Following are the most recent Take pART stories. We hope you enjoy learning more about how the arts impact the lives of Ohioans.
From Lois (Canton) on 10/18/2011
	I grew up in the country. My parents were from West Virginia and all my relatives quilt,crochet,sing in the churches, played banjo and guitars and harmonicas. I grew up with this and thought I would never do any of these things. How wrong I was! I love all types of music, quilting, painting, using insect parts(dead ones), flowers or scraps of things from the ground in art quilts. I have had several health problems and still do. This is how art has saved me. I go to bed with art in my head and wake up the same. Nature is so beautiful that I get all kinds of ideas from it!! And to Erica, I want to listen to the Black Veil Brides!!! I don't belong to any group, I love my solitude. I worked in a factory all my life and love music or my family having fun!
From Jane (Dayton) on 7/30/2011
	Tonight we are holding the 20th anniversary party for the Dayton Visual Arts Center (DVAC). For two decades, this little place has been serving the visual artists of southwest Ohio. I came to it as an artist myself, when I returned to my hometown from 10 years in California, and found myself searching for people with the same sort of connection to art that I have. I found DVAC, which I fondly describe as the sports bar for artists - part fun, part serious discussion about something we all find of value. I have spent many hours volunteering; serving on the board; attending its programs, exhibitions and events; and now working as DVAC's executive director. It's been a pleasure and a privilege. I simply cannot imagine what my life would be like without this organization. DVAC has enjoyed the invaluable support of the Ohio Arts Council since its inception. In addition to operating support, the OAC has granted capacity building and special project funding and loads of advice. We - the staff, board and all of DVAC's members - are extremely grateful for this support. Additionally, I just returned from the opening reception for an exhibit I curated at The Riffe Gallery. I am so grateful for the opportunity to participate in an exciting presentation of work by 16 Ohioans who have never been featured in the gallery before. I hope many people see and enjoy their work, learn a little bit about the Ohio Plein Air Society and painting outdoors, and feel more fully the beautiful state in which we live.
From Erika (Medway) on 7/9/2011
	Hey, I'm Erika from the little town of Medway, Ohio and really, there's not much here. But either way, I find my escape in art, through music and poetry. I used to be able to draw, it wasn't very good, but ever since I got into the literary art, I've lost all talent in drawing. But either way, the art of music has actually saved me in many ways I wish I could keep up in counting, and so has poetry. My outstanding thank you's go to a special band I have taken deeply into heart for their wonderful skills is Black Veil Brides. Many might not find rock music an art, but it's more realistic than the rap, hiphop, r&b and pop music. Black Veil Brides has taught me one thing that I will never forget, that I wish my own parents would have taught me, and that's to never give in and never give up, and to never let anyone else walk all over you, telling you that you have no future. And to never go for the knife, like I used to, and to pick up my pen and show the world that I am something, a somebody. :) The art of poetry, free-verse poetry by Ellen Hopkins, has taught me that no matter how rough the world can be, with no if's, and's or but's. The world is a tough business to be in. This is how I see art, in forms of music and words on paper. -Ej Medway, Ohio
From Anna (Cambridge) on 3/17/2011
	Once a week I walk through the doors of the Eastern Ohio Art Guild Art Gallery and Learning Center in Cambridge, Ohio to check on things and to see if there is any new art on the walls. This past week not only have I experienced a great exhibition but the work has fueled my desire to create, explained my ability to dream and touched my soul as I have tried to deny that aging is part of life. The work of Peggy Jean Luthy-Sibila took me on a roller coaster of emotions and for the first time made me think about how art can explain things I cant when I reflect how growing older is a part of life. Peggy has sculpted clay masks and surrounded them with found objects. I found myself drawn to them over and over -- some whimsy, some funny, some intense, and some that I found a true connection to. In her pieced titled Biological Clock I felt the emotion that I tried to hide in the aging process. Realizing that nearing the end of 40 something I saw myself looking back at me. A woman looking through the glasses, a new accessory now the new necessity she must wear. The gravity that pulls at the human form without care and regardless how hard I try to ignore it that clock that continues to tick and force the changes of time. Her show is wonderful and such a refreshing treat to the Cambridge community. This is a small but must see show. Anna Hodges Cambridge, Ohio
From Melissa (Madison) on 3/14/2011
	Hello! I am an Ohio artist who lives in Madison, Ohio. I have been so inspired by the many artists in our state and decided to do something about it! I am trained as a fine artist and have such a love of pets that I decided to start my own business. It has boomed since I started it in December 2009. The arts are a wonderful thing and I love what you are doing! Just wanted to say thank you from a local artist! Melissa Paige Pet Portrait Artist
From Suzanne (TOLEDO) on 2/8/2011
	When I lived in Columbus I always enjoyed the July Arts Show around the river. All the artist booths were an inspiration. I also took a drawing class at Capital University as part of my degree program and found that anyone can draw given the correct instruction and motivation. Currently, I live in Toledo and find myself drawn to writing for children. I am working with a writer from Louisiana University editing his work and taking coursework from The Institute of Children's Literature with another writer/editor. Without the writing part of my life things would be dull at best. Writing has opened up a world I never knew existed. Writers, as a whole, are a generous group and I hope to be able to constructively contribute to the craft and the people involved.
