Things are HAPPEN’N at the Oxford Community Arts Center this summer! We are proud to announce the arrival of HAPPEN inc. to the OCAC .   On August 13th, 14th, and 16th HAPPEN inc. will be bringing creative workshops to the OCAC. These sessions are free and open to the public.

Monday and Tuesday sessions, (August 13th and August 14^th) are from 1:00 to 3:00 PM.

During this time children explore different areas of art while creating their own masterpieces.    These sessions are recommended for children from 6 to 12 years old.  Children under six MUST be accompanied by an adult.  On Thursday, August 16th, from 10:30 to 11:15 AM, children and parents work together to strengthen their bond through creation of art.   

HAPPEN inc. is a non-profit organization based in the Northside neighborhood of Cincinnati, Ohio. Their mission is to create a positive environment where parents and children can come together through art-related activities and experiences that are designed to strengthen both the family structure and the community as a whole.

During Monday's “Trash to Treasure“ session,  no object gets over­looked as Happen’s Junkman shares his collection of drawing materials that turn junk into a masterpiece.   Just imagine, you turn everyday junk into works of art!  During the second half of this session Happen supplies found objects and you supply creative talent to build your own robot, inspired by the work of artist Nam June Paik.

On Tuesday, have a close encounter of the fun kind when Eno the Alien drops by to teach one-point perspective.  "One Alien's Perspective" allows you to experience another dimension and lose ALL perspective.    Later "Eno Is Lost In Space!"  Eno the Alien has been on vacation through space and time.  Explore Eno’s discoveries, learn about artists Salvador Dali and Edgar Degas, the importance of respecting other people’s space, and receive your very own HAPPEN sketch book straight from beyond the stars!

 Thursday's HAPPEN session:  “Let’s Play with Clay”, is a “hands-in” experience for children and parents (or grandparents, or a borrowed adult unit) Clay is special stuff!   In celebration of Native American traditions, we explore ways to use clay every day, including for cooking.  Don’t miss this special session to make and glaze your own pinch pots.

 

These special children’s art sessions are free and for kids of all ages. (Children under six must be accompanied by an adult.)  Early registration is highly recommended.  A child may be registered for one or all sessions.  Parents can register their children at the Oxford Community Arts Center located on 10 S. College Avenue in Oxford, Ohio or call the office at 513-523-8506 during normal business hours;  we will be happy to email you a registration form.  Registration forms are also available for download at www.oxarts.org.

This special art opportunity is made available through an “Arts in My Own Backyard” grant from ArtsWave.  

MICHAEL SEELEY  - “PROVISIONAL ARCHITECTURE”

Michael Seeley

Oxford, Ohio - The Oxford Community Art Center (OCAC) will feature the paintings of Michael Seeley in an exhibit titled “Provisional Architecture”.  This exhibit opens at OCAC on August 10 from 6 to 10 pm, and continues through September 16. 

Michael Seeley is a licensed architect and principal at THP Limited Inc., in Cincinnati, an architectural/engineering consulting firm where he has worked for over 30 years.  He earned his Master of Architecture degree at Miami University, and is currently enrolled in the MFA program in Painting, also at Miami University.

In the course of visiting construction sites during his career as an architect, Michael has been fascinated with visually arresting compositions and textures in the incomplete work that are frequently more intriguing than the completed building.  Within the controlled chaos that is common during the construction of large institutional and commercial buildings, there are interesting temporary conditions that can occur.

Seeley’s paintings usually start with the use of documentary construction progress photos, which are then edited and cropped as source material.  The results can be a surprising and unexpected mix of layered light and spaces.

Seeley’s exhibit, along with a group exhibit titled “Abstractions” featuring work by Lydia Dildilian, John Sousa, Rebekah Powers, Laura Livingston,  Tiffany Pacileo, Jacqueline Keller-Ridenour and other artists, will open with an artist’s reception at the regular Second Friday event at OCAC on August 10.

 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 and a reception.  OCAC’s third floor studio artists host Open Studios, and the Art Shop Cooperative opens 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, begins at 8 pm, with open dancing between 9 and 10pm.   Come meet the artists, and enjoy a free evening of visual art, music, entertainment and refreshments.