009

The Findlay-area Campus Library features John Wade’s various artistic paintings such as “Sale at Pamida”.

FINDLAY, OH – Owens Community College Findlay-area Campus Library Gallery continues its fall art exhibition season with the works of regional artist John Wade III. The exhibit titled “Life as I See It” will showcase Wade’s unique style of telling vivid and impactful stories through the use of vibrant colors in his masterful paintings, Sept. 28 – Oct. 22.

Area residents are encouraged to visit the exhibit, which is free and open to the public in the Findlay-area Campus Library. Owens’ Findlay-area Campus is located on Bright Road in Findlay.

“Owens Findlay-area Campus Library Gallery is excited to present this beautiful exhibit which showcases the many talents of guest artist John Wade III,” said Gail McCain, Owens Library Manager for the Findlay-area Campus. “Wade’s paintings weave stories of the African American community in Fort Wayne, Ind., and their appeal is universal and immediate. Life as he sees it is a swirl of primary color and action in settings where perspectives and figures are abstracted and primitive. His skills with color and composition are the backbone of his deceptively naive style.”

Born in Evansville, Ind., in 1957, Wade moved to Fort Wayne, Ind., as a child. He currently works as a machinist, but has always been an artist, having studied basic art in the public school system and participated in several scholastic art competitions. He continued his training by studying the abstractionist-post modernism styles of both Black American and European artists. Many of Wade’s works have been exhibited publicly in one person and group shows in Indiana and Ohio to include an appearance at the Toledo Museum of Art, as well as purchased by private collectors throughout the United States and Canada.

Wade is known for his artistic expressions that primarily appear on paper with acrylics and often on canvas. The inspiration for his work is oftentimes determined as a result of simple life events occurring around him. From his observations, Wade generally brings the main elements of his artistic expressions to the forefront in a vibrant array of colors that tells a story about the subject matter in an abstract perspective.

Admission to the Findlay-area Campus Library Gallery is free and open to the public. Gallery hours are Monday-Thursday from 8 a.m. – 7 p.m., Fridays from 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. For more information, contact the Library at (567) 429-3088 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 3088.

Owens Community College Hosts Auditions for Upcoming Theatre Production, Sept. 28-29

Posted on September 17th, 2009

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Area residents interested in performing in the upcoming student production of the “Recent Tragic Events” are invited to open theatre auditions at Owens Community College, Sept. 28-29.

Auditions will take place Monday and Tuesday, Sept. 28 and 29, from 6-9 p.m. in the Center for Fine and Performing Arts Studio Theatre Room 111. Callback auditions will take place on Wednesday, Sept. 30. Owens is located on Oregon Road in Perrysburg Township.

Each individual is encouraged to prepare a monologue as part of the audition or a monologue will be provided for them. The theatre production dates are Nov. 19-22.

Attendees are required to make an appointment prior to the audition dates. For more information, or to make an appointment, call (567) 661-2798 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 2798.

Comedy Showcase – Night of 100 Stars Opens Presenting Arts Season at Owens, Sept. 25

Posted on September 16th, 2009

Bethany Owen

David Born

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Side-splitting comedy of three nationally-recognized impressionists and entertainers, as well as over 100 of their celebrity personalities, will invade Northwest Ohio as Owens Community College’s Center for Fine and Performing Arts unveils its 2009-10 presenting arts season with a Comedy Showcase – Night of 100 Stars on Friday, Sept. 25.

The Comedy Showcase – Night of 100 Stars performance will begin at 8 p.m. in the Mainstage Theatre. Owens’ Toledo-area Campus is located on Oregon Road in Perrysburg Township.

“Owens Community College is proud to kick off its 2009-10 presenting arts season with an evening of unforgettable comedy, music and entertainment by three masterfully-talented impressionists and entertainers,” said Barbara Barkan, Owens Operations Manager for the Center for Fine and Performing Arts. “Bethany Owen, Pete Peterkin and David Born have dazzled audiences nationwide with their amazing impressions and comedic parodies of some of the world’s most legendary celebrities. Attendees will be amazed by their versatility and hilarious antics as they bring such celebrity likenesses as Stevie Wonder, Cher and Robin Williams to the College’s Mainstage Theatre.”

Impressionist Bethany Owen – known as the “Woman of 1001 Faces and Voices” – celebrates the zany and funny side of celebrity personalities through the use of comedic parody, musical vocal tributes and quick costume and wig changes to some of the world’s most famous female superstars of today, including Cher, Madonna, Tina Turner and Barbara Streisand, among many others. The two-time recipient of the Best Female Voice Impressionist Award by the International Guild of Celebrity Impersonators and Tribute Artists, Owen has amazed audiences worldwide with her one-person show to include tour stops throughout India, the Caribbean and the United States. Musical impressionist Pete Peterkin will bring more than 100 celebrity impressions, more than 20 musical instruments and an array of dance styles to life during his critically-acclaimed performance. Among his more famous stage characters are Sammy Davis Jr., Stevie Wonder, Ray Charles and President Barack Obama. Additionally, Peterkin’s talents include writing songs with such musical legends as the The Four Tops and The Temptations, as well as for several made-for-television movies on NBC, CBS and HBO. David Born is a professional film, television and stage actor with more than 30 years of experience. An expert improvisational and stand-up comedian, Born is recognized nationally for his impersonation of Robin Williams. In addition to his improvisational talents, Born has appeared in more than 50 television commercials and has had roles in television shows such as “Friday Night Lights” and many others.

Pete Peterkin

Tickets for the Comedy Showcase – Night of 100 Stars performance are $32 for floor level seating and $28 for raised level seating for the general public and $15 for Owens employees and students. To purchase tickets, visit www.owens.edu or contact the College’s Box Office. For more information about this event, contact the Center for Fine and Performing Arts at (567) 661-2787 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. ARTS (2787).

International, National and Local Performers Scheduled at Owens’ Center for Fine and Performing Arts in 2009-10

Posted on August 21st, 2009

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Owens Community College’s Center for Fine and Performing Arts will raise the curtain with an array of events scheduled throughout the 2009-10 presenting arts season. Music, dance and theatre artists from around the world, including several local, national and international standouts, will perform a variety of shows and concerts as part of the Center for Fine and Performing Arts’ season titled “Spectrum”.

The side-splitting comedy of nationally-recognized impressionists and entertainers Bethany Owen, Pete Peterkin and David Born will serve as the kickoff event for the 2009-10 season as a Comedy Showcase – Night of 100 Stars performs on Sept. 25. Celebrity personalities that will make appearances throughout the impressionists’ comedy act including Cher, Tina Turner, Ray Charles, President Barack Obama and Robin Williams.

Hot off the Comedy Showcase’s heels is sounds of jazz swing and rock n’ roll that once filled jukeboxes around the country as the four-person group Beachfront Property presents “Jukebox Gold” at Owens on Oct. 9. Beachfront Property’s four-part musical blend is spun out in seemingly effortless fashion that creates mellow and exciting, woven-together chords for listeners to arrangements of familiar songs with a whole new sound.

“Owens Community College’s Spectrum season explodes on the stage with an impressive array of talent, a broad range of music and dance from bluegrass to hip hop,” said Barbara Barkan, Owens Operations Manager for the Center for Fine and Performing Arts. “The 2009-10 season is designed to appeal to just about everyone as it offers entertainment for all ages and tastes. Owens is pleased to once again connect artists and audiences through performances that reach out to the campus and our surrounding communities.”

The College presenting arts season will once again feature a Family Fun Sunday series of three performances designed to provide fun and entertainment to individuals of all ages. The series will kick off with multi-talented performing artists Regan Patno and Julia Snyder blending balletic feats, precision juggling, acrobatics and creative choreography with odd objects as part of The Tweaksters performance on Oct. 25. Following The Tweaksters, Faustwork Mask Theatre will showcase an array of fanciful handcrafted masks in a performance titled “The Mask Messenger” as the second performance in the series on Jan. 17. Finally, children will be exposed to two languages simultaneously as the classic children’s book “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” by Roald Dahl is presented by Sign Stage on Tour in a musical that will feature American Sign Language onstage in addition to spoken dialogue in English. “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” will be presented on March 7 as the third performance in the Family Fun Sunday series.

Owens will also offer one additional performance package this season. The Spectrum Performances series will showcase the masterful talents of five entertainment groups with a broad range of qualities, ideas and activities. In addition to the above mentioned Comedy Showcase – Night of 100 Stars and Beachfront Property Presents “Jukebox Gold”, Soul Street Dance Company’s Soul Sessions Dance Concert is prepared to take attendees on a high energy ride of movement and music that is part entertainment and art on Jan. 8.

Additionally, individuals will have the opportunity to take a trip back in time to the magical sounds of the 1960s, 70s and 80s made famous by such nationally-known female artists as Tina Turner, Martha Reeves, Gladys Knight, Donna Summer and The Pointer Sisters as emerging nationally-recognized performer Karen Durrant brings to life the classic and timeless songs in Dreamgirls on Feb. 19.

Grammy Award-nominated contemporary bluegrass group The Grascals will conclude the Spectrum Performances as they bring their trademark blend of traditional bluegrass and classic country music, combined with an array of modern elements, to Owens on March 19.

The 2009-10 presenting arts season will also feature speaking engagements of two nationally prominent authors and writers. On April 15, nationally-known writer and radio personality Garrison Keillor will once again bring his satirical remarks and humorous antics to Owens as he presents an evening of storytelling entertainment. An open discussion with author and sports writer Mitch Albom will follow Keillor’s performance on May 11. Albom is a best-selling author, journalist, screenwriter, playwright, radio and television broadcaster and musician whose books have collectively sold over 28 million copies worldwide and have been made into Emmy Award-winning and critically-acclaimed television movies.

Local community arts events will highlight the 2009-10 season as Owens collaborates with the Toledo School for the Arts to present the musical “All Shook Up” Nov. 5-7 and 8, a Winter Musicfest Concert on Dec. 17 and Limitless Dance on March 5. The Toledo Repertoire will also make two appearances at Owens and present Egdy Rep Reading “The Man Who Had Three Arms” on Oct. 10 and the theatre production “Victor/Victoria” June 4-5, 11-12 and 13. Community performances also include the African American Legacy Project of Northwest Ohio presenting internationally-acclaimed jazz pianist and composer Stanley Cowell in a tribute concert performance to legendary jazz pianist and Toledo native Art Tatum on Oct. 11 and the Northwest Ohio Chapter of The Voices of Harmony presenting an array of harmonious selections to ring in the holiday season as part of their annual Sounds of the Season concert on Dec. 12.

In addition, Owens fine and performing arts students will also put their acting skills on display as part of the College’s annual student theatrical productions. Craig Wright’s “Recent Tragic Events” will occur Nov. 19-21 and 22, while “And The Winner Is” by Mitch Albom will take place April 8-10 and 11. In addition, “Creative Noises Live” Fall Artists Series will once again perform in the College’s Center for Fine and Performing Arts as Owens faculty and students showcase their musical talents, Nov. 2-18.

Internationally-recognized Francesc de Paula Soler, known as “The Poet of the Guitar”, will also grace Owens’ stage as he brings a cosmopolitan musical mix of Spanish and Latin American sound as part of a free performance on Oct. 23. The concert is being presented by the College’s Department of International Studies, Communications and Humanities and the Department of Fine and Performing Arts.

All performing arts events will occur in Owens’ Mainstage Theatre on the Toledo-area Campus unless noted otherwise. Owens is located on Oregon Road in Perrysburg Township. For additional information about the College’s 2009-10 presenting arts season schedule, contact the Center for Fine and Performing Arts at 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 2787 or (567) 661-2787.

Owens Findlay-area Campus Features ‘Owens Faculty Make Art’ Exhibit, Aug. 24 – Sept. 17

Posted on August 18th, 2009

Kevin Schroeder’s drawing titled “Maggie – Brown on Craft” is among the many artistic expressions on display in the “Owens Faculty Make Art” exhibit.

FINDLAY, OH – Owens Community College Findlay-area Campus opens the 2009-10 arts season with an artistic array of masterful photography, drawings, paintings and prints as the Library Gallery presents “Owens Faculty Make Art” exhibit, Aug. 24 – Sept. 17. The artwork is presented by Owens fine arts faculty members Ruth Foote and Kevin Schroeder.

The Owens Findlay-area Campus Library Gallery features Ruth Foote’s various Pinhole Panoramic artwork such as “Walking Across the Mackinac Bridge”.

In addition, the College will host a reception and gallery talk for Foote and Schroeder on Wednesday, Aug. 26 from 6-8 p.m. The reception, which is free and open to the public, will take place in the Findlay-area Campus Library. Owens is located on Bright Road in Findlay.

“Owens Findlay-area Library Gallery is excited to present this incredible exhibit which showcases the many talents of two exceptional faculty members in Kevin Schroeder and Ruth Foote,” said Gail McCain, Owens Library Manager for the Findlay-area Campus. “Ruth Foote’s gigantic panoramas taken with a pinhole camera are like looking through a kaleidoscope to see fragmented shapes and bright colors in sequence. Kevin Schroeder’s drawings and prints move from the delicately real to really dramatic in an instant.”

Joining Owens’ faculty in 2003, Foote currently serves as an Assistant Professor of Fine and Performing Arts. Prior to Owens, she taught at a number of academic institutions throughout the Midwest, including Rochester Institute of Technology, Skidmore College and the University of Michigan. Her teaching spans from beginning to advanced levels in both wet darkroom and digital applications. She holds a bachelor’s degree in biology from Calvin College and a master’s degree in photography from Southern Illinois University.

Foote’s award winning work has been exhibited nationally and internationally and covers a range of subjects and technologies. Movement and multiple exposure are distinct visual elements in much of her work as she seeks images that convey an interpretive emotional feel rather than a descriptive illustration of fact. The Toledo resident’s Pinhole Panoramic work has consumed much her time for the past several years as the artistic expressions revisit photography at its most basic non-technologic state to create soft overlapping imagery of architecture, people and movement.

Schroeder has served as an Owens faculty member since 2003 and currently holds the position of Assistant Professor of Fine and Performing Arts. His experience also includes serving in various teaching capacities at Bowling Green State University, Owens, Lourdes College, the University of Toledo and the Toledo Museum of Art. While at Owens, Schroeder has taught academic courses in life-drawing, printmaking, portfolio development, painting, fundamentals of drawing, and foundations of 2D and 3D design. He earned a bachelor’s degree in printmaking from the University of Toledo and a master’s degree in printmaking from Bowling Green State University. He also studied at the Studio Art Center International in Florence, Italy.

The Toledo resident’s drawings, paintings and prints are well-known for their intricate and vivid details that arguably bring each subject to life, while at the same time often feature a dramatic twist that may surprise individuals. His artistic expressions have been on display nationwide to include exhibitions in Wisconsin, New York and Maryland. Several of Schroeder’s pieces are also part of permanent collections throughout the country.

Owens Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery Presents ‘Our Town’ Opening Season Exhibit, Aug. 17 – Sept. 18

Posted on August 11th, 2009

Larry Golba’s watercolor painting titled “Looking North on Locust St.” is among the many contemporary paintings on display at Owens’ “Our Town” art exhibition.

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Owens Community College will open the 2009-10 Arts Exhibition Season with an array of contemporary paintings showcasing Northwest Ohio’s scenic landscape as the Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery presents the exhibit titled “Our Town”, Aug. 17 – Sept. 18. The Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery is located in Owens’ Center for Fine and Performing Arts on the Toledo-area Campus in Perrysburg Township.

In addition to the exhibit, Owens’ Center for Fine and Performing Arts will serve as host to a lecture and artistic watercolor demonstration by Monday Morning Painters group member Larry Golba on Monday, Sept. 14 at 7 p.m. in the Center for Fine and Performing Arts Room 111. A free exhibit reception will also take place on Sunday, Aug. 16 from 1-3 p.m. in the Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery.

“Owens Community College is proud to open the current exhibition season with such a unique exhibit that showcases some of the finest local artists around,” said Wynn Perry, Owens Part-Time Coordinator of the Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery. “‘Our Town’ brings various scenic locations throughout Northwest Ohio to life, and attendees will truly enjoy the masterful paintings and their splendid beauty.”

Individuals showcasing their artistic work as part of Owens’ season opening art exhibit are all members of the local Monday Morning Painters organization. Established in 1958, the Monday Morning Painters is a group of dedicated professional artists who meet every Monday morning for breakfast and then paint together, each using their favorite medium such as watercolor, acrylic, oil or pastel. Featured artistic expressions in Owens’ “Our Town” exhibit will include the urban Toledo landscape, as well as area parks, the Maumee River and Lake Erie.

The Monday Morning Painters has over 30 active members and many have earned regional and national acclaim for their paintings. Area artists exhibiting their work at the College will include Robert Martin, Jim Brower, Tom Durnford and Owens faculty member Philip Koenigseker, among many others.

Admission to the Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery is free and open to the public from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays; from 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays; and from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Saturdays. For additional information about the College’s 2009-10 Arts Exhibition Season, contact the Center for Fine and Performing Arts at 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 2721 or (567) 661-2721.

National and Local Artists to Display Work During Owens’ Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery 2009-10 Season

Posted on August 6th, 2009

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Owens Community College will welcome several local and national artists working with a diverse array of media to the Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery as the Center for Fine and Performing Arts unveils its 2009-10 Arts Exhibition Season on the Toledo-area Campus. The arts exhibition season will include a wide range of student, faculty and professional artists, with this year’s focus on “Our Home” within the Northwest Ohio region.

“Owens Community College is proud to provide a marvelous exhibition gallery where local and national artists can express their artistic talents to the community,” said Wynn Perry, Owens Part-Time Coordinator of the Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery. “The College looks forward to another enriching season at the Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery where area residents will have the opportunity to experience an original and enlightening exposure to the arts.”

The Gallery exhibition season will open with an array contemporary paintings presented by prominent area artists who are members of the Monday Morning Painters, Aug. 17 – Sept. 18. Featured artistic expressions in Owens’ “Our Town” opening exhibit will include the urban Toledo landscape, area parks, the Maumee River and Lake Erie.

Beginning Sept. 28, twelve artists from Northwest Ohio and the Los Angeles area will showcase their artistic expressions and interpretations of the classic vessel through a contemporary perspective as part of the “Vessels” art exhibit. Arguably one of the most beautiful and diverse objects created by artists of today, vessels can be classified as vases, containers or bottles that are made from class, glass, metal, wood and found objects.

Several other exhibits are scheduled for the Gallery’s 2009-10 season. Starting Jan. 8, photographically-based art, which will include digital photography, video, video stills, drawings, creative writing and sculptural processes, will make an appearance at Owens as internationally recognized artist Debra Davis brings the human condition with all its varied implications to life through computer manipulation. Chair for the Department of Art at the University of Toledo, Davis’ artistic expressions focus on capturing the visual metaphor for the human journey with all its bumps that are caused by uncontrollable events in society. A Pace Eminent Scholar Award winner, Davis’ recent work has been based on sensory input, climactic shifts and evidentiary verification, coupled with the human dichotomies of life such as weight/lightness, presence/absence and freedom/constraint.

Beginning Feb. 22, family members and professional artists Louis, Susan and Matthew Krueger, known for using mixed media and the social commentary act as a common thread in the fabric of their artistic work, will combine an array of fibers, photographs and digital imagery to create a “carnival like” atmosphere as part of “A Family Affair” art exhibit.

Additionally, Owens faculty, staff and students will have the opportunity to present their visual art at the Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery. The “Faculty Art Exhibition” is scheduled for Nov. 9 – Dec. 11, while the “Student Art Exhibition” will take place April 10 – May 1.

Area residents will have the unique opportunity to view an array of contemporary fine art photography from both professional and amateur photographers that are affiliated with the Toledo Friends Photography organization May 19 – June 3 as the Gallery hosts the “Friends of Photography” exhibit.

The art exhibition season will conclude with a new generation of emerging artists bringing a fresh perspective to the Northwest Ohio art scene as part of “Toledo Emerges”, June 13 – July 29. A variety of contemporary styles will be showcased, including paintings, print making, mixed media and graffiti.

In addition, several lectures will be held throughout the arts season in conjunction with Gallery season, including speaking engagements specifically for “Our Town: The Urban Landscape”, “Vessels”, “Installation: Debra Davis” and “A Family Affair” exhibitions.

Owens’ art exhibition Gallery is named in honor of Walter E. Terhune, a successful businessman and philanthropist in the 1800s. In 2003, the KeyBank National Association donated $100,000 to the Owens Community College Foundation, on behalf of the Walter E. Terhune Memorial Fund, to ensure the continued advancement of academic offerings and activities in Owens’ Center for Fine and Performing Arts.

Admission to the Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery is free and open to the public from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays; from 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays; and from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Saturdays. For additional information about the College’s 2009-10 Arts Exhibition Season, contact the Center for Fine and Performing Arts at 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 2721 or (567) 661-2721.

Life and Times of Northwest Ohio’s Teenagers Showcased During Historical Exhibit at Owens, May 27 – July 18

Posted on May 19th, 2009

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Area residents will have the opportunity to become immersed into the lives of Northwest Ohio’s teenagers from the 1930s through the 1960s as Owens Community College, the Wood County Historical Center and Museum and Bowling Green Area School District present a collection of teenage personal accounts and historical artifacts as part of the Terrific Teens Historical Exhibit, May 27 – July 18.

In addition, the College will host a free opening exhibit reception for the Bowling Green High School student participants and the community on Tuesday, May 26 from 6-8 p.m. in the Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery. Owens is located on Oregon Road in Perrysburg Township.

“Owens Community College is honored to collaborate with the Bowling Green Area School District and the Wood County Historical Center and Museum and bring together diverse groups of teens and adults for the purpose of examining teen life in Northwest Ohio through the years,” said Wynn Perry, Owens Part-Time Coordinator of the Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery. “Much of the value of this project lies not only in the research the students have compiled, but in the development of life skills and community partnerships. Students have worked with diverse generations and different teen demographic groups, which not only expands their educational knowledge through social interaction, but also through civic engagement.”

Perry added, “Attendees will have the unique opportunity to experience the sights and sounds of teen life in Northwest Ohio through the accounts of past teenagers as seen through the eyes of today’s youth, which creates a fascinating historically-based exhibition.”

Individuals participating in the Terrific Teens Historical Exhibit include students enrolled in the American studies classes at Bowling Green High School. With the guidance of their teachers Jennifer Dever and Theresa Dunn, the Bowling Green students expanded on oral history and video interview research, initially conducted by Bowling Green students in 2008, to complete the gallery exhibition.

Artifacts and collectables exhibited at Owens’ Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery will include antique yearbooks, phones, radios, posters, clothing and games from the 1930s through the 1960s that provide insight into the life of teenagers and their interests ranging fashion to athletics. The exhibit will also feature poetry, posters and articles to further explain the students’ research efforts.

Additionally, the Wood County Historical Center and Museum as well as area residents are playing an integral role in helping the students bring their research to fruition by loaning many of the archival materials from their extensive collections for the exhibit.

The two-year Terrific Teens initiative is based on the award-winning exhibition Teen Chicago, which was spearheaded by the Chicago Historical Society in collaboration with the Chicago History Museum. The groundbreaking project was part of a multimedia exhibition that focused on how the lives of Chicago’s teens have changed dramatically over the last 100 years – in the way they work, play, go to school and interact with their families. “Teen Chicago” was largely shaped by 15 teenagers and their research.

Last year, local students participated in weekly educational workshops at Owens that focused on the techniques of examining, writing about and recording history. Participating teenagers were responsible for compiling oral histories, as well as conducting primary research and video interviews for the initial presentation, which occurred in the College’s Center for Fine and Performing Arts Mainstage Theatre. The interactive event showcased a collection of teenage personal accounts and stories through the use of technology, theatre and music. The areas in which students investigated teen life included teens at school, teens at work, teens at home, teen social life, teen relationships, teen visual and performing arts, teen style and teen food.

Admission to the Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery is free and open to the public from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Monday-Thursday. For additional information, contact the Center for Fine and Performing Arts at 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 2721 or (567) 661-2721.

Owens Community College Recognizes Students for Creative Excellence in Artistic Expression

Posted on May 18th, 2009

Deb Helwig of Delta was awarded first place in the category of fine art for her oil painting titled “Fruit on a Table”.

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Nine Owens Community College students were recently honored for their creative excellence in art as the Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery held its annual Juried Student Art Exhibition.

“Owens’ Center for Fine and Performing Arts is proud to have featured some of the finest works of art produced by our students,” said Wynn Perry, Owens Part-time Coordinator of the Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery. “The creative works submitted by Owens students were truly outstanding and epitomized the meaning of artistic expression. Events such as the Juried Student Art Exhibition provide great opportunities for students to apply the knowledge obtained within the classroom into a real world setting.”

A jury composed of area artists and professionals selected the winning entries based on creative excellence. The Juried Student Art Exhibition was open to all students enrolled within fine and performing arts courses.

The show featured 31 pieces of artwork in the categories of fine art, which included sculpture, ceramics, painting, drawing, photography and commercial art. Twenty-five students enrolled within fine and performing arts courses at Owens had artwork accepted for the show.

Owens’ Kayte Studer of Delta received first place honors in the commercial art category for her page layout titled “Portfolio of Kayte Studer”.

In the category of fine art, Deb Helwig of Delta (fine art) was awarded first place for her oil painting titled “Fruit on a Table”. Cayln Babcock of Weston (undecided) received second place for her etching titled “Covered Head” and Lauren Meyers of Stryker (fine art) took third place for her calligraphy titled “Window of My Soul”.

In the category of photography, Diann DiNardo of Toledo was awarded first place for her digital photograph titled “Zach in the Kitchen”.

Kayte Studer of Delta (commercial art technology) was awarded first place in the category of commercial art for her page layout titled “Portfolio of Kayte Studer”, while Oliver Sheeter of Findlay (commercial art technology) took second place for his page vector design “Rockwell Style”. Christopher Myers of Bowling Green (commercial art technology) garnered third place for his raster design “Elvis Lives” poster.

In the category of photography, Diann DiNardo of Toledo (associate of arts, general concentration) was awarded first place for her digital photograph titled “Zack in the Kitchen”. Jennifer Mixon of Grand Rapids (photography) took second place for her digital photograph “Maggie” and Mike Burko of Toledo (commercial art technology) received third place for his digital photograph “Freedom Road”.

Owens Findlay-area Campus Spring Art Exhibition Highlights Student Work, April 27 – May 7

Posted on April 20th, 2009

FINDLAY, OH – Owens Community College students will have the opportunity to showcase their many artistic talents as the Findlay-area Campus hosts its annual Spring Student Art Exhibition in the Library Gallery, April 27 – May 7.

Additionally, the College will host a reception for the artists on Tuesday, April 28. The reception will occur from 5-7 p.m. in the Findlay-area Campus Library. Owens’ Findlay-area Campus is located on Bright Road in Findlay.

“Owens’ Findlay-area Campus is delighted to feature the finest works of art produced by our students during the Spring Semester,” said Gail McCain, Owens Library Manager for the Findlay-area Campus. “The Library Gallery is a great venue for Owens students to display their own works and highlight the knowledge and growth they have acquired in the classroom.”

McCain added, “These artistic expressions are extremely individualized and reflect the unique creative abilities and inspirations of each student artist.”

The Spring Student Art Exhibition features numerous pieces of artwork from paintings to drawings created by student artists enrolled in the College’s “Fundamentals of Drawing” course, which is instructed by Erika Clark, Owens Adjunct Faculty member for Fine and Performing Arts. In this course, students obtain experiential learning within various areas, including the study of object drawing, form organization, value, perspective, proportion and texture.

In addition, student artists enrolled in the College’s “Foundations in 2D Design” course, also instructed by Clark, will present their artistic expressions within the Library Gallery. In this course, students develop an understanding of basic studio art principles, critical skills and media manipulation, covering the topics of color theory and the use of two-dimensional space.

Students from the College’s “Black and White Photography I and II” courses instructed by Melissa Harding, Owens Adjunct Faculty member for Fine and Performing Arts, will also showcase their artistic work as part of the exhibit. The classes focus on photography both as a fine art and for commercial means. Students learn about the development of skills related to visual literacy, film exposure, making prints and preparing prints for exhibition, among many other areas.

Students whose work will be displayed are John Blake of Upper Sandusky (photography), Alexa Chester of Findlay (associate of arts, general concentration), Brittany Daniels of Findlay (journalism), Jose Degollado of Fostoria (architectural engineering technology), Stephanie Downer of Fostoria (pre-radiography), Emily Gossard of Findlay (commercial art technology), Rhonda Greer of Fostoria (social work), Paul Kuhn of Findlay (commercial art technology), Nicole Miller of Forest (interior design), Trisha Orians of Upper Sandusky (commercial art technology), Travis Sarreshteh of Findlay (HVACR certificate), Charlotte Tracy of Forest (associate of art, general concentration), Patricia Tremayne of Findlay (associate of arts, general concentration), Jamie Weeks of Findlay (commercial art technology), Brittany Brand of Findlay (fine art), Jessica Ellerbrock of Leipsic (commercial art technology), Shelby Reinhart of Tiffin (commercial photography certificate), Tammie Richard of Findlay (commercial art technology), Heather Richileau of Findlay (commercial art technology), Pamela Rowan of Arlington (associate of arts, general concentration), Kyle Smith of Findlay (fine art), Dustin Yorksie of Phoenix (information systems), Daniel Edwards of Martinsville, Ill. (photography), David Ashton of Findlay (commercial art technology), Jessica Dyer of Fostoria (photography), Richard Carter of Vanlue (commercial art technology), Daisy Wright of Upper Sandusky (marketing and sales), Ruth Rinker of Van Buren (photography), Amber Kuhn of Fostoria (web development), Yvonne True of Arcadia (photography) and Chelsey Stein of Fostoria (commercial art technology).

Internationally Known Musician Sugata Chatterjee to Perform at Owens Community College, April 24

Posted on April 15th, 2009

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Area residents are invited to experience the sounds of India as Sugata Chatterjee performs an array folk and classical music of her native country as part of a free concert at Owens Community College on Friday, April 24.

Chatterjee’s performance will occur at 7 p.m. in the Center for Fine and Performing Arts Studio Theatre on the Toledo-area Campus. Owens is located on Oregon Road in Perrysburg Township. Admission to the event is free and the public is encouraged to attend.

Born in Calcutta, India, Chatterjee has cultivated a systematic and disciplined training within music that dates back to her childhood days under the guidance of guru Satya Ranjan Chatterjee. Under his tutelage, she completed her Sangeet Prabhakar in vocal music, conferred by Alahabad Sangeet Parsad, in 1989. Chatterjee furthered her training from Pundit Ajoy Chakraborti, Falguni Mitra and Girija Devi. Her compositional versatility includes Hindustani Khyal, Bhajan and Thumri genres of singing.

Chatterjee will discuss and demonstrate the fundamental differences between Eastern and Western classical music, as well as feature the differences in instruments and vocal styles. Instruments that will be incorporated into her performance include the tabla and sitar, among others.

For additional information about the performance, call (567) 661-7081 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 7081.

Owens Presents ‘Melodic Expressions’ Fourth Annual Spring Concert Series, April 20-25

Posted on April 14th, 2009

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Area residents with a passion and an enjoyment of music are encouraged to join in celebrating the culmination of an academic year’s worth of Fine and Performing Arts education as Owens Community College presents its fourth annual “Melodic Expressions” Spring Concert Series, April 20-25. The Spring Concert Series will showcase the accomplishments of Owens students and faculty in a number of performances ranging from vocal to instrumental.

“‘Melodic Expressions’ is a wonderful opportunity to showcase the tremendous accomplishments of our Owens Community College Fine and Performing Arts students,” said Doug Mead, Owens Chair of Fine and Performing Arts. “The upcoming recitals and ensembles have been mastered through academic learning within the classroom this past year. Events such as ‘Melodic Expressions’ provide our students with a great venue to display such musical talents in a real world setting.”

All events will occur in the College’s Center for Fine and Performing Arts on the Toledo-area Campus in Perrysburg Township. The schedule of events is as follows:

Monday, April 20
Owens String and Jazz Ensemble
An array of string and jazz instruments, including the violin, viola, cello and saxophone, and many classical and jazz music favorites will be featured by the Owens string and jazz ensemble classes during the live performance.
(2 p.m.) (Center for Fine and Performing Arts Rotunda)

Owens Guitar Ensemble
Students from the Owens guitar class will perform some of their favorite songs in various genres, showcasing the skills they have acquired through the use of this classic instrument.
(7 p.m.) (Center for Fine and Performing Arts Mainstage Theatre)

Tuesday, April 21
Owens Voices Concert
Attendees are in for an afternoon of masterful sounds courtesy of Owens vocal students of Adjunct Faculty member Jodi Jobuck. The concert will feature a wide range of harmonious vocals.
(2 p.m.) (Center for Fine and Performing Arts Mainstage Theatre)

Wednesday, April 22
Owens Student Music Justice League Performance
The College’s students within the Owens Student Music Justice League will showcase their many musical talents in a variety of individual and group performances, ranging from original works to classical and modern compositions, among others.
(12:30 p.m.) (Center for Fine and Performing Arts Rotunda)

9th Annual Harp Performance by Owens Adjunct Faculty Member Denise Grupp-Verbon and Friends
Denise Grupp-Verbon, Owens Adjunct Faculty member, will feature a sundry of selections and styles as part of her annual harp performance. Several guest artists will also showcase their musical talents during the event.
(6 p.m.) (Center for Fine and Performing Arts Studio Theatre)

Owens Student Music Justice League Performance
The College’s students within the Owens Student Music Justice League will showcase their many musical talents in a variety of individual and group performances, ranging from original works to classical and modern compositions, among others.
(8 p.m.) (Center for Fine and Performing Arts Mainstage Theatre)

Thursday, April 23
Owens Songwriting Performance and Percussion Ensemble
Owens student performers within the College’s songwriting and percussion ensemble classes will showcase their creative writing and percussion skills in a variety of performances.
(2 p.m.) (Center for Fine and Performing Arts Rotunda)

Owens Voices Concert
Attendees are in for an evening of masterful sounds courtesy of Owens vocal students of Adjunct Faculty member Jodi Jobuck. The concert will feature a wide range of harmonious vocals.
(7 p.m.) (Center for Fine and Performing Arts Mainstage Theatre)

Friday, April 24
“Can You Do This” – Owens Dance Concert
Owens student and faculty performers will showcase their dancing talents to accompanied music in various genres, including jazz, hip hop, ballet and modern dance, among others.
(8 p.m.) (Center for Fine and Performing Arts Mainstage Theatre)

Saturday, April 25
Owens Spring Choir Concert – “The Requiem”
Owens student performers will showcase their vocal talents as they present Gabriel FaurÈ’s “The Requiem”, which is a traditional solemn Catholic liturgy.
(7:30 p.m.) (Center for Fine and Performing Arts Mainstage Theatre)

All the performances are open to the public. For more information about the “Melodic Expressions” Spring Concert Series, contact the College’s Center for Fine and Performing Arts at (567) 661-7081 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 7081.

Owens Center for Fine and Performing Arts and Students Present ‘The Curate Shakespeare As You Like It,’ April 16-19

Posted on April 9th, 2009

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Biting satire and rollicking comedy will engulf the Center for Fine and Performing Arts’ Mainstage Theatre as Owens Community College presents the student production of “The Curate Shakespeare As You Like It,” April 16-19.

The first of several performances will occur at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 16 in the College’s Mainstage Theatre. Owens’ Toledo-area Campus is located on Oregon Road in Perrysburg Township.

“Owens Community College’s Center for Fine and Performing Arts is excited to present such a unique theatrical production, featuring the talents of so many Owens students,” said Doug Mead, Owens Chair of Fine and Performing Arts. “‘The Curate Shakespeare As You Like It’ is a funny, lighthearted show, and the talented student actors are sure to entertain community members of all ages.”

“The Curate Shakespeare As You Like It” tells the story of a comically inept acting company that attempts to perform “As You Like It” with hilarious perseverance. The predicament begins with the lead actor departing for a career as a professional wrestler and the leading actress losing her mind. With Curate’s encouragement and support, the remaining actors and actresses attempt to perform all 33 roles, which results in many comical missteps.

The cast of “The Curate Shakespeare As You Like It” is comprised of students from Owens and theatrical production is directed by Owens Instructor of Fine and Performing Arts Jeremy Meier.

Students involved in the production as cast members include Nathan Aschliman of Edon, Alisha Bond of Bowling Green, Lydia Clark of Toledo, Jon Masters of Toledo, Bill Toth of Toledo, John Toth of Toledo and Sarah Wurzinger of Toledo. Owens’ Cathrine Bonham of Ottawa will serve as the stage manager, while La Donna Knabbs of Toledo will the hold position of dramaturg for the production.

“The Curate Shakespeare As You Like It” will be performed April 16-18 at 7:30 p.m. A matinee performance will also occur on Sunday, April 19 at 3 p.m.

Tickets are $12 for the general public, $10 for senior citizens and $8 for Owens students and employees. All seats are general admission. To purchase tickets, visit www.owens.edu or contact the College’s Box Office. For more information, call the Center for Fine and Performing Arts at (567) 661-2787 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. ARTS (2787).

Owens Findlay-area Campus Library Gallery Welcomes ‘Pets I Have Known (and Loved)’ Exhibit, April 9-24

Posted on April 2nd, 2009

Charles Mikolaycak’s illustration in “Cricket Magazine” is among the many artistic expressions on display as part of the Library Gallery’s current exhibit.

FINDLAY, OH – Owens Community College’s Findlay-area Campus welcomes the return of the University of Findlay’s Mazza Museum to the Library Gallery with original artwork from classic children’s literature in the exhibit “Pets I Have Known (and Loved)”, April 9-24.

The Owens Findlay-area Campus Library is located on Bright Road in Findlay.

“Owens Community College’s Findlay-area Campus is delighted to have the University of Findlay’s Mazza Museum return to the Library Gallery,” said Gail McCain, Owens Library Manager for the Findlay-area Campus. “The Mazza Museum is committed to helping children develop an interest in reading and literacy, as well as in preserving original artwork from children’s literature. This exhibit highlights alluring pictures of animal characters that will be sure to delight Gallery visitors of all ages.”

The University of Findlay’s Mazza Museum was founded in 1982 and is the world’s first and largest museum devoted to the art of children’s picture books. Since its inception, the museum has collected over 3,000 original pieces from children’s literature. The goal of the Mazza Museum is to promote literacy among children, as well as to collect, exhibit and preserve original artwork from children’s picture books.

Pictures featured in the “Pets I Have Known (and Loved)” exhibit will include timeless children’s classics such as “Clifford the Big Red Dog”, “Lucky and Loki” and “The Hullabaloo ABC”, as well as illustrations by Joan Walsh Anglund and “Cricket Magazine”, among others. The artwork was created by a variety of artists from around the world.

The Findlay-area Campus “Pets I Have Known (and Loved)” exhibit is being presented in conjunction with the celebration of April as Month of the Young Child. In addition, the exhibit is designed to encourage children to take interest in literacy and libraries as the College recognizes National Library Week, April 12-18.

Owens’ Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery Presents Juried Student Art Exhibition, April 3-24

Posted on April 1st, 2009

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Owens Community College students will have the unique opportunity to showcase their artistic talents as the Center for Fine and Performing Arts hosts the annual Juried Student Art Exhibition, April 3-24.

In addition, the College will host a free opening reception for the exhibit on Saturday, April 4 from 6-8 p.m. in the Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery. Also, Owens Assistant Professor for Fine and Performing Arts Eric Wallack will be performing a guitar solo in the Center for Fine and Performing Arts Rotunda to celebrate the opening of the exhibit. Owens is located on Oregon Road in Perrysburg Township.

“Owens’ Center for Fine and Performing Arts is proud to feature the finest works of art produced by our students,” said Wynn Perry, Owens Part-Time Coordinator of the Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery. “This exhibit is a great venue for Owens students to display their accomplished artistic pieces, enabling them to showcase the knowledge obtained within the classroom into a real world setting.”

Perry added, “The artistic expressions are extremely individualized and reflect the unique creative ability of each student artist.”

Owens students displaying artwork include Jay Bick of Toledo, Scott Boden of Toledo, Mike Burko of Toledo, Jessica Chekal of Toledo, Matt Cook of Perrysburg, Tony Couturier of Perrysburg, Brandon Deran of Bowling Green, Diann Dinardo of Toledo, Patricia Drummond of Dunkirk, Matt Hamilton of Toledo, Lori Hug of Toledo, Melanie Keller of Monclova, Jason Kinzel of Toledo, Sarah Kurmin of Maumee, Lisa La Point of Toledo, Toby McDougal of Oregon, Cindy Meadows-Clark of Toledo, Jennifer Mixon of Grand Rapids, Elizabeth Nofziger of Waterville, Darcy Plyant of Walbridge, Tim Schmidlin of Toledo, Adrienne Stinson of Sylvania, Jennifer Taynor of Toledo, Sarah Vance of Toledo and Anthony Wilcox of Toledo.

Owens’ Juried Student Art Exhibition features 31 pieces of artwork in the categories of fine art, which includes sculpture, ceramics, painting, drawing, photography and commercial art. Twenty-five students enrolled within Fine and Performing Arts courses at Owens have had their artwork accepted for the show. Students presenting art for the Juried Student Art Exhibition are allowed to enter a total of four pieces in each of the three categories.

Area artists and professionals will serve as the jury for the exhibit.

Admission to the Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery is free and open to the public from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays; from 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays; and from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Saturdays. For additional information about the College’s exhibition season, contact the Center for Fine and Performing Arts at 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 2721 or (567) 661-2721.

Owens Community College Welcomes The Legend in Black – Johnny Cash Tribute, April 3

Posted on March 27th, 2009

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – The timeless legendary musical sounds and memories of Johnny Cash and June Carter-Cash will be relived at Owens Community College’s Center for Fine and Performing Arts as the tribute band The Legend in Black takes the stage on Friday, April 3.