From Raquib (Columbus) on 2/2/2011
	Hi, my name is Raquib Ahmed. I am an artist based in Columbus, Ohio, and I am currently attending the Columbus College of Art & Design. During my junior year, I took an art class at my highschool and fell in love with art. From then on I started to study art and be active in art anyway I could. That's how I came to learn about lots of different techniques, styles and names of artists and their works. My works are all unique, I dont believe in having a common theme from which to base a series of work from. I think creativity should come from within, and that alone should drive your process of making something, something that is new and unique. Sometimes I like to show people my artworks and ask them to tell me what they think without giving them any information, or even the name. I like to evoke feelings, and thoughts in the viewers mind. I also like to simplify my ideas to the bare essence, and show the elements as raw as they were when I first felt them inside me. Other then drawing and painting, I also like to teach people how to draw and think creatively. One of the things that motivates me most is the human condition and it's impact on the finite planet. Currently im trying to make connections with other artists in columbus and learn much as i can.
From Deborah (cincinnati) on 1/6/2011
	I am an fine artist, portrait painter and teacher based in Cincinnati Ohio. I enjoy painting and especially teaching new students. My class, held at the 1924 Restored Barn of the Womans Art Center in Cincinnati is a class of Atelier Basics. It is so encouraging to help students who have never drawn a model, to see the progress each week, it is amazing. They students do not realize the rewards I receive from seeing their weekly progress. My message to all fine artist, if they are stuck in a rut, creating and painting, that if they gave back and taught another student some of the skills that you have acquired over the years, that the rewards are so much more than you can image. The very act of teaching and passing on the knowledge I have learned from creating portraits for over 20 years has placed a beam of inspiration into my own body of work. Please keep me posted on events such as the OAC Riffe Gallery Exhibitions. I would love to be a part of a future exhibition. Best, deborah ridgley
From Bonnie (Cleveland) on 9/29/2010
	I am challenged by cerebral palsy. A year ago I was asked by Edna Duffy director of Liturgical dance at First Church Cleveland and now University Circle United Methodist Church if I Would like to dance with her. I was surprised! I use a power wheelchair, never thinking of dancing, but said yes. almost jumping at the chance! From practice, rehearsals leading to my first perfomance last Christmas Eve it was exciting. I was accepted by the other dancers grew more confident and Miss Duffy always told me, ''Exellent'' when I didn't think so! That Christmas Eve Service was wonderful, awesome! Even received a standing ovation! A special time being the last Christmas Eve in our beautiful sanctuary and I had the opportunity to be a part of it thanks to Miss Duffy! There have been many performanes since, the last of the season in June in Lakeside at the United Methodist Annual Conference, another first for me. An overnight stay, evening rehearsal and the big closing ceremornies with our perfomance with over 1,000 in the audience. It was absolutely amazing! Very moving and, we got another standing ovation! Thanks to Miss Duffy for these wonderful opportunites!
From Jenny (Hilliard) on 7/13/2010
	I have been an active musician for over 45 years. I have played violin for the Hilliard Arts Council in annual summer musicals and Messiah performances. Music has been a vital part of my life and has been a great source of enjoyment. I look forward to many more years of being involved in the arts. My 10 year old granddaughter, just finished her first performance with the Hilliard Arts Council musical- OLIVER. She absolutely loved being part of the show- singing, dancing, and acting. When I watched her from the orchestra pit, she was glowing! She is already talking about next year's musical. She has been caught by the music bug. I know that having this special connection to music, will increase her since of self-pride and achievement. I am so thankful for music being part of both of our lives.
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