ROBERT MULLENIX “TREELINE”  EXHIBIT HEADLINES FEBRUARY’S SECOND FRIDAY AT THE OXFORD COMMUNITY ARTS CENTER

Robert Mullenix’s exhibit, Treeline, opens with a reception at 6 pm on February 10, 2010 at the Oxford Community Arts Center. Treeline reflects Mullenix's dual interests in photography and painting. At times, his pieces are revelations of emotional states. More frequently, they are the result of deliberations regarding the endeavor of painting itself—painting in the age of mechanical reproduction. 

On the surface, the paintings' content is rather stark, dense forest scenes. There is a forbidding and ominous presence to the composition in some of the work, which Robert highlights with titles drawn from literature and Scripture, such as, long watch, and hour come 'round, and through it all darkly. These works speak to the primordial mind and spirit, the lost-and-found part that, even in our suburbs and cities, dimly remembers the terror of the forest. 

There is a placid tranquility in other works. Mullenix’s technique gives the sense of depth and space, of near and far, of sharp foregrounds and deep, hidden distances. Mullinex also exudes a playfulness with his craft. “I love paint….. getting my hands dirty, and attempting to solve visual puzzles I incessantly set for myself,” he says.  (Excerpts taken from 39STEEPS review of Mullenix work ) 

The Second Friday event on February 10, also includes a group exhibit of Fiber Artists including work by Joyce Ponder, Kathy Baxter, Nelly Bly Cogan, Pamela Howard, Carol Burke and Linda Kramer. “Making quilts is about discovering the artist within me, and challenging myself to create beautiful objects that are visually exciting.” Joyce Ponder says when discussing her work. “ Some of my work is the result of an idea incubating for many months before it begins to materialize in the wee hours of the morning when it’s difficult to decipher dream from reality. Then, finally it appears.” 

Quilting is only one style of fiber arts being represented. Woven pieces, re-purposed fibers, and paper pieces are all included.  In addition, several featured exhibits will open with a reception to meet the artists at 6:00 pm. 


OCAC’s Second Fridays Art Evening is a celebration of the arts. From 6 to 10 pm, this free monthly event features live music, exhibits of visual art, a book reading by 3-time award winning author, licensed Medical Massage Therapist, and self-care expert Gini Maddocks. Deep Midwest is bringing their vibrant sound to the Oxford Community Arts Center's ballroom at 8 pm.  There will also be open studios on the third floor and the Art Shop will be open from 5:30 to 9 pm, giving guests the opportunity to view creative art space, as well as purchase one-of-a-kind artwork directly from the artists.  


Ballroom Dance, with Nancy Sturgeon and Janet Holmes offering gentle instruction, also begins at 8 pm in the North Parlor, with open dancing between 9 and 10pm. (There is a small $5 fee but no sign-up is required.) 

The Oxford Community Arts Center is located at 10 S. College Avenue, in Oxford, Ohio. For additional information about Second Friday, or about the Arts Center itself contact 513-524-8506, email info@oxarts.org, or visit their website at www.oxarts.org.

From the Hills to the Coffeehouse 

An Exploration of American Folk Music

Often know as “traditional” or “roots music”, American Folk Music encompasses numerous genres, including bluegrass, country music, gospel, Appalachian folk, blues, Cajun and Native American music. The American folk music revival is a phenomenon in the United States that began during the 1940s and peaked in popularity in the mid-1960s, but in many ways has never lost its appeal. The Oxford Community Arts Center seems to be the center of a mini-revival…offering children’s Folk Music and Folk Guitar classes for children and Dulcimer classes for adults this spring (all taught by Susan Pepper).

Now an American Folk Songs concert on Wednesday, February 8th at 7:30 pm…. just for grins and a $5 suggested donation. American Folk Songs: From the Hills to the Coffeehouse features Oxfords own folk music historian, Allan Winkler and friends, Dave Edmundson, Jonathan Levy and Dennis Sullivan.

This diverse group of friends and musicians bring an interesting mix of talent, experience and personality to the concert. Distinguished, author, historian and professor at Miami University, and guitar player, Allan Winkler started the informal, un-named, ever-changing ensemble about a decade ago to play at Colligan History Series programs on the Hamilton Campus, wrote a book on folk legend Pete Seeger, and has shared his stories of stories of marathon jam sessions in the master’s living room and performed in Helsinki, Finland, Nairobi, Kenya, and Dar es Salaa, Tanzania on behalf of the U.S. State Department.

Banjo player, Dave Edmundson, who has been performing one kind or another of folk music in southwest Ohio since the mid ‘60s, travelled with his folk band Brothers Million to New York City to record Paul Simon’s . “Leaves That are Green Turned to Brown.

Dennis Sullivan, senior director for Miami’s Business International Programs, brings some big city sounds to the concert. During his student days he was as a folk singer in Greenwich Village, playing at some of the lesser-known Greenwich Village clubs, like Cyclop’s Cave and the Third Side, and met folk singer Phil Ochs.
Jonathan Levy, harmonica player, and geology professor, just happens to be the youngest of the group. Levy says he likes to play blues, rock, reggae and bluegrass and confesses that although he doesn’t play much folk, he “did once see James Taylor at an airport.” 

The Oxford Community Arts Center is located at 10 South College Avenue in Oxford, OH. For additional information please visit www.oxarts.org , call 513-524-8506 or email info@oxarts.org,

Author  Gini Maddocks

“Rescue And Relief For Computer Users” 

Featured At Second Friday Book Reading 

Oxford, Ohio – January 23, 2012- Local resident, 3-time award winning author, licensed Medical Massage Therapist, and self-care expert Gini Maddocks, will present excerpts from her book, “Rescue and Relief for Computer Users,” at the Oxford Community Arts Center’s Second Friday event on February 10, 2012, at 7 pm. Similar to Maddocks’ blog, the reading will highlight ways to replace dysfunctional thoughts and habits with fresh perspective and insight. The reading will be followed by a brief discussion and book signing. Gini Maddocks will be available prior to and after the reading to sign books and answer questions.

This reading will also serve as an introduction to a 4-part workshop on “R&R: Rescue and Relief for Computer Users and those at Risk of Repetitive Motion Injury,” which according to the author “describes anyone remaining in one position too long or using the same muscles repeatedly—basically, all of us!” The workshops, tentatively scheduled for February through April at the Arts Center, will target the holistic interplay between posture and stress, offering quick and simple remedies to issues that may be damaging your lifestyle. “When you know what to do, and how to do it,” says Maddocks, “life becomes more enjoyable and worthwhile.”

The Second Friday Book reading will be the second in a new program OCAC has initiated to highlight local and regional authors’ books in conjunction with their Second Friday events. The OCAC is committed to introducing published books from different genres and authors from the Oxford Region. The books can be from any genre and for any age group. The OCAC strives to showcase a diversity of books and authors for the program. The books do not have to be published in 2012 but should be reasonably ‘newly’ published or pertain to a relevant or timely topic. Authors interested in participating in the monthly book reading presentations or further information about the Rescue and Relief workshops contact the Arts Center at (513)524-8506 or nfo@oxarts.org. Gini Maddocks can be reaches at ginimaddocks@mac.com or visit her website at http://www.holisticmatters.net for additional information.