The Legend in Black – the Songs and Stories of John and June Carter-Cash tribute show will take place in the College’s Mainstage Theatre at 8 p.m. The Owens Toledo-area Campus is located on Oregon Road in Perrysburg Township.

“Owens Community College is proud to welcome and conclude its 2008-09 Presenting Arts Tribute Season with a performance that will allow individuals to hear the history as well as the magical sound of Johnny Cash and June Carter-Cash, which captured the hearts of millions worldwide years ago,” said Barbara Barkan, Owens Operations Manager for the Center for Fine and Performing Arts. “Attendees are in for an evening down memory lane as they experience the ultimate Johnny Cash tribute.”

Critically acclaimed singer Bill Cayley is known nationwide for his unique ability to conjure memories of the legendary “The Man in Black” Johnny Cash and his Grammy Award-winning sound. Cayley, regarded as one of the top tribute performers around, has showcased his many talents to musical venues throughout North America with several bands for over 40 years. His resume also includes a long standing relationship as road manager to the legendary Ronnie Hawkins in addition to his own CD produced by Ron Demmans at Nashville’s Sound Control.

In addition to Cayley as Johnny Cash and a performer playing the part of June Carter-Cash, The Legend in Black tribute show features a three-piece band as the Tennessee Trio that accompanies the legendary vocals. Among the musical anthems performed by The Legend in Black group are “Folsom Prison”, “I Walk the Line”, “Ring of Fire” and “Sunday Mornin’ Comin’ Down” to name a few.

Tickets for The Legend in Black tribute concert are $25 for the general public, $23 for senior citizens, and $15 for Owens students and employees. To purchase tickets, visit www.owens.edu or contact the College’s Box Office. For more information about this event, contact the Center for Fine and Performing Arts at (567) 661-2787 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. ARTS (2787).

Noted Music Industry Leader Jeffrey Fisher to Speak at Owens Community College, March 27

Posted on March 20th, 2009

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Area residents interested in gaining insight into the secret formulas for success in today’s ever-changing music world are invited to a free lecture featuring noted music industry leader Jeffrey Fisher at Owens Community College on Friday, March 27.

Presented by the Owens Student Music Justice League, Fisher’s lecture presentation is titled “Is There a Formula for Music Success?” and will occur at 7 p.m. in the Center for Fine and Performing Arts Mainstage Theatre on the Toledo-area Campus. Admission to the event is free and the public is encouraged to attend.

Fisher has operated his company, Fisher Creative Group in Bolingbrook, Ill., since 1991 producing a variety of audio, video, music, writing, training and media productions and post-production services for individuals, corporate and commercial clients worldwide such as Digital Juice, McDonald’s and Sony Creative Software, among many others. He also writes extensively about music, sound and video for print and the Web in publications that include “Electronic Musician” and “DV”.

In addition, Fisher has authored 11 books and two training DVDs. His published works include “Voice Actor’s Guide to Recording at Home and on the Road”, “Cash Tracks: Compose, Produce and Sell Your Original Soundtrack Music and Jingles” and soon-to-be-released “Soundtrack Success: A Digital Storyteller’s Guide to Audio Post-Production”, among others. Fisher also has composed a library music CD “Dark New Age”, as well as an instrumental music CD titled “Atmospherics”.

A Sony Vegas Certified Trainer, Fisher shares his real-world music knowledge and experiences in the areas of audio and video production and post-production with students as an instructor at the College of DuPage in Glen Ellyn, Ill., and at DePaul University in Chicago. He is also a frequent presenter at industry events such as the National Association of Broadcasters and holds board-level membership with the Self Employment in the Art Conference.

For additional information about the lecture, call (567) 661-7081 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 7081.

Owens Community College Presents Dance Theatre of Harlem Ensemble, March 24

Posted on March 16th, 2009

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – The classical arts in the form of theatrical dance will grace the stage at Owens Community College as the internationally renowned Dance Theatre of Harlem performs in the Center for Fine and Performing Arts on Tuesday, March 24.

The performance will be held in the Center for Fine and Performing Arts’ Mainstage Theatre at 7 p.m. The College is located on Oregon Road in Perrysburg Township.

“Owens Community College is proud to welcome arguably one of the world’s leading dance institutions to Northwest Ohio for an unprecedented performance,” said Barbara Barkan, Owens Operations Manager for the Center for Fine and Performing Arts. “Attendees are sure to appreciate the Dance Theatre of Harlem’s amazing creative expression and artistic excellence that continues to set standards in the world of performing arts.”

Emerging on the eve of the 40th anniversary of Dance Theatre of Harlem’s founding by Arthur Mitchell and Karel Shook in 1969, Dance Theatre of Harlem is regarded as a leading dance institution globally. The Dance Theatre of Harlem Ensemble is comprised of young dancers trained in the Dance Theatre of Harlem style with the mission of sharing the organization’s legacy and conducting Dancing Through Barriers in smaller communities and at college and university campuses in North America.

The group’s inaugural seven-week, 11-state national tour features inspiring interactive performances that include familiar beloved Dance Theatre of Harlem repertory, as well as ballets specifically created for the tour. Dancing Through Barriers is an educational and artistic initiative (named for Dance Theatre of Harlem’s history-making tour to South Africa at the invitation of the U.S. Department of State following the end of Apartheid) based on the conviction that artists are the best mirrors of our society and the best agents for its positive transformation through education and the arts.

The Dance Theatre of Harlem School is a cultural, social and educational institution committed to providing young people of diverse backgrounds with an opportunity to receive training in classical ballet and the allied arts. The school’s comprehensive programs strive to instill discipline and self-esteem, and to encourage creativity, enabling students to develop to their fullest potential and to excel in their chosen endeavors. From an initial enrollment of just 30 students, the Dance Theatre of Harlem School has grown to a registration of over 500 students per year, and developed a varied curriculum that, in addition to ballet and tap, has included modern jazz and African dance, gymnastics, karate, Tai-chi and Irish step dancing. Other classes include music theory and dance history.

Tickets for Dance Theater of Harlem are $26 for adults, $24 for seniors, and $20 for Owens students and employees. To purchase tickets, visit www.owens.edu or contact the College’s Box Office. For more information about this event, contact the Center for Fine and Performing Arts at (567) 661-2787 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. ARTS (2787).

One-Man Comedy/Variety Show Concludes Owens Family Fun Sundays, March 15

Posted on March 10th, 2009

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Illusion, music, juggling and deadpan comedy will collide in a vaudevillesque spectacle as The Great Kaplan – One Man Comedy/Variety Show brings his zany antics to Owens Community College’s Center for Fine and Performing Arts on Sunday, March 15.

The comedy/variety performance by David Kaplan, which will be held in the Center for Fine and Performing Arts’ Mainstage Theatre at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m., is the third in the series of three Family Fun Sundays presented by Owens. The College is located on Oregon Road in Perrysburg Township.

“Owens Community College is proud to welcome the highly-accomplished David Kaplan and his masterful talents to Northwest Ohio,” said Barbara Barkan, Owens Operations Manager for the Center for Fine and Performing Arts. “David Kaplan has dazzled audiences nationwide with his ability to entertain both family and adult audiences alike. Attendees are in for an afternoon of unforgettable entertainment featuring juggling, magic, music and deadpan physical comedy.”

With humor being the focus of the show, Kaplan delights audience attendees with his ability to juggle bean bag chairs, play a melody on a “concert balloon” and defy the laws of physics with bowling balls, among other magical performance surprises. The Columbus resident has entertained audiences nationwide since the early 1980s with his highly original act. Inspired by the antics of such entertainers as Victor Borge and Maxwell Smart, Kaplan is known for his unique and hilarious spectacle, as well as his uncanny ability to appeal to a wide cross-section of audiences.

Kaplan has received numerous awards for his hilarious antics, including first place medals at the Canton Battle of Magicians, the Columbus Magi-fest and the Peoples Choice Award at the 2006 International Brotherhood of Magicians Convention in Miami. He has also served as a guest “balloonist” with the Columbus Symphony Orchestra and made television appearances on ABC’s “The View” and “The Statler Brothers Show” on TNN. In addition, Kaplan has opened shows for numerous renowned performers, including Steven Wright, Dennis Miller, David Spade, Harry Blackstone Jr. and the Smothers Brothers.

Tickets for The Great Kaplan comedy performance are $12 and all seats are general admission. To purchase tickets, visit www.owens.edu or contact the College’s Box Office. For more information about this event, contact the Center for Fine and Performing Arts at (567) 661-2787 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. ARTS (2787).

Owens Findlay-area Campus Library Gallery Features Watercolor Paintings by Laura Barnhardt Corle, Feb. 26 – March 27

Posted on February 17th, 2009

Laura Barnhardt Corle’s watercolor painting titled “Winter Lilacs” is among the many artistic expressions on display as part of the Library Gallery’s “Looking Closely” exhibit.

FINDLAY, OH – Owens Community College Findlay-area Campus Library Gallery continues the spring art exhibition season with the works of local artist Laura Barnhardt Corle. The exhibit titled “Looking Closely: the Art of Laura Barnhardt Corle” will showcase the intricate details and vivid imagery of Northwest Ohio’s rural landscape as captured through the regionally acclaimed artist’s photo-realistic watercolor paintings, Feb. 26 – March 27.

In addition to the exhibit, the College will host a reception and gallery talk with the artist on Monday, March 2 from 6-8 p.m. The reception and gallery talk, which is free and open to the public, will take place in the Findlay-area Campus Library. Owens is located on Bright Road in Findlay.

“Laura Barnhardt Corle’s fine and precise watercolor paintings allow area residents to experience the art of photo-realism,” said Gail McCain, Owens Library Manager for the Findlay-area Campus. “Library Gallery attendees will be struck by the realistic imagery that is captured within Laura’s work and how she draws inspiration from natural settings throughout Northwest Ohio.”

Corle’s detailed artistic expressions are known for bringing alive particular moments in time through intricate brushstrokes and subtle colors, allowing exhibit attendees to feel as if they were present at the painting’s inception. The artistic interest of Corle’s paintings includes scenic images of empty houses and barns that detail the effects of nature reclaiming the land through the passage of time.

The Findlay resident works in Findlay’s Studio 19 of the Jones Building and has served as an Adjunct faculty member for Ohio Northern University for several years. In addition, Corle conducts many watercolor painting workshops for the University of Findlay and Bluffton University art departments, as well as private lessons for art enthusiasts.

In addition to her studio display, Corle’s artistic talents have been showcased at various art exhibits and festivals, including Bowling Green’s Black Swamp Arts Festival, the Ann Arbor Summer Festival and “Once Upon a Sunday” Art Fair in Lima, among many others. She received her bachelor’s degree in fine art from Ohio Northern University.

Owens’ Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery Welcomes Nationally Acclaimed Artist Beverly McIver, Feb. 23 – March 26

Posted on February 10th, 2009

Beverly McIver’s portrait titled “Momma” is among the many artistic expressions on display as part of the College’s “Coming Home” exhibit.

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Owens Community College invites area residents to visit the brilliantly artistic world of nationally acclaimed artist Beverly McIver through her emotionally vivid portraits as the Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery presents a new exhibit titled “Coming Home”, Feb. 23 – March 26.

The Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery is located in Owens’ Center for Fine and Performing Arts on the Toledo-area Campus in Perrysburg Township. McIver’s art exhibit is part of the College’s ongoing celebration of Black History Month.

In addition to the exhibit, Owens will serve as host to a free lecture presentation featuring McIver on Thursday, Feb. 26 at 7 p.m. in the College’s Center for Fine and Performing Arts Room 111. During the lecture, McIver will share insightful detail about her work and journey as an artist. She will also discuss how her life has impacted her artistic expressions. A reception will immediately follow the lecture.

The College will also host a luncheon and lecture with the renowned artist earlier in the day (Feb. 26) at 11:30 a.m. in the College Hall Terrace View CafÈ. Authentic cuisine from the African-American culture will serve as the theme for the luncheon. Additionally, McIver will provide attendees with insight into her vast array of artwork and how her cultural history and background influenced her artistic direction at 12:15 p.m. Reservations must be made prior to the event.

“Owens Community College’s Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery is proud to welcome such a widely accomplished and profound artist as Beverly McIver to Northwest Ohio,” said Wynn Perry, Owens Part-Time Coordinator of the Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery. “McIver is best known for her paintings addressing issues of racial identity. Her current body of work, “Coming Home”, which is being exhibited at Owens, looks at the love, hope, joy and sorrow experienced by all families, crossing racial boundaries to express commonalities universal to humanity.”

McIver’s works are portraits of her family, friends and herself as she explores issues of racial identity, social class, family relationships and self-discovery through personal experiences, ranging from growing up as a poor black child in the southern United States at the height of the Civil Rights movement to the present. As both an artist and scholar, McIver is an ardent advocate for the continued exploration of American’s long history related to African-Americans. Her work has been exhibited in collections nationwide to include the Asheville Art Museum, the Baltimore Museum of Art and the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art, among many others.

McIver received her bachelor’s degree in painting and drawing from North Carolina Central University and her master’s degree in fine art from Pennsylvania State University. Over the years she has held teaching positions at Pennsylvania State University, North Carolina Central University and Duke University, as well as artist residences at places ranging from YADDO in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., to the Headlands Center for the Arts in Sausalito, Calif. Additionally, McIver’s many honors include the John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation Fellowship, a fellowship at Harvard University’s Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Studies and the Louis Comfort Tiffany Foundation Award.

Admission to the Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery is free and open to the public from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays; from 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays; and from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Saturdays. For additional information about the College’s exhibition season, contact the Center for Fine and Performing Arts at 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 2721 or (567) 661-2721.

Influences: Motown Greats Performance Kicks Off Black History Month at Owens Community College, Feb. 6

Posted on January 29th, 2009

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Individuals will have the opportunity to take a trip back in time to early Motown and the music of nationally-known artists such as Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, Smoky Robinson and Marvin Gaye as emerging award-winning singer/songwriters Chris Cauley, Chinua Hawk and Brandi Sellerz bring a fresh approach to classic and timeless songs at Owens Community College’s Center for Fine and Performing Arts on Friday, Feb. 6.

The performance titled Influences: Motown Greats will take place in the College’s Center for Fine and Performing Arts Mainstage Theatre at 8 p.m. The Owens Toledo-area Campus is located on Oregon Road in Perrysburg Township. The Influences: Motown Greats appearance is part of the College’s ongoing celebration of Black History Month.

“Owens Community College is proud to begin its month-long celebration of Black History Month with a nationally-recognized touring show that captures the essence of Motown music,” said Barbara Barkan, Owens Operations Manager for the Center for Fine and Performing Arts. “Chris Cauley, Chinua Hawk and Brandi Sellerz are remarkable musicians and performers who bring a unique sound and style to timeless songs that redefined American music.”

Selected as APCA Coffeehouse Artist of the Year, Cauley, a recording artist, has opened for many world touring acts, including Will Hoge and Edwin McCain, while Hawk, a singer, songwriter and entrepreneur, has performed with Celine Dion and written songs with Wyclef Jean. Singer and songwriter Sellerz has gained a regional following in the Nashville, Tenn., music scene for her unique soulful and melodic sounds, which has resulted in her opening for such artists as Anthony David and Eric Roberson.

In addition to their musical performance, Cauley, Hawk and Sellerz will share personal stories about how Motown legends have impacted their work. The evening’s festivities will conclude with a high energy jam session featuring the two artists and audience attendees.

Tickets for the Influences: Motown Greats concert are $25 for the general public, $23 for senior citizens, and $15 for Owens students and employees. To purchase tickets, visit www.owens.edu or contact the College’s Box Office. For more information about this event, contact the Center for Fine and Performing Arts at (567) 661-2787 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. ARTS (2787).

Owens Community College Hosts Auditions for Upcoming Theatre Production, Jan. 26-27

Posted on January 15th, 2009

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Area residents interested in performing in the upcoming student production of “The Curate Shakespeare As You Like It” are invited to open theatre auditions at Owens Community College, Jan. 26-27.

Auditions will take place Monday and Tuesday, Jan. 26-27, from 6-9 p.m. in the Center for Fine and Performing Arts Studio Theatre Room 111. Callback auditions will take place on Wednesday, Jan. 28. Owens is located on Oregon Road in Perrysburg Township.

Each individual is encouraged to prepare a monologue as part of the audition or a monologue will be provided for them. In addition, musically-inclined individuals are invited to bring an instrument to the audition. The theatre production dates are April 16-19.

Attendees are required to make an appointment prior to the audition dates. For more information, or to make an appointment, call (567) 661-2798 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 2798.

Owens Community College Family Fun Sundays Presents ‘Dr. Dolittle’ Performance, Jan. 25

Posted on January 13th, 2009

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Community members of all ages are invited to join the bilingual adventures of “Dr. Dolittle” as Owens Community College’s Center for Fine and Performing Arts presents the theatrical version of a timeless favorite in both spoken English and American Sign Language on Sunday Jan. 25.

The performance, which will be held in the Center for Fine and Performing Arts’ Mainstage Theatre at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m., is the second in the series of three Family Fun Sundays presented by Owens. The College is located on Oregon Road in Perrysburg Township.

“Owens Community College is proud to once again welcome Sign Stage on Tour to Northwest Ohio and their unique version of the classical tale ‘Dr. Dolittle’ on stage,” said Barbara Barkan, Owens Operations Manager for the Center for Fine and Performing Arts. “The production is sure to please attendees of all ages as Sign Stage on Tour affords individuals the opportunity to experience theatre in American Sign Language and spoken English. The performance is both entertaining and exhilarating.”

“Dr. Dolittle” is presented by the national touring group Sign Stage on Tour, a theatrical company comprised of deaf and hearing stage specialists. Sign Stage on Tour, which performs an array of theatrical plays worldwide in both spoken English and American Sign Language, is dedicated to presenting educational programs that integrate bilingual education with theatre. Previous performances by the theatre group include “Charlie and The Chocolate Factory”, “Treasure Island” and “Matilda”.

“When a character speaks on stage it occurs in American Sign Language, however, a spoken voice will be heard at the same time,” explained Barkan. “The blend of languages allows individuals to experience the spatial beauty of American Sign Language as the actors move their hands and bodies, as well as hear the spoken dialogue so that audience members, both deaf and hearing, are able to fully enjoy Dr. Dolittle’s uncanny ability to hear and treat animals.”

The troupe has performed in numerous venues and festivals worldwide highlighted by appearances at DeafWay II in Washington, D.C., the Eighth International Pantomime Festival of the Deaf in Brno, Czechoslovakia, and the Jerash Festival in Amman, Jordan.

“Dr. Dolittle” tells the story of a doctor that gives up treating people after Polynesia, his parrot, teaches him animal language. His fame in the animal kingdom quickly spreads throughout the world and he sets off to cure a monkey epidemic in Africa, finding all sorts of adventures along the way.

Tickets for “Dr. Dolittle” are $12 and all seats are general admission. To purchase tickets, visit www.owens.edu or contact the College’s Box Office. For more information about this event, contact the Center for Fine and Performing Arts at (567) 661-2787 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 2787.

Owens Findlay-area Campus Photography Exhibit Features Local Artists Julie Good and Brook Hanes, Jan. 20 – Feb. 20

Posted on January 13th, 2009

FINDLAY, OH – Owens Community College Findlay-area Campus Library Gallery continues the 2008-09 arts season with an artistic array of photographs that capture elements in nature from unique perspectives in an exhibit titled “One World, Two Lenses: Nature from Two Points of View”, Jan. 20 – Feb. 20. The exhibit features the work of local professional photographers Julie Good and Brook Hanes.

In addition, the College will host a reception for the exhibit in which Good and Hanes will discuss the art of photography, as well as their techniques and inspiration on Tuesday, Jan. 20 from 6-8 p.m. The reception, which is free and open to the public, will take place in the Findlay-area Campus Library. Owens is located on Bright Road in Findlay.

“Owens Findlay-area Library Gallery is excited to present this incredible exhibit which captures nature as it is viewed through the lenses of two inspired photographers,” said Gail McCain, Owens Library Manager for the Findlay-area Campus. “These photographers are in sync with one another and that connection can clearly be seen in their photographs. The exhibit shows how artists can view the same surroundings yet see and emphasize very different elements.”

Hanes developed his passion for photography through capturing moments in the lives of his family and his love of the outdoors, while Good’s photography interest originated in a high school photography lab where she gained insight on the creative world of cameras and printing. The two photographers co-own Louden Photography in Findlay where they specialize in weddings, children and maternity, family, senior and special events portraits. In addition, Hanes also photographs sporting events for The University of Findlay.

Owens Center for Fine and Performing Arts to Host Gaudete Brass Performance and Workshop, Jan. 14-15

Posted on January 7th, 2009

Gaudete Brass Quintet

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Rich, multi-faceted songs and musical styles from differing historical periods will reverberate throughout the Owens Community College’s Center for Fine and Performing Arts as the academic institution welcomes the Gaudete Brass Quintet in concert on Thursday, Jan. 15.

Presented by the College’s Department of Fine and Performing Arts, the Gaudete Brass Quintet will perform in the College’s Mainstage Theatre at 7:30 p.m. The Owens Toledo-area Campus is located on Oregon Road in Perrysburg Township.

“Owens Community College is proud to welcome the highly accomplished artistry of the Gaudete Brass Quintet to Northwest Ohio,” said Douglas Mead, Owens Chair of Fine and Performing Arts. “The Gaudete Brass Quintet has garnered national acclaim for their enchanting live performances. Concert attendees will truly enjoy their impressive musicianship, energetic stage presence and joyous blend of classical music influences combined with contemporary sensibilities and sound.”

The Gaudete Brass Quintet has quickly established itself as one of the finest brass chamber ensembles in the country today. Founded in 2004, the quintet is committed to sharing the great brass quintet literature with audiences nationwide. Artists-in-Residence at Carthage College in Kenosha, Wis., the group has been featured on a number of prominent concert series, including the Fourth Presbyterian Noon Center Series in Chicago, the Noon Concert Series at the University of Chicago, Fine Arts at First at the First Methodist Church in Kenosha, Wis., and Musical Mondays in Milwaukee.

Comprised of Justin Olson (trumpet), Ryan Berndt (trumpet), Jean McCullough (horn), Paul Von Hoff (trombone) and Scott Tegge (tuba), the quintet has also performed on live radio broadcasts on the “Live in Studio C” program on Nashville Public Radio, the 21st Century Classical program on WSME in Milwaukee and Kenosha Public Radio. The group is committed to expanding the brass quintet repertoire, commissioning works by James Woodward (premiered in 2008) and John Cheetham. In 2007, the group celebrated the centenary of Alec Wilder with the playing of his Suite No. 1 for Brass Quintet.

Their accomplishments include performances in the semi-finals of the 2007 and 2008 Plowman Chamber Music Competition and the semi-finals of the 2007 Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition. Sought after as teachers as well as performers, the group has presented clinics at several colleges and universities, including Vanderbilt University, Western Illinois University, the University of Georgia, the University of Alabama and the University of Notre Dame, among others. In 2006, the Gaudete Brass Quintet released its first CD, “Brass Outings”, featuring Andre Previn’s Four Outings for Brass.

In addition to the performance, the Gaudete Brass Quintet will be sharing insightful details of operating a professional music ensemble in regards to marketing, budgeting, rehearsing and performing during a free workshop on Wednesday, Jan. 14 at 2 p.m. in the Mainstage Theatre for interested individuals. The public is welcome to attend.

Tickets for the Gaudete Brass Quintet concert are $5 for the general public. To purchase tickets, visit www.owens.edu or contact the College’s Box Office. For more information about this event, contact the Center for Fine and Performing Arts at (567) 661-2787 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 2787.

Owens Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery Presents ‘Who Do You Love’ Art Exhibit, Jan. 12 – Feb. 14

Posted on January 6th, 2009

Philip Hazard’s mixed-media artwork titled “Give Get Love” is among the many love-themed artistic expressions on display as part of the College’s “Who Do You Love” exhibit.

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Owens Community College continues the 2008-09 Arts Exhibition Season as the Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery presents an array of artistic expressions with a central theme of love in a juried exhibit titled “Who Do You Love”, Jan. 12 – Feb. 14. The Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery is located in Owens’ Center for Fine and Performing Arts on the Toledo-area Campus in Perrysburg Township.

Owens’ “Who Do You Love” juried exhibit will include an array of both realistic and abstract art compiled by masterful artists throughout Ohio that depicts and holds a special meaning in their hearts. The variety of artwork will include sculptures, glass, photography and drawings, among other mediums. In addition to viewing the exhibit, visitors will have the opportunity to create their own inspirational art and poetry with a central theme of love on a “Graffiti Wall” located at College’s Gallery.

“Owens Community College is proud to showcase such a unique exhibit that goes beyond the conventional borders of love and the artistic expression,” said Wynn Perry, Owens Part-Time Coordinator of the Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery. “Attendees will truly enjoy how each piece of realistic and abstract art captures the essence of love as defined by each artist.”

The “Who Do You Love” art exhibit was juried by Wayne County Community College Faculty member Carl Kamulski and Fort Wayne Museum of Art Executive Director Charles Shepard. Honored recipients of the juried exhibit are Bowling Green State University Instructor of Art Scott Darlington (first place) for his glass sculpture titled “Tattooed Baby”, Owens student Michelle Eischen (second place) for her black and white photograph titled “Family” and Arts Commission of Greater Toledo Art in Public Places Coordinator Adam Russell (third place) for his mixed-media painting titled “Sage”.

In conjunction with the “Who Do You Love” exhibit, Owens’ Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery will serve as host to a fine and performing arts multimedia performance on Wednesday, Feb. 11. The event will begin at 12 p.m. in the Center for Fine and Performing Arts’ Rotunda and feature a sundry of love poem readings by several Owens faculty members, including Carl Dietrich, Associate Professor of Communications/Humanities; Leonard Kress, Associate Professor of Communications/Humanities; Dr. Joy Parker, Instructor of English, and Steve Utterback, Professor of English. Additionally, Owens Adjunct Faculty member Jodi Jobuck will vocally provide attendees with an array of love-themed songs, while Barbara Barkan, Operations Manager for the Center of Fine and Performing Arts, and Jeremy Meier, Instructor of Fine and Performing Arts, will stage love-inspired theatrical readings. An exhibit reception will immediately follow the presentation.

Admission to the Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery is free and open to the public from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays; from 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays; and from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Saturdays. For additional information about the College’s exhibition season, contact the Center for Fine and Performing Arts at 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 2721 or (567) 661-2721.

Art Exhibition Highlights Student Work at Owens’ Findlay-area Campus, Dec. 1-12

Posted on November 25th, 2008

FINDLAY, OH – Owens Community College students will have the opportunity to showcase their many artistic talents as the Findlay-area Campus hosts its annual Fall Student Art Exhibition in the Library Gallery, Dec. 1-12.

Additionally, the College will host a reception for the artists on Tuesday, Dec. 2. The reception will occur from 5-7 p.m. in the Findlay-area Campus Library. Owens’ Findlay-area Campus is located on Bright Road in Findlay.

“Owens’ Findlay-area Campus is delighted to feature the finest works of art produced by our students during the Fall Semester,” said Gail McCain, Owens Library Manager for the Findlay-area Campus. “The Library Gallery is a great venue for Owens students to display their own works and highlight the knowledge and growth they have acquired in the classroom.”

McCain added, “These artistic expressions are extremely individualized and reflect the unique creative abilities and inspirations of each student artist.”

The Fall Student Art Exhibition features numerous pieces of artwork from paintings to drawings created by 12 student artists enrolled in the College’s “Fundamentals of Drawing” course, which is instructed by Louise Wineland, Owens Adjunct Faculty member for Fine and Performing Arts. In this course, students obtain experiential learning within various areas, including the study of object drawing, form organization, value, perspective, proportion and texture.

In addition, seven student artists enrolled in the College’s “Foundations in 2D Design” course, instructed by Erika Clark, Owens Adjunct Faculty member for Fine and Performing Arts, will present their artistic expressions within the Library Gallery. In this course, students develop an understanding of basic studio art principles, critical skills and media manipulation, covering the topics of color theory and the use of two-dimensional space.

Eight students from the College’s “Black and White Photography I” course instructed by Lori King, Owens Adjunct Faculty member for Fine and Performing Arts, will also showcase their artistic work as part of the exhibit. The class focuses on photography both as a fine art and for commercial means. Students learn about the development of skills in visual literacy, film exposure, and making and preparing prints for exhibition.

Students whose work will be displayed are Shailyn Hill of Deshler (commercial art technology), Michelle Stevens of Bowling Green (associate of arts, general concentration), Casi Goings of Bluffton (commercial art technology), Hailie Claburn of Kansas (fine art), Emily Gossard of Findlay (commercial art technology), Joseph Martinez of Fostoria (commercial art technology), Ammie Henthorne of Findlay (associate of arts, general concentration), Yvonne True of Arcadia (photography), Jamie Weeks of Findlay (commercial art technology), Carlee Acheson of Findlay (associate of arts, general concentration), Jenna Seuch of Findlay (associate of science, general concentration), Karen Espen of North Baltimore (undecided), Niki McBride of Findlay (psychology), Katie Blocksidge of Findlay (undecided), Amanda Arend of Findlay (pre-nursing), David Ashton of Findlay (associate of arts, general concentration), Jennifer Cole of Findlay (multi-age education), Jessica Ellerbrock of Leipsic (commercial art technology), Brittany Hill of Bowling Green (commercial art technology), Thomas Phillips of Rawson (associate of arts, general concentration), Pamela Rowan of Arlington (associate of arts, general concentration), Susan Kau of Findlay (pre-nursing) and David Troyer of Findlay (commercial art technology).

Admission to the Fall Student Art Exhibition and the Owens Findlay-area Campus Library is free and open to the public. From Dec. 1-12, the Library will be open Monday-Thursday from 8 a.m. – 7 p.m., Fridays from 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. For additional information, contact the College’s Library at (567) 429-3076 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 3076.

Owens Community College is one of the fastest-growing higher educational institutions in Ohio. On the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses, Owens serves more than 45,000 credit and non-credit students. Owens is committed to providing small classes, personal attention and unmatched affordability. Owens Community College offers associate degrees that transfer to baccalaureate degrees in the Arts and Sciences and over 130 technical program areas in Agriculture, Business, Health Sciences, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Skilled Trades, and Engineering and Transportation Technologies. Owens students also can earn the first two years of a bachelor’s degree with a smooth transfer to any area four-year college or university. For more information, visit www.owens.edu.

Sixth Annual Faculty Art Showcase on Display at Owens’ Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery, Nov. 14 – Dec. 13

Posted on November 5th, 2008

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Community members will have the opportunity to view the diverse and vibrant work of some of Northwest Ohio’s finest artists as Owens Community College’s Center for Fine and Performing Arts hosts the sixth annual Faculty Art Showcase, Nov. 14 – Dec. 13. The exhibition will be on display in the College’s Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery.

“Owens Community College Center for Fine and Performing Arts is proud to showcase exciting new works of art produced by our outstanding faculty members,” said Wynn Perry, Owens Part-time Coordinator of the Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery. “This exhibition will provide area residents and students with the chance to view various artistic expressions and celebrate the talent and diversity that the faculty exemplifies.”

Wynn added, “Owens is fortunate to draw on such an extremely talented arts community for its faculty.”

The art showcase features artwork created by many notable and highly acclaimed Owens faculty members, including Michelle Carlson of Toledo, Todd Cotton of Toledo, Mania Dajnak of Perrysburg, Ruth Foote of Toledo, JoAnne Gembolis of Sylvania, Seth Grossi of Toledo, Melissa Harding of McClure, Jim Havens of Woodville, Philip Hazard of Toledo, Deanne Joseph of Bowling Green, Jay Langlois of Toledo, Nancy Light of Waterville, Larry Linkous of Rossford, Margaret Lockwood-Lass of Toledo, Julie Schnell-Madden of Temperance, Mich., Carey Marten of Northwood, Megan Merrell of Toledo, Mark Pechlivanos of Toledo, Clayton Peterson of Perrysburg, Chris Rilling of Whitehouse, Kevin Schroeder of Toledo, Renee Turissini of Maumee, John Walz of Waterville, Sally Welch of Perrysburg, Patricia Whittington of Delta, Louise Wineland of Jenera and Elijah VanBenschoten of Tecumseh, Mich. A wide range of visual media will be featured, including works of art in the areas of painting, printmaking, ceramics, photography, graphic design, glass and sculpture.

To celebrate the opening of the faculty showcase, a free reception will be held on Friday, Nov. 14, from 6-8 p.m. in the College’s Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery.

Admission to the Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery is free and open to the public from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays; from 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays; and from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Saturdays. For additional information about the College’s exhibition season, contact the Center for Fine and Performing Arts at 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 2721 or (567) 661-2721.

Owens Findlay-area Campus Features ‘Opening Windows’ Exhibit by Joan McKee, Oct. 31 – Nov. 25

Posted on October 24th, 2008

Joan McKee’s watercolor painting titled “Italian Walkway” is brought to life through the use of the trompe l’oeil artistic technique.

FINDLAY, OH – Owens Community College Findlay-area Campus Library Gallery continues its fall art exhibition season with the works of local artist Joan McKee. The exhibit titled “Opening Windows” will showcase McKee’s process of bringing her acrylic watercolor paintings to life through the use of the trompe l’oeil artistic technique, Oct. 31 – Nov. 25.

In addition to the exhibit, the College will host a reception and gallery talk with the artist on Monday, Nov. 3 from 6-8 p.m. The reception and gallery talk, which is free and open to the public, will take place in the Findlay-area Campus Library. Owens is located on Bright Road in Findlay.

“Joan McKee’s paintings have the power to transport you beyond the gray November skies of Northwest Ohio to the far reaches of the world,” said Gail McCain, Owens Library Manager for the Findlay-area Campus. “Working on shaped wooden panels, McKee paints trompe l’oeil works that look like a person is standing inside a home and viewing a scene through an open window. What you may very well see is not Northwest Ohio, but perhaps Florence, Prague or a village in Spain. Gallery exhibit attendees will be struck by the realistic imagery captured within McKee’s paintings.”

McKee’s artistic expressions are known for allowing exhibit attendees to feel as if they are viewing a scene from an open window. The open window is intended to stimulate a person’s sense and imagination through the exploration of natural or manmade surroundings as seen through a frame. McKee’s artistic interest and passion for travel has taken her to Russia, the Baltic countries, Poland, France, Italy, the Czech Republic and China. In all the countries McKee has visited, the emphasis on heritage has provided inspiration for future paintings.

The Bowling Green resident received a bachelor’s degree in painting from Bowling Green State University. After 17 years of teaching junior high and elementary art at Bowling Green City Schools, McKee returned to BGSU to pursue a master’s degree in painting and graphics and worked as an Assistant Professor of Fine Art where she taught watercolor and art education classes until her retirement in 1995. Additionally, McKee worked as a scenic artist and set designer for BGSU summer musical theater and opera performances, as well as community and school productions.

Her artistic talents have been showcased at various art exhibits and festivals nationwide, including the Black Swamp Arts Festival, the Crosby Festival of Arts, the Gold Medal Show, Toledo Area Artists Exhibition, the Ann Arbor Winter Art Fair and the Midwest Drawing Exhibit, among many others. Upon retirement, McKee has maintained a full-time studio and is involved in freelance and commission painting, as well as art exhibits nationwide.

Owens Presents Yet-to-be Written, Cast and Rehearsed Plays as Part of 24-Hour ‘Theatre Express’ Event, Oct. 18

Posted on October 13th, 2008

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Owens Community College students and faculty, as well as Start High School students and community members will have the unique opportunity to write, cast, rehearse and perform seven different plays in a 24-hour time period as the Center for Fine and Performing Arts hosts its first-ever “Theatre Express” production, Oct. 17-18. The 24-hour theatre event will conclude on Saturday, Oct. 18, with participants premiering their seven masterful plays in the Studio Theatre at 7:30 p.m.

Area residents are invited to attend the Saturday evening performance as the “Theatre Express” production is free and open to the public. Owens is located on Oregon Road in Perrysburg Township.

“Owens’ Center for Fine and Performing Arts is proud to present a unique theatrical experience where the productions are written, cast, rehearsed and performed in the span of 24 hours,” said Jeremy Meier, Owens Instructor of Fine and Performing Arts. “Attendees will be amazed by the creative talents of all those involved in the collaborative process, which is unlike any other. I encourage area residents to experience theatre of the unknown.”

The 24-hour marathon begins at 7 p.m. on Friday (Oct. 17) when each actor and actress arrives at the Center for Fine and Performing Arts wearing a unique costume put together from their own wardrobe. Attendees will also bring an item that reflects their character’s personality. Each performer’s photo will then be taken for playwright selection purposes.

Beginning at 7:30 p.m. that same evening, seven teams of writers representing Owens Community College faculty, a Start High School drama educator and a professional actor and playwright will begin the arduous process of writing and staging a play based on a yet-to-be-determined theme and topic involving the assigned 3-5 actors and actresses. Caffeinated beverages will be the drink of choice as writers frantically craft a 10-minute play throughout the evening hours.

Actors and actresses will meet without the writers present at 9 a.m. on Saturday (Oct. 18) in the Center for Fine and Performing Arts to rehearse and memorize lines of the recently-written plays. Final rehearsals will conclude at 5:30 p.m. and the actors and actresses will showcase theatrical talents during the live performance at 7:30 p.m. in the Center for Fine and Performing Arts Studio Theatre. In addition, the playwrights will see their plays staged for the first time with the audience.

For additional information about the “Theatre Express” production, contact the Center for Fine and Performing Arts at (567) 661-2787 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 2787.

Owens Community College Welcomes Revolution – The Beatles Tribute Band, Oct. 3

Posted on September 26th, 2008

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Timeless music of the legendary Beatles will fill the air at Owens Community College’s Center for Fine and Performing Arts as the tribute band Revolution takes the stage on Friday, Oct. 3.

Revolution – The Beatles Tribute band will perform in the College’s Mainstage Theatre at 8 p.m. The Owens Toledo-area Campus is located on Oregon Road in Perrysburg Township.

“Owens Community College is proud to welcome arguably the leading worldwide touring show in capturing the essence of the Beatles to Northwest Ohio,” said Barbara Barkan, Owens Operations Manager for the Center for Fine and Performing Arts. “Attendees will be captivated not only by the authentic costumes and instrumentals, but also the visual impact sound and excitement. Revolution – The Beatles Tribute band brings ‘Beatlemania’ from the 1960s and 70s back to life in an amazing way.”

Revolution – The Beatles Tribute band is known worldwide for its ability to bring to life the legendary group that captivated the world and pop music scene with songs ranging from “I Want to Hold Your Hand” to “Revolution”. The four-person tribute group has shared the stage with the likes of Tom Hanks and Melissa Etheridge, preformed in concert with the Beach Boys and The Guess Who, and made a live television appearance on the “Bob Hope Worldwide Television Special”.

In addition, Revolution group member Tim Piper has been cast as “John Lennon” in various television specials such as “The Linda McCartney Story”, “The John Lennon Story” and “Beatle Wives”. The tribute band was also cast to sing vocals for NBC’s “In His Life: The John Lennon Story,” which was recorded at Capitol Records.

Tickets for Revolution – The Beatles Tribute concert are $25 for the general public, $23 for senior citizens, and $15 for Owens students and employees. To purchase tickets, visit www.owens.edu or contact the College’s Box Office. For more information about this event, contact the Center for Fine and Performing Arts at (567) 661-2787 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. ARTS (2787).

Owens’ Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery Welcomes Mary Ellen Mark Exhibit ‘Twins’, Sept. 29 – Nov. 8

Posted on September 22nd, 2008

Mary Ellen Mark’s photo of Paula Mathis and Polly Mathis Wasdin is among various images highlighted in the “Twins” exhibit at Owens.

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Owens Community College’s Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery invites area residents to visit the diverse world of documentary photography as internationally-recognized Mary Ellen Mark displays her masterful work in an exhibit titled “Twins”, Sept. 29 – Nov. 8. The Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery is located in Owens’ Center for Fine and Performing Arts on the Toledo-area Campus in Perrysburg Township.

In addition to the exhibit, there will be a lecture presentation by Mark on her work on Thursday, Oct. 2, at 7 p.m. in Center for Fine and Performing Arts Room 111. During lecture, Mark will share insightful detail about her work and journey as a photographer. A reception will immediately follow the lecture.

“Owens Community College’s Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery is proud to welcome such an extremely well-recognized and widely accomplished photographer as Mary Ellen Mark come to Northwest Ohio,” said Wynn Perry, Owens Part-Time Coordinator of the Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery. “Mark’s work is innovative and realistic. Her pictures capture the essence of humanity and go far beyond conventional borders in capturing the stark reality of life.”

Mark has achieved worldwide visibility through her numerous books, exhibitions and editorial magazine work. She is a contributing photographer to “The New Yorker” and has published photo-essays and portraits in such publications as “LIFE”, “The New York Times Magazine”, “Rolling Stone” and “Vanity Fair”. For over four decades, she has traveled extensively to make pictures that reflect a high degree of humanism, highlighted by completed projects in Iceland, New York City, Washington D.C. and the United Kingdom, among other locations. Today, Mark is recognized as one of the most respected and highly influential photographers around and her images of the world’s diverse cultures have become landmarks in the field of documentary photography. Of note, her profound portrayals of Mother Teresa and Indian circuses were the product of many years of work in India and her photo essay on runaway children in Seattle became the basis of the Academy Award-nominated film “Streetwise”, directed and photographed by her husband, Martin Bell.

Mark’s many accomplishments include receiving over 50 awards for her work, including the Cornell Capa Award by the International Center of Photography in 2001. She also was honored with the Infinity Award for Journalism from the International Center for Photography, the Matrix Award for outstanding woman in the field of film/photography, two Robert F. Kennedy Awards, and three fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts, among many other accolades.

In addition to appearing in hundreds of exhibits worldwide, the internationally-renowned documentary photographer has 16 published books to her credit with the most recent being released in 2007. Mark also regularly teaches photography workshops and gives lectures to diverse groups around the world.

