Kettering resident helps pick project artist

The first community to benefit from this program is the Dayton Mutual Homes subdivision that surrounds Oak Park, located at 2055 Malcolm Drive.

Jackie Griffin, a nine-year Kettering resident who lives in that neighborhood, was tapped to be on the committee to choose an artist. That artist would create a new public artwork, installed in Oak Park in the spring of 2018.

“As Greenmont Elementary School PTA president, I’ve been working with the Cities of Service organization at Kettering. Shayna McConville reached out to them to see if anyone in this neighborhood would like to serve on the committee to have a community voice for this art project,” said Griffin. “I joined the committee last May.”

McConville is the division manager of cultural arts for the city of Kettering. The Art Selection Committee-ArtLocal, which includes Anna Briedenbach, Andy Dailey, Tom Robillard, Mary Lou Randolph and Pete Horan, received several applications from various artists. They chose Virginia Kistler, who had been commissioned a few years ago for an installation at the Dayton Metro Library northwest branch.

“Of all the applicants, her work was the most engaging. I liked the fact that she is an educator as well as an artist, and I thought her artwork was captivating and breathtaking,” said Griffin.

One of those captivating works is the installation at the library, a 6-feet-by-10-feet-by-10-feet elaborate sculpture with dozens of dome-like pieces that resemble a chandelier. She created it with acrylic, neoprene rubber, stainless steel, painted wood and black high-density polyethylene.

“I record impressions as a way of understanding changing landscapes, and as a way to investigate their past and future,” said Kistler, who lives in Gahanna. “My process involves historical research, interviewing community members and site visits to gain an understanding of the community and environment.”

Griffin’s husband Ryan, the assistant band director at Carroll High School, have three children, Byron, 9, Clara, 7, and Georgie, 5. With three young children they’ve frequently enjoyed Oak Park, which has a treehouse-themed playground, ball field, tennis court, half basketball court and shelter. When the Griffins first moved to that Kettering neighborhood, they got involved right away.

“We’re fortunate because shortly after we moved in, they were remodeling the park. We attended all of the city of Kettering meetings so our voices could be heard for what was needed in the park,” Griffin said.

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As for the design of the upcoming public artwork, there will be a give and take between Kistler and the community members on recommendations for the specific work. Her art will be inspired by local factors, and community involvement is key. In fact, Kistler will be leading Make a Difference Day activities at Oak Park from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Oct. 28.

“Art in general is a way for people to express themselves, a way to engage in conversation and reflect on life,” said Griffin, who has a degree in graphic design and photography from Carnegie Mellon University. “Having art in a community setting makes it more available to everyone, not just those who visit galleries and museums.”