OSU Urban Arts Space Pre-games with Gee

Last Saturday, President Gee hosted a luncheon at the Drake Performance and Event Center, in celebration of the impending football game against Iowa, but also of recent achievements at the Ohio State University. These include his recent title in Time Magazine as the No. 1 ranked University President. Time says Gee is "campaigning for a revolution in higher education," involving especially his support of an unparalleled excellence in the Arts and Sciences. Here are some photos that were taken to commemorate the successful day:

Part of the day's program spotlighted our unique contribution to the Arts and Sciences at the OSU Urban Arts Space. Exhibitions Assistant Joanna Reed, and Programs & Events Assistant Jasmine Hamilton talk about our current exhibitions, highlighting Tactile Color artist SallyB's homage to Edvard Munch's The Scream.

SallyB presented President Gee with a gift, an homage to the Ohio State University, B-code style.

Tactile Color artist, SallyB, with her creation.

Images courtesy of SallyB.

-Leigh Lotocki, Social Media Assistant at the OSU Urban Arts Space

Indie Market This Weekend

The Tiny Canary Indie Design Market is going on this weekend, at the wonderful Junctionview Studios in Grandview Heights. This modern arts and crafts market is born out of the DIY movement, and great way to support local and independent artists and craftspeople. There will be various vendors and artsy happenings galore!

Going on November 14-15, 10am to 6pm.

Image: Tiny Canary

-Leigh Lotocki, Social Media Assistant at the OSU Urban Arts Space

Welcome Our New Staff!

We recently more than doubled our staff here at the OSU Urban Arts Space, adding 14 new student assistants, 2 high school interns, and 2 volunteers. Its great to have new faces and personalities to work with. These new student assistants are also bringing with them increased opportunities for activities and outreach. Our new staff will help spearhead video projects, audio podcasts, a new t-shirt design, and include a designated photographer for programs and events here at the Space.

To get to know our staff better, check out our People page on our website. Join me in welcoming our wonderful new staff!

-Leigh Lotocki, Social Media Assistant at the OSU Urban Arts Space

November Book Club

Hello Book Club Members,

Just before Halloween we read Tobias Wolff’s account of his mischievous childhood in This Boy’s Life. As Thanksgiving approaches, we will be reading In Pursuit of the Common Good: Twenty-five years of Improving the World One Bottle of Salad Dressing at a Time by late actor Paul Newman.

In the spirit of thanks and giving, this book explores the many ways that businesses can give back to their communities. Newman and business partner tells how the all-natural food company Newman’s Own came about. Chances are you have passed by or purchased Newman’s products in your local grocery store. His iconic smiling face dons salad dressing bottles, salsa jars, popcorn boxes, and many more items. The for-profit company gives away 100% of is profits to thousands of charities.

Please, join me on this comedic adventure that pokes fun at capitalism, creates ethical business practices, and provides an inspiring story.

Thank you, and keep reading,

What: OSU Urban Arts Space Book Club
Where: OSU Urban Arts Space, 50 W Town Street, Downtown Columbus
When: November 18th, 2009 from noon to 1:00pm

-Nicole Eggert, Operations Student Assistant

Halloween is Coming!

I am seriously gearing up for Halloween! I don't have any costume ideas quite yet, but I do plan to carve some pumpkins to put on my porch and go to some haunted houses this weekend. I know I might head to the Terror Fest in the Brewery District, or even up to the haunted Historic Prison to get my scare on.

Columbus does a great job with Halloween events...there's the Highball Masquerade in the Short North, the family-friendly Boo at the Zoo, and even a Fright Night 5K run in Gahanna.

Be sure not to miss a free screening of F. W. Murnau's Nosferatu with a live sound track by Jay Harmon and the Francis Bacon Band, here at the OSU Urban Arts Space on Thursday, October 29th. In the meantime, here is a Halloween song from Tim Burton's classic favorite "The Nightmare Before Christmas."

-Leigh Lotocki, Social Media Assistant at the OSU Urban Arts Space

City Center Demolition

We've been following and documenting the recent demolition of City Center mall across the street. Its fascinating seeing a side of the building blasted open. To me it almost looks like a big mouth. It seems like they are pulling out and piling up scraps of metal reinforcements in the middle of the yard...we're curious if they could be recycling the metal for the rest of the project. What do you think? We'll try and keep you posted on the progress, but you can click here to see pictures from the very first moment of the demolition.

-Leigh Lotocki, Social Media Assistant at the OSU Urban Arts Space

"Nora" Dance Film

There was a Dance on Camera screening last night at the OSU Department of Dance. This year's screening was by far the best one yet. My favorite of the whole evening was a 35-minute film (or as the Denver Post praised it, "dance-poem") entitled Nora, directed by Alla Kovgan and David Hinton. This gorgeous film follows dancer Nora Chipaumire, and her personal story through Zimbabwe in a kind of mystical bildungsroman. Isn't dance beautiful on camera?





click here to read more about Nora.

-Leigh Lotocki, Social Media Assistant at the OSU Urban Arts Space