As part of the “Twins” exhibit, Mark will explore in precise detail the unique relationship found within the world of twin siblings and how much they are alike, as well as subtle qualities that often make the individuals different. The “Twins” exhibit is a collection of photographs taken by Mark at the Twins Days Festival in Twinsburg, Ohio. Mark visited the festival twice, once in 2001 and again in 2002, to photograph the hundreds of twins in attendance. In addition to the exhibit, the “Twins” project has been made into a book and a movie.

In conjunction with the “Twins” exhibit, Owens’ Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery will serve as host to a panel discussion titled “Mothers of Twins” on Wednesday, Oct. 8. The panel discussion will begin at 7 p.m. and highlight discussion topics on history, cultural attitudes, family relationship and current national research related to the twins’ phenomenon. On Monday, Oct. 13, WUPW-TV FOX Channel 36 News Director Steve France will address the changing face of news presentation and gathering from a visual perspective as part of a lecture presentation. The discussion will start at 7 p.m. Finally, Photojournalist William Jordan will provide insight into his work and the ethics of working with certain populations in highly contentious situations on Monday, Oct. 20, at 7 p.m. All three events will occur in the Center for Fine and Performing Arts Room 111.

Admission to the Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery is free and open to the public from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays; from 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays; and from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Saturdays. For additional information about the College’s exhibition season, contact the Center for Fine and Performing Arts at 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 2721 or (567) 661-2721.

Owens Findlay-area Campus Features Exhibit by Jodi Wasinski, Sept. 22 – Oct. 24

Posted on September 19th, 2008

Jodi Wasinski’s print titled “Butterfly” showcases the unique process of blending image, ink and handmade paper into a masterful artistic expression.

FINDLAY, OH – Owens Community College Findlay-area Campus Library Gallery continues its fall art exhibition season with the works of regional artist Jodi Wasinski. The exhibit, titled “In Harmony: Prints and Papers” will showcase Wasinski’s unique process of blending image, ink and handmade paper into masterful prints and artistic expressions, Sept. 22 – Oct. 24.

In addition to the exhibit, the College will host a papermaking demonstration with Wasinski on Wednesday, Sept. 24 from 10-11 a.m. The College will also host a reception and gallery talk with the artist on Monday, Sept. 29 from 5-7 p.m. Both the papermaking demonstration and reception, which are free and open to the public, will take place in the Findlay-area Campus Library located on Bright Road in Findlay.

“Owens Community College is proud to showcase the work of a young and up-and-coming artist whose prints continue to evolve as a result her talent and willingness to stretch the boundaries of the printmaking process,” said Gail McCain, Owens Library Manager for the Findlay-area Campus. “Jodi Wasinski is one of a select few printmakers who not only makes her own paper from native plants, but also mixes her printing ink from dry pigment and hand-pulls her prints from a printing press. Gallery exhibit attendees will be mesmerized by the process and techniques Wasinski uses to masterfully craft her one-of-a-kind prints.”

Wasinski specializes in creating her own handmade paper from various native plants, including hostas and daylily leaves, and ink from dry pigments. The Mayfield Heights native started her career in fine art when she was introduced to art therapy after a car accident that resulted in a lifestyle change. Over the years, Wasinski’s artistic talents have been showcased at The University of Findlay Art Show, The Ohio State University’s Fine Art Show and Cuyahoga Community College’s Art Show. She has also exhibited her work at the Biannual Miniature Art Collection in Iowa.

The St. Marys and Cleveland resident received a bachelor’s degree in visual communication from The University of Findlay and studied at The Art Institute of Pittsburgh in graphic design. In addition to her art experience, Wasinski regularly gives lectures and demonstrations on printmaking, layout and design.

Comedienne and Ventriloquist Lynn Trefzger Opens Family Fun Sundays at Owens Community College, Sept. 14

Posted on September 3rd, 2008

Lynn Trefzger

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Community members of all ages are invited to be entertained by the creative talents of comedienne/ventriloquist Lynn Trefzger and her trunk full of zany characters as Owens Community College’s Center for Fine and Performing Arts unveils its 2008-09 presenting arts season on Sunday, Sep.14.

The performance, which will be held in the Center for Fine and Performing Arts’ Mainstage Theatre at 2 p.m., is the first in the series of three Family Fun Sundays presented by Owens. The College is located on Oregon Road in Perrysburg Township.

“Owens Community College is proud to welcome highly-accomplished Lynn Trefzger and her masterful talents to the Center for Fine and Performing Arts stage,” said Barbara Barkan, Owens Operations Manager for the Center for Fine and Performing Arts. “Lynn Trefzger has dazzled audiences nationwide with her off-the-wall puppetry that is tailor-made for both family and adult audiences alike. Attendees are in for an afternoon of laughter and unforgettable entertainment.”

Trefzger is a self-taught ventriloquist who has amazed audiences with her fascinating comedic act and exceptional vocal skills for over 30 years at numerous theatres, colleges and universities, and festivals throughout the country. In addition, she has preformed alongside such artists as Jeff Foxworthy, Joe Diffy, Randy Travis, Ray Romano, Faith Hill and Tim McGraw, and made television appearances on ABC’s “Good Morning America” and TNN’s “The Statler Brothers Show”.

Trefzger has been nationally-recognized for her talents with awards such as the Ventriloquist of the Year in 1993, 1994 and 1995, Most Deserving Young Ventriloquist by the International Ventriloquist Convention and nominations for the Comedy Entertainer of the Year and the Variety Entertainer of the Year.

Combining comedy skits with ventriloquism, Trefzger uses her puppets to portray a broad array of characters, highlighted by a cranky old man named Judd Wapner. Other puppets include Emily, an adorable Muppet-like girl; Camelot, a lazy camel; and Simon, Trefzer’s main sidekick.

Tickets for the Lynn Trefzger comedy and ventriloquism performance are $12 and all seats are general admission. To purchase tickets, visit www.owens.edu or contact the College’s Box Office. For more information about this event, contact the Center for Fine and Performing Arts at (567) 661-2787 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. ARTS (2787).

National and Local Community Performers Scheduled at Owens’ Center for Fine and Performing Arts in 2008-09

Posted on August 27th, 2008

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Owens Community College’s Center for Fine and Performing Arts will raise the curtain with an array of events scheduled throughout the 2008-09 presenting arts season. Music, dance and theatre artists from around the country, including several local and regional standouts, will perform a variety of shows and concerts as part of the Center for Fine and Performing Arts’ season titled “Inspirations: A Tribute Season”.

Ventriloquist and comedienne Lynn Trefzger will bring a trunk full of zany characters to Owens as the kickoff event for the 2008-09 season scheduled for Sept. 14. Combining comedy skits with ventriloquism, Trefzger uses interplay with her puppets as part of her family-friendly performances and portrays a broad array of characters, ranging from a cranky old man to an innocent baby, among many other puppets.

Hot off Trefzger’s heels is the side-splitting savagery known as “Forbidden Broadway – 25th Anniversary Tour”, who will take to the stage at Owens on Sept. 27. “Forbidden Broadway – 25th Anniversary Tour’s” theatrical performance features four masterful performers and their unique satirical revues of an array of Broadway past and present musicals, including the witches of “Wicked”, the puppets of “Avenue Q” and “Billy Joel’s Movin Out”.

“Owens Community College tribute season salutes comedy, music, legends, musical theatre, vaudeville, culture, dance and diversity,” said Barbara Barkan, Owens Operations Manager for the Center for Fine and Performing Arts. “Today’s music scene has its roots in all styles of music and the artists the Center for Fine and Performing Arts presents in our 2008-09 season all pay tribute to the masters. The College is pleased to once again connect artists and audiences through performances that reach out to the campus and our surrounding communities.”

The College presenting arts season will once again feature a Family Fun Sunday series of three performances designed to provide fun and entertainment to individuals of all ages. The series will kick off with the above mentioned ventriloquist and comedienne Lynn Trefzger on Sept. 14. Following Trefzger, children will be exposed to two languages simultaneously as the classic children’s book “Dr. Dolittle” by Hugh Lofting is presented, as the second performance in the series, by Sign Stage on Tour in a musical that will feature American Sign Language onstage in addition to spoken dialogue in English. “Dr. Dolittle” will be presented on Jan. 25. Finally, illusion, music, juggling and deadpan comedy will collide in a vaudevillesque spectacle as the The Great Kaplan – One Man Comedy/Variety Show brings his zany antics to Owens on March 15 as the third performance in the Family Fun Sunday series.

In addition, the College will offer one additional performance package this season. The Tribute Performances series will showcase the masterful talents of three groups in tributes to legends of music. The four-person group Revolution will capture the essence of the Beatles with authentic costumes, instrumentals, visual impact sound and excitement that was Beatlemania in the 1960s and 70s on Oct. 3. Additionally, individuals will have the opportunity to take a trip back in time to early Motown and the music of the nationally-known artists such as Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, Smoky Robinson and Marvin Gaye as emerging award-winning singer/songwriters Chris Cauley and Chinua Hawk bring a fresh approach to the classic songs as part of Influences: Motown Greats on Feb. 6. Finally, critically acclaimed singer Bill Cayley will conjure memories of the legendary “The Man in Black” Johnny Cash and his Grammy Award-winning sound as the tribute group The Legend in Black – The Songs and Stories of John and June Carter Cash relives the life and times of the dynamic couple on April 3.

The 2008-09 presenting arts season will also feature one of the country’s most notable Native American artists Bill Miller, who is known for combining thought-provoking contemporary Native American music that bridges traditional sounds with folk, bluegrass and acoustic rock, in concert on Nov. 20. In addition, ABBA – Mainia will bring the iconic rock band ABBA back to life by performing many the group’s crowd-pleasing favorites with authentic costumes, choreography and big studio sound that will conjure thoughts of the 1970s era on March 8. Regarded as one of the leading dance institutions globally, the Dance Theatre of Harlem Ensemble will make an appearance in Northwest Ohio as part of the group’s inaugural seven-week, 11-state national tour on March 24. The internationally renowned group will perform inspiring interactive dances that include familiar beloved Dance Theatre of Harlem repertory, as well as ballets specifically created for the tour.

Local community arts events will highlight the 2008-09 season as Owens collaborates with the Perrysburg Symphony Orchestra to co-present a holiday Halloween Concert on Oct. 25 and a Young Artists/Side by Side Concert on May 2. The Toledo Repertoire will also make two appearances at Owens and present Egdy Rep Readings’ “Shining City” (Oct. 25) and “Vagina Monologues” (Feb. 14).

In addition, Melodic Expressions will once again grace the College’s Center for Fine and Performing Arts theatres as Owens faculty and students showcase their musical talents in late April 2009. Owens faculty and students will also put their masterful music abilities on display as part of a new musical series, Nov. 4-18.

All performing arts events will occur in Owens’ Mainstage Theatre on the Toledo-area Campus unless noted otherwise. Owens is located on Oregon Road in Perrysburg Township. For additional information about the College’s 2008-09 presenting arts season schedule, contact the Center for Fine and Performing Arts at 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. ARTS (2787) or (567) 661-2787.

Owens Findlay-area Campus Features Photography Exhibit by Lori King, Aug. 21 – Sept. 19

Posted on August 14th, 2008

FINDLAY, OH – Owens Community College Findlay-area Campus opens the 2008-09 arts season with an artistic array of photographs detailing the widespread flooding that occurred in 2007 as the Library Gallery presents “August 2007: The Flood” exhibit, Aug. 21 – Sept. 19. The photos were captured by Photojournalist and Owens Adjunct Faculty member Lori King.

In addition, the College will host a reception for King in which she will discuss the art of photography on Tuesday, Sept. 2 from 6-8 p.m. The reception, which is free and open to the public, will take place in the Findlay-area Campus Library. Owens is located on Bright Road in Findlay.

“Owens Findlay-area Library Gallery is excited to present this incredible exhibit which documents the flooding that happened in Findlay and Ottawa in August 2007,” said Gail McCain, Owens Library Manager for the Findlay-area Campus. “Lori King has done an exceptional job capturing specific moments in time, which will enable exhibit attendees to feel as if they are touching, smelling and experiencing the flood and its effects first-hand.”

King has extensive experience in the field of photography and photojournalism, including serving as a staff Photojournalist at “The Blade” for the past 15 years. She got her start in photography in the U.S. Army as a Photojournalist and Newspaper Editor, having served 21 years in the U.S. Army and Army/Air Guard. King holds a bachelor’s degree in photojournalism from Kent State University. During the past two years, she has served as an Adjunct Faculty member on the Findlay-area Campus where she teaches “Introduction to Photojournalism”, “Black and White Photography” and “Digital Photography”.

During the flood in August 2007, King spent three days taking photographs of the extensive damage caused by the torrential rains. In order to document the devastation, she walked through waist-deep muddy water, flew above the area in a helicopter to capture aerial shots and rafted through other portions of the region. King has selected numerous photographs from the hundreds she took during this time and provides a narrative with the pictures explaining why she chose certain photographs for publication and exhibition and the history behind them.

Owens Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery Presents ‘The Collector and the Artist’ Exhibit, Aug. 18 – Sept. 19

Posted on August 8th, 2008

Internationally renowned artist Henry Moore’s work is among the contemporary art showcased in Owens’ “The Collector and the Artist” exhibit.

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Owens Community College will open the 2008-09 Arts Exhibition Season by highlighting the unique relationship between collectors and artists as the Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery presents an array of masterful artwork in an exhibit titled “The Collector and the Artist”, Aug. 18 – Sept. 19. The Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery is located in Owens’ Center for Fine and Performing Arts on the Toledo-area Campus in Perrysburg Township.

In addition to the exhibit, Owens’ Center for Fine and Performing Arts will serve as host to a panel discussion featuring Amy Gilman (Toledo Museum of Art Modern and Contemporary Associate Curator), Russell Jones (Owens Adjunct Faculty Member) and Ken Thompson (Flatlanders Sculpture Supply and Art Galleries Artist/Collector) on Thursday, Sept. 4 at 7 p.m. in the Center for Fine and Performing Arts Room 111. The discussion topic will focus on the unique relationship between artists and collectors. An exhibit reception will immediately follow the discussion.

“Owens Community College is proud to open the current exhibition season with such a unique exhibit that showcases some of the finest world-class collections of contemporary artwork around,” said Wynn Perry, Owens Part-Time Coordinator of the Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery. “Collectors express their lifelong love of the visual arts through museum quality collections, which is evident by these masterful artistic expressions. The Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery is grateful for the generosity of these local collectors.”

Owens’ “The Collector and the Artist” exhibit will include an array of contemporary art compiled by several local collectors. The variety of artwork will include the mediums of sculptures, glass, ceramics, prints, drawings and paintings by acclaimed local artists such as Gerald-David Runkle and Traci Ladd, as well as world renowned artists Henry Moore, Robert Motherwell, Richard Estes and Georges Henri Rouault. Their work and other exhibit artists are showcased in several museum-quality collections.

Admission to the Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery is free and open to the public from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays; from 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays; and from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Saturdays. For additional information about the College’s 2008-09 Arts Exhibition Season, contact the Center for Fine and Performing Arts at 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 2721 or (567) 661-2721.

National and Local Artists to Display Work During Owens’ Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery 2008-09 Season

Posted on August 5th, 2008

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Owens Community College will welcome several local and national artists working with a diverse array of media to the Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery as the Center for Fine and Performing Arts unveils its 2008-09 Arts Exhibition Season on the Toledo-area Campus. The arts exhibition season will include a wide range of student, faculty and professional artists, with this year’s focus on relationships.

The Gallery exhibition season will open with an array contemporary art complied by several local collectors, Aug. 18 – Sept. 19. Featured artistic expressions in “The Collector and the Artist” opening exhibit, which will include sculptures, ceramics, glass and paintings by renowned artists, will highlight the relationship between a collector and the artists through museum quality collections.

Beginning Sept. 29, highly accomplished and world-recognized photographer Mary Ellen Mark will showcase her masterful photography within an exhibit titled “Twins”. As part of the exhibit, Mark will explore, in precise detail, the unique relationship found within the world of twin siblings and how much they are alike, as well as subtle qualities that often make the individuals different. Known for her work in capturing realistic humanity in a photograph, Mark combines both documentary and photography to make images that tell a story of life, culture and people. The internationally-acclaimed photographer has completed projects in Iceland, France, New York City, Washington D.C. and the United Kingdom and has had her photographs displayed in publications such as “LIFE”, the “The New York Times”, “Rolling Stone” and “Vanity Fair”.

Several other exhibits are scheduled for the Gallery’s 2008-09 season. Starting Jan. 12, an exhibit titled “Who Do You Love?” will showcase various artistic expressions with a central theme of love. Artists throughout Ohio will display artwork that depicts and holds a special place in their hearts.

Beginning Feb. 23, the Gallery will host the exhibit “Paintings” by Radcliffe Institute of Advanced Study and Guggenheim Fellow Beverly McIver. Specializing in contemporary portraiture, McIver uses specific moments of her life as subject matter in her paintings. In addition to self-portraits, the internationally renowned artist paints portraits of her mother and sister

Additionally, Owens faculty, staff and students will have the opportunity to present their visual art at the Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery. The “Faculty Art Exhibition” is scheduled for Nov. 14 – Dec. 13, while the “Student Art Exhibition” will take place April 3-24.

An innovative display highlighting the journey of teens throughout the past 50 years will take place May 8 – July 18 as the Gallery hosts “Terrific Teens”. Through a compilation of historic artifacts, such as old yearbooks and photographs, young adult life in Northwest Ohio is revisited as attendees are able to view the evolution of teenage experiences through the years.

The art exhibition season will conclude with young artists, ages four months to five years old, from the College’s Child Care Center showcasing a variety of works, including multiple 3-D sculptures, paintings, drawings and self-portraits as part of “Creative Kids: Early Childhood Education”, July 24 – Aug. 1.

In addition, several lectures will be held throughout the arts season in conjunction with Gallery exhibits. A panel discussion with Amy Gilman (Toledo Museum of Art Modern and Contemporary Associate Curator), Russell Jones (Owens Adjunct Faculty) and Ken Thompson (Flatlanders Sculpture Supply and Art Galleries Artist/Collector) will occur Sept. 4 and highlight the relationship between the artist and the collector, while Mary Ellen Mark will lead an artist lecture Oct. 2. On Feb. 12, Owens faculty members will recite a variety of love poems in conjunction with the exhibit “Who Do You Love?”. Beverly McIver will conclude the lecture series Feb. 26 with an artistic discussion on her work.

Admission to the Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery is free and open to the public from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays; from 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays; and from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Saturdays. For additional information about the College’s 2008-09 Arts Exhibition Season, contact the Center for Fine and Performing Arts at 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 2721 or (567) 661-2721.

Owens Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery Presents ‘Area Sculpture: Inside Out’ Art Exhibition, June 16 – July 31

Posted on June 6th, 2008

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Masterful sculptures of area artists will serve as the focus to Owens Community College’s summer exhibit as the Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery presents “Area Sculpture: Inside Out”, June 16 – July 31. As part of the exhibit, artists’ sculptures will be displayed both indoors and outside the College’s Center for Fine and Performing Arts.

Area residents are encouraged to attend a free reception for the artists and the exhibit on Friday, June 20 from 6-8 p.m. in the Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery. Owens is located on Oregon Road in Perrysburg Township.

“Owens Community College is excited to provide this opportunity for area residents to view the varied and skilled work of many regional sculptors in one exhibit,” said Wynn Perry, Owens Part-Time Manager of the Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery. “An array of sculptures will be on display both inside the Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery and outside the Center for Fine and Performing Arts as a part of this unique exhibit, which is something new for an art exhibition at the College.”

Over 25 artists from Northwest Ohio, Michigan and Indiana will showcase their variety of work and areas of expertise in the arena of sculpture. Among the works displayed will be the glass sculptures of artists Matthew Paskiet, Michele McFarlane and Homer Yarritto, as well as the contemporary work of metal smiths Thomas Muir and Danielle Crissman.

In addition, there will be sculptures of figures, laminated woods, large-scale ceramics and hand-made paper ravens, among many other types of sculptures. As a part of the exhibit, the work of several sculptors will be displayed outside of the Center for Fine and Performing Arts. This section of the exhibit includes the work of Ken Thompson, who has been previously featured in the Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery, as well as the work of five other area artists.

Admission to the Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery is free and open to the public. The Gallery’s summer hours are Sundays-Thursdays from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. For additional information, contact the Center for Fine and Performing Arts at (567) 661-2721 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 2721.

Owens Findlay-area Campus Library Gallery Displays Computer-Aided Design Student Artwork, June 5 – July 31

Posted on May 28th, 2008

FINDLAY, OH – Owens Community College School of Technology students within computer-aided design (CAD) technology classes will have the opportunity to showcase their many artistic talents as the Findlay-area Campus hosts a Summer Student CAD Art Exhibition in the Library Gallery, June 5 – July 31.

In addition to highlighting the work of several students in the CAD technology classes, the exhibit will feature rapid prototype models created by Owens Professor of Design Technologies Eric Duling. The models will illustrate the innovative capabilities of the state-of-the-art machine. Owens’ Findlay-area Campus is located on Bright Road in Findlay.

“The Owens Findlay-area Campus is proud feature the unique work and talents of our CAD technology students this summer in the Library Gallery,” said Gail McCain, Owens Findlay-area Campus Library Manager. “Attendees will certainly enjoy the creative abilities and inspirations of each student artist in their respective work, as well as obtaining knowledge and insight into design technologies industry.”

Owens students from “Parametric Modeling” and “Surface and Solid Modeling” classes will be participating in the summer exhibit. Student presenters include Jason Gilbert of Tiffin (CAD technology), Nathan Horstman of Ottawa (CAD technology), Eric Kaufman of Ottawa (CAD technology), Corey Nieves of Chicago (CAD technology), Kathy Souders of Findlay (quality assurance), Adam Warren of Leipsic (CAD technology) and Damon Wiechman of Findlay (CAD technology).

Owens’ “Parametric Modeling” class covers the usage of the CAD system to construct three-dimensional orthographic models that are required in the industry. This course also builds on the construction of two-dimensional orthographic projections and three-dimensional project assemblies. The College’s “Surface and Solid Modeling” course teaches concepts such as surface technology, surface creation, projection, surface offset, methods of construction and spline intersection as part of the experiential learning curriculum.

Admission to the Summer Student CAD Art Exhibition and the Owens Findlay-area Campus Library is free and open to the public. Library Gallery summer hours are Monday-Thursday from 8 a.m. – 7 p.m. For additional information, contact the College’s Library at (567) 429-3076 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 3076.

Owens Findlay-area Campus Spring Art Exhibition Highlights Student Work, May 1-9

Posted on April 29th, 2008

Owens’ Findlay-area Campus Library is located on Bright Road in Findlay.

“The Owens Findlay-area Campus is delighted to feature the finest works of art produced by our students during the Spring Semester,” said Gail McCain, Owens Library Manager for the Findlay-area Campus. “The Library Gallery is a great venue for Owens students to display their own works and highlight the knowledge and growth they have acquired in the classroom.”

McCain added, “These artistic expressions are extremely individualized and reflect the unique creative abilities and inspirations of each student artist.”

The Spring Student Art Exhibition will feature numerous pieces of artwork ranging from paintings to drawings created by 10 student artists enrolled in the College’s “Fundamentals of Drawing” course. In this course, which is instructed by Louise Wineland, Owens Adjunct Faculty member for Fine and Performing Arts, students obtain experiential learning within various areas, including the study of object drawing, form organization, value, perspective, proportion and texture.

In addition, 10 student artists enrolled in the College’s “Foundations in 2D Design” course, instructed by Erika Clark, Owens Adjunct Faculty member for Fine and Performing Arts, will present their artistic expressions within the Library Gallery. In this course, students develop an understanding of basic studio art principles, critical skills and media manipulation, covering the topics of color theory and the use of two-dimensional space.

New to the exhibit this Spring Semester will be the work of six students from the College’s “Black and White Photography II” course, which is instructed by Lori King, Owens Adjunct Faulty member for Fine and Performing Arts. The “Black and White Photography II” course focuses on principles of black and white photography, as well as the use of fiber-based paper, larger printing sizes and refined exposure, and lighting and processing considerations.

Students whose work will be displayed are Philip Allen of Findlay (associate of arts, general concentration), Nicole Beck of Findlay (social work), Nick Benedict of North Baltimore (marketing and sales), John Blake of Kenton (photography), Matt Bowley of Jerry City (associate of arts, general concentration), Patricia Drummond of Dunkirk (photography), Elaina Gaietto of Tiffin (associate of arts, general concentration), Hannah Gerritsen of Fostoria (pre-biotechnology), Susan Haugh of Findlay (photography) and Justin Hayward of Findlay (fine art).

Owens students who will be participating in the Spring Student Art Exhibition also include Joyce Johnson of Wayne (photography), Erica Kesatie of Findlay (adolescence education), Benjamin Maas of Pandora (registered nursing), Amy Menz of Findlay (pre-business administration), Vickie Morgart of Fostoria (interior design), Ashley O’Rear of Arlington (early childhood education), Shelby Phillips of McClure (associate of arts, general concentration), Jenna Powell of Mount Cory (pre-physical therapist assistant), Suzanne Ream of Jenera (fine art), Shelby Reinhart of Tiffin (pre-health information technology), Emily Scales of Findlay (multi-age education) and Terri Wagner of Alvada (commercial art technology).

Admission to the Spring Student Art Exhibition and the Owens Findlay-area Campus Library is free and open to the public. Library Gallery hours are Monday-Thursday from 8 a.m. – 7 p.m., Friday from 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. For additional information, contact the College’s Library at (567) 429-3076 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 3076.

Owens Presents “Melodic Expressions” Third Annual Spring Concert Series, April 21-25

Posted on April 11th, 2008

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Area residents with a passion and an enjoyment of music are encouraged to join in celebrating the culmination of an academic year’s worth of Fine and Performing Arts education as Owens Community College presents its third annual “Melodic Expressions” Spring Concert Series, April 21-25. The Spring Concert Series will showcase the accomplishments of Owens students and faculty in a number of performances ranging from vocal to instrumental.

“‘Melodic Expressions” is a wonderful opportunity to showcase the tremendous accomplishments of our Owens Community College Fine and Performing Arts students,” said Eric Wallack, Owens Chair of Fine and Performing Arts. “The upcoming recitals and ensembles have been mastered through academic learning within the classroom this past year. Events such as ‘Melodic Expressions’ provide our students with a great venue to display such musical talents in a real world setting.”

Wallack added, “I am very proud of our Fine and Performing Arts students and the quality of work they and our faculty will present as part of the week-long musical extravaganza.”

All events will occur in the College’s Center for Fine and Performing Arts on the Toledo-area Campus. The schedule of events is as follows:

Monday, April 21
Owens Faculty Recital
Members of Owens Fine and Performing Arts faculty will perform a variety of musical selections related to their areas of expertise.
(7 p.m.) (Mainstage Theatre)

Tuesday, April 22
“Music in the Lobby” – Owens Student Recital
Owens student performers will showcase their many musical talents in a variety of performances, including guitar, vocals and percussion, among others.
(2 p.m.) (Center for Fine and Performing Arts Rotunda)

Owens “Voices” Concert
Attendees are in for an evening of masterful sounds courtesy of the College’s voice and choir classes. The concert will feature a wide range of harmonious vocals.
(7 p.m.) (Mainstage Theatre)

Wednesday, April 23
Harp Performance by Owens Adjunct Faculty Member Denise Grupp-Verbon and Friends
Denise Grupp-Verbon, Owens Adjunct Faculty member, will feature a sundry of selections and styles as part of her annual harp performance. Several guest artists will also showcase their musical talents during the event.
(7 p.m.) (Mainstage Theatre)

Thursday, April 24
Vocal Styling Performance by Owens Adjunct Faculty Member Jodi Jobuck
Jodi Jobuck, Owens Adjunct Faculty member, will showcase her vocal talents by performing several of her favorite songs. Other faculty members and friends will be joining her as part of this musical presentation.
(2 p.m.) (Center for Fine and Performing Arts Rotunda)

Owens Guitar Ensemble
Students from Owens guitar classes will perform some of their favorite songs in various genres, showcasing the skills they have acquired through the use of this classic instrument.
(7 p.m.) (Mainstage Theatre)

Friday, April 25
Vocal Recital by Owens Student Sam Mason
Owens student Sam Mason will showcase his vocal talents through a wide selection of show tunes, as well as German and Italian songs.
(7 p.m.) (Mainstage Theatre)

All the performances are free and the public is encouraged to attend. For more information about the “Melodic Expressions” Spring Concert Series, contact the College’s Center for Fine and Performing Arts at (567) 661-2787 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. ARTS (2787).

Owens Community College is one of the fastest-growing higher educational institutions in Ohio. On the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses, Owens serves more than 45,000 credit and non-credit students. Owens is c
mmitted to providing small classes, personal attention and unmatched affordability. Owens Community College offers associate degrees that transfer to baccalaureate degrees in the Arts and Sciences and over 130 technical program areas in Agriculture, Business, Health Sciences, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Skilled Trades, and Engineering and Transportation Technologies. Owens students also can earn the first two years of a bachelor’s degree with a smooth transfer to any area four-year college or university. For more information, visit www.owens.edu.

Owens’ Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery Presents Juried Student Art Exhibition, April 11 – May 1

Posted on April 2nd, 2008

In addition, the College will host a free opening reception for the exhibit on Friday, April 11 from 6-8 p.m. in the Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery. Also, the Owens Classical Guitar student class will perform in the Center for Fine and Performing Arts Rotunda to celebrate the opening of the exhibit. Owens is located on Oregon Road in Perrysburg Township.

“Owens’ Center for Fine and Performing Arts is proud to feature the finest works of art produced by our students,” said Wynn Perry, Owens Part-time Manager of the Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery. “This exhibit is a great venue for Owens students to display their accomplished artistic pieces, enabling them to showcase the knowledge obtained within the classroom into a real world setting.”

Perry added, “The artistic expressions are extremely individualized and reflect the unique creative ability of each student artist.”

Owens’ Juried Student Art Exhibition features over 100 pieces of artwork in the categories of fine art, which includes sculpture, ceramics, painting and drawing, photography, and commercial art. More than 60 students enrolled within Fine and Performing Arts courses at Owens have had artwork accepted for the show. Students presenting art for the Juried Student Art Exhibition are allowed to enter a total of four pieces in each of the three categories.

Area artists and professionals will serve as the jury for the exhibit.

Admission to the Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery is free and open to the public, Monday-Friday from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Thursdays from 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. For additional information, contact the Center for Fine and Performing Arts at (567) 661-2721 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 2721.

Owens Findlay-area Campus Library Gallery Welcomes ‘All About Fairy Tales’ Exhibit, April 7-25

Posted on March 20th, 2008

FINDLAY, OH – Owens Community College’s Findlay-area Campus welcomes the return of the University of Findlay’s Mazza Museum to the Library Gallery with original artwork from timeless fairy-tale classics in the exhibit “All About Fairy Tales”, April 7-25.

The Owens Findlay-area Campus Library is located on Bright Road in Findlay.

“Owens Community College’s Findlay-area Campus is delighted to have the University of Findlay’s Mazza Museum return to the Library Gallery,” said Gail McCain, Owens Library Manager for the Findlay-area Campus. “The Mazza Museum is committed to helping children develop an interest in reading and literacy, as well as in preserving original artwork from children’s books. This exhibit highlights 16 alluring pictures of well-known and loved fairy-tale classics that will be sure to delight Gallery visitors of all ages.”

Pictures featured in the “All About Fairy Tales” exhibit will include timeless children’s classics such as “The Princess and the Pea”, “Little Red Riding Hood”, “Goldilocks and the Three Bears”, “The Sleeping Beauty” and “The Three Little Pigs”, among others. The artwork was created by a variety of artists from around the world.

The Findlay-area Campus “All About Fairy Tales” exhibit is being presented in conjunction with the celebration of April as Month of the Young Child. In addition, the exhibit is designed to encourage children to take interest in literacy and libraries as the College recognizes National Library Week, April 13-19.

Admission to the Library Gallery is free and open to the public Monday-Thursday from 8 a.m. – 7 p.m., Friday from 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. For more information, contact the Library at (567) 429-3076 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 3076.

Owens Community College Concludes Family Fun Sundays with Bilingual ‘James and the Giant Peach’ Performance, March 30

Posted on March 18th, 2008

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Community members of all ages are invited to join the bilingual adventures of “James and the Giant Peach” as Owens Community College’s Center for Fine and Performing Arts presents the theatrical version of a timeless favorite in both spoken English and American Sign Language on Sunday, March 30.

The performance, which will be held in the Center for Fine and Performing Arts’ Mainstage Theatre at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m., is the last in the series of three Family Fun Sundays presented by Owens. The College is located on Oregon Road in Perrysburg Township.

“Owens Community College is proud to welcome Sign Stage On Tour to Northwest Ohio and their unique version of the classical tale “James and the Giant Peach”, said Barbara Barkan, Owens Operations Manager for the Center for Fine and Performing Arts. “The production will afford attendees of all ages the opportunity to experience theatre in a bilingual setting that is both entertaining and exhilarating.”

“James and the Giant Peach” is presented by the national touring group Sign Stage on Tour, a theatrical company comprised of deaf and hearing stage specialists. Sign Stage on Tour, which performs an array of theatrical plays worldwide in both spoken English and American Sign Language, is dedicated to presenting educational programs that integrate bilingual education with theatre. Previous performances by the theatre group include “Charlie and The Chocolate Factory”, “Treasure Island” and “Matilda”.

“When a character speaks on stage it occurs in American Sign Language, however, a spoken voice will be heard at the same time,” explained Barkan. “The blend of languages allows individuals to experience the spatial beauty of American Sign Language as the actors move their hands and bodies, as well as hear the spoken dialogue so that audience members, both deaf and hearing, are able to fully enjoy the magical adventure of James Trotter and his life-sized insects.”

“James and the Giant Peach” tells the story of an orphaned boy receiving a gift of a magical peach and how the edible delight takes him on a magical journey full of intrigue and adventure with larger-than-life insect friends, including a wise grasshopper and a pessimistic earthworm.

Tickets for “James and the Giant Peach” are $10 and all seats are general admission. To purchase tickets, visit www.owens.edu or contact the College’s Box Office. For more information about this event, contact the Center for Fine and Performing Arts at (567) 661-2787 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. ARTS (2787). The performance is sponsored in part by WGTE Public Broadcasting and WRVF-FM 101.5 The River.

Owens Presents Christo and Jeanne-Claude ‘Gateway to the Arts’ Benefit Reception, March 28

Posted on March 17th, 2008

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Owens Community College is inviting area residents to experience the masterful work of internationally-acclaimed Christo and Jeanne-Claude, in support of higher educational opportunities within the Department of Fine and Performing Arts, as the Center for Fine and Performing Arts presents a free “Gateway to the Arts” reception to honor the world-renowned artists on Friday, March 28.

The “Gateway to the Arts” reception, which will occur from 6-8 p.m. in the Center for Fine and Performing Arts, will afford attendees the unique opportunity to purchase and bid on an array of posters detailing the historic journey of Christo and Jeanne-Claude’s work. The posters showcase preliminary drawings, collages and on-site photographs of completed works by the two artists. The photography is taken exclusively by Wolfgang Volz, a photographer who has worked with Christo and Jeanne-Claude since the 1970s. All proceeds from the “Gateway to the Arts” event will benefit the Owens Fine and Performing Arts’ programs and students.

The posters, currently on display as part of the Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery’s Christo and Jeanne-Claude exhibit, were generously donated by the artists to benefit the College’s Department of Fine and Performing Arts. The Center for Fine and Performing Arts’ reception is free and the public is encouraged to attend. Owens is located on Oregon Road in Perrysburg Township.

“Owens Community College is proud to extend a unique opportunity for individuals to purchase signed posters of Christo and Jeanne-Claude’s masterful work in support a worthy cause,” said Wynn Perry, Owens Part-Time Manager of the Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery. “Christo and Jeanne-Claude are regarded as two of the most important artists of the past several decades. Their large installation pieces have transformed how both artists and audiences view public space and the chance to be able to bring home a glimpse of their work is extremely rare.”

Christo and Jeanne-Claude’s artwork will be available for purchase throughout the “Gateway to the Arts” reception and select posters will be featured in a silent auction as part of the evening’s festivities. Additionally, attendees will have the opportunity to listen to a jazz music performance by Eric Wallack, Owens Chair of Fine and Performing Arts, and the band Yes, I Said Yes. The “Gateway to the Arts” will also include food and refreshments.

Christo and Jeanne-Claude are internationally famous through their works such as “Wrapped Reichstag, Berlin 1971-95”, “The Umbrellas, Japan-United States 1984-91” and, most recently, “The Gates, Central Park, New York City 1979-2005”. The two artists have been worldwide leaders in innovative and unconventional artistic expressions since the 1950s.

For more information about the “Gateway to the Art” event, or to purchase a poster, contact the Center for the Fine and Performing Arts at (567) 661-2721 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 2721. Individuals can also purchase artwork at www.owens.edu/arts.

Owens Community College Hosts Auditions for Upcoming Theatre Production, April 6-7

Posted on March 11th, 2008

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Area residents interested in performing in the upcoming student production of “Clue, The Musical” are invited to open theatre auditions at Owens Community College, April 6-7.

Auditions will take place on Sunday, April 6 from 1-4 p.m. and on Monday, April 7 from 6-9 p.m. in the Center for Fine and Performing Arts Studio Theatre Room 111. Owens is located on Oregon Road in Perrysburg Township.

The cast calls for four men and four women ages 18-60. Each individual is requested to prepare a song containing at least 16 bars and to provide their own sheet music as part of the audition. An accompanist will be provided. The theatre production dates, originally scheduled for April 18-20, are now rescheduled for June 13-15.

For more information, call (567) 661-7776 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 7776.

Owens’ Center for Fine and Performing Arts Welcomes the Tartan Terrors, March 14

Posted on March 6th, 2008

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Area residents are invited to enjoy an evening of fun and frolic as Owens Community College welcomes the Tartan Terrors, one of North America’s premier Celtic dance and comedy acts, to Northwest Ohio on Friday, March 14.

The Tartan Terrors will perform their original production in the Center for Fine and Performing Arts Mainstage Theatre at 8 p.m. The College is located on Oregon Road in Perrysburg Township.

“Owens Community College is excited to welcome the Tartan Terrors and their unique Celtic sounds to Northwest Ohio,” said Barbara Barkan, Owens Operations Manager for the Center for Fine and Performing Arts. “This delightful troupe draws from its experience with traditional Celtic music and dance, adds a dash of rock and roll and finishes the recipe with its own unique Scottish comedy, which will certainly entertain and amuse performance attendees.”

The Tartan Terrors are a highly-accomplished company of ten performers who are well-versed in the theatrical arts with a Celtic influence. From artistic director and choreographer Ellen Wilkes-Irmisch and co-artistic director Ian Wilkes-Irmisch, the dynamic brother and sister duo that founded the Tartan Terrors, to Sean McKeown, two-time world champion piper, the accomplished group combines each of their varied talents in comedy, vocals, dance and music into a performance that is critically acclaimed worldwide. Among the array of instruments utilized in their performance are the mandolin, percussion, banjo and bagpipes to mention a few.

For over a decade, the Tartan Terrors have performed at numerous prestigious venues and festivals such as the Ontario Renaissance Festival in Ontario, Canada, and the Fulton Opera House in Lancaster, Penn., as well as for former President Bill Clinton’s inaugural ball and for Queen Elizabeth II.

During the upcoming performance, the Tartan Terrors will introduce the audience to little-known classic Celtic songs such as “The Highland Swing”, “Scotland Depraved” and “If I Were Not A Terror”. The group also has recorded five CDs of their various performances, including “Dressed to Kilt”.

Tickets for Tartan Terrors are $20 for the general public, $18 for senior citizens, and $16 for Owens students and employees. To purchase tickets, visit www.owens.edu or contact the College’s Box Office. For more information about this event, contact the Center for Fine and Performing Arts at (567) 661-2787 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. ARTS (2787).

Owens Findlay-area Campus Welcomes Photography Exhibit by Lisa Wolph, March 3 – April 4

Posted on February 21st, 2008

FINDLAY, OH – Owens Community College’s Findlay-area Campus Library Gallery continues its spring art exhibition season with the works of local photographer Lisa Wolph. The exhibit will showcase her masterful digitally-manipulated, Polaroid image transfer and Polaroid emulsion photographs, March 3 – April 4.

In addition to the exhibit, there will be a welcoming reception and interactive discussion of Wolph’s work on Wednesday, March 12 from 5-7 p.m. During the discussion, she will share insightful details about her work and journey as a photographer. Owens Findlay-area Campus Library Gallery is located on Bright Road in Findlay.

“Owens Community College is excited to welcome multi-talented photographer Lisa Wolph to the Library Gallery,” said Gail McCain, Owens Findlay-area Campus Library Manager. “Wolph has a sharp eye for composition and her exceptional photographic techniques create one-of-a-kind prints. She blurs the boundaries between photography and printmaking, creating unique, ethereal images that seek to draw the viewer into the beauty of another world.”

Wolph specializes in Polaroid emulsion transfer and image transfer, as well as digitally-altered photographs. Image transfer is a process through which the photographer peels away one side of a photo and transfers it onto another medium. The picture can then be manipulated in the way the artist desires. Wolph digitally maneuvers photographs as well, sometimes taking up to one month to perfect a picture.

Her artistic expressions have been on display at the Fostoria Community Arts Council, and Findlay’s Coffee Amici and the George House. Wolph has also exhibited her work in several of the Findlay Art League shows. Additionally, she has received several awards and honors, including the Findlay Art League’s “Most Creative Use of Color and Medium” Award for her photo “Ode to Muybridge”.

