In the mid-1860s Gaunt moved his family to Yellow Springs where he became the most influential and respected black philanthropist in Ohio.
“Shortly before his death, Gaunt deeded nine acres of farmland to the village of Yellow Springs with the stipulation that rent from the land ($90 in 1894) be used to buy flour for the deserving widows of the Village at Christmas time,” explains gallery director Nancy Mellon. “This flour tradition is still followed today. Since the 1950s the village has added sacks of sugar to the holiday tradition.” Today the 11-acre farm known as Gaunt Park is used for community activities — an outdoor pool, playground, a ball park, and a hill popular for sledding.
Mellon, who lives in a house Wheeling Gaunt built in 1876, believes she’s a caretaker for his story. At the Jan. 20 event, a bust of Wheeling Gaunt by sculptor Brian Maughan will be unveiled. There will also be historical talks about Gaunt and about Yellow Springs in the Civil War era.
The Permanent Collection of art on display at Antioch University Midwest includes 173 pieces of art — from photographs and oils to textiles, pottery and jewelry. The collection also includes digital archives of music, storytelling, interviews, and cultural events. Featured artists with new work include Robin Zimmerman, Catherine Lehman, Karen Shirley, Parviz Dadras, John Ford, Katherine Kadish, Holly Underwood, Roger Smith, Tom Verdon, Libby Rudolf and Mary J. Cargen.
The majority of the Permanent Collection can normally be viewed during Antioch University Midwest’s general operating hours: 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8:30 to 3 p.m. on Saturdays. The school is located at 900 Dayton St., Yellow Springs.
MUELLER PHOTOS AT AULLWOOD
“Nature Through a Lens,” the work of nature photographer and author Raymond J. Mueller, is now on display at Aullwood’s Hall of Wonder at the Marie S. Aull Education Center. The work will be on view through Feb. 26. There will be an artist reception from 2-4 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 29 at the Center.
After a military transfer to Dayton in 1991, Mueller attended an adult education class on photography.
“I learned the old-fashioned way starting with manual camera, lenses and a light meter and progressing to digital photography today,” says the photographer, who believes a really good photograph should “create ‘visual music’ through interpretation and emotional attachment.” Flower and landscape photography consumed most of his time in the early years using color slide, black-and-white, and negative film. “It is my opinion that the best photos are still achieved using this medium,” he says.
Mueller, who lives in Beavercreek, says the transition to wildlife photography, particularly birds, was a natural progression for him since he flew a variety of aircraft for 26 years. “My work is focused on the premise that all art is self-portraiture; hence the quietness, solitude and uncluttered look of my photography,” he explains. “To walk in a forest of early morning fog or frost, to witness a sunrise or sunset colored with a rich palette, to smell the nectar of a myriad of flowers, to see, hear and listen is to embrace life itself.”
LEWITT LECTURE AT ART INSTITUTE
A Curatorial Conversation focusing on artist Sol LeWitt will kick off an exciting new project dreamed up by Wright State University’s College of Liberal Arts. In the past a number of wonderful artists have been brought to our community by CELIA — Collaborative Education, Leadership and Innovation in the Arts.
We’ll share more details about the year-long effort next week. It will incorporate dance, music and the visual arts and is entitled “MODERN: Reimagining the New.”
The curatorial talk on LeWitt, a 20th century Minimalist and Conceptualist artist, is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 19 and will feature associate professor of art and art history Stefan Chinov and Susan Martis, the DAI’s curator of education. Admission is $5 for DAI members, $10 non-members in advance. All tickets at the door are $12. Advance reservations are recommended: call (937) 223-4ART (4278) for reservations.
MID-DAY ARTS CAFE FOCUSES ON STIVERS
The next Mid-Day Arts Cafe is slated for Tuesday, Jan. 17 and will feature the Stivers Dance Ensemble.
Held in the Schuster Center’s Wintergarden, the event begins at 11:30 a.m. with a box lunch and continues with a performance that illustrates the day in the life of a Stivers School for the Arts dance major. Tickets are $15 and include lunch, discounted parking and the program. There’s a reduced rate ($12) for Victoria Theatre Association season ticket holders and those with a Culture Works Passport pay $13. Call Ticket Center Stage at (937) 228-3630 to reserve a ticket.
FROG AND TOAD FEATURED AT FAMILY SERIES
“A Year with Frog and Toad,” a musical production based on the popular books by Arnold Lobel, will be on stage at the Victoria Theatre on Saturday, Jan 21, as part of the Morris Furniture Co. Family Series.
The shows, at 1 and 4 p.m., follow the two great friends through four seasons as they plant gardens, swim, rake leaves, go sledding and learn life lessons along the way. Tickets are $15.
There’s a free interactive storytime at 3:15 p.m.You can also sign up for a workshop that’s $5 per child with no charge for the adults. Call (937) 228-3630 for reservations.
“THE LITTLE MERMAID” ON TOUR IN CINCINNATI
“Disney’s The Little Mermaid” will play the Aronoff Center in Cincinnati from Jan. 17-29. The show, based on the Disney animated film, includes favorite songs such as “Under the Sea” and “Part of Your World” as well as new songs written by Oscar-winning Disney composer Alan Menken, who has written songs for “Beauty and the Beast,” “Aladdin” and “Pocahontas.”
The familiar plot centers around headstrong Ariel, who is no longer content to live on the ocean floor under her father, King Triton’s, rule. Convinced she’ll find happiness on land, she sets off to find a world where she belongs, battling a cruel sea witch and finding true love along the way.
Tickets start at $30 and are available online at CincinnatiArts.org or by phone at 513.621.ARTS. For groups of 10 or more, contact the group sales department at (513) 369.4363. For more information, visit www.BroadwayInCincinnati.com.
VILLAGE ARTISANS GALLERY HOSTS MEMBERS SHOW
“Winter Blues,” a members’ art show and sale hosted by The Village Artisans Gallery in Yellow Springs, will be on display through Feb. 13. An Open House/Artists’ Reception will be held from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 21 with light refreshments being served. During the event, visitors can stop at the “Creation Table” from noon until 3 p.m. to make their own wire-wrap beaded bracelet for $15.
Both the reception and the exhibit are free and open to the public. The Village Artisans Gallery is a multi-media cooperative art gallery located at 100 Corry St. in Yellow Springs.
LEBANON THEATRE PLANS GALA
Lebanon Theatre Company’s Annual Gala is slated for 6:30 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 20 and Saturday, Jan 21. It will be held at the Mechanic Street Playhouse, 10 S. Mechanic St.
The special evening will include appetizers, dinner at The Golden Lamb and a show at the theater with catered desserts at intermission. This year’s theme is “Everything’s Coming Up Music.” The show is conceived and directed by Jay Mills.
Tickets are $75 per person and are available online at LTCplays.com or call ( 513) 228-0932. Lebanon’s 108-seat community theater offers a variety of plays and musicals, plus camps and workshops for kids.
MRS. McTHING AT BEAVERCREEK HIGH
Beavercreek High School will present Mary Chase’s “Mrs. McThing” at 7:30 p.m. on Jan. 20, 21, 27 and 28 in the school’s Alumni Auditorium, 2660 Dayton-Xenia Road. The show will be directed by Jon Kochensparger.
Chase is the author of the classic comedy “Harvey.” This comedy is set in home of a well-to-do family and a gangster’s hideout during the 1950s. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students and seniors. Call (937) 429-7547 , ext. 1648 for further information.
Arts writer Meredith Moss shares news about the people and events making arts news in our region. If you have information you would like to have included, contact Meredith: MMoss@coxohio.com
Please include a photo when available and a daytime phone number.
About the Author