BIG IDEAS

In 1994 I joined the Ohio Arts Council’s Artist in Residency program. Attracted to the idea of working in communities and collaborating on art projects- it was a perfect fit. I could not believe there was an organization ready to support artistic research and invite me to facilitate big crazy fun projects. The more I was involved, the more I believed that communities are stronger when there is an opportunity to come together, create and connect.

Passion Works grew out of one of these residences back in 1996. I asked Volunteer Coordinator, Jeff Beirlien to coffee to suggest doing an OAC grant at Atco. He said yes- and after a two week residency we installed 100 paper mache

birds at the Kennedy Museum of Art. Jeff told me after the show was up and we were celebrating the opening- that he didn’t really understand what was going to happen with the art project until the opening. And I thought what a brave guy- and secretly…I didn’t know either. You just go forward thinking/hoping that something is going to work out- and in time the art will appear.

I could never have done this show by myself. The insights, talents, direction happened because of all of the people involved. I can not tell you how lucky I feel to be able to work with Passion Works Artists, Staff and Volunteers. Joyce Frank, thank you- for writing this grant and all you do for PWS. We started this residency thinking about building on art already created at the studio. We took photos, Xeroxed our faces, and then began layering pieces together and photographing the new collages. We then began Xeroxing photos and drawings onto fine art paper and reworking the surface. It was a high speed art factory! With BIG IDEAS flying around the studio.

We were invited by the Aesthetics Technology Lab (@Lab) at Ohio University to partner and access their amazing technology and talent. They generously contributed $1,500 of printing costs to this project and hours of technical assistance. Katherine Milton and Nathaniel Berger encouraged us to think big- and you can see that we did! What a beautiful thing to have this resource in our community to encourage ideas and exploration. http://www.faculty-commons.org/atlab/

When I look around this beautiful gallery space I cannot believe how far Passion Works has come. Through love and belief in Passion Works’ Artists/mission this studio has grown into an outstanding example of what is possible working through and the artistic spirit of people with developmental disabilities. Programs around the world are now looking to Passion Works as the example of what is possible. Passion Work Artists are changing the lives of their peers and they have set the bar very high- with higher expectations for full and engaging lives - parents, friends, staff, programs are now given the opportunity to witness what is possible and are encouraged to move forward, with expectation toward the spectacular.

-Patty Mitchell

Show opening Thursday 2/11/10 - Passion Works Studio, 20 E. State St. Athens, Ohio 5-8:00. Show will be up through 4/11/10 http://passionworks.org/newsletter/2010/February/2010-2-PWnewsletter.html

Ohio Arts Council Arts Learning: http://www.oac.state.oh.us/grantsprogs/artslearning.asp

Donna Sue Groves Wins Gov Award for the ARTS!

http://www.peoplesdefender.com/main.asp?Search=1&ArticleID=130797&SectionID=13&SubSectionID=83&S=1