The Fostoria resident received a bachelor’s degree in two-dimensional studies with photography concentration from Bowling Green State University. Wolph also holds associate’s degrees in photography and in fine arts from Merced College. Utilizing her photographic experience which spans over 20 years, Wolph teaches photography classes through Millstream Career and Technology Center’s Adult Workforce Education in Findlay. Additionally, she is an active member of the Findlay Art League and the Visual Art Network in Lima.

Owens’ Center for Fine and Performing Arts Welcomes Uplifting Sounds of Klingon Klez, Feb. 29

Posted on February 19th, 2008

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Area residents are invited to jump to “warp drive” as nationally-recognized musical group Klingon Klez bring their lively and upbeat Jewish celebratory-style music to Owens Community College’s Center for Fine and Performing Arts on Friday, Feb. 29.

The concert will be held in the Center for Fine and Performing Arts’ Mainstage Theatre at 8 p.m. Owens is located on Oregon Road in Perrysburg Township.

“Owens Community College is excited to welcome the nationally-accomplished Jewish Klezmer band, Klingon Klez to Northwest Ohio,” said Barbara Barkan, Owens Operations Manager for the Center for Fine and Performing Arts. “Klingon Klez’s blend of modern Klezmer sound combined with their unique and upbeat musical presentation will invigorate attendees and make for an unforgettable experience.”

Klingon Klez’s music is known as Klezmer, a form of Jewish celebratory music that dates back over 500 years. Klezmer combines the varied sounds of jazz, dixieland, funk and rock into a unique sound that features a strong Jewish influence. Deeply rooted in the Jewish culture, Klezmer is recognized worldwide as uplifting music often heard at celebratory events.

The band features eight accomplished Jewish musicians who utilize a wide variety of instruments in their musical performances. Instruments include reeds, trumpet, flute, violin, keyboard, clarinet, Middle-Eastern percussion and drums.

Klingon Klez has performed its music nationwide in venues that include performing art centers and theatres, as well as at festivals, among other places. In addition to live performances, Klingon Klez has produced two albums, featuring an array of modern Klezmer music. The two albums are titled “Blue Suede Jews” (2006) and “Honey Would You be Meshuga Tonite?”(2000).

Tickets for Klingon Klez are $20 for the general public, $18 for senior citizens, and $16 for Owens students and employees. To purchase tickets, visit www.owens.edu or contact the College’s Box Office. For more information about this event, contact the Center for Fine and Performing Arts at (567) 661-2787 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. ARTS (2787).

Owens Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery Welcomes Christo and Jeanne-Claude Exhibit, Feb. 18 – April 3

Posted on February 11th, 2008

Seven thousand five hundred three orange fabric panels recently adorned New York City’s Central Park as part of Christo and Jeanne-Claude’s “The Gates” art installation. Photographer Wolfgang Volz captured a wintery scene of “The Gates” in this image.

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Owens Community College continues its art exhibition season with the presentation of a display highlighting the masterful work of world-renowned artists Christo and Jeanne-Claude in the Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery, Feb. 18 – April 3.

Owens’ Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery is located in the Center for Fine and Performing Arts on the Toledo-area Campus in Perrysburg Township.

“Owens Community College is excited to welcome the exceptional work of Christo and Jeanne-Claude to Northwest Ohio and the Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery,” said Wynn Perry, Owens Part-Time Manager of the Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery. “Christo and Jeanne-Claude are regarded as two of the most important artists of the past several decades. Their large installation pieces have transformed how both artists and audiences view public space. From the reproductions of the preliminary drawings to photographs of their final works of art, exhibit attendees will delight in seeing Christo and Jeanne-Claude’s projects from their inspirational beginnings to the actual art installations.”

Christo and Jeanne-Claude are internationally famous through their works such as “Wrapped Reichstag, Berlin 1971-95”, “The Umbrellas, Japan-United States 1984-91” and, most recently, “The Gates, Central Park, New York City 1979-2005”. Christo and Jeanne-Claude have been worldwide leaders in innovative and unconventional artistic expressions since the 1950s.

The Christo and Jeanne-Claude exhibit at Owens will feature an array of signed posters by Christo and Jeanne-Claude detailing the historic journey of their masterful work. The posters showcase preliminary drawings, collages and on-site photographs of completed works. The photography is presented exclusively by Wolfgang Volz, a photographer who has worked with Christo and Jeanne-Claude since the 1970s. The posters on display at the Gallery have been generously donated by the artists to benefit the College’s Department of Fine and Performing Arts. The posters are for sale to the general public.

Christo and Jeanne-Claude’s latest project, titled “Over the River”, will feature fabric panels suspended horizontally above the Arkansas River in Colorado. The collage, slated for unveiling as early as 2012, takes a futuristic look at the exhibit.

On Tuesday, Feb. 26 at 7 p.m., two films highlighting their artistic expressions of Christo and Jeanne-Claude will be shown for free in the Mainstage Theatre. The first movie, “Running Fence” (1978), is a celebration of Christo and Jeanne-Claude’s vision; a four-year struggle culminating with over 24 miles of white nylon fabric rising from the Pacific and stretching like a white sail across the hills of California. The second movie is titled “The Umbrellas” (1994) and begins with the sunrise on Oct. 9, 1991. At that time, Christo and Jeanne-Claude’s 1,880 workers began to open 3,100 umbrellas in Ibaraki, Japan, and in California with the intent of art reflecting the similarities and differences in the ways of life and the use of the land in two inland valleys, one 12 miles long in Japan, and the other 18 miles long in the United States.

In conjunction with the exhibit, the College’s Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery will present a “Gateway to the Arts” celebration featuring the works Christo and Jeanne-Claude on Saturday, March 15. The event will begin at 7 p.m. and feature an array of entertainment. Individuals can purchase tickets through the Center for Fine and Performing Arts.

Admission to the Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery is free and open to the public Monday – Friday from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Thursdays from 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. For additional information about the exhibition, contact the Center for the Fine and Performing Arts at (567) 661-2721 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 2721.

Owens Community College Welcomes Internationally-Acclaimed Folk Singer John Gorka, Feb. 15

Posted on February 5th, 2008

Folk Singer John Gorka

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Rich, multi-faceted songs full of beauty, depth and feeling will fill the air at Owens Community College’s Center for Fine and Performing Arts as folk singer John Gorka takes the stage on Friday, Feb. 15. This will mark Gorka’s second appearance at Owens’ Center for Fine and Performing Arts.

Gorka will perform in the College’s Mainstage Theatre at 8 p.m. The Owens Toledo-area Campus is located on Oregon Road in Perrysburg Township.

“Owens Community College is proud to welcome the return of talented musician John Gorka to Northwest Ohio,” said Barbara Barkan, Owens Operations Manager for the Center for Fine and Performing Arts. “Attendees will appreciate the combination of Gorka’s rich baritone voice and his passionate acoustic music, which is deeply rooted in the folk scene.”

Hailed by “Rolling Stone” magazine as the pre-eminent male singer/songwriter for the new folk music movement, Gorka delights his audiences with a stunning baritone voice, fresh lyrics and artistic integrity. For more than 20 years, Gorka has created folk-inspired acoustic music, dazzling critics and audiences across the country and in Europe, where his tours led him through Italy, Belgium, Scotland, Ireland, Holland, Switzerland and Germany. His talents have allowed him to produce ten albums with hits such as “When She Kisses Me.” His video for this song found a long-term rotation on VH1’s “Current Country” as well as on CMT and the Nashville Network.

Gorka has made a commitment to the craft of writing thought-provoking, emotional lyrics and is widely heralded for the sophisticated intelligence and provocative originality of his songs. His latest CD titled “Writing in the Margins” was released in 2006 by Red House Records.

In addition to the performance, Gorka will be offering a free 45-minute songwriting workshop on Friday, Feb. 15 at 3 p.m. in the Mainstage Theatre for interested individuals. The public is welcome to attend.

Tickets for the John Gorka concert are $18 for the general public, $16 for senior citizens, and $12 for Owens students and employees. To purchase tickets, visit www.owens.edu or contact the College’s Box Office. For more information about this event, contact the Center for Fine and Performing Arts at (567) 661-2787 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. ARTS (2787).

‘The Many Adventures of Snow White’ Continues Owens Community College Family Fun Sundays, Feb. 3

Posted on January 23rd, 2008

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Community members of all ages are invited to be entertained and amused by a new musical rendition of the classical tale “The Many Adventures of Snow White” as Owens Community College’s Center for Fine and Performing Arts presents the unique theatrical production on Sunday, Feb. 3.

The one-hour performance, which will be held in the Center for Fine and Performing Arts’ Mainstage Theatre at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m., is the second in the series of three Family Fun Sundays presented by Owens. The College is located on Oregon Road in Perrysburg Township.

“Owens Community College is excited to welcome The Theatre Company On Tour and their hilarious version of ‘The Many Adventures of Snow White’ to the Center for Fine and Performing Arts stage,” said Barbara Barkan, Owens Operations Manager for the Center for Fine and Performing Arts. “Attendees will greatly enjoy this humorous adaption of Snow White’s tale and are in for an afternoon of entertainment and excitement.”

Written and directed by Barbara Hinrichsen, the new, readapted musical version of Snow White, presented by The Theatre Company On Tour, features audience participation, colorful sets and costumes, and tongue-in-cheek good humor as part of the classic tale. Lively music follows the adventures of a silly Snow White, a perfect Prince and wacky dwarfs throughout the performance.

In addition to the antics of the troupe, several songs will be highlighted throughout the musical performance, including “Who’s the Fairest?”, “The Dwarf’s Lament” and “The Happily Ever After Song”, among others.

Tickets for “The Many Adventures of Snow White” are $10 and all seats are general admission. To purchase tickets, visit www.owens.edu or contact the College’s Box Office. For more information about this event, contact the Center for Fine and Performing Arts at (567) 661-2787 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. ARTS (2787). The performance is sponsored in part by WGTE Public Broadcasting and WRVF-FM 101.5 The River.

Owens Community College Hosts Auditions for Upcoming Theatre Production, Feb. 10-11

Posted on January 22nd, 2008

Auditions will take place on Sunday, Feb. 10 from 1-5 p.m. and Monday, Feb. 11 from 5-8 p.m. in the Center for Fine and Performing Arts Studio Theatre Room 111. Owens is located on Oregon Road in Perrysburg Township.

The cast calls for four men and four women ages 20-60. Each individual is requested to prepare a song containing at least 16 bars and to provide their own sheet music as part of the audition. An accompanist will be provided. The theatre production dates are April 18-20.

For more information, call (567) 661-2787 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 2787.

‘Masked Marvels and Other Wondertales’ Continues Family Fun Sundays at Owens Community College, Jan. 27

Posted on January 14th, 2008

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Community members of all ages are invited to be amazed and captivated by Michael Cooper’s breathtaking handcrafted masks and virtuoso mime ability as he brings his one-person show “Masked Marvels and Other Wondertales” to Owens Community College’s Center for Fine and Performing Arts on Sunday, Jan. 27.

The performance, which will be held in the Center for Fine and Performing Arts’ Mainstage Theatre at 2 p.m., is the second in the series of four Family Fun Sundays presented by Owens. The College is located on Oregon Road in Perrysburg Township.

“Owens Community College is proud to welcome highly-accomplished Michael Cooper and his masterful talents to the Center for Fine and Performing Arts stage,” said Barbara Barkan, Owens Operations Manager for the Center for Fine and Performing Arts. “Michael Cooper has dazzled audiences worldwide with his creative theatrical expressions and incomparable handcrafted masks. Attendees are in for an afternoon of amazement and unforgettable entertainment.”

Cooper learned his craft under the tutelage of renowned mime and theatre artists’ Etienne DeCroux and Tony Montanaro. Since perfecting his masterful skills, Cooper has amazed audiences with his antics for nearly 30 years at numerous theatres, colleges and universities, and festivals throughout the United States and Canada, as well as abroad in venues such as the Dublin Theatre Festival in Ireland, the Hong Kong International Children’s Festival in China and the Festival Debuut in the Netherlands, among other locations.

Cooper is internationally-recognized for the masks he makes out of paper, wood and cloth and is known to take up to 300 hours to produce a single face. Combining original stories with his autobiography, Cooper uses his masks to portray a broad array of characters, ranging from a prancing horse to an innocent baby. Other masks include a fish, a bull and a chicken, among others. His one-man show features an arrangement of mime, outlandish stilt dancing and theatrically-performed stories.

Tickets for Michael Cooper’s “Masked Marvels and Other Wondertales” are $10 and all seats are general admission. To purchase tickets, visit www.owens.edu or contact the College’s Box Office. For more information about this event, contact the Center for Fine and Performing Arts at (567) 661-2787 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. ARTS (2787). The performance is sponsored in part by WGTE Public Broadcasting and WRVF-FM 101.5 The River.

Owens Findlay-area Campus Presents Tibetan Art Exhibit, Jan. 10 – Feb. 28

Posted on January 2nd, 2008

FINDLAY, OH – Owens Community College’s Findlay-area Campus Library Gallery will continue its exhibition season with the presentation by world-renowned artist and traveler Philip Sugden of Findlay. The latest Findlay-area Campus exhibit will showcase his masterful drawings, paintings and prints of Asia, Jan. 10 – Feb. 28.

In addition to the exhibit, an interactive discussion and welcoming reception will be held for Sugden on Tuesday, Jan. 15 from 6-8 p.m. During the discussion, the artist will share his experiences and studies of culture and art related to his time spent in Tibet and near the Himalayas. Owens Findlay-area Campus Library Gallery is located on Bright Road in Findlay.

“Owens Community College is excited to welcome internationally-acclaimed artist Philip Sugden to the Findlay-area Campus,” said Gail McCain, Owens Findlay-area Campus Library Manager. “His philosophy of life is intricately intertwined and revealed in his beautiful artwork. Philip Sugden seeks to show more than just subject matter. He invites the viewer on a journey of self-discovery and encourages them to look beyond what is immediately seen in his pictures, capturing the essence of the Tibetan culture and the spirit of the Himalayas.”

Sugden holds a bachelor’s degree in fine arts from the New York School of Visual Arts in New York City and completed a certificate du completion at the Paris American Academe des Beaux Arts et du Langues in Paris, France. He currently serves as an Assistant Professor of Art at Bluffton University and has also taught at the University of Findlay and Bowling Green State University, among other places.

The British-born artist’s work has been exhibited in over 75 solo and 100 group shows worldwide, highlighted by appearances at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington D.C., The United States Information Services Library in Kathmandu, Nepal, The October Gallery in London, England, the Royal Victoria Museum in Melbourne, Australia, and the Galerie Atelier Three in Paris, France. His work has also been showcased online in various web exhibitions, such as the Asian Art Gallery and World Artists for Tibet.

Another of Sugden’s most accomplished works within the past several years is his book, “Visions from the Fields of Merit: Drawings of Tibet and the Himalayas”. This book highlights much of his work while living in Tibet and among the Himalayas and contains a personal statement from the Dalai Lama. Also, with the help of photographer and writer Carole Elchert, Sugden compiled “White Lotus: An Introduction to Tibetan Culture”.

Fifth Annual Faculty Art Showcase on Display at Owens’ Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery, Jan. 11 – Feb. 9

Posted on December 17th, 2007

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Community members will have the opportunity to view the diverse and vibrant work of some of Northwest Ohio’s finest artists as Owens Community College’s Center for Fine and Performing Arts hosts the fifth annual Faculty Art Showcase, Jan. 11 – Feb. 9. The exhibition will be on display in the College’s Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery.

“Owens Community College Center for Fine and Performing Arts is proud to showcase exciting new works of art produced by our outstanding faculty members,” said Wynn Perry, Owens Part-time Manager of the Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery. “This exhibition will provide area residents and students with the chance to view various artistic expressions and celebrate the talent and diversity that the Center for Fine and Performing Arts’ faculty exemplifies.”

Wynn added, “Owens is fortunate to draw on such an extremely talented arts community for its faculty.”

The art showcase features artwork created by many notable and highly acclaimed Owens faculty members, including Michelle Carlson, Erika Clark, Julie Schnell-Madden, John Walz, Ruth Foote, Kevin Schroeder, Carey Marten, Sally Welch, JoAnne Gembolis, Mark Pechlivanos, James Haven and Jay Langlois, among others. A wide range of visual media will be featured, including works of art in the areas of painting, printmaking, ceramics, photography, graphic design, glass and sculpture.

To celebrate the opening of the faculty showcase, a free reception will be held on Friday, Jan. 11, from 6-8 p.m. in the College’s Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery.

Admission to the Walter E. Terhune Art Galley is free and open to the public from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday-Friday, from 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. on Thursdays and from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. on Saturdays. For more information about the exhibition, contact the Center for Fine and Performing Arts at (567) 661-2721 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 2721.

Art Exhibition Highlights Student Work at Owens’ Findlay-area Campus, Dec. 4-13

Posted on November 29th, 2007

Additionally, the College will host a reception for the artists on Tuesday, Dec. 4. The reception will occur from 3-4 p.m. and 5:30-6:30 p.m. in the Findlay-area Campus Library. Owens’ Findlay-area Campus is located on Bright Road in Findlay.

McCain added, “These artistic expressions are extremely individualized and reflect the unique creative abilities and inspirations of each student artist.”

The Fall Student Art Exhibition features numerous pieces of artwork from paintings to drawings created by nine student artists enrolled in the College’s “Fundamentals of Drawing” course, which is instructed by Louise Wineland, Owens Adjunct Faculty member for Fine and Performing Arts. In this course, students obtain experiential learning within various areas, including the study of object drawing, form organization, value, perspective, proportion and texture.

In addition, eight student artists enrolled in the College’s “Foundations in 2D Design” course, instructed by Erika Clark, Owens Adjunct Faculty member for Fine and Performing Arts, will present their artistic expressions within the Library Gallery. In this course, students develop an understanding of basic studio art principles, critical skills and media manipulation, covering the topics of color theory and the use of two-dimensional space.

New to the exhibit this year will be the work of 10 students from the College’s “Black and White Photography I” course instructed by Lori King, Owens Adjunct Faculty member for Fine and Performing Arts. The class focuses on photography both as a fine art and for commercial means. Students learn about the development of skills in visual literacy, film exposure, and making and preparing prints for exhibition.

Students whose work will be displayed are Alycia Adkins of Continental (undecided), Adam Bales of McComb (commercial art), Matt Bowley of Jerry City (associate of arts, general concentration), Beverly Brandt of Fostoria (pre-nursing), Samantha DeWald of Bascom (multi-age education), Patricia Drummond of Dunkirk (photography), Mckenna Elder of Fostoria (associate of arts, general concentration), Elaina Gaietto of Tiffin (undecided), Sandra Hawkins of Findlay (commercial art), David Hummel of Fostoria (welding), Joyce Johnson of Wayne (photography), Shauna Jones of Findlay (undecided), DeAnna Kern of Findlay (undecided), Stephanie Mancino of Rawson (photography), Dana Mangas of Leipsic (early childhood education and accounting), Duangkamol Pattanakul of Findlay (undecided), Jenna Powell of Mount Cory (pre-physical therapist assistant), Barry Rosen of Findlay (undecided), Elijah Routzon of Findlay (photography) and Terri Wagner of New Riegel (commercial art).

Admission to the Fall Student Art Exhibition and the Owens Findlay-area Campus Library is free and open to the public. From Dec. 4-13, the Library will be open Monday-Thursday from 8 a.m. – 7 p.m., Fridays from 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Library hours from Dec. 14-21 will be Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. For additional information, contact the College’s Library at (567) 429-3076 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 3076.

Owens Welcomes Al Petteway and Amy White in ‘Winter Tidings’ Concert, Nov. 29

Posted on November 19th, 2007

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Owens Community College will usher in the holiday season as nationally-acclaimed folk artists Al Petteway and Amy White bring their Celtic-inspired melodies to the Center for Fine and Performing Arts in a “Winter Tidings” concert on Thursday, Nov. 29.

The concert will be held in the Center for Fine and Performing Arts’ Mainstage Theatre at 8 p.m. Owens is located on Oregon Road in Perrysburg Township.

“Owens Community College is proud to welcome widely recognized and celebrated musical artists Al Petteway and Amy White to Northwest Ohio,” said Barbara Barkan, Owens Operations Manager for the Center for Fine and Performing Arts. “Their unique style and vast musical experience will appeal to all performance attendees, especially those who enjoy the rich sounds of acoustic music.”

The husband and wife duo began performing together in 1995 and won the Washington Area Music Association Award (WAMMIE) for Best New Artist that same year. Since then, they have won well over three-dozen WAMMIE awards (including Folk-Traditional Duo, New Age Duo and Irish/Celtic Duo), five Maryland State Arts Council awards and the 2001 Indie Award for Acoustic Instrument from the Association for Independent Music, among many other accolades. Also, in 2004, Petteway was honored with a Grammy Award for the Best Pop Instrumental Album.

The music of Petteway and White is a blend of folk, Celtic and New Age, interfused with their passion for the Appalachian Mountains. Among the many instruments they utilize are the acoustic guitar, mandolin, piano, Irish bouzouki and world percussion. During their concerts, they are known for winning the hearts of their audiences by sharing the vibrant stories of the places and things that inspire their culturally-enriched music.

The upcoming concert at the College’s Center for Fine and Performing Arts will feature an array of music from their latest album, “Winter Tidings” (2006). In addition to the “Winter Tidings” album, Petteway and White have recorded “Land of the Sky” (2005), “Acoustic Journey” (2004) and “Gratitude” (2001), among others. They also each have several solo albums to their names, in addition to their many albums as a duo.

The Owens performance will feature many holiday classics as well as several original pieces in a multi-media presentation that will also contain the photography of Petteway and White. Petteway previously worked for National Geographic for many years and they are both avid photographers of nature. Many of their pictures are of the nature and scenery that surrounds their home in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina and of the Appalachian Mountains, where they formerly lived. Photographs of the Appalachian winter will accompany the musical holiday sounds.

In addition to the “Winter Tidings” concert, Al Petteway will provide a free workshop where attendees can learn contemporary techniques for fingerstyle acoustic guitar in DADGAD tuning. The free workshop will occur from 12:30-1:15 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 29 in the Mainstage Theatre.

Tickets for Al Petteway and Amy White’s “Winter Tidings” concert are $20 for the general public, $18 for senior citizens, and $16 for Owens students and employees. To purchase tickets, visit www.owens.edu or contact the College’s Box Office. For more information about this event, contact the Center for Fine and Performing Arts at (567) 661-2787 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. ARTS (2787).

Owens Center for Fine and Performing Arts Hosts Annual Fall Art Sale, Nov. 29

Posted on November 16th, 2007

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Area residents will have the unique opportunity to purchase masterful artwork created by students and employees at Owens Community College as the Center for Fine and Performing Arts hosts the third annual Fall Art Sale on Thursday, Nov. 29.

The art sale, which will feature works from more than 30 Owens students and employees, will occur in the College’s Center for Fine and Performing Arts Rotunda from 9 a.m. – 7:30 p.m. Owens is located on Oregon Road in Perrysburg Township.

“Owens’ Center for Fine and Performing Arts is proud to provide employees and students with an opportunity to make their art available for purchase to the general public,” said Wynn Perry, Owens Part-time Manager of the Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery. “The Fall Art Sale is a great venue for Owens students to display their accomplished artistic pieces, enabling them to showcase the knowledge obtained within the classroom in a real world setting.”

Perry added, “The artistic expressions are extremely individualized and reflect the unique creative ability of each student artist.”

Owens’ Fall Art Sale will feature various artworks, including ceramics, jewelry, paintings and photography created by students. The College’s faculty and staff will also have various artistic expressions on hand for purchase. Additionally, there will be a studio area in which Owens’ photography instructors will take holidays pictures for interested individuals.

The event is free and area residents are encouraged to attend. For additional information about the art sale, contact the Center for Fine and Performing Arts at (567) 661-2721 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 2721.

Owens Center for Fine and Performing Arts Presents Free Screening of ‘The Secret of Roan Inish’, Nov. 18

Posted on November 7th, 2007

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – The fantasy world of adventure and intrigue awaits area residents at Owens Community College as the Center for Fine and Performing Arts presents a free screening of the family film “The Secret of Roan Inish” on Sunday, Nov. 18.

The free screening, which is occurring as part of a collaborative effort between the Center for Fine and Performing Arts’ Family Fun Sundays and the College’s World Cultures Film Series, will take place in the Mainstage Theatre at 2 p.m. The event is sponsored in part by WGTE Public Broadcasting and WRVF-FM 101.5 The River. Owens is located on Oregon Road in Perrysburg Township.

Directed by John Sayles, “The Secret of Roan Inish” tells a story about a young Irish girl named Fiona who is sent to live with her grandparents in the small fishing village of Donegal, Ireland. Upon her arrival in Donegal, she discovers a fantasy world of intrigue and adventure highlighted by the folklore of Selkie, a seal who can turn into a human.

The film, which was initially released in Canada at the Toronto Film Festival in 1994, has been nominated for various awards and honors. “The Secret of Roan Inish” received the International Critics Award from the GÈrardmer Film Festival (GÈrardmer, France) in 1996.

Owens’ showing of “The Secret of Roan Inish” is taking place in conjunction with the College’s International Education Week celebration. For more information about this event, contact the Center for Fine and Performing Arts at (567) 661-2787 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. ARTS (2787).

Duquesne University’s Tamburitzans to Perform at Owens, Nov. 11

Posted on November 5th, 2007

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Music and dances of Eastern Europe and neighboring cultures will abound at Owens Community College’s Center for Fine and Performing Arts as the internationally acclaimed Duquesne University Tamburitzans bring their array of color, sound and movement to the Mainstage Theatre on Sunday, Nov. 11.

Tamburitzans’ performance, which will occur in conjunction with the College’s International Education Week celebration, begins at 7 p.m. Owens’ Center for Fine and Performing Arts is located on Oregon Road in Perrysburg Township.

“Owens Community College is thrilled to present the masterful sounds and dances of Duquesne University’s internationally known Tamburitzans,” said Barbara Barkan, Owens Operations Manager for the Center for Fine and Performing Arts. “The Tamburitzans showcase a wide range of Eastern European culture and history in their performances, highlighted by the various costumes, intricately embroidered textiles and dazzling accessories. The Eastern European culture and history, combined with the unique music and dance selections will make for an enjoyable and enriching time for all attendees.”

The Tamburitzans were founded in 1937 at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh and are recognized as the longest running live-stage production of their kind in the United States. The name “Tamburitzan” comes from the “tamburitza”, which is a stringed folk instrument used in the type of music that is played throughout the student group’s performances. The Tamburitzans consists of students from the university who display exceptional talents in singing, dancing and musical demonstration. Since each Tamburitzan is a student, the troupe’s touring occurs on weekends and during school breaks.

The Tamburitzans have provided entertainment throughout the United States as well as around the world. Throughout the group’s history, their talents have been displayed in many places, including theatres, town halls, colleges and universities, and high schools. Their vast performing experience also includes 10 international tours, where they have delighted audiences in countries such as France, Bulgaria, Italy, Poland, Romania and Latin America, among others.

Their two-part show is a virtual journey filled with brilliant color, sound and movement. Over 500 costumes are utilized throughout the Eastern European-influenced production. The Tamburitzans introduce a new program every performing season and average 80 shows each year, ensuring audiences a fresh, new perspective on European culture. Among the many songs and dances being demonstrated this season are “Moja Tamburica” (an ensemble native to Croatia), “Mici, Mici, Micika” (an instrumental ensemble native to Slovenia) and “Polyanka” (a dance ensemble native to Russia).

Tickets for the Tamburitzans are $23 for the public, $21 for senior citizens, and $18 for Owens employees and students. To purchase tickets, visit www.owens.edu or contact the College’s Box Office. For more information about this event, contact the Center for Fine and Performing Arts at (567) 661-2787 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. ARTS (2787).

Owens Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery Welcomes Interactive “Make Art” Exhibit, Nov. 5 – Dec. 15

Posted on October 31st, 2007

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Owens Community College’s Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery continues its art exhibition season with the presentation of “Make Art”, an interactive art exhibit that allows the audience to participate in the creation and continuation of the artistic display, Nov. 5 – Dec. 15.

In addition, the College will continue with its “Not-So-Starving Artist” lecture series with an insightful artistic discussion by Barbara Lee Furbush on Thursday, Nov. 8 at 7 p.m. in the Center for Fine and Performing Arts Room 111. A welcoming reception for “Make Art” will immediately follow in the Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery. Owens’ Center for Fine and Performing Arts is located on Oregon Road in Perrysburg Township.

“Owens Community College is excited to offer the community this fascinating interactive exhibit, composed of some very highly acclaimed artists, in the Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery,” said Wynn Perry, Owens Part-Time Manager of the Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery. “Area residents and students are invited and encouraged to play an active role in the displays, which is a different take on viewing artwork. This interactive process allows the audience to be more involved in the art, creating a fun, memorable experience that they will not soon forget.”

Among the various “Make Art” displays is “Encounters” by Bowling Green State University faculty Bonnie Mitchell and Elainie Lillios. This exhibit invites the viewer to be immersed in an artificially simulated environment of digital art and reflective music. Within this work of art the participant is encouraged to contemplate, relax and be enlightened.

Also included in the exhibit is Columbus artist Amy Young’s “Digestive Table”. Viewers are invited to take an active part in this display while learning about the ecosystem’s digestive structure. Table scraps and leftovers are fed to worms and sow bugs and the results are available for all to see. The “Digestive Table” allows the audience to see what is happening as the worms fertilize the earth and engage in creating an artistic piece that assists in teaching about and protecting the environment.

Visitors to “Make Art” can also participate in an interactive mirror fashioned by New York artist Daniel Rozin, play with digital butterflies designed by Austin, Texas, artist Zach Booth Simpson and take part in the universal game “Gossip”, created by Los Angeles artist Barbara Lee Furbush, in which viewers will be able to connect with people who previously visited the game.

Admission to the Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery is free and open to the public from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday-Friday, from 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. on Thursday and from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. on Saturday. For additional information about this exhibit, contact the Center for Fine and Performing Arts at (567) 661-2721 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 2721.

Owens Findlay-area Campus Library Gallery Presents Fiber Art Display, Nov. 3-29

Posted on October 29th, 2007

FINDLAY, OH – Owens Community College’s Findlay-area Campus presents the varied world of fiber art in the Library Gallery’s latest artistic display as Perrysburg resident Phyllis Petrovich showcases her French knot tapestries and freeform fiber artwork, Nov. 3-29.

In addition, the College will host a welcoming reception for Petrovich’s exhibit on Tuesday, Nov. 13 from 5-7 p.m. During the reception, there will be an interactive artistic discussion in which Petrovich will discuss the technique and inspiration behind her artwork. The Owens Findlay-area Campus Library Gallery is located on Bright Road in Findlay.

“Owens Community College welcomes area residents to go beyond two dimensions into the diverse world of Phyllis Petrovich’s fiber art,” said Gail McCain, Owens Findlay-area Campus Library Manager. “Phyllis Petrovich utilizes many different materials in her artwork and enjoys making art with creative techniques such as the French knot. Fiber art encompasses a broad range of artwork and includes a wide variety of colors and materials in all its tactile and intuitive forms. Visitors to the Library Gallery display will enjoy seeing the array of colors and techniques and how they are interwoven into Petrovich’s masterful creations.”

When Petrovich returned to school for a second bachelor’s degree in fine arts, she intended to pursue painting as a major. After attending a mandatory class in fiber arts, Petrovich decided that fiber art was her new educational route and passion. The use of organic materials in artwork intrigued her and she later graduated from Bowling Green State University with a bachelor’s degree in fine arts with three-dimensional concentration in fibers.

Since expanding her knowledge within fiber arts, Petrovich has had her artwork displayed at Bowling Green State University Firelands The Little Gallery and at the Mac Worthington Gallery in Columbus.

Petrovich specializes in French knot tapestries, which is the focal point of her Library Gallery display. She was first inspired by pointillism, the technique of painting large dots that form a picture when viewed from a distance. However, when the picture is viewed up close, it simply looks like a bunch of strategically placed dots. Since Petrovich specialized in fiber arts, she began to create pointillist “paintings” composed entirely of French knots.

Fiber art refers to any type of artwork that is made of fibrous material, which includes quilting and crocheting, but also more modern forms of artwork, such as Petrovich’s French knot tapestries and freeform artworks. Petrovich’s fiber art technique focuses on the use of hand-dyed materials, which are often painted, stitched and arranged into a pattern. The use of repetition is frequently seen in her work as well as the use of experimental materials such as plastic wrap, window screen and used dryer sheets, among other household discards. Petrovich enjoys combing through hardware stores to find new, durable items for her artwork.

Owens Center for Fine and Performing Arts Presents Silent Horror Film ‘Nosferatu’ to Live Modern Soundtrack, Oct. 26

Posted on October 16th, 2007

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Area residents are invited to begin their Halloween festivities a few days early as Owens Community College’s Center for Fine and Performing Arts presents the silent-era horror film classic “Nosferatu” on Friday, Oct. 26. The film will be shown in the Mainstage Theatre at 8 p.m.

In addition, the musical group Blue Dahlia will be adding to moviegoers’ suspenseful experience by providing their own unique sounds and musical talents to the 1922 silent film. Owens’ Center for Fine and Performing Arts is located on Oregon Road in Perrysburg Township.

Residing in Kalamazoo, Mich., Blue Dahlia is a unique musical group that uses the genre of world music, combined with their own style, to bring new life to classic silent films through modern film-scoring techniques. The group’s overall mission is to revive classic silent films by adding a modern score and thereby making the films more contemporary to audiences. Using a broad range of instrumentation and style, Blue Dahlia incorporates bass and electric guitars, percussion, dulcimers, mandolins, flutes, and saxophones, among other instruments, into their repertoire of over 10 enhanced silent films. Varying in emotional tenor from slapstick romantic comedies to drama and horror, Blue Dahlia’s intricately orchestrated works are intended to forge connections with classic films across generations and cultures.

The five-member quintet of Derek Menchinger, Carolyn Koebel, Leslie Boughton, Levi Strickland and Cara Lieurance has showcased their musical talents in art museums, colleges and universities, and festivals nationwide for over a decade.

The silent movie “Nosferatu” draws heavily on the lore of Bram Stoker’s well-known novel “Dracula”. While no longer considered scary by today’s standards, the 1922 silent horror film still retains much of its original thrill. The still-creepy lure is preserved by the oddly angled architecture in the film, and superimposed and negative images, which are enhanced by the musical accompaniment of Blue Dahlia.

Tickets are $10 for the general public. To purchase tickets visit www.owens.edu or contact the College’s Box Office. For more information, contact the Center for Fine and Performing Arts at (567) 661-2787 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 2787.

Owens Center for Fine and Performing Arts Welcomes Shakespearean-influenced Comedy, Oct. 18

Posted on October 8th, 2007

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Community members are invited to receive a dose of hilarity at Owens Community College as the Center for Fine and Performing Arts presents “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)” on Thursday, Oct. 18.

The world-renowned theatrical comedy will begin at 7:30 p.m. in the Mainstage Theatre. Owens’ Toledo-area Campus is located on Oregon Road in Perrysburg Township.

“Owens Community College is very excited to welcome ‘The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)’ and their talented actors and gifted comedians in this sensational production,” said Barbara Barkan, Owens Operations Manager for the Center for Fine and Performing Arts. “The hilarious antics and rollicking fun will appeal to individuals of all ages. Even people who are not Shakespeare enthusiasts will enjoy and appreciate this production because of the wit and humor and how the actors engage audience attendees.”

Written by the Reduced Shakespeare Company, “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)” features three actors performing 37 of Shakespeare’s plays and 154 sonnets (all of which are packed into a production that is less than two hours). The play creates a new, comedic twist on Shakespeare’s work by incorporating modern methods into his time-honored compositions. For example, “Othello” is portrayed in a hip-hop song, while the other plays and sonnets are conveyed through the unlikely mediums of football, swordplay and a cooking show, among other things.

The Reduced Shakespeare Company is known worldwide, performing its variety of shows in 17 different countries and at notable venues such as the White House, The Kennedy Center and the American Repertory Theatre, as well as various arts festivals in countries that include Ireland, Australia, Israel and Japan.

“The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)” has been recognized as the longest running comedy in London, boasting almost 10 years of performances in London’s Criterion Theatre. The off-Broadway version (which will be featured in this production) of the play opened in 2001 and has since been performed worldwide in community and regional theatres.

The actors performing “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)” at Owens will be Tim Eliot, Matthew Quinn, and Bowling Green native and Otsego High School graduate Josh Mertz.

Tickets for “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)” are $20 for adults, $18 for seniors and $16 for Owens students. To purchase tickets, visit www.owens.edu or contact the College’s Box Office. For more information about this event, contact the Center for Fine and Performing Arts at (567) 661-2787 or 1-800-GO-OWENS Ext. ARTS (2787).

Owens Community College Cancels Golden Dragon Acrobats Performance

Posted on October 3rd, 2007

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – The internationally acclaimed Golden Dragon Acrobats performance rescheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 13 in the Owens Community College Center for Fine and Performing Arts is canceled.

For more information, contact the College’s Center for Fine and Performing Arts at (567) 661-2787 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 2787.

Owens Community College Presents Internationally Known Jazz Artist Michael Kaeshammer, Oct. 7

Posted on September 28th, 2007

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – The dynamic sound of “boogie-woogie” will invade Northwest Ohio as Owens Community College’s Center for Fine and Performing Arts unveils its 2007-08 Presenting Arts Season with a solo performance by internationally known Canadian artist Michael Kaeshammer on Sunday, Oct. 7. This show will also mark the debut performance for Owens’ new Steinway Baby Grand piano. The concert will begin at 7:30 p.m. in the Studio Theatre.

Also, area residents are invited to attend a special post concert reception featuring Kaeshammer at the show’s conclusion. Owens’ Toledo-area Campus is located on Oregon Road in Perrysburg Township.

The College’s new Baby Grand piano was made by Steinway and Sons, the standard leaders in piano craftsmanship since 1853. Steinway and Sons’ handcrafted pianos are known for taking a year to complete because of the quality and care devoted to the masterful crafting of each piano. The pianos are considered by prestigious musicians and schools to be among the best musical instruments in the world.

“Owens Community College is excited to have Michael Kaeshammer showcase the potential of our new Steinway Baby Grand piano,” said Eric Wallack, Owens Chair of Fine and Performing Arts. “Having a tool such as this world-class concert quality piano at the College will complement the classroom and augment our musical program in a way that will be exceptionally beneficial to our students.”

Wallack added, “A piano of this quality is extremely rare among community colleges nationwide and Owens Community College is proud to provide our fine and performing arts students with experiential learning opportunities at the highest level.”

Known for dazzling speed and delicate tickling of the ivories, Kaeshammer was trained in the classical piano, but after hearing the boogie-woogie piano for the first time at age 13, his devotion quickly changed as he found his niche in the upbeat style of jazz (comparable to blues and ragtime).

Thus far in his early career, Kaeshammer has performed widely in the United States and Canada, both as a solo artist and with other artists at numerous jazz and blues festivals. In addition, his current tour includes performing at the Maison de la Culture d’Arion in Arlon, Belgium and at the Reithalle in Offenburg, Germany.

Kaeshammer’s masterful sounds have garnered international music acclaim, highlighted by two JUNO Award nominations and West Coast Music Awards for Male Artist of the Year, Performer of the Year and Musician of the Year. His four award-winning, full-length albums are “Blue Keys” (1996), “Tell You How I Feel” (1998), “No Strings Attached” (2000) and “Strut” (2004).

Tickets for Michael Kaeshammer are $20 for the concert. To purchase tickets, visit www.owens.edu or contact the College’s Box Office. For more information about this event, contact the Center for Fine and Performing Arts at (567) 661-2787 or 1-800-GO-OWENS Ext. ARTS (2787).

Owens Findlay-area Campus Features Transparent Watercolor Art Display, Oct. 1-26

Posted on September 24th, 2007

FINDLAY, OH – Owens Community College’s Findlay-area Campus opens its second art exhibit of the academic year with Findlay resident Janealla Smalley’s colorful display of transparent watercolor paintings. The art exhibit, which will be on display Oct. 1-26 in the Findlay-area Campus’ Library Gallery, highlights Smalley’s delicate technique and shows her appreciation for children, nature and the qualities of natural light.

In addition, the College will host a welcoming reception and artistic discussion for Smalley on Wednesday, Oct. 10 from 6-8 p.m. Smalley will discuss topics such as her technique, experience and inspiration as an artist. The Owens Findlay-area Campus is located on Bright Road in Findlay.

“Janealla Smalley has the gift of expression in her watercolors,” said Gail McCain, Library Manager for Owens’ Findlay-area Campus. “There is never a need to explain what her paintings are about – the meaning is unfailingly clear and understandable. Visitors to the Library Gallery display will enjoy seeing the interplay between technique and topic in her watercolors.”

McCain added, “The keynote (or stroke) of Smalley’s naturalistic artwork is her talent in combining the light-filled medium of watercolor with nature or children, allowing her viewers to relive their favorite sunny childhood moments.”

For over 35 years, Smalley has combined two things that she loves – art and teaching. She has taught art in six different schools and is the Education Director for the Findlay Art League. She currently serves as the Art Teacher at Fostoria St. Wendelin High School, a position she has held for 24 years. Smalley has received numerous awards and much recognition for her art and teaching abilities, including a Golden Apple Award nomination, a place in “Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers”, and, on the artistic side, the Scholastic Art Award and the Most Realistic Painting Award from the Findlay Art League.

Her work has been on display at Marietta College, Tiffin University, the Findlay Art League Gallery and the State Teachers Retirement System of Ohio Art Exhibition, among other places. Smalley also has affiliations with the Ohio Art Education Association and the Ohio Watercolor Society. In addition, she has a studio in the Jones Building in downtown Findlay, where she makes her artwork available to the public.

Admission to the Library Gallery is free and open to the public. The Library hours are Monday-Thursday from 8 a.m. – 7 p.m., Fridays from 8 – 4:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. For more information, contact the Library at (567) 429-3076 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 3076.

Owens Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery Showcases ‘Allegory and Life’ Sculptures Exhibit, Sept. 21 – Oct. 27

Posted on September 7th, 2007

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Unconventional materials often found in flea markets and scrap yards will serve as the focal point of Owens Community College’s latest art exhibit as the Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery welcomes Al Honig and his array of thought-provoking sculptures. The internationally recognized artist’s exhibition titled “Allegory and Life” will appear, Sept. 21 – Oct. 27.

Honig will continue the College’s season-long “Not-So-Starving Artist” Lecture Series on Thursday, Sept. 20 at 7 p.m. The lecture highlighting his unique artwork in a slideshow retrospective will be given in the Center for Fine and Performing Arts Room 111. Lectures in this series are free and open to the public.

In addition, Owens will be hosting an opening reception for the artist immediately following the lecture in the Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery. The Gallery is located in Owens’ Center for Fine and Performing Arts on the Toledo-area Campus in Perrysburg Township.

“Owens Community College is pleased to host such a unique, profound and thought-provoking artist as Al Honig,” said Wynn Perry, Owens Part-Time Manager of the Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery. “His sculptures reflect his witty sense of humor, which creates both an entertaining and enjoyable experience for exhibit viewers.”

Honig has been displaying his sculptures for over 25 years and has exhibited his work extensively throughout California, as well as in numerous other states nationwide. Honig, who lives and works in San Francisco, Calif., has also showcased his masterful artistic work worldwide highlighted by appearances at the Museum of Art and Technology in Rheims, France and at the Museum of Modern Art in Thessaloniki, Greece.

In order to create his artwork, Honig selects materials often regarded as less than desirable due to age or condition. Items are chosen for his artistic expressions are chosen based on their design, condition and price, pursuing form over function to create the overall aesthetic of a completed structure. He often takes the things he discovers and uses them to create sculptures based on his interpretations of life situations or various objects or ideas. Honig has made collections of his work featuring things such as lanterns and robots, as well as forming more abstract collections such as “Allegory and Life”, which highlights ideals and moral principles based on his observations and suppositions of human behavior.

Admission to the Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery is free and open to the public from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday-Friday, from 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. on Thursdays and from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. on Saturdays. For additional information about this exhibit, contact the Center for the Fine and Performing Arts at 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 2721 or (567) 661-2721.

World-Renowned Harpist Alfredo Rolando Ortiz to Perform at Owens Center for Fine and Performing Arts, Sept. 9

Posted on August 27th, 2007

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Area residents will have the unique opportunity to experience the music of a world-renowned harpist as Alfredo Rolando Ortiz performs at Owens Community College’s Center for Fine and Performing Arts on Sunday, Sept. 9. The public is encouraged to attend the free concert, which is sponsored by the Northwest Ohio Chapter of the American Harp Society, at 7 p.m. in the Mainstage Theatre.

Ortiz’s musical presentation of Latino serenades will include many of fan favorites, including “You Belong to My Heart” and “BÈsame Mucho”, among others. In addition to the concert, Ortiz will be giving several instructional harp workshops and classes on Sunday afternoon from 1-5 p.m. in the Center for Fine and Performing Arts. Owens’ Toledo-area Campus is located on Oregon Road in Perrysburg Township.

“Alfredo Rolando Ortiz is an accomplished harpist who has received international recognition for his dexterity with the Paraguayan harp,” said Denise Grupp-Verbon, Owens Adjunct Faculty member and Board member of the Northwest Ohio Chapter of the American Harp Society. “He has been the featured soloist at multiple distinguished musical performances worldwide, including the International Folk Harp Conference. The Northwest Ohio Chapter of the American Harp Society is proud to partner with Owens Community College and present the musical sounds of a masterful harpist.”

Ortiz began studying the Venezuelan folk harp shortly after his family moved to Venezuela from Cuba. Before long, he moved to Columbia to study medicine, however, continued to perform and record harp music while practicing medicine. After he started a family, Ortiz abandoned a career in health care to pursue his true passion – the harp.

Since that time, Ortiz has become an internationally known harpist whose area of expertise lies with the Paraguayan harp. He has performed all over the world, including in the Czech Republic, Austria, Scotland, Japan, South America and in nearly every region of the United States. Ortiz has not been content to merely perform and compose his masterful sounds, but also includes educational teaching in his profession. He presently gives private lessons and administers public workshops worldwide.

Ortiz has recorded over 40 albums, which feature a great deal of musical variety, during his distinguished career as a harpist. One of his albums, “De Colores” (2002), is a trio venture with his two daughters. Another of his albums, “South American Suite for Harp and Orchestra” (2000), is a recording of a suite that Ortiz began composing in 1993. This five movement suite, which some consider to be his masterpiece, has been performed with orchestras worldwide, including at the Word Harp Congress in Prague, Czech Republic. He also has many solo albums to his credit, including “Serenata” (1997) and “Forever Favorites” (1992). In addition to his albums, Ortiz has written several books containing harp music for all levels and he has made two instructional harp videos.

For more information about Ortiz’s free performance or the workshops, call (567) 661-2787 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. ARTS (2787).

Owens Postpones Golden Dragon Acrobats Performance Originally Scheduled for Sept. 15

Posted on August 27th, 2007

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – The internationally acclaimed Golden Dragon Acrobats performance originally scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 15 at 8 p.m. in the Owens Community College Center for Fine and Performing Arts has been postponed. The Golden Dragon Acrobats will appear at the Center for Fine and Performing Arts in February 2008. An exact date is yet to be determined.

For more information, contact the College’s Center for Fine and Performing Arts at (567) 661-2787 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 2787.

Owens Findlay-area Campus Features Photography Display, Aug. 23 – Sept. 27

Posted on August 22nd, 2007

FINDLAY, OH – Owens Community College Findlay-area Campus welcomes its 2007-08 arts exhibition season with people and places taking center stage in the Library Gallery. The first show, open Aug. 23 – Sept. 27, features the photography of Findlay resident and Owens employee Dr. Jason Tetzloff.

In addition, the College will host a reception for Tetzloff in which he will discuss photography and his travels on Tuesday, Sept. 11 from 4:30-6 p.m. The reception, which is free and open to the public, will take place in the Findlay-area Campus Library Gallery. Owens is located on Bright Road in Findlay.

“Jason Tetzloff is an extremely talented and accomplished photographer,” said Gail McCain, Owens Library Manager for the Findlay-area Campus. “The Owens Findlay-area Campus is proud to introduce the 2007-08 arts exhibition season with these vivid, dramatic works of a local masterful photographer. Guests who visit the Library Gallery will certainly be captivated by the crisp focus, immediacy and real-life imagery.”

Tetzloff specifically enjoys photographing people and places. Traveling is his avocation and he has advantageously used his many travels around Europe, including the countries of Czech Republic, France and England, to capture the various locales he encounters with his camera. Tetzloff’s work has been described by others as down-to-earth as well as extremely artistic, resulting from his abundant use of color in certain photographs. He also mixes shadow and light in others, forming crisp, spacious, refreshing photographic expressions.

Tetzloff has served as the Chair of the School of Arts and Sciences on the Findlay-area Campus since 2005. In addition to his administrative responsibilities, he provides student instruction in the areas of photojournalism and photography at the College. Prior to serving as Arts and Sciences Chair at Owens, Tetzloff held higher education positions at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, Defiance College and Purdue University. In addition to his broad career in higher education, he also served as an accomplished photojournalist for more than a decade at Eau Claire Press Company in Eau Claire, Wisc. His professional involvement includes membership with the American Historical Society and the National Press Photographer’s Association.

Not only does Tetzloff teach photography, but he also works as a freelance photographer for various community organizations. In addition to his current exhibition in the Library Gallery at the College’s Findlay-area Campus, his photography has been showcased at the University of Findlay’s The 1124 Gallery. He is also involved with the Findlay Art League and has served as a judge for one of the community organization’s photography shows.

Ken Thompson’s ‘Other Works’ Exhibit Opens Owens’ 2007-08 Arts Exhibition Season, Aug. 13 – Sept. 15

Posted on August 6th, 2007

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Owens Community College’s 2007-08 Arts Exhibition Season will begin with a presentation of stone and metal sculptures by acclaimed local artist Ken Thompson in the Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery. The one-person exhibit titled “Other Works” will showcase an array of pieces, created by Thompson in his Blissfield, Mich., art studio, Aug. 13 – Sept. 15.

In addition, the College will host a closing reception for the artist from 6-8 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 14. The Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery is located in Owens’ Center for Fine and Performing Arts on the Toledo-area Campus in Perrysburg Township.

Thompson will also provide a lecture highlighting details of his artistic process as Owens launches the new “Not-So-Starving Artist” Lecture Series on Thursday, Sept. 13. The lecture will begin at 7 p.m. in the Center for Fine and Performing Arts Room 111. Lectures in this series are free and open to the public.

“Owens Community College is proud to host such a dynamic artist and his work in what I would consider a very contemporary exhibit,” said Wynn Perry, Owens Part-Time Manager of the Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery. “Ken Thompson’s sculptures present the viewer with strong artistic forms where the positive and negative spaces are of equal importance. The presence of these powerful sculptures will certainly create a very unique experience for all Gallery visitors.”

Thompson has been making masterful sculptures for over 25 years out of his car dealership turned studio in Blissfield, Mich., where he currently operates Flatlanders Sculpture Supply and Art Galleries. Thompson is well versed in bronze casting, metal fabrication and stone cutting, and his sculptures using these various techniques have made appearances in a myriad of venues throughout the Midwest, including the Toledo Museum of Art, the South Bend (Ind.) Regional Museum of Art and the Ella Sharp Museum of Art and History in Jackson, Mich.

In addition to smaller works for galleries and museums, the major focus of Thompson’s work during the last 13 years has been on large-scale public sculpture with commissions such as the Viet Nam Peace Arch for the city of Toledo in honor of Vietnam War veterans, the Founders’ Arch for Ohio Wesleyan University in Delaware and the Reclamation Archway for Blue Cross/Blue Shied in Detroit, among others.

Admission to the Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery is free and open to the public from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday-Friday, from 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. on Thursdays and from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. on Saturdays. For more information about the 2007-08 Arts Exhibition Season, contact the Center for Fine and Performing Arts at (567) 661-2721 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 2721.

International, National and Local Community Performers Scheduled at Owens’ Center for Fine and Performing Arts in 2007-08

Posted on July 23rd, 2007

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Owens Community College’s Center for Fine and Performing Arts will raise the curtain with an array of events scheduled throughout the 2007-08 Presenting Arts Season. Music, dance and theatre artists from around the globe, including several local and regional standouts, will perform a variety of shows and concerts.

Direct from Hebei, China, the Golden Dragon Acrobats will bring their death-defying drops and internationally acclaimed acrobatics showcase to Owens as the kickoff event for the 2007-08 season schedule on Sept. 15. Marking 29 consecutive years of entertaining audiences worldwide, the Golden Dragon Acrobats have performed in all 50 states and over 65 countries, and are regarded as one of the premier acrobatic acts around. Hot on the Acrobats’ heels is the Canadian jazz and boogie-woogie pianist Michael Kaeshammer, who will perform at Owens on Oct. 7.

“From China to New York City, Owens Community College’s 2007-08 presenting season features the sights and sounds of gifted and cutting edge performing artists who will entertain, enrich and uplift audiences,” said Barbara Barkan, Owens Operations Manager for the Center for Fine and Performing Arts. “The Center for Fine and Performing Arts is pleased to once again connect artists and audiences through performances that reach out to the campus and our surrounding communities.”

The College presenting season will once again feature a Family Fun Sunday series of four performances designed to provide fun and entertainment to individuals of all ages, sponsored in part by WGTE Public Broadcasting and WRVF-FM 101.5 The River. The series will kick off with a screening of the fantasy family film “The Secret of Roan Inish” on Nov. 18. “Masked Marvels and Other Wondertales”, a one-man show by Michael Cooper that showcases several fanciful masks handcrafted by the performer, will serve as the second performance on Jan. 27. A musical retelling of the Snow White story titled “The Many Adventures of Snow White” will be presented as the third performance in the series on Feb. 3. Finally, children will be exposed to two languages simultaneously as the classic children’s book “James and the Giant Peach” by Roald Dahl is presented by Sign Stage on Tour in a performance that will feature American Sign Language onstage in addition to spoken dialogue in English. “James and the Giant Peach” will be presented on March 30.

In addition, the College will offer two additional performance packages this season. The Culture Club series features three multicultural performances: The Golden Dragon Acrobats (Sept. 15), the colorful review of the music, songs and dances of Eastern Europe by the Tamburitzans of Duquesne University (Nov. 11) and the Celtic comedy group the Tartan Terrors in a performance titled “Dressed To Kilt” (March 14). The Singular Sensations series showcases three rising stars on the national music scene: modern music ensemble Blue Dahlia will create ambient sounds to complement the silent horror film classic “Nosferatu” (Oct. 26), Grammy-award winning guitarist Al Petteway and Amy White will perform holiday classics, original and Celtic inspired melodies in “Winter Tidings” (Nov. 29) and John Gorka will make a return to Owens’ Mainstage Theatre and showcase his rich multi-faceted folk sounds (Feb. 15).

The 2007-08 Performing Arts season will also feature the smash off-Broadway comedy hit “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)”, where three actors take on the daunting task of performing 37 plays and 154 sonnets by William Shakespeare in less than 90 minutes, with hilarious results (Oct. 18). In addition, Klingon Klez will perform their unique style of traditional Jewish music called Klezmer mixed with funk and modern rock (Feb. 29).

Local community arts events will highlight the 2007-08 season as Owens collaborates with the Perrysburg Symphony Orchestra to co-present a holiday Halloween Scare-tacular Concert on Oct. 27 and a Young Artists/Side by Side Concert on May 3. The Toledo Repertoire will also make an appearance at Owens and present “Master Class” by Terrence McNally on Feb. 9.

In addition, Melodic Expressions will once again grace the College’s Center for Fine and Performing Arts theatres as Owens faculty and students showcase their musical talents, April 21-25. Owens fine and performing arts students will also put their acting skills on display as part of the College’s annual student theatrical production April 11-13 and 17-19.

All performing arts events will occur in Owens’ Mainstage Theatre on the Toledo-area Campus unless noted otherwise. Owens is located on Oregon Road in Perrysburg Township. For additional information about the College’s 2007-08 Presenting Arts Season schedule, contact the Center for Fine and Performing Arts at 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. ARTS (2787) or (567) 661-2787.

National and Local Sculptors to Display Work During Owens’ Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery 2007-08 Season

Posted on July 17th, 2007

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Owens Community College will welcome several local and national sculptors working with a diverse array of media to the Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery as the Center for Fine and Performing Arts unveils its 2007-08 Arts Exhibition Season on the Toledo-area Campus. The arts exhibition season will include a wide range of student, faculty and professional artists, with this year’s focus being on three dimensions.

“Owens Community College is proud to provide a marvelous exhibition gallery where local and national artists can express their artistic talents to the community,” said Wynn Perry, Owens Part-Time Manager of the Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery. “The College looks forward to another enriching season at the Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery where area residents will have the opportunity to experience an original and enlightening exposure to the arts.”

A one person show of stone and metal sculpture by highly accomplished area artist Ken Thompson will open the Gallery season from Aug. 13 – Sept. 15. In an exhibition titled “Other Work”, Thompson will display pieces created in his studio in Blissfield, Mich., where he also operates Flatlanders Sculpture Supply and Art Galleries. Known for his skills in large-scale sculpture, bronze casting, metal fabrication and stone carving, Thompson has been commissioned to create numerous public sculptures, including the Viet Nam Peace Arch for the city of Toledo in honor of Vietnam War veterans and the Reclamation Archway for Blue Cross/Blue Shield in Detroit, among others.

Several other exhibits are scheduled for the Gallery’s 2007-08 season. Beginning on Sept. 21, various discarded items such as strobe lights and beauty parlor equipment will be given new life within an exhibit featuring the artwork of Al Honig. A San Francisco artist who is nationally known for the unconventional materials used in his sculptures, Honig finds most of his materials at flea markets and scrap yards. Emphasizing form over function and creating pieces that present abstract ideas and moral principles, Honig’s sculptures are known for combining discarded materials into larger artistic expressions in ways that are arguably both witty and profound. Individuals can view his work as part of the exhibition titled “Allegory and Life”.

Starting on Nov. 5, Owens will present an innovative exhibit featuring artwork that thrives on the viewer’s participation titled “Make Art”. Whether gazing into New York artist Daniel Rozin’s interactive mirror, playing with butterflies created by Austin, Texas, artist Zach Booth Simpson or feeding worms to generate compost in Columbus artist Amy Young’s “Digestive Table”, this exhibit allows the viewer to impact the artwork featuring several acclaimed artists. In addition to the Owens Gallery appearance, “Make Art” will be on display at Ohio Northern University’s Elzay Gallery of Art from January 7-27 as part of a partnership with the College.

Another Owens exhibition season highlight will be the artwork of world-renowned artists Christo and Jeanne-Claude, opening on Feb. 18. Made internationally famous through their works such as “Wrapped Reichstag, Berlin 1971-95”, “The Umbrellas, Japan-United States 1984-91” and, most recently, “The Gates, Central Park, New York City 1979-2005”, Christo and Jeanne-Claude have been worldwide leaders in innovative and unconventional artistic expressions since the 1950s. The Christo and Jeanne-Claude exhibit will feature signed posters by the artists of preliminary drawings, collages and photographs of the completed works by photographer Wolfgang Volz. These posters are generously donated by the artists for purchase as part of a fundraiser to benefit the College.

Additionally, Owens faculty, staff and students will have the opportunity to present their visual art at the Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery. The “Faculty Art Exhibition” will take place Jan. 11 – Feb. 9, while the “Juried Student Art Exhibition” is scheduled for April 11 – May 1. Community arts group Prizm will also showcase artwork at the Gallery from May 19 – June 7.

The 2007-08 Arts Exhibition Season will conclude with a summer invitational exhibit featuring a number of area sculptors beginning in June. The exhibit titled “Area Sculpture: Inside Out” will showcase sculptures composed in metals, stone, ceramics, glass and wood. From small biomorphic-inspired ceramics to large scale carved marbles and cast bronzes, the “Area Sculpture: Inside Out” exhibition highlights sculpture from both a realistic and abstract vantage point.

In addition, several lectures will be offered throughout the exhibition season by artists whose work will be on display in the Gallery. This series of lectures titled “The Not-So-Starving Artist Lecture Series” will include presentations by Ken Thompson (Sept. 13, 7 p.m.), Al Honig (Sept. 20, 7 p.m.) and Barbara Lee Furbush (Nov. 8, 7 p.m.). The free lectures will occur in the Center for Fine and Performing Arts Room 111.

Admission to the Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery is free and open to the public from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. on Thursdays and from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. on Saturdays. For additional information about the College’s 2007-08 Arts Exhibition Season, contact the Center for Fine and Performing Arts at 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 2721 or (567) 661-2721.

Owens’ Center for Fine and Performing Arts Hosts American Harp Society Day Ensemble Concert, June 29

Posted on June 19th, 2007

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Area residents are encouraged to witness a unique ensemble performance featuring 23 harpists as Owens Community College hosts the tenth annual American Harp Society Day Ensemble Concert in the Center for Fine and Performing Arts Mainstage Theatre on Friday, June 29. The concert is free and begins at 7 p.m.

The event is the culmination of Harp Week, a weeklong series of ensemble rehearsals and practical application workshops sponsored in part by the Northwest Ohio Chapter of the American Harp Society and the Owens Center for Fine and Performing Arts. Harp Week is open to any harpist who has played for at least one year.

“The Northwest Ohio Chapter of the American Harp Society is very excited to bring this fun and dazzling performance to Owens for a third consecutive year,” said Denise Grupp-Verbon, Owens Adjunct Faculty member and co-founder of Harp Week. “This year’s concert will feature 23 harpists of various ages and diverse backgrounds. Attendees will not be disappointed with the musical variety and stylistic flourishes of this year’s presentation.”

Harpists ranging from beginners to professionals will be strumming both familiar and original tunes throughout the evening. Highlights will include “The Sound of Music”, “Danny Boy” and “The Swan”.

The American Harp Society was founded in 1962 in response to the growing needs of harpists as performers, teachers and students. Its mission is to encourage and cultivate the enjoyment of the harp as a musical instrument, to support the composition of the music and to advance the quality of ability for performing harpists. The society has flourished since its founding and now consists of more than 3,000 members with chapters throughout North America and South America.

The Northwest Ohio Chapter was established in the mid 1970s with the mission of preserving, promoting and presenting the harp and its music in the community. The chapter’s initiatives include promoting the study of the harp by providing scholarship opportunities and instruments and serving as a co-sponsor of Harp Week since its inception in 1998.

Individuals participating in Harp Week include Linda Ashton of Lawton, Okla., Denise Buenger of Holland, Maribeth Burns of Maumee, Emily Corey of Sylvania, Sande Corfman of Fremont, Elaine Covert of Northwood, Andrea Jeanette Darmahkasih of Sylvania, Denise Grupp-Verbon of Toledo (co-director), Gloria Heacock of Rossford, Alexandra Hogan of Defiance, Brianne Hogan of Defiance, Margeaux Leighton of Lambertville, Mich., Hannah Ludwig of Maumee, Nancy Lendrim of Sylvania (co-director), Jennifer Meehan of Toledo, Jo Lynn Messer of Tiffin, Sarah Modene of Perrysburg, Brigid Parent of Toledo, Coleen Powell of Defiance, Laura Smaling of The Woodlands, Texas, Ashley Smith of Maumee, Karen Svanoe Westgate of Fremont and Matt Wurzel of Northwood.

The American Harp Society Ensemble Day Concert is free and the public is encouraged to attend. For more information, contact the Center for Fine and Performing Arts at (567) 661-2787 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. ARTS (2787).

‘The Art of Industry’ Exhibit Featured at Owens’ Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery, June 18 – Aug. 2

Posted on June 11th, 2007

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – The innate beauty of modern industrial equipment and products will serve as the focal point of Owens Community College’s latest art exhibit in the Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery. The exhibit titled “The Art of Industry” will look at both form and function in the manufacturing process while paying tribute to the unusual beauty of Ohio’s industrial design, June 18 – Aug. 2.

In addition, the College will host a reception from 6-8 p.m. on Friday, June 22. The Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery is located in Owens’ Center for Fine and Performing Arts on the Toledo-area Campus.

“Owens Community College is excited to host this unconventional, modern and innovative exhibit that looks at both form and function in the development of the manufacturing process,” said Wynn Perry, Owens Part-time Manager of the Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery. “As a highly developed industrial state, Ohio is the home to much of the country’s industrial design. I encourage individuals to observe the many ways that art and industry intertwine.”

Several area manufacturing companies will showcase diagrams, blueprints, CAD drawings and other archival materials as part of this exhibit, highlighted by a mechanical robot from DaimlerChrysler Toledo Machining Plant in Perrysburg, a washing machine from Whirlpool Corp. in Clyde, a cutaway engine from National Machinery LLC in Tiffin and circuit boards from Imaging Systems Technology in Toledo.

Admission to the Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery is free and open to the public from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Monday-Thursday during the summer. For more information, contact the Center for Fine and Performing Arts at (567) 661-2721 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 2721.

Owens Child Care Center Artwork Showcased at Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery, May 18-24

Posted on May 8th, 2007

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH – Children attending Owens Community College’s Child Care Center will display their artistic qualities, creative impressions and imaginative masterpieces as part of the third annual Children’s Art Show, May 18-24. This year’s show will be held for the first time in Owens’ Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery.

In addition, the College will host an opening reception for the artists on Friday, May 18 from 6-8 p.m. in the Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery. Both the reception and exhibit are free and the public is encouraged to attend. The Owens Toledo-area Campus is located on Oregon Road in Perrysburg Township.

Young artists ages 4 months to 5 years old will showcase a variety of works, including multiple 3-D sculptures, paintings, drawings and self-portraits. The art exhibit is the culmination of a year of artistic training at the College’s Child Care Center.

“The Owens Child Care Center Children’s Art Show is an exciting and rewarding time to display the hard work and talents of our children,” said Maribeth Tercha, Owens Manager of the Child Care Center. “These young artists have been anxiously looking forward to showcasing their works of art to family, friends, teachers and the community.”

Tercha added, “Creating an artistic environment where children can express their interests and emotions is an excellent method to broaden a child’s insight and heighten cognitive development.”

The Children’s Art Show was inspired by the Reggio Emilia educational philosophy. The Owens Child Care instructors utilize the Reggio Emilia philosophy in their art curriculum, inviting the children’s interests to guide artistic creations. Books and other literature incorporated into the art education program influenced many of the masterpieces.

The mission of Owens’ Child Care Center is to provide quality child care for the children of employees, students and the surrounding communities. The program is devoted to enhancing the lives of children through developmentally appropriate curriculum, which is child centered.

Children enrolled in the Owens Child Care Center have the opportunity to interact with the College’s Early Childhood Education students, which provides opportunities for more individual attention. Owens students benefit through practical hands-on lab experiences that deepen their understanding about young children.

Admission to the Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery is free and open to the public, Monday-Thursday from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.. For more information about the Owens Child Care Center Children’s Art Show, call (567) 661-7404 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 7404.

Art Exhibition Highlights Student Work at Owens’ Findlay-area Campus, May 3-14

Posted on May 1st, 2007

The exhibit is free and the public is encouraged to attend. Owens’ Findlay-area Campus Library is located on Bright Road in Findlay.

“Owens’ Findlay-area Campus is delighted to feature the finest works of art produced by our students during the Spring Semester,” said Gail McCain, Owens Library Manager of the Findlay-area Campus. “The Library is very fortunate to draw on a multitude of talented Fine and Performing Arts student artists whose knowledge and skill is at a very high artistic level.”

McCain added, “These artistic expressions are extremely individualized and reflect the unique creative abilities of each student artist, making for a truly unique exhibit.”

The Spring Student Art Exhibition features artwork created by 10 student artists enrolled in the College’s “Fundamentals of Drawing” course, which is instructed by Louise Wineland, Owens Adjunct Faculty member for Fine and Performing Arts. In this course, students obtain experiential learning within various areas, including the study of object drawing, form organization, value, perspective, proportion and texture.

In addition, five student artists enrolled in the College’s “Foundations in 2D Design” course, instructed by Erika Clark, Owens Adjunct Faculty member for Fine and Performing Arts, will present their artistic expressions within the Library. In this course, students develop an understanding of basic studio art principles, critical skills and media manipulation, covering the topics of color theory and the use of two-dimensional space.

Students whose work will be displayed are Brody Cavitt of Findlay (undecided), Drew Dunnam of Findlay (commercial art technology), Korry Ewing of Carroll (physical therapist assistant), Nathan Foley of Findlay (fine art), Alexa Hess of Kenton (massage therapy), Edith Jones of Carey (commercial art technology), Danielle Kaple of Findlay (undecided), Dawn Otte of Bloomdale (accounting), Leah Passet of Wharton (dental hygiene), Christine Peiffer of Findlay (undecided), Mark Putnam of Mount Blanchard (undecided), Sarah Reese of Findlay (photography), Cynthia Schnipke of Ottawa (associate of arts, general concentration) and Suzanne Wilch of Findlay (photography).

For additional information, contact the College’s Library at (567) 429-3088 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 3088.

Owens Community College Family Fun Sundays Conclude With ‘The Rainbow Fish’, April 22

Posted on April 12th, 2007

Community members of all ages will have their imaginations captivated by one of the most beloved stories in children’s literature as Owens Community College concludes its series of Family Fun Sunday performances with “The Rainbow Fish” on Sunday, April 22. The College will host two performances of the family-based musical in the Center for Fine and Performing Arts’ Mainstage Theatre at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.

This musical by ArtsPower, one of America’s largest nonprofit producers of professional children’s theatre, is based on the best-selling children’s book by Marcus Pfister.

“Owens Center for Fine and Performing Arts is proud to provide an exciting and family-oriented afternoon of fun and entertainment featuring the performance of ‘The Rainbow Fish’,” said Barbara Barkan, Owens Operations Manager for the Center for Fine and Performing Arts. “The shimmering visuals, compelling storyline and catchy musical numbers will make for an unforgettable family event, complete with a meet and greet of the cast at the musical’s conclusion.”

Barkan added, “‘The Rainbow Fish’s’ tale will entertain children of all ages, as well as teach them about generosity and selflessness. Adults will certainly enjoy the whimsical humor within the adventurous story.”

“The Rainbow Fish” musical tells the story of the Rainbow Fish, whose lovely coloring and special shimmering scales make her one of the most beautiful fish in the ocean. However, when other fish ask her to share her scales with them, she refuses. Wondering why none of the other fish in the ocean will be her friend, the Rainbow Fish asks the wise old octopus for advice. The octopus tells her that she should share her scales, and though she is resistant at first, the Rainbow Fish ultimately finds that sharing her gift with others feels good, and that making others happy is often the best path to happiness.

ArtsPower was founded in 1985 with the goal of empowering children by encouraging them to think more critically, communicate more effectively and achieve new dimensions of creativity. The touring company, which regularly performs at venues nationwide, prides itself in the positive themes contained in its work, which include the importance of family values, freedom and tolerance.

Tickets for “The Rainbow Fish” are $10 and all seats are general admission. To purchase tickets, visit www.owens.edu or contact the College’s Box Office. For more information about the event, contact the Center for Fine and Performing Arts at (567) 661-2787 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. ARTS (2787). The performance is sponsored in part by WGTE Public Broadcasting.

Owens Community College is one of the fastest-growing higher educational institutions in Ohio. On the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses, Owens serves more than 45,000 credit and non-credit students. Owens is committed to providing small classes, personal attention and unmatched affordability. Owens Community College offers baccalaureate transfer degrees in the Arts and Sciences and over 150 technical program areas in Agriculture, Business, Health Sciences, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Skilled Trades, and Engineering and Transportation Technologies. Owens students also can earn the first two years of a bachelor’s degree with a smooth transfer to any area four-year college or university.

Owens Presents ‘Melodic Expressions’ Second Annual Spring Concert Series, April 23-26

Posted on April 10th, 2007

Area residents with a passion and an enjoyment of music are encouraged to join in celebrating the culmination of an academic year’s worth of Fine and Performing Arts education as Owens Community College presents its second annual “Melodic Expressions” Spring Concert Series, April 23-26. The Spring Concert Series will showcase the accomplishments of Owens students and faculty in a number of performances ranging from vocal to instrumental.

“‘Melodic Expressions’ is a wonderful opportunity to showcase the tremendous accomplishments of our Owens Community College’s Fine and Performing Arts students,” said Eric Wallack, Owens Chair of Fine and Performing Arts. “The upcoming recitals and ensembles have been mastered through academic learning within the classroom this past year. Events such as ‘Melodic Expressions’ provide our students with a great venue to display such musical talents in a real world setting.”

Wallack added, “I am very proud of our Fine and Performing Arts students and the quality of work they and our faculty will present as part of the week-long musical extravaganza.”

All events will occur in the College’s Center for Fine and Performing Arts on the Toledo-area Campus. The schedule of events is as follows:

Monday, April 23
Owens Jazz Express
The Owens Jazz Express student performers will showcase their many talents through numerous crowd-pleasing musical favorites. Highlighted genres will include swing, bop and jazz waltz.
(7:30 p.m.) (Mainstage Theatre)

Tuesday, April 24
“Music in the Lobby” – Owens Student Recital
Owens student performers will display their many vocal talents, ranging from lively Hip-Hop to elegant fiddle/piano duets in an informal setting.
(2 p.m.) (Center for Fine and Performing Arts Rotunda)

Owens Guitar Ensemble
Students from Owens beginning and intermediate guitar classes will perform some of their favorite songs in various genres.
(7:30 p.m.) (Studio Theatre)

Wednesday, April 25
Harp Performance by Owens Adjunct Faculty Member Denise Grupp-Verbon and Friends
Denise Grupp-Verbon, Owens Adjunct Faculty member, will feature a sundry of selections and styles as part of her annual harp performance. Several guest artists will also showcase their musical talents during the musical event.
(5:30 p.m.) (Mainstage Theatre)

Owens Faculty Recital
Members of Owens Fine and Performing Arts faculty will perform a variety of musical selections related to their areas of expertise
(7:30 p.m.) (Mainstage Theatre)

Thursday, April 26
“Music in the Lobby” – Owens Improvisation and Repertoire Class
Members of the community are invited to “join in the jam” as Owens students showcase spontaneous musical creations.
(2 p.m.) (Center for Fine and Performing Arts Rotunda)

Owens Voice Class Recital
Attendees are in for an evening of masterful sounds courtesy of the College’s voice classes. The concert will feature a wide range of music from Broadway hits to many of today’s popular chart-topping songs.
(7:30 p.m.) (Mainstage Theatre)

All the performances are free and the public is encouraged to attend. For more information about the “Melodic Expressions” Spring Concert Series, call the College’s Center for Fine and Performing Arts at (567) 661-2787 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. ARTS (2787).

Owens Community College is one of the fastest-growing higher educational institutions in Ohio. On the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses, Owens serves more than 45,000 credit and non-credit students. Owens is committed to providing small classes, personal attention and unmatched affordability. Owens Community College offers baccalaureate transfer degrees in the Arts and Sciences and over 150 technical program areas in Agriculture, Business, Health Sciences, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Skilled Trades, and Engineering and Transportation Technologies. Owens students also can earn the first two years of a bachelor’s degree with a smooth transfer to any area four-year college or university.

Owens Center for Fine and Performing Arts Presents ‘Earl the Vampire’ Student Production, April 13-21

Posted on April 5th, 2007

Biting satire and rollicking comedy will engulf the Center for Fine and Performing Arts’ Mainstage Theatre as Owens Community College presents the student production of “Earl the Vampire”, April 13-21.

The first of several shows will occur at 8 p.m. on Friday, April 13 in the College’s Mainstage Theatre. Owens’ Toledo-area Campus is located on Oregon Road in Perrysburg Township.

“Owens Community College’s Center for Fine and Performing Arts is excited to present such a unique theatrical production, featuring the talents of so many Owens students,” said Eric Wallack, Owens Chair of Fine and Performing Arts. “‘Earl the Vampire’ is a funny, lighthearted show, and the talented student actors are sure to entertain community members of all ages.”

“Earl the Vampire” tells the story of Hampton a modern-day vampire who is tired of keeping his lifestyle secret. Against the wishes of his family, Hampton appears on television, contracts to write a book and heads up a movement to establish vampires as a recognized minority group in America. Lurking in the background is Lord Evido, a.k.a. Earl, an old fashioned vampire who knows the danger of destroying an age old myth. Written by Sean Michael Welch, “Earl the Vampire” has earned national acclaim as a play, highlighted by the John Cauble Short Play Award at the 1999 Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival.

The cast of “Earl the Vampire” is comprised of students from Owens, the University of Toledo and the Toledo School for the Arts, as well as community members and Owens alumni. The College’s theatrical production is being directed by Owens Adjunct Faculty member Cynthia Stroud of Perrysburg.

Students and community members involved in the production are Turner Ferrara of Rossford as Earl (Owens student), Joshua Fruland of Perrysburg as Ethan (Owens student), Kari Duffy of Millbury as Shana (Owens student), Mary Wagner of Maumee as Christy Banks (community member), Chad Paben of Maumee as Hampton (Owens alumnus), Joshua Jastal of Toledo as Daniel (University of Toledo student), John Sweney of Perrysburg as Agent Vanruegen (Owens alumnus), Rebecca Doran of Toledo as Gretchen (Toledo School for the Arts student), Kyle Lewis of Toledo as Detective Bills (Owens student), William Toth of Toledo as Detective Sharp (Owens student), Bronwyn Rose Hazard of Toledo as Lucina (University of Toledo student), Christina Marie of Northwood as Tresa (Owens student), Bradley Ray of Delta as The Hunter (Owens student) and Tim Durbin of Toledo as Brady Lennox (Owens student). Henry Walling of Sylvania (Owens student) serves as the Stage Manager for “Earl the Vampire”, while Donald Rawlins of Toledo (Owens student) and Albertha Cockrell of Toledo (Owens student) are involved in set design and construction.

“Earl the Vampire” will be performed April 13-14 and 20-21 at 8 p.m. A matinee performance will also occur on Sunday, April 15 at 2:30 p.m.

Tickets are $10 for the general public and $8 for Owens students, employees and senior citizens. All seats are general admission. To purchase tickets, visit www.owens.edu or contact the College’s Box Office. For more information, call the Center for Fine and Performing Arts at (567) 661-2787 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. ARTS (2787).

Owens Community College is one of the fastest-growing higher educational institutions in Ohio. On the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses, Owens serves more than 45,000 credit and non-credit students. Owens is committed to providing small classes, personal attention and unmatched affordability. Owens Community College offers baccalaureate transfer degrees in the Arts and Sciences and over 150 technical program areas in Agriculture, Business, Health Sciences, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Skilled Trades, and Engineering and Transportation Technologies. Owens students also can earn the first two years of a bachelor’s degree with a smooth transfer to any area four-year college or university.

Children’s Book Illustrations Showcased at Owens Findlay-area Campus Library, April 9-26

Posted on April 3rd, 2007

FINDLAY – Members of the community both young and old will have the opportunity to view an array of original illustrations of dogs from over 30 nationally recognized children’s book artists as Owens Community College’s Findlay-area Campus unveils a new exhibit featuring the artwork from “Speak! Children’s Book Illustrators Brag about their Dogs”. This series of whimsical portraits of the artists’ canine companions will be on display in the Library, April 9-26.

The Owens Findlay-area Campus Library is located on Bright Road in Findlay.

“Owens Community College is pleased to showcase these illustrations of dogs lovingly created by so many talented children’s book illustrators,” said Gail McCain, Owens Library Manager for the Findlay-area Campus. “These poignant, funny and often emotion-provoking images depict the relationship between human and canine, creating a unique and interesting art exhibit that will certainly tug at the hearts of attendees.”

Inspired by the success of the book, which was notably well-received with over 30,000 copies in print, the “Speak!” exhibit was originally created for the University of Findlay’s Mazza Museum, the world’s first and largest museum devoted to the art of children’s picture books. Since being founded in 1982, the Mazza Museum has collected over 3,000 original pieces from children’s literature.

Each children’s book illustrator involved in the “Speak! Children’s Book Illustrators Brag about their Dogs” project contributed one page, which includes an image of their favorite dog accompanied by a short story or poem. The illustrations range from realistic to fanciful and cartoon-like to cubist. The book also features popular children’s characters such as Pinkerton, the Great Dane from Steven Kellogg’s popular books, as well as dogs famous only within the illustrators’ families.

The Findlay-area Campus “Speak!” exhibit is being presented in conjunction with the celebration of April as Month of the Young Child. In addition, the exhibit is designed to encourage children to take interest in literacy and libraries as the College recognizes National Library Week, April 15-21.

Admission to the art exhibit and the Owens Findlay-area Campus Library is free and open to the public. The Library is open from 8 a.m. – 7 p.m. Monday-Thursday, from 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. on Friday and from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. on Saturday. For additional information, contact the College’s Library at (567) 429-3088 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 3088.

Owens Community College is one of the fastest-growing higher educational institutions in Ohio. On the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses, Owens serves more than 45,000 credit and non-credit students. Owens is committed to providing small classes, personal attention and unmatched affordability. Owens Community College offers baccalaureate transfer degrees in the Arts and Sciences and over 150 technical program areas in Agriculture, Business, Health Sciences, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Skilled Trades, and Engineering and Transportation Technologies. Owens students also can earn the first two years of a bachelor’s degree with a smooth transfer to any area four-year college or university.

Juried Student Art Exhibition Showcased At Owens’ Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery, April 13 – May 2

Posted on April 2nd, 2007

Owens Community College students will have the unique opportunity to showcase their artistic talents as the Center for Fine and Performing Arts hosts the annual Juried Student Art Exhibition, April 13 – May 2.

In addition, the College will host an opening reception for the exhibit on Friday, April 13, from 6-8 p.m. in the Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery. The free reception, which the public is encouraged to attend, will be held in conjunction with the opening performance of the student theatrical production, “Earl the Vampire”. In addition, the Owens Jazz Express student group will perform in the Center for Fine and Performing Arts Rotunda to celebrate the opening of both events.

Perry added, “The artistic expressions are extremely individualized and reflect the unique creative ability of each student artist.”

Owens’ Juried Student Art Exhibition features over 100 pieces of artwork in the categories of fine art, which includes sculpture, ceramics, painting and drawing, photography and commercial art. More than 60 students enrolled within Fine and Performing Arts courses at Owens have had artwork accepted for the show. Students presenting art for the Juried Student Art Exhibition are allowed to enter a total of four pieces in each of the three categories.

Area artists and professionals will serve as the jury for the exhibit.

Owens Community College is one of the fastest-growing higher educational institutions in Ohio. On the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses, Owens serves more than 45,000 credit and non-credit students. Owens is committed to providing small classes, personal attention and unmatched affordability. Owens Community College offers baccalaureate transfer degrees in the Arts and Sciences and over 150 technical program areas in Agriculture, Business, Health Sciences, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Skilled Trades, and Engineering and Transportation Technologies. Owens students also can earn the first two years of a bachelor’s degree with a smooth transfer to any area four-year college or university.

Owens Center for Fine and Performing Arts to Feature Attack Theatre’s ‘Games of Steel’, March 23

Posted on March 14th, 2007

Area residents will have the opportunity to be captivated by the critically acclaimed dance-theatre group Attack Theatre as they bring their thrilling and innovative production of “Games of Steel” to Owens Community College’s Center for Fine and Performing Arts on Friday, March 23. “Games of Steel” will take place in the College’s Mainstage Theatre at 7:30 p.m.