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Donna Sue Groves, above, holds a quilt made for her to lift her spirits, during a recent bout with cancer, by friends she has made across the state through her promotion of the arts. Below, a snail’s trail quilt square graces a barn at the Groves residence on Germany Hill Road in Monroe Township of Adams County. An inspiration: Adams County resident to be presented state award ‘The spark that brings people, resources and dreams together’ Carleta Weyrich Reporter At the turn of the 21st Century, a local woman planted an idea in Adams County, based on an ancient art that thrives in Americana. Donna Sue Groves' idea of a quilt barn trail took root and has since blossomed across the state of Ohio and into at least 26 states. In April, Groves will be awarded the Governor's Award for the Arts, not just for her quilt barn idea, but for community development and participation, especially in the Appalachian region. "Donna Sue Groves made a difference in Adams County," Tom Cross, director of the Adams County Travel and Visitors Bureau said recently. "Not too many people can say that, but Donna Sue's vision of the Quilt Barn project became one of the cornerstones Adams County tourism was built upon, with those 20 original quilt barns. Her name and Adams County will forever be linked to the tourism phenomenon that has spread throughout the U.S., with 98 dedicated quilt barn driving trails winding across 26 different states." The Governor's Awards for the Arts is a statewide program that showcases and celebrates Ohio artists, arts organizations, arts patrons and business support of the arts. The primary mission of the awards is to increase public awareness of the economic, educational and cultural value of the arts in our state. A selection committee made up of members of the Ohio Arts Council board chooses the winners. Groves was one of six award recipients selected from 79 nominations submitted this year by individuals and organizations throughout the state. In her nomination of Groves, Patty Mitchell, of Athens, wrote, "Donna Sue Groves has been the connector - the spark that brings people, resources and dreams together - building civic and community capacity at the grass-roots level for over 40 years. Throughout Ohio, and especially in Appalachia, she has worked with communities, training and inspiring people to recognize and support their untapped talent and potential." Originally from Creed, West Virginia, Groves is a 1966 graduate of Charleston High School and has a journalism degree from West Virginia University. When she was a child traveling in a car through her home state, her mother, Maxine Groves, would occupy her children with counting barns and advertising signs along the way. Groves explained that it was too boring to try to keep track of license plates as traffic was very sparse in their area. So, instead, she learned an appreciation of barns and developed an interest in promotion. Groves also developed service skills for her community through involvement with Girl Scouts, through working at a local radio station and as a candy striper at the local hospital. In time, Groves' parents relocated to Xenia, and she followed them there. While living in the southern end of the city, a working class neighborhood, she noticed they didn't seem to get the same services as other areas. She launched into her first major community service project, organized the residents, and the result was new street renovations and upgrades to gas and water lines. Subsequently, Groves was asked to run for city commissioner. She campaigned door to door and won, beating an incumbent in the election. However, before completing the term, she and her mother decided to relocate to Adams County. The year was 1989, and by then she had raised a child and was divorced. Maxine was widowed and retired from her vocation as a school teacher. "I had been on a lot of nature trails here," said Maxine. "I liked the relaxed pace. People are kind here and look after each other. It was a good place to call home." The two ladies purchased a small farm on Germany Hill Road from which they could see the Kentucky hills. Maxine built a house for them to live in and had a place to do her hobby of quilting. She had learned the craft from her mother and grandmother. "There's a tobacco barn on the property," Groves said. "It was very plain and dull. I promised Mom I would paint one of her quilt squares on it to brighten it up. Time went on, and I didn't get around to it." In 2001, Pete Whan, with the Nature Conservancy, offered to help paint the square. Elaine Collins, director of Adams County Economic Development, was with them at the time. Groves thought if they were going to paint one square, they could paint an entire trail of them across the county to draw tourists and bring economic opportunities to local artists and businesses. "Her own vision took root in the Quilt Barn Project," wrote Mitchell. "Honoring her mother, Donna Sue thought murals of quilt squares installed on barns would be a unique way for communities to emphasize and utilize local assets for economic development. But even Donna Sue could not have imagined how successful this project would become." Groves will receive the award at a luncheon at noon on Wednesday, April 21, 2010 at the Columbus Athenaeum in Columbus. The awards presentation is typically presided over by the Governor, the President of the Ohio Senate and the Speaker of the Ohio House of Representatives. Along with the other award winners, Groves will receive an original work of art by Cleveland photographer Larry Kasperek. For more information, please visit the Ohio Arts Council Web site at www.oac.state.oh.us, or call the council at (800) 750-0750. The Ohio Arts Council was created in 1965 to "foster and encourage the development of the arts and assist the preservation of Ohio's cultural heritage." This is accomplished by the council in two primary methods; first, through the various grant funding programs that the council operates to provide support to artists and to make arts activities available to a broad segment of Ohio's public; and secondly, by providing services that help to enhance the growth of the arts. There are a total of 7 different grant programs and a variety of service programs operated by the council.

Art Idea Links

http://familyfun.go.com/crafts/giant-gladiolas-709261/

http://familyfun.go.com/assets/cms/pdf/crafts/0303_jug_gladiolas.pdf

Links to Article about and how to make this bouquet of flowers -- made out of milk jugs.