“Owens’ Center for Fine and Performing Arts is proud to provide an exciting evening of high-energy entertainment featuring one of the most acclaimed dance-theatre groups in the world,” said Barbara Barkan, Owens Operations Manager for the Center for Fine and Performing Arts. “Attack Theatre’s production ‘Games of Steel’ is a definite stunner of a piece. The dynamic performance is full of intrigue that will leave attendees in constant suspense, making for a theatrical experience that they will never forget. Attack Theatre seamlessly brings dance, theatre, music and visual art to an inspiring level of excellence.”

Attack Theatre, founded by Michele de la Reza and Peter Kope, has been making critically acclaimed dance-theatre for more than a decade by combining classically based modern dance, original live music, multimedia and interdisciplinary art forms. To date, the group has presented over 100 original works in theatrical and site-specific settings worldwide. Attack Theatre has toured regionally in states such as Ohio, Maryland, South Carolina, Texas and Washington, and internationally throughout France, Monaco, Germany, Switzerland, Turkey and Japan. Additionally, the group has collaborated with many notable theatres, museums, symphonies and international dance companies, including Quantum Theatre in Pittsburgh, Carnegie Museum of Art in Pittsburg, the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra and Japan’s Nibroll Collective.

Attack Theatre’s intriguing new production “Games of Steel” features a corrupt game show host, three relentless contestants and a musical odds-maker facing off in a series of games that combines athletic dance capabilities, steel sculptures, original live music and masterful sets with importance placed on not who wins, but who loses the least. The set design and steel sculptures for “Games of Steel” were created by Red Star Ironworks in Millvale, Pa.

Music for “Games of Steel” is provided by Dave Eggar, Music Director for Attack Theatre. A Grammy-nominated artist, Eggar has performed throughout the world as a cellist, pianist and composer, and has collaborated with popular artists such as The Who, Michael Brecker, Josh Groban and the Trans-Siberian Orchestra.

The Attack Theatre’s performance is funded in part by the National Dance Project of the New England Foundation for the Arts, with lead funding from the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation. Additional funding has been provided by The Ford Foundation and the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.

Tickets for Attack Theatre’s “Games of Steel” are $25 for the public, $23 for senior citizens and Owens employees, and $15 for students. To purchase tickets visit www.owens.edu or contact the College’s Box Office. For more information about the event, contact the Center for Fine and Performing Arts at (567) 661-2787 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. ARTS (2787).

Owens Community College is one of the fastest-growing higher educational institutions in Ohio. On the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses, Owens serves more than 45,000 credit and non-credit students. Owens is committed to providing small classes, personal attention and unmatched affordability. Owens Community College offers baccalaureate transfer degrees in the Arts and Sciences and over 150 technical program areas in Agriculture, Business, Health Sciences, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Skilled Trades, and Engineering and Transportation Technologies. Owens students also can earn the first two years of a bachelor’s degree with a smooth transfer to any area four-year college or university.

Celtic Harpist Kim Robertson to Perform at Owens Center for Fine and Performing Arts, March 19

Posted on March 9th, 2007

Area residents will have the opportunity to experience the music of one of America’s top Celtic harpists as Kim Robertson performs at Owens Community College’s Center for Fine and Performing Arts on Monday, March 19. Robertson will perform a free concert at 7:30 p.m. in the Mainstage Theatre.

Sponsored by the Northwest Ohio Chapter of the American Harp Society and the Center for Fine and Performing Arts, admission to the evening of music is free and the public is encouraged to attend. Additionally, Robertson will offer a free informational workshop on March 19 titled “Improvisation Kindergarten” at 4:30 p.m. in the Mainstage Theatre.

“The Northwest Ohio Chapter of the American Harp Society is proud to partner with Owens Community College’s Center for Fine and Performing Arts and present such a renowned and critically acclaimed Celtic harpist as Kim Robertson,” said Denise Grupp-Verbon, Owens Adjunct Faculty member and President of the Northwest Ohio Chapter of the American Harp Society. “Kim’s name has become synonymous with the gentle but powerfully evocative Celtic harp. She is arguably one of the most popular harpists performing today and will certainly not disappoint attendees with her masterful harpist talents.”

Robertson first found interest in the Celtic harp in the mid 1970s and has since been involved in over 20 album projects, including her most recent solo effort, “Highland Heart”, which was released in 2006 to critical acclaim. Her additional solo albums, “Christmas Lullaby” (2004), “Searching for Lambs” (2003), “Dance to Your Shadow” (2001), “The Spiral Gate” (1999) and “Tender Shepherd” (1992) have garnered much respect in the harp community, and have earned Robertson status as one of the pioneers of the American folk harp movement.

A Wisconsin native, Robertson has performed at many notable international venues and festivals, including the Southern Germany Harp Festival in Germany, the Festival de Harpe in France and the Edinburgh Harpfest in Scotland. In addition, Robertson’s talents on the Celtic harp have been showcased at many renowned American festivals, such as the Santa Barbara Harp Festival in California, Harpfest in Arizona and the Milwaukee Irishfest in Wisconsin. She has also appeared on the nationally syndicated radio show, “West Coast Live”.

Since studying at the University of Wisconsin and the Conservatoire de Musique in Reims, France, Robertson has published over 11 volumes of harp arrangements as well as three instructional videos, titled “Arranging for Folk Harp”, “Beginning Folk Harp” and “Treasures of the Celtic Harp”.

For more information about Robertson’s free performance, call (567) 661-2787 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. ARTS (2787).

Owens Community College is one of the fastest-growing higher educational institutions in Ohio. On the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses, Owens serves more than 45,000 credit and non-credit students. Owens is committed to providing small classes, personal attention and unmatched affordability. Owens Community College offers baccalaureate transfer degrees in the Arts and Sciences and over 150 technical program areas in Agriculture, Business, Health Sciences, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Skilled Trades, and Engineering and Transportation Technologies. Owens students also can earn the first two years of a bachelor’s degree with a smooth transfer to any area four-year college or university.

Hunt Family Fiddlers to Perform at Owens Center for Fine and Performing Arts, March 15

Posted on March 6th, 2007

Area residents will have the opportunity to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with the sounds of Celtic music as the world-renowned Hunt Family Fiddlers bring their Irish step dancing, fiddle playing and harmonizing vocals to Owens Community College’s Center for Fine and Performing Arts on Thursday, March 15. The Hunt Family Fiddlers will perform in the College’s Mainstage Theatre beginning at 7:30 p.m.

“Owens Community College is pleased to present an evening of family-oriented entertainment featuring one of the most remarkable and well-known families of fiddlers in the country,” said Barbara Barkan, Owens Operations Manager for the Center for Fine and Performing Arts. “The Hunt Family Fiddlers are extraordinary musicians, singers and dancers, and are proof that oftentimes the apple does not fall far from the tree. Individuals of all ages are sure to enjoy the high-stepping, fiddle playing and harmonizing vocals of this very unique family.”

An award-winning family of nine, the Hunt Family Fiddlers are known for performing Celtic, bluegrass, inspirational and popular tunes, and dazzling audiences nationwide with their high-powered step dancing, fast fiddling and vocal harmonies. Songwriters and performers Clint and Sandy Hunt, along with their seven children Jessica, Jennifer, Joshua, Jonathon, Jordan, Justin and Jamison, have produced and released four albums, highlighted by “Table for Two” and “Dance in the Field”. In 2005, the family was a featured guest on “The Tony Danza Show”, where Jessica, the oldest child, taught Danza a new Irish dance step.

Additionally, the Hunt family has won numerous awards in fiddle, Irish dance and singing contests across the United States and around the world. Each of the seven children has garnered national and international attention, highlighted by Jonathon being named the 2005 regional champion and a three-time world-ranked Irish dancer, having danced in Belfast and Ennis, Ireland. Jordan is also a 2005 regional champion and was ranked in the nation’s top ten for an Irish step dancing competition held in Nashville, Tenn.

The Hunt Family Fiddlers have performed at many notable events and venues nationwide, including the Virginia Beach Neptune Festival, and recently completed three seasons of performances at Busch Gardens in Williamsburg, Va. In addition, the family has performed in Scotland and Ireland, and has opened for the Virginia Symphony Orchestra’s “Symphony Under the Stars” concert for three consecutive years.

Tickets for the Hunt Family Fiddlers are $22 for the public, $20 for senior citizens and Owens employees, and $12 for students. To purchase tickets, visit www.owens.edu or contact the College’s Box Office. For more information about the event, contact the Center for Fine and Performing Arts at (567) 661-2787 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. ARTS (2787).

Owens Community College is one of the fastest-growing higher educational institutions in Ohio. On the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses, Owens serves more than 45,000 credit and non-credit students. Owens is committed to providing small classes, personal attention and unmatched affordability. Owens Community College offers baccalaureate transfer degrees in the Arts and Sciences and over 150 technical program areas in Agriculture, Business, Health Sciences, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Skilled Trades, and Engineering and Transportation Technologies. Owens students also can earn the first two years of a bachelor’s degree with a smooth transfer to any area four-year college or university.

Local Artist Exhibits “Meandering Threads” at Owens Findlay-area Campus Library, March 5 – April 4

Posted on February 27th, 2007

FINDLAY – “Threads” of fiber hand-woven into colorful tapestries depicting nature’s many landscapes will be paired with the “threads” of language in elegant Haiku poetry as Owens Community College’s Findlay-area Campus unveils a new art exhibit featuring the work of Findlay resident Sharon Hammer Baker. The Findlay-area Campus’ art exhibit titled “Meandering Threads” will be on display in the Library, March 5 – April 4.

In addition, the College will host a reception in Baker’s honor on Tuesday, March 6 from 5-8 p.m. in the Findlay-area Campus Library. A “gallery talk” will commence at 6 p.m., where Baker will discuss her approach to the artistic process related to fiber art and Haiku poetry. The Findlay-area Campus’ Library is located on Bright Road in Findlay.

“Owens Community College is pleased to showcase such a unique exhibit by an extremely talented local artist,” said Gail McCain, Owens Library Manager for the Findlay-area Campus. “The colors and textures of Sharon Hammer Baker’s tapestries reflect the immediacy of place and moment much like her Haiku poetry. It is both exciting and artistically pleasing to have Baker’s work from these two media paired together. I strongly encourage individuals to explore these wonderful artistic expressions.”

Baker has been an active weaver and studio artist for over 25 years, and her tapestries and weavings have been featured in many juried, group and solo exhibitions throughout Northwest Ohio, including ArtSpace in Lima, the University of Findlay’s 1124 Gallery in Findlay, and Owens’ Toledo-area Campus Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery in Perrysburg.

Additionally, her Haiku poetry has been published in many notable literary magazines and books, including “Heartlands”, “White Lotus” and “Ribbons”. Baker’s work also has been featured in Haiku anthologies for “Wind Five Folded”, “Midwest Haiku Journal” and “Haiku World”. Perhaps her most notable accomplishment in poetry is garnering the top poet honor in a Haiku competition sponsored by the Kyoto Museum for World Peace at Ritsumeikan University in Japan.

An Adjunct Faculty member at the University of Findlay since 1993, Baker holds a master’s degree from Northern State University, bachelor’s degrees from Kansas State College and the University of Findlay, and a Certificate in Interior Design from LaSalle University. She is also a member of the Haiku Society of America and included within “Poets and Writers” directory of American poets and fiction writers.

Owens Community College is one of the fastest-growing higher educational institutions in Ohio. On the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses, Owens serves more than 45,000 credit and non-credit students. Owens is committed to providing small classes, personal attention and unmatched affordability. Owens Community College offers baccalaureate transfer degrees in the Arts and Sciences and over 150 technical program areas in Agriculture, Business, Health Sciences, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Skilled Trades, and Engineering and Transportation Technologies. Owens students also can earn the first two years of a bachelor’s degree with a smooth transfer to any area four-year college or university.

Human Visage Through the Artist’s Eye Showcased in Owens’ ‘Faces’ Exhibit, Feb. 19 – March 24

Posted on February 12th, 2007

The subtleties and beauties of the human face will be the focus of Owens Community College’s latest artistic expression as the Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery unveils the exhibit “Faces”. Area residents will have the opportunity to explore the human visage through a wide range of styles and media, highlighted by contemporary realism paintings, bronze busts, handmade paper and photojournalist images, Feb. 19 – March 24.

In addition, the College will host a closing reception in the Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery, which is located in Owens’ Center for Fine and Performing Arts on the Toledo-area Campus, for the artists from 4-6 p.m. on Sunday, March 25. The reception is free and the public is encouraged attend. Attendees at the artists’ reception will include statewide representatives from the Ohio Museums Association.

“Owens Community College’s Center for Fine and Performing Arts is proud to showcase such a powerful and thought-provoking exhibit that features so many talented and critically acclaimed area artists,” said Wynn Perry, Owens Part-time Manager of the Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery. “Whether it be a smile, a diverted glance or a direct gaze, humanity is fascinated by human representation. This remarkable exhibit explores this interest and fires our imaginations with images of ourselves.”

The “Faces” exhibit will feature artwork by many notable and highly acclaimed area artists, including portrait artists Leslie Adams, David Eichenberg, Debra Buchannan and Gerry Brock; photojournalists William Jordan and John Walz; commercial photographers Spencer Cunningham and Jay Langlois; painters Carol Smestead and Scott Horn; and sculptors Alan Cottrill and Tom McGaulghin. Owens student Janice Dingess has also been invited to exhibit a self portrait as part of “Faces”.

Additionally, Owens will host a lecture featuring artist Leslie Adams on Thursday, March 1. The free lecture is open to the public and will begin at 7:30 p.m. in Center for Fine and Performing Arts Room 111. Adams is known worldwide for her portraiture, which is grounded in historical aesthetics and contemporary theory. Employing a Northern Renaissance technique, Adams combines layers of oil glazes to achieve a profoundly intricate level of detail and luminosity of color that direct painting alone cannot achieve.

Her work has been exhibited internationally and is included in many public and private collections throughout the United States. In 2005, Adams was awarded the honor as Ohio’s official gubernatorial artist. Her portrait of former Ohio Gov. Bob Taft will be unveiled later this year.

Admission to the Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery is free and open to the public from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. on Thursdays and from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. on Saturdays. For more information about the exhibition season, contact the Center for Fine and Performing Arts at (567) 661-2721 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 2721.

Owens Community College is one of the fastest-growing higher educational institutions in Ohio. On the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses, Owens serves more than 45,000 credit and non-credit students. Owens is committed to providing small classes, personal attention and unmatched affordability. Owens Community College offers baccalaureate transfer degrees in the Arts and Sciences and over 150 technical program areas in Agriculture, Business, Health Sciences, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Skilled Trades, and Engineering and Transportation Technologies. Owens students also can earn the first two years of a bachelor’s degree with a smooth transfer to any area four-year college or university.

New York City Trio Groovelily to Appear at Owens Center for Fine and Performing Arts, Feb. 16

Posted on February 7th, 2007

Area residents will have the unique opportunity to “get in the groove” to one of New York City’s most exciting and contemporary musical theatre groups as Owens Community College’s Center for Fine and Performing Arts presents the critically acclaimed trio, Groovelily on Friday, Feb. 16. Groovelily will perform in the College’s Mainstage Theatre beginning at 8 p.m.

“Owens Community College is thrilled to welcome the unmatched creative talents of Groovelily to our stage,” said Barbara Barkan, Owens Operations Manager for the Center for Fine and Performing Arts. “Their contagious, effervescent sound with tight vocal harmonies is refreshing and uplifting. Music enthusiasts in attendance will certainly appreciate and enjoy Groovelily’s unique sound and energetic performance.”

Groovelily was founded in 1994 by Valerie Vigoda, a skilled electric violinist and singer who previously toured with such nationally known entertainers as Cyndi Lauper and Joe Jackson, as well as with the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. Vigoda is joined by Brendan Milburn on the keyboard and vocals and Gene Lewin on the drums.

The group, formerly known as the Valerie Vigoda Band, brings a rich background in classical music, musical theatre, jazz and rock to their energetic performances. Unabashedly combining elements of rock, jazz, folk and popular music, Groovelily creates a violin-driven sound that transcends labels and genres of modern music. The widely sought-after and appealing sound has been showcased before crowds at many notable venues and festivals, including the Prince Music Theater in Philadelphia, The Old Globe in San Diego and the Ottawa Folk Festival in Ottawa, Canada.

Groovelily has released seven albums with the most recent musical recording titled “Striking 12” in 2004. The music from the group’s most recent album is performed as part of their critically-acclaimed holiday concert-musical “Striking 12”, which premiered on the East Coast in 2002.

Tickets for Groovelily are $18 for the public, $15 for senior citizens and Owens employees, and $12 for students. To purchase tickets, visit www.owens.edu or contact the College’s Box Office. For more information about the event, contact the Center for Fine and Performing Arts at (567) 661-2787 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. ARTS (2787).

Owens Community College is one of the fastest-growing higher educational institutions in Ohio. On the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses, Owens serves more than 45,000 credit and non-credit students. Owens is committed to providing small classes, personal attention and unmatched affordability. Owens Community College offers baccalaureate transfer degrees in the Arts and Sciences and over 150 technical program areas in Agriculture, Business, Health Sciences, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Skilled Trades, and Engineering and Transportation Technologies. Owens students also can earn the first two years of a bachelor’s degree with a smooth transfer to any area four-year college or university.

Local Artist Showcases Photographic Work at Owens Findlay-area Campus Library, Feb. 5 – March 2

Posted on January 30th, 2007

FINDLAY – Hand-colored photographs depicting landscapes populated by unexpected and unexplained moments of rural and urban decay will serve as the focal point to a new art exhibit as Owens Community College’s Findlay-area Campus unveils the work of Findlay resident Marianna Hofer. The Findlay-area Campus’ art exhibit titled “The Lush Language of Light” will be on display in the Library, Feb. 5 – March 2.

In addition, the College will host a reception in Hofer’s honor on Wednesday, Feb. 7 from 5-8 p.m. in the Findlay-area Campus Library. Hofer, who is also an accomplished poet, will read several poems relevant to the exhibited artistic photographs.

“Owens Community College is pleased to showcase the work of such a talented artist as Marianna Hofer,” said Gail McCain, Owens Library Manager for the Findlay-area Campus. “The photographs are brilliant portrayals of urban decay, showing individuals the way light can both reveal and veil the details of abandoned buildings and old equipment.”

Hofer’s interest in photography dates back to her youth, however, her work as an acclaimed photographer did not begin until more recently. Her passion for artistic expression, as seen through a lens, has grown into a rather large portfolio of landscape photographs, which have been featured in juried shows throughout Northwest Ohio, including the Wassenburg Art Center in Van Wert, Art Space in Lima and the Findlay Art League in Findlay. Hofer’s photographs can also be viewed in Studio 13 in Findlay’s Jones Building and in various eateries around town.

In addition to her photography, Hofer has also led an accomplished career as a writer. She has published poems, stories, essays and reviews in many notable literary magazines, including “Barrelhouse”, “Epitome”, “Freshwater” and “Ohioana Quarterly”. She also was named the recipient of an Ohio Arts Council Individual Artist’s Grant in Poetry and held residency at the renowned Ragdale Artist Colony.

Hofer, an Associate Professor of English at the University of Findlay, holds master’s degrees from Miami University and Bowling Green State University and a bachelor’s degree from Kent State University.

Owens Community College is one of the fastest-growing higher educational institutions in Ohio. On the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses, Owens serves more than 45,000 credit and non-credit students. Owens is committed to providing small classes, personal attention and unmatched affordability. Owens Community College offers baccalaureate transfer degrees in the Arts and Sciences and over 150 technical program areas in Agriculture, Business, Health Sciences, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Skilled Trades, and Engineering and Transportation Technologies. Owens students also can earn the first two years of a bachelor’s degree with a smooth transfer to any area four-year college or university.

Nashville Country Duo Spur to Make Appearance at Owens Center for Fine and Performing Arts, Feb. 2

Posted on January 22nd, 2007

Area residents will have the unique opportunity to see one of country music’s most electrifying upcoming groups perform in Northwest Ohio as Owens Community College’s Center for Fine and Performing Arts presents the Nashville-based duo, Spur on Friday, Feb. 2. Spur will perform in the College’s Mainstage Theatre beginning at 8 p.m.

“Owens Community College is thrilled to showcase the dynamic talents of this highly acclaimed Midwestern duo,” said Barbara Barkan, Owens Operations Manager for the Center for Fine and Performing Arts. “Spur’s unique blend of catchy hooks, tight two-part harmonies and positive messages transcends genres and varies from the typical country mold that one might be accustom to hearing. Music enthusiasts will certainly appreciate and enjoy Spur’s masterful sound and energetic performance.”

Johnny Hose and Dave Schellenberg, the duo that comprises Spur (formerly known as DaisyChain), originally met in St. Louis with the hopes of creating a country cover band. For a short time, the musicians performed cover music intertwined with a few original songs at various local venues. Spur’s big break came in 1993 when their original music was for the first time recognized for its unique country sound as the song “She Won’t Let Me Go” was voted in the Top 10 as a runner-up in the St. Louis Music Contest.

Since 1993, Spur’s widely sought-after and appealing sound has led to them opening for a host of internationally recognized country music talents, including Tim McGraw, Kenny Chesney, Toby Keith and Rascal Flatts, as well as for musical legends Bob Dylan and Paul Simon. Spur’s cutting-edge country sound has been showcased before thousands of people at many notable venues, such as the Bluebird CafÈ, Sheldon Concert Hall and The Blue Note.

The country duo has garnered several awards and honors for their songwriting abilities, including a certificate of achievement from the Nashville Songwriters Association International for their song “Lover Come Home”. Spur also was honored with a Jim Beam B.E.A.M. (Benefiting Emerging Artists in Music) Grant, which was created to assist and promote independent musicians and music-business aspirants. In addition, the group’s music has been featured on numerous local radio stations across the country.

Tickets for Spur are $15 for the public, $13 for senior citizens and Owens employees, and $10 for students. To purchase tickets, visit www.owens.edu or contact the College’s Box Office. For more information about the event, contact the Center for Fine and Performing Arts at (567) 661-2787 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. ARTS (2787).

Owens Community College is one of the fastest-growing higher educational institutions in Ohio. On the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses, Owens serves more than 45,000 credit and non-credit students. Owens is committed to providing small classes, personal attention and unmatched affordability. Owens Community College offers baccalaureate transfer degrees in the Arts and Sciences and over 150 technical program areas in Agriculture, Business, Health Sciences, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Skilled Trades, and Engineering and Transportation Technologies. Owens students also can earn the first two years of a bachelor’s degree with a smooth transfer to any area four-year college or university.

Cashore Marionettes’ ‘Simple Gifts’ Continues Family Fun Sundays at Owens, Jan. 21

Posted on January 11th, 2007

Cashore Marionettes

Community members of all ages will be amazed and captivated by award-winning artist Joseph Cashore’s unmatched skill in puppetry as he brings his internationally acclaimed Cashore Marionettes to Owens Community College’s Center for Fine and Performing Arts on Sunday, Jan. 21. The performance, titled “Simple Gifts”, is the second in a series of three Family Fun Sundays presented by Owens and will take place in the College’s Mainstage Theatre at 2 p.m.

“Owens’ Center for Fine and Performing Arts is proud to provide an exciting afternoon of family-oriented entertainment featuring the Cashore Marionettes,” said Barbara Barkan, Owens Operations Manager for the Center for Fine and Performing Arts. “Joseph Cashore creates illusions so powerful that they transcend the art of puppetry. His marionettes are engineering marvels and the quality of movement seen in the puppets is extraordinary. ‘Simple Gifts’ will certainly be an unforgettable theatrical experience for all in attendance.”

“Simple Gifts” presents a series of touching portrayals and poignant scenes from everyday life set to the powerful music of composers such as Vivaldi, Strauss, Beethoven and Copland. The original vignettes featured in the performance celebrate life and explore a variety of themes ranging from comic to tragic. Cashore Marionettes’ moving and humorous performances have astounded audiences throughout Europe and North America. Venues in which they have performed include the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and the Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts.

Cashore has been designing and performing his remarkable marionettes for over 30 years and has received numerous awards for his artistry, including a Pew Fellowship for Performance Art and a Henson Foundation Grant to promote puppetry among adult audiences. Additionally, he was bestowed one of the highest honors an American puppeteer can receive when Union Internationale de la Marionnette (UNIMA), recognized as the oldest international theater organization in the world, awarded him a Citation of Excellence.

The performance is the second in Owens’ Center for Fine and Performing Arts Family Fun Sunday Series, which is designed to provide fun and entertainment to individuals of all ages. The series will conclude with ArtsPower’s production of “The Rainbow Fish” on April 22.

Tickets for Cashore Marionettes are $10 and all seats are general admission. To purchase tickets visit www.owens.edu or contact the College’s Box Office. For more information about the event, contact the Center for Fine and Performing Arts at (567) 661-2787 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. ARTS (2787). The performance is sponsored in part by WGTE Public Broadcasting.

Owens Community College is one of the fastest-growing higher educational institutions in Ohio. On the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses, Owens serves more than 45,000 credit and non-credit students. Owens is committed to providing small classes, personal attention and unmatched affordability. Owens Community College offers baccalaureate transfer degrees in the Arts and Sciences and over 150 technical program areas in Agriculture, Business, Health Sciences, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Skilled Trades, and Engineering and Transportation Technologies. Owens students also can earn the first two years of a bachelor’s degree with a smooth transfer to any area four-year college or university.

Renowned Guitarist Dominic Gaudious to Perform at Owens Center for Fine and Performing Arts, Jan. 12

Posted on January 2nd, 2007

Dominic Gaudious

Area residents are invited to experience an evening of dynamic, intense and passionate instrumental guitar music as widely sought-after composer and musician Dominic Gaudious performs at Owens Community College’s Center for Fine and Performing Arts on Friday, Jan. 12. Gaudious’ performance, which is sponsored in part by WGTE Public Broadcasting, will take place in the College’s Mainstage Theatre at 8 p.m.

“Owens Community College is thrilled to showcase the masterful musicianship of internationally known Dominic Gaudious,” said Barbara Barkan, Owens Operations Manager for the Center for Fine and Performing Arts. “Dominic Gaudious’ passionate playing style and outstanding showmanship, combined with his unique blend of musical sounds, will have concert attendees in awe, making for an unforgettable performance.”

Performing predominantly with six- and 12-string acoustic guitars, Gaudious is known worldwide for blending the styles of classical, jazz, flamenco and rock and seamlessly creating an innovative style that is all his own. Often compared to guitarists such as Michael Hedges, Eddie Van Halen and Al DiMeola, Gaudious’ wizardry on the guitar and skill in songwriting has elevated him to the top ranks among American instrumental guitarists today.

For more than a decade, Gaudious’ widely sought-after and appealing sound has led him to open for many remarkable musical acts, including the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and Pat Benatar. Additionally, his unique and intricate playing style has been showcased live at several notable venues, such as the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, the Australian Embassy and the Montreux Jazz Festival in Montreux, Switzerland.

Gaudious’ music has also been featured on National Public Radio and many local and syndicated radio stations throughout the world. Most recently, he was a finalist on FOX TV’s “30 Seconds to Fame” and a finalist and Honor Award Winner in the Great American Song Contest for his song “Far East Fusion”. Additional honors include being nominated as the Best Instrumental Artist in 2004 and the Best Performing Artist in 2005 by CampusAwards.com.

Tickets for Dominic Gaudious are $15 for the public, $13 for senior citizens and Owens employees, and $10 for students. To purchase tickets, visit www.owens.edu or contact the College’s Box Office. For more information about the event, contact the Center for Fine and Performing Arts at (567) 661-2787 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. ARTS (2787).

Owens Community College is one of the fastest-growing higher educational institutions in Ohio. On the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses, Owens serves more than 45,000 credit and non-credit students. Owens is committed to providing small classes, personal attention and unmatched affordability. Owens Community College offers baccalaureate transfer degrees in the Arts and Sciences and over 150 technical program areas in Agriculture, Business, Health Sciences, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Skilled Trades, and Engineering and Transportation Technologies. Owens students also can earn the first two years of a bachelor’s degree with a smooth transfer to any area four-year college or university.

Fourth Annual Faculty Art Showcase Opens at Owens’ Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery, Jan. 16 – Feb. 10

Posted on December 21st, 2006

Community members will have the opportunity to view the diverse and vibrant work of some of Northwest Ohio’s finest artists as Owens Community College’s Center for Fine and Performing Arts hosts the fourth annual Faculty Art Showcase, Jan. 16 – Feb. 10. The exhibition will be on display in the College’s Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery.

“Owens Community College Center for Fine and Performing Arts is proud to showcase exciting new works of art produced by our outstanding faculty members,” said Wynn Perry, Owens Part-time Manager of the Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery. “This exhibition will provide area residents and students with the chance to view various artistic expressions and celebrate the talent and diversity that the Center for Fine and Performing Arts’ faculty exemplifies.”

Wynn added, “Owens is fortunate to draw on such an extremely talented arts community for its faculty.”

The art showcase features artwork created by many notable and highly acclaimed Owens faculty members, including Kevin Schroeder, Mary Dajnak, Eugene Curtsinger, Barrie Curtsinger, Julie Schnell-Madden, Steve Kemmerley, Mark Pechlivanos, Ruth Foote and Jay Langlois, among others. A wide range of visual media will be featured, including works of art in the areas of painting, printmaking, ceramics, photography, graphic design, glass and sculpture.

To celebrate the opening of the faculty showcase, a free reception will be held on Friday, Jan. 19, from 6-8 p.m. in the College’s Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery.

Admission to the Walter E. Terhune Art Galley is free and open to the public from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday-Friday, from 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. on Thursdays and from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. on Saturdays. For more information about the exhibition or the 2006-07 Arts Exhibition Season, contact the Center for Fine and Performing Arts at (567) 661-2721 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 2721.

Owens Community College is one of the fastest-growing higher educational institutions in Ohio. On the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses, Owens serves more than 45,000 credit and non-credit students. Owens is committed to providing small classes, personal attention and unmatched affordability. Owens Community College offers baccalaureate transfer degrees in the Arts and Sciences and over 150 technical program areas in Agriculture, Business, Health Sciences, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Skilled Trades, and Engineering and Transportation Technologies. Owens students also can earn the first two years of a bachelor’s degree with a smooth transfer to any area four-year college or university.

Art Exhibition Highlights Student Work at Owens’ Findlay-area Campus, Dec. 4-21

Posted on November 28th, 2006

FINDLAY – Owens Community College students will have the opportunity to showcase their many artistic talents as the Findlay-area Campus hosts its Fall Student Art Exhibition in the Library, Dec. 4-21.

Additionally, the College will host a reception for the artists on Tuesday, Dec. 5. The reception will occur from 3-6 p.m. in the Findlay-area Campus Library. Owens’ Findlay-area Campus is located on Bright Road in Findlay.

“Owens’ Findlay-area Campus is delighted to feature the finest works of art produced by our students during the Fall Semester,” said Gail McCain, Owens Library Manager for the Findlay-area Campus. “The Library is a great venue for Owens students to display their own works and highlight the knowledge and growth they have acquired in the classroom.”

McCain added, “These artistic expressions are extremely individualized and reflect the unique creative abilities and inspirations of each student artist.”

The Fall Student Art Exhibition features numerous pieces of artwork from paintings to drawings created by 15 student artists enrolled in the College’s “Fundamentals of Drawing” course, which is instructed by Louise Wineland, Owens Adjunct Faculty member for Fine and Performing Arts. In this course, students obtain experiential learning within various areas, including the study of object drawing, form organization, value, perspective, proportion and texture.

Students whose work will be displayed are Dustin Babcock of Arcadia (liberal arts), Kayla Bell of Arlington (liberal arts), Nathan Foley of Toledo (pre-business administration), Stacey Kessler of New Riegel (undecided), Brian LaRue of Mount Cory (commercial art), Beckie Menke of Fort Jennings (commercial art), Aimee Newton of Findlay (biomedical electronics), Erica Parke of Findlay (commercial art), Duangkamol Pattanakul of Findlay (undecided), Jacob Ramsey of Arlington (undecided), Heather Richileau of Findlay (photography), Cynthia Schnipke of Ottawa (liberal arts), Sam Shackelford of Findlay (commercial art), Cameron Shingler of Findlay (commercial art) and Derek Tobolt of Bloomville (liberal arts).

Owens Community College is one of the fastest-growing higher educational institutions in Ohio. On the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses, Owens serves more than 45,000 credit and non-credit student. Owens is committed to providing small classes, personal attention and unmatched affordability. Owens Community College offers baccalaureate transfer degrees in the Arts and Sciences and over 150 technical program areas in Agriculture, Business, Health Sciences, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Skilled Trades, and Engineering and Transportation Technologies. Owens students also can earn the first two years of a bachelor’s degree with a smooth transfer to any area four-year college or university.

Owens’ Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery Features ‘The Tile Project’ Exhibit, Nov. 16 – Dec. 13

Posted on November 8th, 2006

tile exhibit artwork Area residents are invited to experience some of the finest glass artwork in the world as Owens Community College unveils its latest exhibit in the Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery. The exhibit titled “The Tile Project” will feature various artistic expressions by glass sculptor Baker O’Brien, Nov. 16 – Dec. 13.

In addition, the College will host a reception for O’Brien from 6-8 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 17. The Walther E. Terhune Art Gallery is located in Owens’ Center for Fine and Performing Arts on the Toledo-area Campus.

“Owens Community College is proud to present an exhibit that showcases the works of such a critically acclaimed artist,” said Wynn Perry, Owens Part-time Manager of the Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery. “Baker O’Brien has revolutionized the glass blowing industry with her distinct style, which incorporates strong, rich colors in bold simple forms. ‘The Tile Project’ is a fantastic compilation of striking, powerful pieces that will appeal to a wide ranging audience.”

As the sole apprentice of legendary glass sculptor Dominick Labino, a chemist and engineer who helped launch the studio glass movement by developing a glass making formula for use in artists’ private studios, O’Brien has been mixing, melting and blowing vividly colored glass for over 30 years. While most glass artists apply a veneer of color to clear, colorless glass, O’Brien uses a technique learned from Labino, where she makes glass in color by mixing various metallic oxides directly into sand, soda ash, zinc oxide, feldspar and other ingredients. Such a process creates works of art that are unique and nearly impossible to replicate.

O’Brien, a Grand Rapids resident, has had her work exhibited in numerous private and public collections worldwide. Notable recipients of her glass works include First Lady Laura Bush, former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, former Mayor of New York City Rudy Giuliani, Queen Sirikit of Thailand and Queen Noor of Jordan. O’Brien has also been involved in several artistic projects for the American Ceramic Society.

Admission to the Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery is free and open to the public from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday-Friday, from 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. on Thursdays and from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. on Saturdays. For more information about the exhibition season, contact the Center for Fine and Performing Arts at (567) 661-2721 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 2721.

Owens Community College is one of the fastest-growing higher educational institutions in Ohio. On the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses, Owens serves more than 45,000 credit and non-credit students. Owens is committed to providing small classes, personal attention and unmatched affordability. Owens Community College offers baccalaureate transfer degrees in the Arts and Sciences and over 150 technical program areas in Agriculture, Business, Health Sciences, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Skilled Trades, and Engineering and Transportation Technologies. Owens students also can earn the first two years of a bachelor’s degree with a smooth transfer to any area four-year college or university.

Local Mother and Son Showcase Artistic Works at Owens Findlay-area Campus Library, Nov. 9-30

Posted on November 6th, 2006

FINDLAY – Eclectic color photography and acrylic paintings portraying the dynamics of nature will be the focus of a new art exhibit as Owens Community College’s Findlay-area Campus unveils artistic expressions by Findlay-based mother and son artists. The exhibit, titled “The Edge of the Sea: Shapes, Colors and Images of Nature”, will feature the works of painter Dr. Marie Louden-Hanes and photographer Brook Louden Hanes and will be on display in the Library, Nov. 9-30.

In addition, the College will host a reception for the artists from 5-8 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 14. The reception will take place in the Findlay-area Campus Library.

“Owens Community College is proud to showcase the work of such talented local artists as Marie Louden-Hanes and Brook Louden Hanes on the Findlay-area Campus,” said Gail McCain, Owens Library Manager for the Findlay-area Campus. “It is very easy to notice the mother and son dynamics in the pieces. Though Marie Louden-Hanes’ artistic expressions are mostly abstract and Brook Louden Hanes’ works focus primarily on landscapes, the two artists complement each other quite well as the colors play off one another in a synergistic fashion.”

Dr. Marie Louden-Hanes, a member of the Findlay-area Campus’ Library Gallery Advisory Committee, has studied art extensively throughout her life and applies those many experiences into her own works. Louden-Hanes’ artistic expressions provide a unique affirmation in paint of the fleeting moments within an ever-changing natural environment. Focusing on a particular scene multiple times, each at a different time of day or season, her various works ultimately hold true to a single concurrent theme relating to the passage of time.

A University of Findlay faculty member since 1986, Louden-Hanes has taught various courses throughout her academic career to include art history and art appreciation, as well as courses in women’s studies. In 1997, Louden-Hanes received the distinct honor of serving as a visiting scholar at Kurashiki University of Science and the Arts, Kake Educational Institution, in Okayama, Japan. During her time at the University of Findlay, she has received several honors for teaching excellence, including the Founder’s Academic Excellence Award for Faculty. Louden-Hanes currently serves as the Dean of Undergraduate Education.

Brook Louden Hanes has turned his one-time hobby of capturing images through a camera into a professional career, working as a Photographer for Rant and Rave Photography Studio in Findlay. While with Rant and Rave Photography Studio, Louden Hanes spends much of his time photographing weddings, family portraits, high school senior portraits and special events. Additionally, he serves as a Photographer for the University of Findlay, capturing images at the academic institution’s many sporting events.

An avid photographer in his spare time, Louden Hanes draws artistic inspiration primarily from his mother, Marie, and enjoys freezing moments in time, which range from nature to the everyday occurrences of other people.

Owens Community College is one of the fastest-growing higher educational institutions in Ohio. On the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses, Owens serves more than 45,000 credit and non-credit students. Owens is committed to providing small classes, personal attention and unmatched affordability. Owens Community College offers baccalaureate transfer degrees in the Arts and Sciences and over 150 technical program areas in Agriculture, Business, Health Sciences, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Skilled Trades, and Engineering and Transportation Technologies. Owens students also can earn the first two years of a bachelor’s degree with a smooth transfer to any area four-year college or university.

Internationally Known San Jose Taiko to Perform At Owens Center for Fine and Performing Arts, Nov. 14

Posted on November 3rd, 2006

Community members are invited to experience a celebration of Asian-American culture and art as internationally renowned San Jose Taiko fill Owens Community College’s Center for Fine and Performing Arts with the powerful, spellbinding and propulsive sounds of the taiko drums on Tuesday, Nov. 14. San Jose Taiko will perform in the College’s Mainstage Theatre at 7:30 p.m.

“San Jose Taiko are amazing performers,” said Barbara Barkan, Owens Operations Manager for the Center for Fine and Performing Arts. “Their unique sound fuses traditional Japanese music seamlessly with the vitality and freshness of the American spirit. The end result is a dynamic and compelling Asian-American art form and Owens Community College is proud to welcome their musical talents to Northwest Ohio.”

San Jose Taiko was founded in 1973 by a group of young Asian Americans seeking to make a stronger connection between Asian and American cultures. From the beginning, the group found themselves drawn to the empowering sounds of taiko, a traditional Japanese drum that historically played a major role in the culture of Japan. With the taiko as their instrument of choice, the San Jose Taiko began to develop a unique show that combines the sounds and spirit of the taiko drums with other rhythms of the world, including African, Balinese, Brazilian, Latin and jazz percussion.

More than 30 years since their founding, San Jose Taiko has evolved into an expansive professional organization. In 1995, the group realized a long-term vision with the establishment of the San Jose Taiko Conservatory, a facility dedicated to serving as a national resource on the art form of taiko. The conservatory also serves as a training center for new members of the growing group and reaches out to the community with public workshops, school outreach programs and junior taiko.

Under the artistic direction of Roy and PJ Hirabayashi, San Jose Taiko’s touring company has collaborated with many internationally renowned Asian performing artists, including Kodo, Ondekoza, Eitetsu Hayashi, Michiko Akao, Osuwa Taiko and Miyarabi Taiko. In 1987, San Joe Taiko became one of the first American taiko troupes invited to tour Japan. Additionally, San Jose Taiko was honored in 1994 by the Arts Council of Santa Clara County for its efforts to foster cultural and ethnic diversity through the arts.

Tickets for San Jose Taiko are $25 for the public, $23 for senior citizens and Owens employees, and $15 for students. To purchase tickets please visit www.owens.edu or contact the College’s Box Office. For more information about the event, contact the Center for Fine and Performing Arts at (567) 661-2787 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. ARTS (2787).

Owens Community College is one of the fastest-growing higher educational institutions in Ohio. On the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses, Owens serves more than 45,000 credit and non-credit students. Owens is committed to providing small classes, personal attention and unmatched affordability. Owens Community College offers baccalaureate transfer degrees in the Arts and Sciences and over 150 technical program areas in Agriculture, Business, Health Sciences, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Skilled Trades, and Engineering and Transportation Technologies. Owens students also can earn the first two years of a bachelor’s degree with a smooth transfer to any area four-year college or university.

Owens Community College Family Fun Sundays Open With ‘Harry the Dirty Dog’, Oct. 22

Posted on October 16th, 2006

Community members of all ages will have their imaginations captivated by one of the most beloved characters in children’s literature as Owens Community College begins a series of three Family Fun Sunday performances with “Harry the Dirty Dog” on Sunday, Oct. 22. The College will host two performances of the family-based musical in the Center for Fine and Performing Arts’ Mainstage Theatre at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.

The new musical by ArtsPower, one of America’s largest nonprofit producers of professional children’s theatre, is based on the classic children’s book by Gene Zion, which is currently celebrating 50 years in print.

“Owens Center for Fine and Performing Arts is proud to provide an exciting and family-oriented afternoon of fun and entertainment featuring the performance of ‘Harry the Dirty Dog’,” said Barbara Barkan, Owens Operations Manager for the Center for Fine and Performing Arts. “The humor and expert storytelling involved in Harry’s story will make for an unforgettable family event, complete with a meet and greet with the cast at the musical’s conclusion.”

Barkan added, “Harry’s tale will entertain children of all ages, as well as teach them about family relationships and values. Adults will certainly enjoy the whimsical humor within the adventurous story.”

“Harry the Dirty Dog” tells the story of Harry, a little white dog with black spots that has everything a dog could ever want. There’s just one problem. He dislikes taking baths. Harry dislikes them so much, in fact, that one morning he decides to run away. After a wonderful day spent playing in the dirt, Harry gets so grubby that the once white dog with black spots transforms himself into a little black dog with white spots. Once home, he finds that his family doesn’t recognize him.

Additional events forthcoming at Owens’ Center for Fine and Performing Arts as part of the Family Fun Sunday series, which is designed to provide fun and entertainment to individuals of all ages, include Cashore Marionettes’ “Simple Gifts” on Jan. 21 and ArtsPower’s production of “The Rainbow Fish” on April 22.

Tickets for “Harry the Dirty Dog” are $10 and all seats are general admission. To purchase tickets visit www.owens.edu or contact the College’s Box Office. For more information about the event, contact the Center For Fine and Performing Arts at (567) 661-2787 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. ARTS (2787). The performance is sponsored in part by WGTE Public Broadcasting.

Owens Community College is one of the fastest-growing higher educational institutions in Ohio. On the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses, Owens serves more than 45,000 credit and non-credit students. Owens is committed to providing small classes, personal attention and unmatched affordability. Owens Community College offers baccalaureate transfer degrees in the Arts and Sciences and over 150 technical program areas in Agriculture, Business, Health Sciences, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Skilled Trades, and Engineering and Transportation Technologies. Owens students also can earn the first two years of a bachelor’s degree with a smooth transfer to any area four-year college or university.

‘Fire and Fiber’ Exhibit Featured At Owens’ Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery, Oct. 13 – Nov. 11

Posted on October 6th, 2006

sculpture by Jack Schmidt Nature will serve as a source of inspiration for two area residents and the focal point of Owens Community College’s latest art exhibit in the Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery. The exhibit titled “Fire and Fiber” will feature artistic expressions from glass, steel and bronze sculptor Jack Schmidt and fiber artist Marcia Derse in a unique display, Oct. 13 – Nov. 11.

In addition, the College will host a reception for the artists from 6-8 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 13. The Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery is located in Owens’ Center for Fine and Performing Arts on the Toledo-area Campus.

“Owens Community College is proud to host such a dynamic group of artists as part of a very modern and innovative exhibit,” said Wynn Perry, Owens Part-time Manager of the Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery. “Even though the artists’ mediums are quite different, it is amazing how well Schmidt and Derse’s works complement each other. The two artists share similar themes of simplicity related to form, sophisticated color and elegant design. Their pairing will certainly create a very unique experience for all Gallery visitors.”

Glass, steel and bronze sculptures of Schmidt have been exhibited throughout the United States and abroad, and explore the odd tension between nature and manmade structures in landscapes and seascapes. Schmidt, a Toledo native, was appointed Secretary of the Glass Art Society in 1974 and has been an active member ever since. His work has been exhibited extensively worldwide and can be seen in many permanent collections, including the National Museum of American Art in Washington, D.C., the Detroit Institute of Arts in Detroit, the Toledo Museum of Art and the Chubb Institute of Technology in Nagoya, Japan.

fiber art by Marcia Derse Derse is an award-winning fiber artist who uses silkscreen paints, dyes, spoons, homemade stamps, bamboo pens and monoprints on muslin to create works reflecting the colors of the seasons and her travels. Often improvisational when cutting or piecing during the early artistic creation stage, Derse’s works are widely-know for their spontaneity and reflect her pure expression on delicate fabrics. The Sylvania native has exhibited her works at various arts events, festivals and museums, such as at the Naples National Art Festival in Naples, Fla., the Old Town Art Fair in Chicago and the Toledo Museum of Art, among others.

Admission to the Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery is free and open to the public from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday-Friday, from 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. on Thursdays and from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. on Saturdays. For more information about the 2006-07 Arts Exhibition Season, contact the Center for Fine and Performing Arts at (567) 661-2721 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 2721.

Owens Community College is one of the fastest-growing higher educational institutions in Ohio. On the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses, Owens serves more than 45,000 credit and non-credit students. Owens is committed to providing small classes, personal attention and unmatched affordability. Owens Community College offers baccalaureate transfer degrees in the Arts and Sciences and over 150 technical program areas in Agriculture, Business, Health Sciences, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Skilled Trades, and Engineering and Transportation Technologies. Owens students also can earn the first two years of a bachelor’s degree with a smooth transfer to any area four-year college or university.

Owens Findlay-area Campus Art Exhibit Features Works of Jon-Clair Gordon, Oct. 2-29

Posted on September 21st, 2006

photo by Jon-Clair Gordon FINDLAY – Artistic interpretations of people’s faces from Brazil and the country’s beauty will be the focus of a new art exhibit as Owens Community College’s Findlay-area Campus unveils “digital watercolors” by photographer and artist Jon-Clair Gordon. The Findlay-area Campus art exhibit, titled “Intercultural Touch from a Distance: Brazil”, will be on display in the Library, Oct. 2-27.

In addition, the College will host a reception for Gordon from 5-7 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 11 in the Library. The Owens Findlay-area Campus is located at 3200 Bright Rd. in Findlay.

“Owens Community College is very proud to showcase the unique, spontaneous and inventive art of Jon-Clair Gordon on the Findlay-area Campus,” said Gail McCain, Owens Library Manager for the Findlay-area Campus. “It is a pleasure to share Gordon’s artistic expressions from his time spent in Brazil. His photographs tell stories that will certainly stimulate the imagination, and his manipulations of the photographs take a person even further into the artistic process, as they express his emotional reaction to the Brazilian visit. The public, as well as Owens employees and students, are welcome and encouraged to come explore these wonderful pieces”

Gordon, an Associate Professor of Intercultural Communication and the Director of the Communication Program at the University of Findlay, is widely known for using a unique printing technique in order to create his “digital watercolors”. Gordon’s artistic process includes printing digital photographs with water-based ink, and then manipulating the images with his bare hands before the ink has time to dry. Depending on the ink color, the air temperature and the humidity, the process may last only a few minutes. The end result of the “digital watercolors” is a spontaneous, emotional reaction to the subjects in the photos and a unique artistic interpretation.

The pieces featured in “Intercultural Touch from a Distance: Brazil” were created during Gordon’s visit to Brazil three years ago. Though native to Ohio, Gordon has spent much of his life out of the state, studying and teaching at several colleges and universities abroad, and in many instances captured visual images for his artwork while living in that country. In addition to his artistic expressions from Brazil, Gordon has created a similar set of “digital watercolors” from his experiences teaching intercultural communication and art appreciation in Akita, Japan. He has also spent time in Singapore, Egypt and India.

Owens Community College is one of the fastest-growing higher educational institutions in Ohio. On the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses, Owens serves more than 45,000 credit and non-credit students. Owens is committed to providing small classes, personal attention and unmatched affordability. Owens Community College offers baccalaureate transfer degrees in the Arts and Sciences and over 150 technical program areas in Agriculture, Business, Health Sciences, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Skilled Trades, and Engineering and Transportation Technologies. Owens students also can earn the first two years of a bachelor’s degree with a smooth transfer to any area four-year college or university.

The Central Park Stompers to Perform At Owens Center for Fine and Performing Arts, Sept. 16

Posted on September 7th, 2006

Area residents are in for an evening of jumping and jiving to music of the Big Band era as Owens Community College’s Center for Fine and Performing Arts presents one of New York City’s favorite retro swing bands, The Central Park Stompers on Saturday, Sept. 16. The Central Park Stompers will perform in the College’s Mainstage Theatre at 8 p.m.

“The Central Park Stompers are a triple threat and a triple treat – a three-time swing award winning group of singers, musicians and dancers,” said Barbara Barkan, Owens Operations Manager for the Center of Fine and Performing Arts. “Owens Community College’s Center for Fine and Performing Arts is excited to welcome to our stage one of New York City’s most talented Big Band-era groups and the excitement, energy and uplifting sounds that accompany their performances.”

Beginning nine years ago as a jazz quartet, The Central Park Stompers evolved over time into the seven-piece, full-sounding swing ensemble. The group is nationally known for blending 1940s nostalgia, rock n’ roll and high-octane energy into their masterful sounds. While at the same time, The Central Park Stompers possess a contemporary edge to their music and infuse that creativity into the sophisticated Big Band music. The group’s unforgettable live show has helped them quickly become one of the “must see” retro swing bands in New York City.

The Central Park Stompers’ critically acclaimed live show has made them a favorite of festivals, theatres, performing arts centers and colleges from Boston to North Dakota. The group has performed at such famous swing venues as the Swing 76 in New York City and the 5 Spot in Philadelphia, as well as at the closing ceremonies of the rededication of Grand Central Terminal in New York City.

The nationally recognized swing band is comprised of pianist Michael Kanan, stand-up bassist and musical director Andrew Hall, percussionist Stefan Schatz and guitarist Mark McCarron. The group also features a tenor saxophone and trumpet horn section of Mike Hashim and Marty Bound. Newest addition to the group, Toby Williams adds her powerful voice to the musical sounds as lead singer.

Tickets for The Central Park Stompers are $22 for the public, $20 for senior citizens and Owens employees, and $12 for students. To purchase tickets please visit www.stagetix.com or contact the College’s Box Office. For more information about the event, contact the Center for Fine and Performing Arts at (567) 661-2787 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. ARTS (2787).

Owens Community College is one of the fastest-growing higher educational institutions in Ohio. On the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses, Owens serves more than 45,000 credit and non-credit students. Owens is committed to providing small classes, personal attention and unmatched affordability. Owens Community College offers baccalaureate transfer degrees in the Arts and Sciences and over 150 technical program areas in Agriculture, Business, Health Sciences, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Skilled Trades, and Engineering and Transportation Technologies. Owens students also can earn the first two years of a bachelor’s degree with a smooth transfer to any area four-year college or university.

Celtic Group Millish to Perform At Owens Center for Fine and Performing Arts, Sept. 8

Posted on August 24th, 2006

Area residents are in for an evening of energetic and cross-cultural medleys as Owens Community College kicks off its 2006-07 Presenting Arts Season with a performance by the Celtic group Millish on Friday, Sept. 8. The Ann Arbor-based International Acoustic Music Award winning group will perform in the College’s Mainstage Theatre at 8 p.m.

“Millish is an extremely popular young group on the Celtic circuit and is sure to get attendees hands clapping, feet stomping, pulses pounding and hearts racing before the evening comes to a close,” said Barbara Barkan, Owens Operations Manager for the Center of Fine and Performing Arts. “We are thrilled to have such a highly sought-after group showcasing their many talents as part of the debut performance for the Center for Fine and Performing Arts 2006-07 season.”

While Millish features many traditional Celtic instruments such as the uilleann pipes, the bodhran and the mandolin, the group does not confine themselves to the genre of Celtic music. The group’s sound is considered internationally as eclectic and shows influences from many cultures, pulling together those different sounds with their own brand of energy.

Millish has impressed music lovers across the country as well as on the international scene with their jaw-dropping jigs and reels and funky original sounds. The group recently returned from a tour of Germany this past spring and has performed at such notable venues as the Detroit Festival of the Arts, the Chicago Celtic Festival and Farm Fest. Millish has also performed twice on the nationally-syndicated “Mitch Albom Show”.

In addition to Millish’s success on stage, several group members have received significant individual achievements. Highlighted accomplishments include Tyler Duncan, the group’s uilleann piper, winning the All-Ireland Championship for uilleann pipes in both 1999 and 2000. Duncan was the first American to win for that instrument. Brad Phillips, the group’s fiddler, is the 2001 and 2003 State of Michigan Old Time Fiddle Champion, while percussionist Mike Shimmin is a National Jazz Soloist Competition champion. The group’s fourth member, guitarist Jesse Lee Mason, has performed at numerous select special events and venues, including for Garrison Keillor’s “A Prairie Home Companion” and at the White House.

Tickets for Millish are $15 for the public, $13 for senior citizens and Owens employees, and $10 for students. To purchase tickets visit www.stagetix.com or contact the College’s Box Office. For more information about the event, contact the Center for Fine and Performing Arts at (567) 661-2787 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. ARTS (2787).

Owens Community College is one of the fastest-growing higher educational institutions in Ohio. On the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses, Owens serves more than 45,000 credit and non-credit students, making it the number one choice for new college students. Owens is committed to providing small classes, personal attention and unmatched affordability. Owens Community College offers baccalaureate transfer degrees in the Arts and Sciences and over 150 technical program areas in Agriculture, Business, Health Sciences, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Skilled Trades, and Engineering and Transportation Technologies. Owens students also can earn the first two years of a bachelor’s degree with a smooth transfer to any area four-year college or university.

Owens Findlay-area Campus Art Exhibit Features Works of Local Artists, Aug. 21 – Sep. 29

Posted on August 15th, 2006

FINDLAY – Eclectic color photography and decorative and modern jewelry pieces will be the focus of a new art exhibit as Owens Community College’s Findlay-area Campus unveils artistic expressions by Findlay artist Tim Powell and Toledo artist Ann-Marie Searle. The Findlay-area Campus art exhibit will be on display in the Library, Aug. 21 – Sept. 29.

In addition, the College will host separate receptions for Powell and Searle from 5-8 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 23 and from 2-4 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 19, respectively. Both receptions will occur in the Findlay-area Campus Library.

“Owens Community College is very proud to showcase the work of such talented artists as Tim Powell and Ann-Marie Searle on the Findlay-area Campus,” said Gail McCain, Owens library manager for the Findlay-area Campus. “They are exceptional artists whose works will appeal to a wide range of people.”

McCain added, “The photography and jewelry exhibit is just one of many more art exhibits being planned on the Findlay-area Campus as we showcase artwork of local and student artists. The public, in addition to Owens employees and students, is welcome and encouraged to come explore these wonderful pieces.”

Powell began shooting digital photography within the past two years. Once considered a hobby, Powell’s interest has grown into a passion, which now includes hundreds of eclectic color images. His work depicts a wide variety of subjects ranging from cars and butterflies to scenic Hancock County meadows and fields. A vast majority of Powell’s photographic vignettes were captured in Hancock County. Employed at Whirlpool Corporation in Findlay for 32 years, Powell, currently a journeyman electrician, has received several awards and honors for his photos, including recognition at the annual Hancock Park District Photography Contest and the annual Findlay Art League Juried Photography Show.

Searle has been designing unique jewelry for over 15 years, and has made a name for herself as both an artist and a teacher. Her classes in bead weaving, bead stringing and wirework technique are extremely popular, and are offered at numerous locations in Northwest Ohio and Southeast Michigan, including the Owens Toledo-area Campus, Sylvania Schools, the 577 Foundation in Perrysburg and Monroe County Community College. Searle also instructs courses at bead stores such as Meant to Bead in the Sylvania area and Coyote Beads in Bowling Green. Project highlights in Searle’s classes include earrings, bracelets and necklaces often based on her original designs.

In addition, Searle’s designs have appeared in several publications, including “Bead and Button Magazine”, which is one of the field of beadwork’s most respected magazines, as well as its longest-running.

Owens Community College is one of the fastest-growing higher educational institutions in Ohio. On the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses, Owens serves more than 45,000 credit and non-credit students, making it the number one choice for new college students. Owens is committed to providing small classes, personal attention and unmatched affordability. Owens Community College offers baccalaureate transfer degrees in the Arts and Sciences and over 150 technical program areas in Agriculture, Business, Health Sciences, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Skilled Trades, and Engineering and Transportation Technologies. Owens students also can earn the first two years of a bachelor’s degree with a smooth transfer to any area four-year college or university.

National and Local Artists to Display Works During Owens’ Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery 2006-07 Season

Posted on August 7th, 2006

Owens Community College will welcome visual artists of all genres to the Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery as the Center for Fine and Performing Arts unveils its 2006-07 Arts Exhibition Season. The arts exhibition season will include a wide range of student, faculty and professional artists in various media.

“Owens Community College is proud to provide a marvelous exhibition gallery where local and national artists can express their artistic talents to the community,” said Wynn Perry, Owens part-time manager of the Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery. “The College looks forward to another enriching season at the Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery where area residents will have the opportunity to experience an original and enlightening exposure to the arts.”

A truly unique combination of painting and photography exploring the Jewish ideal of Tikkum, the process of healing and repairing the world, will open the gallery exhibition season from Aug. 14 – Sept. 30. Painter Judy Chicago and photographer Donald Woodman, both internationally recognized artists, will present “Studies from the Holocaust Project: From Darkness Into Light”, which begins with representations of the darkness and victimization of the Holocaust and moves into the light of hope. A series of lectures, films, and musical and theatrical performances related to the Holocaust will occur during the month of September in conjunction with this acclaimed exhibit.

Several other exhibits are scheduled for the gallery’s 2006-07 season. Beginning on Oct. 13, “Fire and Fiber” will feature the work of two area artists who look to nature for inspiration. Highlighting the exhibit will be nationally renowned Jack Schmidt and his glass, steel and bronze sculptures recalling landscapes and seascapes and award-winning fiber artist Marcia Damraure Derse and her use of paints, dyes, spoons, stamps, pens and other materials reflecting the colors of the seasons and her travels.

Starting on Nov. 16, “The Tile Project” will bring world-class glass artist Baker O’Brien to Owens who will showcase her unique cast glass tiles and drawings. In February and March, artistic pieces ranging from contemporary Renaissance-style paintings to photojournalistic images will explore the human visage through the eyes of the artist in an exhibit titled “Faces”.

Additionally, Owens faculty, staff and students will have the opportunity to present their visual art at the Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery. The “Faculty Art Exhibition” will take place Jan. 15 – Feb. 10, while the “Juried Student Art Exhibition” is scheduled for April 6-28.

Owens also celebrates Ohio’s industrial heritage with a summer exhibit beginning in June titled “The Art of Industry”. Individuals will be able explore both the form and function of the manufacturing process and the unusual beauty of industrial design through the years. In addition, the Toledo School for the Arts and the Athena Art Society organizations will showcase their artistic talents during the months of May and June, respectively.

Owens’ Art Exhibition Gallery is named in honor of Walter E. Terhune, a successful businessman and philanthropist in the 1800s. In 2003, the KeyBank National Association donated $100,000 to the Owens Community College Foundation, on behalf of the Walter E. Terhune Memorial Fund, to ensure the continued advancement of academic offerings and activities in Owens’ Center for Fine and Performing Arts.

Admission to the Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery is free and open to the public from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. on Thursdays and from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. on Saturdays. For additional information about the College’s 2006-07 Arts Exhibition Season, contact the Center for Fine and Performing Arts at 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 2721 or (567) 661-2721.

Owens Community College is one of the fastest-growing higher educational institutions in Ohio. On the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses, Owens serves more than 45,000 credit and non-credit students, making it the number one choice for new college students. Owens is committed to providing small classes, personal attention and unmatched affordability. Owens Community College offers baccalaureate transfer degrees in the Arts and Sciences and over 150 technical program areas in Agriculture, Business, Health Sciences, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Skilled Trades, and Engineering and Transportation Technologies. Owens students also can earn the first two years of a bachelor’s degree with a smooth transfer to any area four-year college or university.

National and Local Community Performers Scheduled At Owens’ Center for Fine and Performing Arts in 2006-07

Posted on August 2nd, 2006

Owens Community College’s Center for Fine and Performing Arts will raise the curtain with an array of events scheduled throughout the 2006-07 Presenting Arts Season. Music, dance and theatre artists from around the globe, including several local and regional standouts, will perform a variety of shows and concerts.

Jaw-dropping jigs and reels, cross cultural medleys and a unique Celtic sound will fill the air as Millish kicks off the 2006-07 season schedule on Sept. 8. The Ann Arbor, Mich., based and internationally recognized group is known for dazzling audiences with their music and is making quite a splash on the Celtic music scene. Hot on Millish’s heels is the jump, jiving Central Park Stompers who have become a “must see” retro swing band across the country. The Central Park Stompers perform on Sept.16.

“From Japan to Australia and New York City to New Orleans, Owens Community College’s 2006-07 presenting season features the sights and sounds of gifted and cutting edge performing artists who will entertain, enrich and uplift audiences,” said Barbara Barkan, Owens operations manager for the Center for Fine and Performing Arts. “The Center for Fine and Performing Arts is pleased to once again connect artists and audiences through performances and workshops that reach out to the campus and our surrounding communities.”

The College presenting season will once again feature a Family Fun Sunday series of three performances designed to provide fun and entertainment to individuals of all ages. The first performance, titled Harry the Dirty Dog, is a musical adaptation of Gene Zion’s classic book about a dog that runs away to avoid his bath. The musical will occur on Oct. 22. Cashore Marionettes’ Simple Gifts will serve as the second performance and features an impressive array of marionettes in a series of original vignettes celebrating life on Jan. 21. The Family Fun Sunday series will conclude on Apr. 22 with the musical The Rainbow Fish, which tells a tale about one of the most beautiful creatures in the ocean and the value of a true friendship.

In addition, the College will offer two new performance packages this season. The first is the Culture Class series and features three multicultural performances: the Latin sounds and stories of Sofrito! (Oct. 13), the Japanese drums of San Jose Taiko (Nov. 14) and the step dancing and vocal harmonies of the Hunt Family Fiddlers (March 15). The Singular Sensations series showcases three rising stars on the national music scene: composer and guitarist Dominic Gaudious (Jan. 12), country-singing duo Spur (Feb. 2) and genre-bending jazz, folk, rock and pop group Groovelily (Feb. 16).

Spring will bring the timeless, popular music of the 1920s, 30s and 40s to Owens as Banu Gibson and the New Orleans Hot Jazz performs on March 4, and passion and intrigue will surround the Attack Theatre’s thrilling presentation of Games of Steel on March 23.

Local community arts events will also highlight the 2006-07 season as Owens collaborates with the Perrysburg Symphony Orchestra to co-present a holiday Halloween Scare-tacular Concert on Oct. 21 and a Young Artist Concert on Apr. 29.

In addition, Melodic Expressions will once again grace the College’s Center for Fine and Performing Arts theatres as Owens faculty and students showcase their musical talents, Apr. 23-27. Owens fine and performing arts students will also put their acting skills on display as part of the College’s annual theatrical production in April.

All performing arts events will occur in Owens’ Mainstage Theatre on the Toledo-area Campus unless noted otherwise. Owens is located on Oregon Road, four miles from downtown Toledo. For additional information about the College’s 2006-07 Arts Presenting Season schedule, contact the Center for Fine and Performing Arts at 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. ARTS or (567) 661-2787.

For a complete listing of scheduled performances please visit the Center for Fine & Performing Arts web page.

Owens Community College is one of the fastest-growing higher educational institutions in Ohio. On the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses, Owens serves more than 45,000 credit and non-credit students, making it the number one choice for new college students. Owens is committed to providing small classes, personal attention and unmatched affordability. Owens Community College offers baccalaureate transfer degrees in the Arts and Sciences and over 150 technical program areas in Agriculture, Business, Health Sciences, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Skilled Trades, and Engineering and Transportation Technologies. Owens students also can earn the first two years of a bachelor’s degree with a smooth transfer to any area four-year college or university.

Studies from the Holocaust: From Darkness Into Light’ Exhibit Opens Owens’ Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery Season, Aug. 14 – Sept. 30

Posted on July 31st, 2006

Area residents will have the opportunity to journey through one of the darkest periods in human history and into the light of hope as Owens Community College’s Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery opens its art season with the internationally recognized exhibit “Studies from the Holocaust Project: From Darkness Into Light”. The exhibit will run from Aug. 14 – Sept. 30.

In addition to the exhibit, a series of lectures, as well as a film and music performance are scheduled at Owens to coincide with the Holocaust project during the month of September.

“Owens Community College is very honored to open the gallery’s art exhibition season with such a dynamic and thought-provoking exhibit for the Northwest Ohio community,” said Wynn Perry, Owens part-time manager of the Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery. “The Holocaust project not only provides an impressive and exciting arts showcase, it also offers a wonderful opportunity for individuals to learn about what the Jewish community had to endure as the College hosts a variety of powerful events that bring the human experience of victimization to life.”

The Holocaust project is a result of eight years of inquiry, travel, study and artistic endeavor by world-renowned artist Judy Chicago with the exhibit’s focus being the exploration of the Jewish concept of Tikkum, which is the process of healing and repairing the world. The exhibit features a series of images combining the paintings of Chicago with the photography of acclaimed photographer Donald Woodman into a display of two mediums unlike no other. Also included are several tapestries and stained glass works designed by Chicago and executed by several skilled artisans. The project premiered at Chicago’s Spertus Museum in 1993 and has been hosted by seven other museums throughout the United States.

Chicago, an artist, author, feminist and educator whose career spans four decades, has been the subject of countless articles, books and films on contemporary art. Her work focuses on art as an instrument of intellectual transformation and social change and has been exhibited in museums throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, Asia, Australia and New Zealand.

For the past 25 years Woodman has maintained a freelance commercial photography business, producing fine art photography, film and video pieces. His work has been published in “Time Magazine”, “Newsweek”, “Vanity Fair” and other publications and also can be seen in collections throughout the United States, London and Switzerland.

During the month of September, Owens will serve as host to a variety of events that bring the powerful Holocaust period to life. Titled “Honoring the Victims of the Holocaust”, all activities will occur in the Center for Fine and Performing Arts’ Mainstage and Studio theatres on the Toledo-area Campus.

Among the powerful and thought-provoking events are as follows:

Wednesday, Sept. 6
“Historical Overview”
University of Toledo faculty member Dr. Larry Wilcox will introduce the subject of genocide during World War II and discuss the use of visual images in popular German culture that were created to foster racism and stereotyping in Nazi Germany.
(9:30 a.m. in the Studio Theatre)

“Night and Fog”
Directed by Alain Resnais, “Night and Fog” is one of the most vivid depictions of the horrors of Nazi concentration camps. Filmed in 1955, it combines color footage, black-and-white newsreels and stills to tell the story, not just of the Holocaust, but of the horror of man’s brutal inhumanity.
(10:15 a.m. in the Studio Theatre)

“Poems from the Camps”
Owens Community College faculty member Leonard Kress will share several very powerful poems about the Holocaust while accompanied by acclaimed guitarist Eric Wallack, Owens chair for the Center of Fine and Performing Arts. Kress studied religion at Temple University and Slavic languages and literature at the Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Poland. He has translated numerous poems and fiction from Polish and Russian into English and has been the recipient of several grants in both poetry and playwriting from the Pennsylvania and Ohio Arts councils.
(11:30 a.m. in the Mainstage Theatre)

“The Three-Sided Coin”
Owens Community College faculty member Dr. Morris Frommer will discuss the Nazi regime, Stalinist Russia and Osama Bin Laden and their strategic use of terror as a systemic tool in the political ideology of tyranny.
(1:30 p.m. in the Studio Theatre)

“Survival, the Personal Experiences of a Hidden Child”
Born in Poland to Jewish parents, Phil Master was four years old when World War II began. By the age of six he was on his own and lost 40 members of his immediate family during the concentration camp period. Master will discus how the willingness to live forces people to do anything, while for others, death becomes preferable to life itself.
(3 p.m. in the Studio Theatre)

“The Holocaust was a Symptom”
Rabbi Alan Sokobin, Rabbi emeritus of The Temple Shomer Emunim in Sylvania, will speak about how the litany of human depravity and merciless brutality during past decades does not speak well of the human spirit as it relates to the inhumane activities of the Holocaust.
(4 p.m. in the Studio Theatre)

“Tikvah (Hope)”
Internationally acclaimed American Jewish composer, Burton Beerman will bring a one-of-a-kind theatrical experience, which masterfully blends music, dance, narration and song based on the life of Holocaust and Torah scholar Philip Markowicz. Featuring the hauntingly beautiful voice of Andrea Rae, Markowicz’s granddaughter, “Tikvah” serves as a musical rendering of the Jewish experience, honoring the Holocaust survivors and paying tribute to the six million individuals who lost their lives during the dark period. An art exhibit reception will precede the performance from 5-7 p.m. in the Center for Fine and Performing Arts Rotunda.
(7:30 p.m. in the Mainstage Theatre)

Thursday, Sept. 14
“Rosenstrasse”
Produced last year by Margarethe Von Trotta in Germany and the Netherlands, “Rosenstrasse” looks at the complex relationships in the family of a Holocaust survivor. The film is being presented by the College’s World Culture Film Series.
(7:30 p.m. in the Mainstage Theatre)

Thursday, Sept. 21
“The Diary of Anne Frank”
Area residents are invited to experience a theatrical staged reading of “The Diary of Anne Frank” as directed by Barbara Barkan, Owens operations manager of the Center for Fine and Performing Arts. The Owens Literacy Committee will present the powerful retelling of such a familiar story.
(7 p.m. in the Studio Theatre)

Admission to the Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery is free and open to the public from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday-Friday, from 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. on Thursdays and from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. on Saturdays. For more information about the 2006-07 Arts Exhibition Season or any other events related to the Holocaust project, contact the Center for Fine and Performing Arts at (567) 661-2721 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 2721.

Owens Community College is one of the fastest-growing higher educational institutions in Ohio. On the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses, Owens serves more than 45,000 credit and non-credit students, making it the number one choice for new college students. Owens is committed to providing small classes, personal attention and unmatched affordability. Owens Community College offers baccalaureate transfer degrees in the Arts and Sciences and over 150 technical program areas in Agriculture, Business, Health Sciences, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Skilled Trades, and Engineering and Transportation Technologies. Owens students also can earn the first two years of a bachelor’s degree with a smooth transfer to any area four-year college or university.

Owens’ Center for Fine and Performing Arts Hosts American Harp Society Day Ensemble Concert, June 30

Posted on June 14th, 2006

Area residents are encouraged to witness the masters of pulling strings as Owens Community College hosts the ninth annual American Harp Society Day Ensemble Concert in the Center for Fine and Performing Arts Mainstage Theatre on Friday, June 30. The concert will begin at 7 p.m.

“The Northwest Ohio Chapter of the American Harp Society is very excited to bring this fun and dazzling performance to Owens for the second consecutive year,” said Denise Grupp-Verbon, Owens adjunct faculty member and co-founder of Harp Week. “This year’s concert will feature 25 harpists from as far away as Oklahoma, and we are certain attendees will not be disappointed with the musical variety and stylistic flourishes of this year’s presentation.”

Harpists ranging from beginners to professionals will be strumming both familiar and original tunes throughout the evening. Highlights will include “Baby Blues,” “Big Band Harps,” “Edelweiss,” “Chariots of Fire” and “Over the Rainbow.” Performers will use harps of all different sizes, with some harps including as many as 47 strings.

Owens Community College is one of the fastest-growing higher educational institutions in Ohio. On the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses, Owens serves more than 45,000 credit and non-credit students, making it the number one choice for new college students. Owens is committed to providing small classes, personal attention and unmatched affordability. Owens Community College offers baccalaureate transfer degrees in the Arts and Sciences and over 150 technical program areas in Agriculture, Business, Health Sciences, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Skilled Trades, and Engineering and Transportation Technologies. Owens students also can earn the first two years of a bachelor’s degree with a smooth transfer to any area four-year college or university.

Summer Brings Insider Art Exhibit To Owens’ Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery, June 12 – July 20

Posted on May 23rd, 2006

Owens Community College faculty and staff outside of the Fine and Performing Arts will have the opportunity to showcase their artistic side to the surrounding communities as the Center for Fine and Performing Arts hosts the first Insider Art Exhibition in the Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery, June 12 – July 20.

“The Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery is delighted to invite and encourage area residents to this showcase featuring the artistic and creative talents of the College’s employees,” said Wynn Perry, Owens adjunct faculty member and curator of the Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery. “Work by those without a formal arts education is commonly known as ‘outsider art.’ This exhibit allows Owens ‘insiders’ who might not normally display their work publicly to have such an opportunity.”

The exhibit features such diverse work as paintings, drawings, sculptures, woodworking, ceramics, needlepoint and costumes. Contributing artists come from such varied Owens offices and departments as Safety and Security, Math and Life Sciences, Buildings and Grounds, and the President’s Office.

A reception for the artists and their friends and families will be held on Thursday, June 15 from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. in the College’s Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery to celebrate the opening of the exhibit.

Admission to the Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery is free and open to the public, Monday-Thursday from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. and Friday from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. For additional information about the Insider Art Exhibit, contact the Center for Fine and Performing Arts at (567) 661-2721 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 2721.

Owens Community College is one of the fastest-growing higher educational institutions in Ohio. On the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses, Owens serves more than 45,000 credit and non-credit students, making it the number one choice for new college students. Owens is committed to providing small classes, personal attention and unmatched affordability. Owens Community College offers baccalaureate transfer degrees in the Arts and Sciences and over 150 technical program areas in Agriculture, Business, Health Sciences, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Skilled Trades, and Engineering and Transportation Technologies. Owens students also can earn the first two years of a bachelor’s degree with a smooth transfer to any area four-year college or university.

Pippi Longstocking Concludes Family Fun Sunday Series At Owens Center for Fine and Performing Arts, May 21

Posted on May 12th, 2006

Area residents are encouraged to bring their families to Owens Community College for an afternoon of adventure and excitement as the Center for Fine and Performing Arts concludes its 2005-06 Presenting Arts Season with the fun-filled musical Pippi Longstocking on Sunday, May 21.

The widely popular Pippi Longstocking character and her mischievous friends will come to life in the College’s Mainstage Theatre at 2 p.m. The performance is the third in Owens’ Center for Fine and Performing Arts Family Fun Sunday Series, which is designed to provide fun and entertainment to individuals of all ages.

“We are delighted to present Pippi Longstocking as the third and final installment in our Family Fun Sunday Series,” said Barbara Barkan, Owens operations manager for the Center of Fine and Performing Arts. “Pippi Longstocking is a wonderful musical production that is sure to have children and adults alike rocking in their seats along with this familiar and beloved character.”

Based upon the classic children’s stories by Astrid Lindgren, Pippi Longstocking tells the tale of a young lady whose father is a pirate and whose mother is in heaven. As she heads to the local carnival with her friends Tommy and Annika, a misguided social worker plots to have her placed in an orphanage. Complete with a rousing musical score and all the excitement of a classic tale of adventure, the Pippi Longstocking musical, which is an American Family Theater Inc. production, has delighted audiences of all ages nationwide through spectacle, song and special effects.

A professional and nationally renowned tour group, American Family Theater was established in 1970 to educate and entertain families and young audiences. The organization currently has 24 different troupes touring the country and performing a wide variety of musical plays ranging from Cinderella to Anne Frank. American Family Theater has performed in over 400 cities throughout the United States and Canada and reaches an estimated 1.4 million people each year.

In addition to the musical performance, those in attendance will have an opportunity to meet the cast at the show’s conclusion.

Tickets for Pippi Longstocking are $10 and all seats are general admission. To purchase tickets, visit www.stagetix.com or contact the College’s Box Office. For more information about the event, contact the Center for Fine and Performing Arts at (567) 661-2787 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. ARTS (2787).

Owens Community College is one of the fastest-growing higher educational institutions in Ohio. On the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses, Owens serves more than 45,000 credit and non-credit students, making it the number one choice for new college students. Owens is committed to providing small classes, personal attention and unmatched affordability. Owens Community College offers baccalaureate transfer degrees in the Arts and Sciences and over 150 technical program areas in Agriculture, Business, Health Sciences, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Skilled Trades, and Engineering and Transportation Technologies. Owens students also can earn the first two years of a bachelor’s degree with a smooth transfer to any area four-year college or university.

Art Exhibition Highlights Student Work At Owens’ Findlay-Area Campus, May 4-15

Posted on May 3rd, 2006

FINDLAY – Owens Community College fine arts students will have the opportunity to showcase their many artistic talents as the Findlay-area Campus hosts its first-ever Student Art Exhibition in the Library, May 4-15.

“Owens’ Findlay-area Campus is delighted to feature the finest works of art produced by our students in the past year,” said Gail McCain, Owens library manager for the Findlay-area Campus. “The Library is a great venue for Owens students to display their own works and highlight the knowledge and growth they have acquired in the classroom.”

McCain added, “These artistic expressions are extremely individualized and reflect the unique creative abilities and inspirations of each student artist.”

The Student Art Exhibition features 31 pieces of artwork from paintings to drawings created by 13 different student artists enrolled in Fine and Performing Arts courses. In addition to the students’ artistic expressions, their instructor Louise Wineland, Owens adjunct faculty member for Fine and Performing Arts, will showcase some of her own works.

Students whose work will be displayed are Sara Agner of Findlay (commercial art technology), Leslie Barron of Findlay (commercial art technology), Tifani Boltz of Upper Sandusky (commercial art technology), Sarah Gosche of Bascom (liberal arts general concentration), Kari Johann of Findlay (business management), Jennifer Kloepfer of Vanlue (commercial art technology), Lindsey Leibfarth of Findlay (liberal arts general concentration), Ashley Parke of Findlay (business management), Erica Parke of Findlay (commercial art technology), Andrea Reinhart of Alvada (English), Ajay Reyna of Ottawa (pre-business administration), Judy Theis of Findlay (commercial art technology) and Amber Zeltner of Findlay (liberal arts general concentration).

Admission to the Student Art Exhibition and the Owens Findlay-area Campus Library is free and open to the public. The Library will be open Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. For more information, contact the College’s Library at (567) 429-3088 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 3088.

Owens Community College is one of the fastest-growing higher educational institutions in Ohio. On the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses, Owens serves more than 45,000 credit and non-credit students, making it the number one choice for new college students. Owens is committed to providing small classes, personal attention and unmatched affordability. Owens Community College offers over 150 program areas in Agriculture, Business, Fine and Performing Arts, Health, Public Service, Skilled Trades, and Industrial and Engineering Technologies. Owens students also can earn the first two years of a bachelor’s degree with a smooth transfer to any area four-year college or university.

Greg Kostraba and Shannon Ford to Perform At Owens’ Center for Fine and Performing Arts, May 12

Posted on May 2nd, 2006

Internationally acclaimed radio professional and concert pianist Greg Kostraba will partner with the nationally recognized woodwind performer Shannon Ford and take to the Owens Community College Center for Fine and Performing Arts’ stage on Friday, May 12. The piano and reed duet performance will occur in the College’s Mainstage Theatre at 7:30 p.m.

“Owens is proud to feature such renowned and gifted musicians as Mr. Kostraba and Ms. Ford in concert,” said Barbara Barkan, Owens operations manager for the Center for Fine and Performing Arts. “Their complementary instruments and styles, along with their professional skills, are sure to make for a unique evening of music.”

Kostraba has successfully combined a career as a radio professional and concert pianist. He currently serves as the classical music director and senior radio host of WGTE-FM 91.3 and is responsible for the station’s classical music programming.

His passion for music also includes devoting much of his time composing and performing at various locations throughout North America. At the 2004 Fourth Van Cliburn International Piano Competition for Outstanding Amateurs, Kostraba’s mesmerizing performance helped him garner semi-finalist status and acclaim for music making. He has also performed with the Purdue and the Lafayette symphony orchestras and conducted solo piano and chamber music performances at the Toledo Museum of Art’s Great Gallery, Bowling Green State University and the Tippecanoe Chamber Music Society in Lafayette, Ind.

Ford has 17 years of experience as a professional performer. She has worked with many renowned ensembles such as the Toledo, Lima and Perrysburg symphony orchestras and the Toledo Concert Band. Ford also has participated in several world performances, including John Cage’s Four5 at the World Saxophone Congress in Italy. In 2004, she was named the “Toledo City Paper’s” Best Teacher of the Year.

Ford earned her master’s degree in woodwind performance from Bowling Green State University. She also was selected for membership into the Pi Kappa Lambda honorary organization while an undergraduate at Indiana State University. Ford provides her musical expertise as an instructor at several area colleges and universities, freelances classical and jazz styles and maintains a large private lesson studio.

Tickets are $12 for the public, $10 for senior citizens and $8 for Owens students. To purchase tickets visit www.stagetix.com or contact the College’s Box Office. For more information about the concert, contact the Center for Fine and Performing Arts at (567) 661-2787 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. ARTS (2787).

Owens Community College is one of the fastest-growing higher educational institutions in Ohio. On the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses, Owens serves more than 45,000 credit and non-credit students, making it the number one choice for new college students. Owens is committed to providing small classes, personal attention and unmatched affordability. Owens Community College offers over 150 program areas in Agriculture, Business, Fine and Performing Arts, Health, Public Service, Skilled Trades, and Industrial and Engineering Technologies. Owens students also can earn the first two years of a bachelor’s degree with a smooth transfer to any area four-year college or university.

Owens Presents First-Ever ‘Melodic Expressions’ Spring Concert Series, Apr. 24 – May 3

Posted on April 10th, 2006

Area residents with a passion and an enjoyment of music are encouraged to join in celebrating the culmination of an academic year’s worth of fine and performing arts education as Owens Community College presents its first-ever “Melodic Expressions” Spring Concert Series, April 24 – May 3. The Spring Concert Series will showcase the accomplishments of Owens students and faculty in a number of performances ranging from vocal to instrumental.

“‘Melodic Expressions’ is a wonderful opportunity to showcase the tremendous accomplishments of our Owens Community College’s Fine and Performing Arts,” said Eric Wallack, Owens chair of Fine and Performing Arts. “The upcoming recitals and ensembles have been mastered through academic learning within the classroom this past year. Events such as ‘Melodic Expressions’ provide our students with a great venue to display such musical talents in a real world setting.”

Wallack added, “I am very proud of our Fine and Performing Arts students and the quality of work they and our faculty will present as part of the two-week musical extravaganza.”

All events will occur in the College’s Center for Fine and Performing Arts on the Toledo-area Campus. The schedule of events is as follows:

Monday, April 24
Harp Performance by Owens Adjunct Faculty Member Denise Grupp-Verbon and Friends
Grupp-Verbon’s performance will feature a sundry of selections and styles. Owens harp students from Grupp-Verbon’s teaching studio will join her in a variety of arrangements for multiple harps.
(6 p.m.) (Center for Fine and Performing Arts Studio Theatre, Room 111)

Owens Student Choir
The Owens Student Chorus will present a wide range of music heard around the world, including songs from Australia, Canada, Cuba, South Africa and the United States, among others.
(7:30 p.m.) (Center for Fine and Performing Arts Mainstage Theatre)

Wednesday, April 26
Solo Acoustic Guitar Performance by Owens Fine and Performing Arts Chair Eric Wallack
Owens’ chair of Fine and Performing Arts will present an afternoon of improvised and eclectic solo acoustic guitar music. Wallack is an internationally recognized performer with over 30 recordings to his credit.
(2 p.m.) (Center for Fine and Performing Arts Studio Theatre, Room 111)

Owens Jazz Express
The Owens Jazz Express student performers will showcase their many talents through numerous crowd-pleasing musical favorites. Highlighted genres will include swing, bop and jazz waltz.
(7 p.m.) (Center for Fine and Performing Arts Studio Theatre, Room 111)

Thursday, April 27
Owens Voice Class
Attendees are in for an evening of unique musical sounds courtesy of the College’s voice classes. The concert features entertainment by Fine and Performing Arts students, whose stylistic influences include opera.
(7 p.m.) (Center for Fine and Performing Arts Mainstage Theatre)

Friday, April 28
Owens Percussion Ensemble
The Owens Percussion Ensemble will offer a truly unique student performance by pairing Western Hemisphere instruments with non-Western Hemisphere music, breaking all the rules of traditional music and using melodies in a percussive setting.
(7 p.m.) (Center for Fine and Performing Arts Mainstage Theatre)

Wednesday, May 3
Owens Guitar Class
“Melodic Expressions” closes with an informal musical presentation by intermediate and beginning guitar students. Owens student performers will showcase some of their favorite songs in various genres.
(6 p.m.) (Center for Fine and Performing Arts Studio Theatre, Room 111)

Owens Community College is one of the fastest-growing higher educational institutions in Ohio. On the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses, Owens serves more than 45,000 credit and non-credit students, making it the number one choice for new college students. Owens is committed to providing small classes, personal attention and unmatched affordability. Owens Community College offers over 150 program areas in Agriculture, Business, Fine and Performing Arts, Health, Public Service, Skilled Trades, and Industrial and Engineering Technologies. Owens students also can earn the first two years of a bachelor’s degree with a smooth transfer to any area four-year college or university.

Juried Student Art Exhibition Unveiled At Owens’ Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery, April 7-29

Posted on March 14th, 2006

“Owens’ Center for Fine and Performing Arts is proud to feature the finest works of art produced by our students,” said Wynn Perry, Owens adjunct faculty member who curates the Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery. “This exhibit is a great venue for Owens students to display their accomplished artistic pieces, enabling them to showcase the knowledge obtained within the classroom into a real world setting.”

Perry added, “The artistic expressions are extremely individualized and reflect the unique creative ability of each student artist.”

Owens’ Juried Student Art Exhibition features over 100 pieces of artwork created by nearly 60 students enrolled within Fine and Performing Arts courses. Juried categories include painting, drawing, graphic and interior design, photography, ceramics, and sculpture. Students presenting art for the Juried Student Art Exhibition are allowed to enter a total of five featured pieces.

Area artists and professionals will serve as the jury for the spring show.

An opening reception for the exhibit will be held on Friday, April 7 from 6-8 p.m. in the Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery. The reception is free and area residents are encouraged to attend.

Admission to the Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery is free and open to the public, Monday-Friday from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Thursdays from 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. For additional information about this exhibit or the College’s 2005-06 Art Exhibition Season, contact the Center for Fine and Performing Arts at (567) 661-2721 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 2721.

Owens Community College is one of the fastest-growing higher educational institutions in Ohio. On the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses, Owens serves more than 45,000 credit and non-credit students, making it the number one choice for new college students. Owens is committed to providing small classes, personal attention and unmatched affordability. Owens Community College offers over 150 program areas in Agriculture, Business, Fine and Performing Arts, Health, Public Service, Skilled Trades, and Industrial and Engineering Technologies. Owens students also can earn the first two years of a bachelor’s degree with a smooth transfer to any area four-year college or university.

Owens Production of ‘The Rover’ Takes The Center for Fine and Performing Arts Stage, Mar. 31 – Apr. 8

Posted on March 14th, 2006

All the madness and excitement representing a New Orleans Mardi Gras will storm the Mainstage Theatre as Owens Community College presents the theatrical production of “The Rover” at the Center for Fine and Performing Arts, March 31 – April 8. The first show will occur at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, March 31.

This rollicking romantic comedy by Aphra Behn tells the story of the wealthy and virtuous Florinda racing against the clock to wed her penniless lover, Belvile. Florinda’s actions occur as a result of her family wanting to marry her off to another man. Florinda is assisted by her sister, Hellena, who develops a few romantic plans of her own when she spots Belvile’s rakish friend, Willmore. Gypsies, pirates, grifters and duels make the theatrical producation one battle of the sexes not to be missed.

“The College’s Center for Fine and Performing Arts is very excited to present such a unique theatrical production, featuring the talents of so many Owens students,” said Eric Wallack, Owens chair of Fine and Performing Arts. “‘The Rover’ offers humor, action-packed suspense and fun for individuals of all ages. The music and dazzling Mardi Gras costumes are sure to make the performance a hit with the whole family.”

The cast and crew of “The Rover” are comprised of more than 30 students from Owens, the University of Toledo, local high schools, professional artists and community members. The College’s theatrical production is being directed by Owens adjunct faculty member Cynthia Stroud.

Owens students involved in the production are Fernando Viso of Sylvania as Belvile, Chad Paben of Maumee as Willmore, Dylan Kahle of Toledo as Frederick, William Toth of Toledo as Ned Blunt, John Sweney of Perrysburg as Don Pedro, Henry Walling of Sylvania as Sancho, Zac Gilley of Toledo as Biskey, Paul Kendrick of Toledo as Sebastian, Kyle Lewis of Toledo as a Police Officer, Veronica Smith of Toledo as Callis, Gillian Mitchell of Perrysburg as a Police Officer and Shannon Quigley of Toledo as a Police Officer.

“The Rover” will run Thursday, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. from March 31 – April 8.

Tickets are $10 for the general public, $8 for senior citizens and $6 for Owens students. All seats are general admission and a portion of the proceeds will be donated to assist in the continuing Hurricane Katrina relief efforts. To purchase tickets, visit www.stagetix.com or contact the College’s Box Office. For more information, call the Center for Fine and Performing Arts at (567) 661-2787 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. ARTS (2787).

Owens Community College is one of the fastest-growing higher educational institutions in Ohio. On the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses, Owens serves more than 45,000 credit and non-credit students, making it the number one choice for new college students. Owens is committed to providing small classes, personal attention and unmatched affordability. Owens Community College offers over 150 program areas in Agriculture, Business, Fine and Performing Arts, Health, Public Service, Skilled Trades, and Industrial and Engineering Technologies. Owens students also can earn the first two years of a bachelor’s degree with a smooth transfer to any area four-year college or university.

Celtic Harpist Patrick Ball Brings ‘The Fine Beauty of the Island’ To Owens Center for Fine and Performing Arts, Mar. 20

Posted on March 9th, 2006

Area residents will have the opportunity to take a musical journey into Irish mythology and history as Celtic harpist and storyteller, Patrick Ball performs at Owens Community College’s Center for Fine and Performing Arts on Monday, March 20. Ball will perform his solo musical theater piece titled “The Fine Beauty of the Island” at 7 p.m. in the Mainstage Theatre.

Sponsored by the Northwest Ohio Chapter of the American Harp Society and the Center for Fine and Performing Arts, admission to the evening of music and storytelling is free and the public is encouraged to attend.

“This should be a very exciting evening of entertainment for the Northwest Ohio community,” said Denise Grupp-Verbon, Owens adjunct faculty member and president of the Northwest Ohio Chapter of the American Harp Society. “Attendees will have the opportunity to see an internationally renowned performer present one of Ireland’s most haunting legends in a show that captures that country’s music and oral tradition.”

Ball was born and raised in California and earned a master’s degree in history from Dominican College. While pursuing his college education, he found himself particularly fascinated by the lyrical and turbulent history of Ireland. During several trips to Ireland his fascination with the heritage and culture continued to grow, highlighted by learning about the Celtic harp and its role in Irish oral tradition. Before long, he taught himself to play and began creating performance pieces that combined his scholarship, love of words and musicianship.

Today, he is regarded as one of the premier Celtic harpers and storytellers in the world. Ball tours extensively throughout the United States and Canada, and his nine instrumental and three spoken word albums have sold well over 500,000 copies. Additionally, he has been awarded several grants for his work by the Zellerbach Family Fund and the California Arts Council and is a Circle of Excellence Award recipient from the National Storytelling Association.

His shows are known for capturing dark Irish humor combined with Irish history and legends he discovered through research. Ball’s travels also play a significant role in his traditional Celtic music. “The Fine Beauty of the Island” will transport audiences to the legendary Blasket Islands off Ireland’s coast in search of a deeply haunting tune heard on the winds of the islands and the vanished islanders who played it.

For more information about Ball’s free performance, call (567) 661-2787 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. ARTS (2787).

Owens Community College is one of the fastest-growing higher educational institutions in Ohio. On the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses, Owens serves more than 45,000 credit and non-credit students, making it the number one choice for new college students. Owens is committed to providing small classes, personal attention and unmatched affordability. Owens Community College offers over 150 program areas in Agriculture, Business, Fine and Performing Arts, Health, Public Service, Skilled Trades, and Industrial and Engineering Technologies. Owens students also can earn the first two years of a bachelor’s degree with a smooth transfer to any area four-year college or university.

Glengarry Bhoys to Perform Celtic Classics At Owens Center for Fine and Performing Arts, Mar. 12

Posted on March 6th, 2006

Glengarry Bhoys to Perform Celtic Classics At Owens Center for Fine and Performing Arts, Mar. 12
The sounds of traditional Celtic music from the Scottish highlands will be given a fresh perspective as the Glengarry Bhoys come to Northwest Ohio and Owens Community College on Sunday, March 12. The group will perform at 7 p.m. in the Center for Fine and Performing Arts’ Mainstage Theatre.

“The Glengarry Bhoys have earned international acclaim for their enchanting live performances,” said Barbara Barkan, Owens operations manager for the Center for Fine and Performing Arts. “Their performance at Owens will delight individuals of all ages through impressive musicianship, good humor and a joyous blend of traditional Celtic influences and contemporary sensibilities.”

Hailing from Glengarry, Ontario, an area settled by Scottish highlanders in the 1800s, the Glengarry Bhoys began their musical journey performing to crowds in local Canadian bars. From such humble beginnings, the group exploded upon the musical scene, thrilling audiences worldwide with a unique Celtic sound, which combines their multi-cultural heritage and folklore. In the span of seven years touring, the Glengarry Bhoys’ music has grown immensely in popularity to include a loyal group of followers nicknamed the “fhans” in their native region.

The Glengarry Bhoys are also regarded as a major act on the United States Celtic festival circuit and their club shows frequently draw the size of crowds usually associated with the large pop stars of today. The group has six critically acclaimed albums to their credit and has sold in excess of 95,000 copies of their records, a staggering accomplishment for an independent artist that often places them in the Top 10 of Canada’s online sales lists. The Glengarry Bhoys recently finished their seventh album “Mill Sessions,” which was released within the last two weeks.

In addition and as part of their performances, the group also pays homage to continuing their region’s cultural legacies in reinterpretations of traditional jigs and reels. The Glengarry Bhoys are comprised of guitarist Graham Wright, fiddler Miranda Mulholland, bassist Graham Smith, bagpiper Ewan Brown and drummer Gaye Stuart “Ziggy” Leroux.

Tickets for the Glengarry Bhoys are $18 for the general public, $16 for senior citizens and $12 for Owens students. To purchase tickets, visit www.stagetix.com or contact the College’s Box Office. For more information about the event, contact the Center for Fine and Performing Arts at (567) 661-2787 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. ARTS (2787).

Owens Community College is one of the fastest-growing higher educational institutions in Ohio. On the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses, Owens serves more than 45,000 credit and non-credit students, making it the number one choice for new college students. Owens is committed to providing small classes, personal attention and unmatched affordability. Owens Community College offers over 150 program areas in Agriculture, Business, Fine and Performing Arts, Health, Public Service, Skilled Trades, and Industrial and Engineering Technologies. Owens students also can earn the first two years of a bachelor’s degree with a smooth transfer to any area four-year college or university.

Owens Center for Fine and Performing Arts Presents Lalo, the ‘Vibe Queen,’ Mar. 3

Posted on February 24th, 2006

Owens Center for Fine and Performing Arts Presents Lalo, the 'Vibe Queen,' Mar. 3
Traditional jazz will receive an injection of modern edge sounds, courtesy of the vibraphone, when composer and vibraphonist Lalo performs at the Owens Community College Center for Fine and Performing Arts on Friday, March 3. Her performance will occur in the Mainstage Theatre and begin at 8 p.m.

“We are delighted and excited to bring one of the country’s most recognized vibraphonists to Owens Community College,” said Barbara Barkan, Owens operations manager for the Center for Fine and Performing Arts. “Lalo’s modern take on traditional jazz when fused with world music and rock influences is inspiring. Attendees are in for an evening of musical sounds that will leave a lasting impression.”

Dubbed the “Vibe Queen” by New York City’s “The Village Voice,” Lalo is originally from Savannah, Ga. and began performing in regional clubs and festivals as early as high school. She went on to graduate from the Berklee College of Music and has studied with world-renowned vibraphonist Mike Mainieri.

Lalo has toured throughout the United States and Europe and plays regularly in legendary New York City venues such as the Blue Note and Makor. She has been the featured guest artist at several festivals, including the Percussive Arts Society International Convention. Her original compositions have earned a feature interview on National Public Radio’s Weekend Edition Sunday and on the cover of Womenrock.com and “Jazziz” magazine, which listed her among the “20 Fine Vibists” in the world. She is also part of the Women Rock the Road Tour, a group that tours in association with the American Cancer Society.

Lalo and guitarist Jack West will present the Owens audience with original compositions that offer impressive instrumentation, improvisation and interaction in a highly visual performance that spans genres and delivers a positive message.

In addition to her live musical performance, the American Cancer Society will have representatives and information on hand to promote the importance of breast cancer awareness in conjunction with Women’s History Month.

Tickets for Lalo are $16 for the public and $10 for senior citizens and Owens students. To purchase tickets, visit www.stagetix.com or contact the College’s Box Office. For more information about the event, contact the Center for Fine and Performing Arts at (567) 661-2787 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. ARTS (2787).

Owens Community College is one of the fastest-growing higher educational institutions in Ohio. On the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses, Owens serves more than 45,000 credit and non-credit students, making it the number one choice for new college students. Owens is committed to providing small classes, personal attention and unmatched affordability. Owens Community College offers over 150 program areas in Agriculture, Business, Fine and Performing Arts, Health, Public Service, Skilled Trades, and Industrial and Engineering Technologies. Owens students also can earn the first two years of a bachelor’s degree with a smooth transfer to any area four-year college or university.

Local Artists Capture the U.S. and World on Film During Owens Findlay-area Campus Exhibit, Feb. 27 – Mar. 31

Posted on February 17th, 2006

FINDLAY – Travel aficionados, Carole Elchert and Andrea Van Vorhis will offer glimpses of the culture and the beauty of exotic locales in Central Asia and the American West as the Owens Community College Findlay-area Campus Library is proud to host their first-ever photography art exhibit, February 27 – March 31.

In addition, the College will host a reception for both artists on Tuesday, February 28 in the Library from 4-6:30 p.m. The reception is free, and the public is encouraged to attend, to view and to discuss the works, the lands and their travels.

“We are proud to showcase the artwork of two impressive artists,” said Gail McCain, Owens library manager for the Findlay-area Campus. “The Owens Findlay-area Campus encourages the public to stop by the Library and take a look at the breathtaking imagery captured from Van Vorhis’ travels to the American West and Elchert’s journeys to the Himalayan regions.”

Elchert is recognized for her images, writing, presentations and travels on numerous trips to Tibet and Nepal. As part of her travels, she has conducted 16 eco-cultural tours to the area, including the 1988 Cultural Arts Exhibition to Tibet, which led to her co-producing the PBS video “White Lotus” and its companion book. “White Lotus” highlights photographs taken during the expedition. Her work has appeared in exhibits worldwide, including in New York, London, Melbourne, and Los Angeles. In addition to her exploration of landscapes with photography, Elchert is a writer of performance prose, essays and short stories. She is currently an assistant professor of Communication at The University of Findlay and is a writing mentor in the innovative Writing Center at the Owens Findlay-area Campus.

Van Vorhis has spent over 20 years exploring the history, culture and landscapes of the Southwest and the Rocky Mountains areas. Such passion for the outdoors eventually led to Van Vorhis and her husband creating Wind River Adventure Tours, an educational tour company that leads small groups to Yellowstone, the Grand Tetons, Badlands and the Grand Canyon, among other locations. A native of Austria, Van Vorhis’ work captures shapes, colors, textures, shadows and contrasts of the landscapes located within the western United States. She serves as an associate professor of Communications and Humanities at the Owens Findlay-area Campus.

The photography exhibit is part of the College’s ongoing efforts to showcase the work of local artists on the Owens Findlay-area Campus. Admission to the art exhibit and the Owens Findlay-area Campus Library is free and open to the public. The Library is open Monday-Thursday from 8 a.m. – 7:30 p.m., Fridays from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Sundays from 1-4 p.m. For more information, contact the College’s Library at (567) 429-3088 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 3088.

Owens Community College is one of the fastest-growing higher educational institutions in Ohio. On the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses, Owens serves more than 45,000 credit and non-credit students, making it the number one choice for new college students. Owens is committed to providing small classes, personal attention and unmatched affordability. Owens Community College offers over 150 program areas in Agriculture, Business, Fine and Performing Arts, Health, Public Service, Skilled Trades, and Industrial and Engineering Technologies. Owens students also can earn the first two years of a bachelor’s degree with a smooth transfer to any area four-year college or university.

International Guitar Great Pavlo to Dazzle Audience At Owens Center for Fine and Performing Arts, Feb. 24

Posted on February 13th, 2006

International Guitar Great Pavlo to Dazzle Audience
Area residents will have the opportunity to forget about the cold of winter and listen to musical sounds that conjure images of the sunny Mediterranean as the internationally acclaimed Pavlo, known as the Greek god of guitar, and his band perform at the Owens Community College Center for Fine and Performing Arts on Friday, February 24. Pavlo’s performance will occur in the Mainstage Theatre at 8 p.m.

“We are delighted to bring such a brilliant composer and guitarist to Owens Community College,” said Barbara Barkan, Owens operations manager for the Center for Fine and Performing Arts. “Pavlo is internationally renowned for his dynamic and captivating performances. His unique fusion of flamenco, Latin, classical and Mediterranean guitar mixed with the Greek bouzouki will leave individuals attending his Owens performance in awe.”

The Toronto-based guitar great, Pavlo (born Pavlo Simtikidis) grew up listening to rock n’ roll music while at the same time perfected the classical guitar. The two ends of the musical spectrum provided the groundwork for an intriguing blend of sound that also included Greek music from his heritage. Those influences, along with a passion for flamenco, led to Pavlo fusing his musical favorites into one unique sound. He began touring and showcasing his new music shortly thereafter.

Pavlo has enjoyed great success worldwide and has released six albums, two of which were certified gold in Canada by the Canadian Recording Industry Association. His album, titled “Fantasia,” was nominated for Best Instrumental Album of the Year at the 2000 Juno Awards, which is the Canadian equivalent of the Grammy Awards. In 2004, Pavlo won the category for World Artist of the Year at the Canadian Independent Music Awards.

Additionally, his songs have been heard on television episodes of the “Chris Isaak Show” and on the CTV program “Eleventh Hour.” In 2001, he received the honor of performing before for His Royal Highness Prince Charles.

Pavlo and his band have toured extensively throughout the United States, Canada and Greece, always receiving rave reviews for the vibrant performances of Mediterranean music.

Tickets for Pavlo are $16 for the public and $10 for senior citizens and Owens students. To purchase tickets, visit www.stagetix.com or contact the College’s Box Office. For more information, contact the Center for Fine and Performing Arts at (567) 661-2787 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. ARTS (2787).

Owens Community College is one of the fastest-growing higher educational institutions in Ohio. On the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses, Owens serves more than 45,000 credit and non-credit students, making it the number one choice for new college students. Owens is committed to providing small classes, personal attention and unmatched affordability. Owens Community College offers over 150 program areas in Agriculture, Business, Fine and Performing Arts, Health, Public Service, Skilled Trades, and Industrial and Engineering Technologies. Owens students also can earn the first two years of a bachelor’s degree with a smooth transfer to any area four-year college or university.

Josh Boyd and The V.I.P. Band to Perform At Owens’ Center for Fine and Performing Arts, Feb. 20

Posted on February 9th, 2006

Sounds ranging from down-home blues to super funky dance will engulf the Mainstage Theatre as Josh Boyd and The V.I.P. Band takes to the stage at Owens Community College’s Center for Fine and Performing Arts on Monday, February 20.

Josh Boyd and The V.I.P. Band’s performance, which is sponsored by the College’s Student Government, is free of charge and begins at 4:30 p.m. Owens’ Center for Fine and Performing Arts is located on the Toledo-area Campus.

Thrilling crowds in Northwest Ohio and beyond, Josh Boyd and The V.I.P. Band has performed at various clubs, fairs and festivals nationwide, including the acclaimed Buddy Guy’s Legends and the Kingston Mines, both located in Chicago. The group, which is comprised of Boyd (lead guitar), Junior Springs (bass) and Charles Gaston (drums), has served as the opening act for such renowned artists as Kansas, Dave Mason, Charlie Daniels, Edgar and Johnny Winter, and Kenny Wayne Sheppard.

Known for their unique rock, funk, soul and blues sound, the three-piece band has garnered regional and national recognition, including a first place finish in the annual Black Swamp Blues Society competition. The group recently represented Northwest Ohio/Southeast Michigan in the International Blues competition. Josh Boyd and The V.I.P. Band has two released albums to their credit.

The College’s Student Government is comprised of individuals who serve as the student body voice on the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses. Balancing their time between school and work, Student Government members are constantly initiating new projects and events that cater to the interests of Owens’ student body.

The concert is free and the public is encouraged to attend. For more information about the event, call at (567) 661-7583 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 7583.

Owens Community College is one of the fastest-growing higher educational institutions in Ohio. On the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses, Owens serves more than 45,000 credit and non-credit students, making it the number one choice for new college students. Owens is committed to providing small classes, personal attention and unmatched affordability. Owens Community College offers over 150 program areas in Agriculture, Business, Fine and Performing Arts, Health, Public Service, Skilled Trades, and Industrial and Engineering Technologies. Owens students also can earn the first two years of a bachelor’s degree with a smooth transfer to any area four-year college or university.

‘Glass in the Glass City’ Exhibit Featured at Owens’ Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery, Feb. 13 – Mar. 25

Posted on February 3rd, 2006

One of the city of Toledo’s most recognized and distinctive art forms will be the focus of an exhibit opening this month at the Owens Community College’s Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery. The exhibit titled “Glass in the Glass City” will feature several prominent artists of local and international fame who will showcase their glass works from February 13 – March 25.

In addition, glass expert and artist Jack Schmidt will give a special lecture and slide show about the art glass movement on Friday, March 17. The lecture and slide show will occur at 5 p.m. in the Owens Center for Fine and Performing Arts Room 111. Highlights of Schmidt’s presentation will also include discussion of his own work, which explores the odd tension between nature and manmade structures. A reception will immediately follow the lecture and will include all the exhibit’s participating artists.

“Toledo is known worldwide as the ‘Glass City’ and has a longstanding tradition of producing some of the finest art glass,” said Wynn Perry, Owens adjunct faculty member who curates of the Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery. “The Terhune Art Gallery is very excited to be able to feature an exhibit that pays tribute to this heritage.”

The exhibition, which is being held in the same year as the opening of the new Toledo Museum of Art Glass Pavilion, will be showcasing the work of several artists that have made significant contributions to the contemporary art glass movement. Pieces on display will feature bowls, stemware, marbles, sculptures and jewelry created by glass sculptors, jewelers and blowers.

In addition to Schmidt’s work, featured artists will include Patrick H. Dubreuil, Steve Kemmerly, Matthew John Paskiet, Michelle MacFarlane, Jeff Mack, Mark R. Matthews, Tom McGlauchlin, Robin K. Schultes, Mark Wager, Homer J. Yarrito and Dominick Labino.

Admission to the Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery is free and open to the public, Monday-Friday from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Thursdays from 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. The Gallery will be closed March 6-12 for spring break.

For additional information about the College’s 2005-06 Arts Exhibition Season, contact the Center for Fine and Performing Arts at (567) 661-2721 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 2721.

Owens Community College is one of the fastest-growing higher educational institutions in Ohio. On the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses, Owens serves more than 45,000 credit and non-credit students, making it the number one choice for new college students. Owens is committed to providing small classes, personal attention and unmatched affordability. Owens Community College offers over 150 program areas in Agriculture, Business, Fine and Performing Arts, Health, Public Service, Skilled Trades, and Industrial and Engineering Technologies. Owens students also can earn the first two years of a bachelor’s degree with a smooth transfer to any area four-year college or university.

Owens Community College Presents Illstyle & Peace Productions Hip-Hop Dance Tour, Feb. 14

Posted on February 3rd, 2006

The urban beats of hip-hop along with the latest in dance performance will be making their way to Northwest Ohio as Owens Community College presents Illstyle and Peace Productions Hip-Hop Dance Tour on Tuesday, February 14. The performance will occur at 8 p.m. in the Center for Fine and Performing Arts Mainstage Theatre.

Illstyle and Peace Production’s appearance is a part of the College’s ongoing celebration of Black History Month.

“Owens Community College is excited to bring such a unique form of free style, hip-hop and tap dance to the Center for Fine and Performing Arts,” said Barbara Barkan, Owens operations manager for the Center for Fine and Performing Arts. “Illstyle and Peace Productions is well-known for its cross-cultural, cross-gendered performances. The dance theatre company celebrates a music genre and an art form that has become part of mainstream American culture. Audience members are in for an evening of entertainment that will certainly bring them out of their seats and onto their feet.”

Illstyle and Peace Productions formed in 2002 as the brainchild of two luminaries within the hip-hop dance scene, Brandon Albright and Forrest Webb. The multicultural, male and female company fuses the spirit and moves of hip-hop with various other styles of dance, such as free style or tap. Since their inception, the group has been committed to creating and sharing awe-inspiring works with diverse audiences, and to spreading unity, peace, love, respect and fun through dance.

The theatre company has made appearances at various venues throughout Ohio, as well as the country. Highlighted performances include the Cleveland Bicentennial celebration, the 2003 Jump For Kids in Washington, D.C. and the Vittum Theater in Chicago. The group has also collaborated on several record albums.

Albright, a.k.a. “Peace,” serves as the group’s artistic director and choreographer and was an original member of the Philadelphia based Scanner Boyz. He has danced for major recording artists such as Boyz II Men, Will Smith, LL Cool J and the Beach Boys and is also assistant artistic director of the internationally acclaimed Rennie Harris Puremovement, with whom he has toured extensively.

Serving as the group’s managing director is Webb, a.k.a. “Getemgump.” Webb began dancing in the 1980s and co-founded the Northeast Ohio b-boy dance troupe Illstyle Rockers in 1996. He has toured with Albright in Rennie Harris Puremovement productions of Rome and Jewels and Hip-Hop Legends. Webb has also been in several onscreen and onstage performances, including “The Wiz” and “Of Mice and Men.”

Tickets for the Illstyle and Peace Productions Hip-Hop Dance Tour will be $16 for adults, $14 for senior citizens and $10 for Owens students. To purchase tickets, visit www.stagetix.com or contact the College’s Box Office. For more information about the event, call the Center for Fine and Performing Arts at (567) 661-2787 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. ARTS (2787).

Owens Community College is one of the fastest-growing higher educational institutions in Ohio. On the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses, Owens serves more than 45,000 credit and non-credit students, making it the number one choice for new college students. Owens is committed to providing small classes, personal attention and unmatched affordability. Owens Community College offers over 150 program areas in Agriculture, Business, Fine and Performing Arts, Health, Public Service, Skilled Trades, and Industrial and Engineering Technologies. Owens students also can earn the first two years of a bachelor’s degree with a smooth transfer to any area four-year college or university.

Straight Ahead Brings Blues Women of the 20th Century To Owens’ Center for Fine and Performing Arts, Feb. 11

Posted on January 31st, 2006

Straight Ahead Brings Blues Women of the 20th Century To Owens' Center for Fine and Performing Arts, Feb. 11
Songs of life, love, tenderness, heartache and hardship will take center stage as the group Straight Ahead, featuring Audrey Northington, presents Blues Women of the 20th Century at the Owens Community College Center for Fine and Performing Arts on Saturday, February 11. Straight Ahead’s performance will serve as the kick-off event for the College’s celebration of Black History Month and will occur in the Mainstage Theatre at 8 p.m.

“Owens Community College is delighted to bring Straight Ahead’s exciting and historical Blues and Rhythm n’ Blues experience to Northwest Ohio,” said Barbara Barkan, Owens operations manager for the Center for Fine and Performing Arts. “The group is renowned for getting their audiences to shake, rattle and roll to classic Blues songs, while also educating them in the history of this popular and groundbreaking American music.”

Formed in the 1980s out of the lively Detroit jazz scene, Straight Ahead, comprised of vocalist Audrey Northington, flutist Althea Rene, pianist Eileen Orr, bassist Marion Hayden and drummer Gayelynn McKinney, are widely recognized for their eclectic and soulful approach to creating music. Their live performances are considered by many in the Jazz community as a dynamic celebration of power and joy. Straight Ahead has garnered several honors for their musical talents, including finalists in the 1989 “Sony Innovators” competition. Their first album, “Look Straight Ahead,” was released by Atlantic Jazz the following year and earned national acclaim.

Since then, the group has enjoyed enormous success worldwide, releasing three albums and touring throughout the United States, Europe and the Caribbean, including a performance at the acclaimed Montreux Jazz Festival in Montreux, Switzerland. The Grammy-nominated artists have constantly landed on the Billboard Contemporary Jazz Chart’s Top 20 and received induction honors into the Motor City Music Awards Hall of Fame. In addition, they have appeared on the Black Entertainment Network and CNN, as well as in a McDonald’s television commercial.

Straight Ahead’s Blues Women of the 20th Century performance at Owens will include songs from such classic artists as Bessie Smith, Billie Holiday, Ma Rainey and Aretha Franklin, interspersed with witty musical jokes and historical narratives designed to please audiences of all ages.

Tickets for Straight Ahead are $18 for adults, $16 for senior citizens and $10 for Owens students. To purchase tickets, contact the College’s Box Office or visit www.stagetix.com. For more information about the event, contact the Center for Fine and Performing Arts at (567) 661-2787 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. ARTS (2787).

Owens Community College is one of the fastest-growing higher educational institutions in Ohio. On the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses, Owens serves more than 45,000 credit and non-credit students, making it the number one choice for new college students. Owens is committed to providing small classes, personal attention and unmatched affordability. Owens Community College offers over 150 program areas in Agriculture, Business, Fine and Performing Arts, Health, Public Service, Skilled Trades, and Industrial and Engineering Technologies. Owens students also can earn the first two years of a bachelor’s degree with a smooth transfer to any area four-year college or university.

The Spencers Bring ‘Healing of Magic’ Workshop, Theatre of Illusion Performance to Owens, Feb. 2-3

Posted on January 23rd, 2006

The Spencers Bring 'Healing of Magic' Workshop, Theatre of Illusion Performance to Owens
Dazzling illusions, amazing special effects and high drama and comedy will mesmerize Northwest Ohio residents for two days as modern-day Houdinis Kevin and Cindy Spencer bring their internationally renowned magic programs to Owens Community College for a workshop and performance, February 2-3.

The Spencers will perform their award-winning Theatre of Illusion at the College’s Center for Fine and Performing Arts on Friday, February 3. The show will occur in the Mainstage Theatre and begin at 8 p.m.

Prior to their Friday evening performance, the Spencers will conduct a “Healing of Magic” workshop for area occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants, teaching them about giving the gift of magic to people with various physical, psychological and developmental disabilities. The “Healing of Magic” program will be held on Thursday, February 2, from 6-9:30 p.m. in Owens’ Audio/Visual Classroom Center Rooms 125-128.

“We are delighted to bring the Spencers to Northwest Ohio for this one-of-a-kind event,” said Barbara Barkan, Owens operations manager for the Center of Fine and Performing Arts. “Their performance is widely regarded as one of the most successful illusion productions in the country and will leave the audience both laughing and hanging on the edge of their seats, all in one night.”

Barkan added, “The duo is also widely considered leading authorities on the therapeutic use of magic in physical and psychological rehabilitation. Their ‘Healing of Magic’ program is revolutionary and an exciting way to approach rehabilitation and develop and improve self-concept.”

For more than a decade, Kevin and Cindy Spencer have entertained audiences throughout the United States and around the world with one of the most successful touring illusion shows. They have earned the reputation as arguably one of the most highly regarded acts and sought-after illusion teams in magical entertainment. The Spencers are known for combining original theatrical elements with cutting-edge illusions, audience interaction, special effects and stage magic, propelling the ages-old art of magic into the 21st century.

In addition to their magical talents on stage, both Kevin and Cindy are considered leading experts on the revolutionary concept of incorporating magic into physical and psychological rehabilitation. The Spencers are the authors of the “Healing of Magic,” the most comprehensive guide to establishing and maintaining a magic therapy program.

The “Healing of Magic,” which was developed in cooperation with occupational, recreational, physical and speech therapists, is a systematic approach to the therapeutic use of magical tricks in physical and psycho-social rehabilitation. The program is designed to foster learning through the use of magic, allowing patients a means of safely exploring their skill level while providing a fun way of reaching therapeutic goals.

The innovative therapy treatment is often implemented as a physical rehabilitation program for victims of strokes, arthritis or spinal cord injuries by offering a chance to develop fine motor schools through tricks that patients often willingly practice hundreds of times with enthusiasm. It has also been used to treat clinical depression, substance abuse and developmental disabilities by building self-esteem and socialization and leadership skills.

The Spencers’ work has been featured in the “Journal of the American Medical Association,” the “Australian Occupational Therapy Journal” and on dozens of television news programs, including the CBS “Early Morning Show.” “Healing of Magic” is currently being used in more than 2,000 facilities in more than 30 countries around the world, and is used in occupational and physiotherapy departments of leading colleges and universities in the United States, the United Kingdom and Singapore.

In addition, the Spencers have garnered several awards for their unique illusions, including multiple Performing Arts Entertainers of the Year as recognized by arts presenters and entertainment professionals.

For more information or to register for the “Healing of Magic” workshop, call (567) 661-7175 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 7175. The workshop cost is only $30 and includes one free ticket to the Spencers’ Theatre of Illusion performance.

Tickets for the Spencers’ Theatre of Illusion are $18 for adults, $16 for senior citizens and $10 for Owens employees and students. To purchase tickets, visit www.stagetix.com or contact the College’s Box Office. For more information about the event, contact the Center for Fine and Performing Arts at (567) 661-2787 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. ARTS (2787).

Owens Community College is one of the fastest-growing higher educational institutions in Ohio. On the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses, Owens serves more than 45,000 credit and non-credit students, making it the number one choice for new college students. Owens is committed to providing small classes, personal attention and unmatched affordability. Owens Community College offers over 150 program areas in Agriculture, Business, Fine and Performing Arts, Health, Public Service, Skilled Trades, and Industrial and Engineering Technologies. Owens students also can earn the first two years of a bachelor’s degree with a smooth transfer to any area four-year college or university.

The A Cappella Jazz Group, Chapter 6, Performs At Owens Center for Fine and Performing Arts, Jan. 28

Posted on January 17th, 2006

The A Cappella Jazz Group, Chapter 6, Performs At Owens Center for Fine and Performing Arts, Jan. 28
Spontaneous bursts of applause and laughter are a common occurrence when the jazz a cappella ensemble Chapter 6 entertains audiences nationwide. Such high energy and excitement will be making its way to Northwest Ohio as the group performs at Owens Community College on Saturday, January 28. Chapter 6’s performance will occur in the Mainstage Theatre and begin at 8 p.m.

“Owens Community College is excited to bring one of the nation’s premiere musical touring groups to the Center for Fine and Performing Arts for what should be a very entertaining evening of music and laughter,” said Barbara Barkan, Owens operations manager for the Center for Fine and Performing Arts. “Chapter 6 is renown for their energy, contagious high spirits and inspiring blend of pop, jazz, gospel, rock and comedy. Audience members are in for an evening of great music and entertainment.”

Chapter 6 was born at Millikin University in Decatur, Ill. The group emerged from meeting each other in a class at the college and made their professional debut in 2001. Their technique, performance and unique, original arrangements are known nationwide, performing on numerous college campuses, as well as at high schools and concerts halls. Their trademark shows are highlighted by a comedy-infused combination of pop, jazz, gospel and pop.

Chapter 6 has won several awards and honors for their musical talents, including the Chicago Regional Harmony Sweepstakes Grand Championship three times – with the first title in 2000 distinguishing them as the youngest group ever to qualify for the national finals. In 2004, they garnered the prestigious National Harmony Sweepstakes and were chosen as Performing Group of the Year at the 2005 A.P.C.A. National Convention. Their success has also led to four albums, a live concert DVD and an appearance on ABC’s “Good Morning America.”

The group’s songs include signature comic pieces like “Ode to Krispy Kreme’s,” an award-winning version of “The Wizard of Oz” and Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody.” Members of Chapter 6 include Chuck Bosworth, Mark Grizzard, Jarrett Johnson, Luke Menard, John Musick, Nathan Pufall and A.D. Stonecipher.

Tickets for Chapter 6 are $12 for the public and $10 for senior citizens and Owens students. To purchase tickets visit www.stagetix.com or contact the College’s Box Office. For more information about the event, contact the Center for Fine and Performing Arts at (567) 661-2787 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. ARTS (2787).

Owens Community College is one of the fastest-growing higher educational institutions in Ohio. On the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses, Owens serves more than 45,000 credit and non-credit students, making it the number one choice for new college students. Owens is committed to providing small classes, personal attention and unmatched affordability. Owens Community College offers over 150 program areas in Agriculture, Business, Fine and Performing Arts, Health, Public Service, Skilled Trades, and Industrial and Engineering Technologies. Owens students also can earn the first two years of a bachelor’s degree with a smooth transfer to any area four-year college or university.

The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fair(l)y (Stoopid) Tales Appears on Stage at Owens Community College, Jan. 22

Posted on January 5th, 2006

Classic children’s tales will be turned inside out as the Owens Community College Center for Fine and Performing Arts presents The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fair(l)y (Stoopid) Tales on Sunday, January 22. The musical adaptation of the wildly popular children’s book, “The Stinky Cheese Man,” will be performed on the College’s Mainstage Theatre at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.

“Owens’ Center for Fine and Performing Arts is proud to present such a hilarious and creative musical that the entire family will truly enjoy,” said Barbara Barkan, Owens operations manager for the Center for Fine and Performing Arts. “This show will delight both children and adults with its ecstatic humor coming from familiar fairy tales.”

The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fair(l)y (Stoopid) Tales features a number of classic fairy tales retold in an irreverent and side-splitting new manner. Attendees will have the opportunity to see an array of the usual fairy tale suspects – Rumplestiltskin, the Little Red Hen and Foxy Loxy – team up to produce such whimsical vignettes as Cinderumplestiltskin, the REALLY Ugly Duckling and the malodorous The Stinky Cheese Man. Each story will be accompanied by a number of zany songs in eclectic styles ranging from Vaudeville to Trockadarro. The production was adapted from the book by Kent Stephens with music by Gary Rue.

The play is based upon the Caldecott Award-winning children’s book by Jon Sciezka and performed by the Dallas Children’s Theater. The critically acclaimed national touring company is well-known for creating large-scale productions promoting diversity and education for audiences of all ages. Often supplementing productions with study guides and workshops, the group was picked by “Time” magazine as one of the top five theaters in the United States performing for young audiences and families. The Dallas Children’s Theater began its local touring program in 1985 and has performed nationwide since 1996. Past touring productions include Heidi, Young King Arthur and Coyote Tales.

The performance is the second in the Owens’ Center for Fine and Performing Arts Family Fun Sunday Series, which is designed to provide fun and entertainment to individuals of all ages. The series will conclude with the musical Pippi Longstocking on May 21.

Additionally, audience members interested in meeting the actors will have an opportunity to visit with the performers at the conclusion of each of The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fair(l)y (Stoopid) Tales shows.

Tickets for The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fair(l)y (Stoopid) Tales are $10 and all seats are general admission. To purchase tickets visit www.stagetix.com or contact the College’s Box Office. For more information about the event, contact the Center for Fine and Performing Arts at (567) 661-2787 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. ARTS (2787).

Owens Community College is one of the fastest-growing higher educational institutions in Ohio. On the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses, Owens serves more than 45,000 credit and non-credit students, making it the number one choice for new college students. Owens is committed to providing small classes, personal attention and unmatched affordability. Owens Community College offers over 150 program areas in Agriculture, Business, Fine and Performing Arts, Health, Public Service, Skilled Trades, and Industrial and Engineering Technologies. Owens students also can earn the first two years of a bachelor’s degree with a smooth transfer to any area four-year college or university.