Kennedy Heights Arts Center
Tactile Artist, Harriet Kaufman, Opens Cincinnati Exhibit
There is a unique new exhibit in Cincinnati where visitors are encouraged to appreciate art through their sense of touch.
The tactile ‘Hands on Art’ exhibit at the Willoughby Art Gallery at the Clovernook Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired features the wonderful work of Harriet Kaufman. Over the past 16 years Harriet has sculpted limestone, walnut, birch, steel, duct tape and fabric. Her work is featured in private collections throughout the United States and abroad…including at our Cincinnati Art Academy, Baker-Hunt, Harriett Beecher Stowe House, Kennedy Heights Arts Center, and the YWCA.
Ruth’s exhibit will run from September 5 to 26, 2014 with an opening reception this Friday from 6 to 9 pm. The Willoughby Art Gallery features art by people who are blind or visually impaired and art that is tactile. Gallery hours are 8 am to 5 pm Monday to Friday, or by appointment. It is located in the Proctor Center at 7000 Hamilton Ave, College Hill in Cincinnati.
Kennedy Heights Arts Center Needs Help To Earn $35,000
The Kennedy Heights Arts Center is one of 14 semi-finalists in the ArtsFwd Business Unusual Challenge. They are the ONLY Cincinnati organization from a national pool of applicants – and if they win, it could earn them a $35,000 innovation grant.
How can you help? Vote for them once a day through May 31, 2013 at this link.
About the Kennedy Heights Arts Center
Kennedy Heights Arts Center strives to be the anchor of an increasingly vibrant, diverse, inclusive and creative community. It serves more than 3,500 people annually with its rotating art exhibitions, arts education programs for youth and adults, outreach programs in public schools and libraries, and community events from art festivals to poetry readings to concerts on the lawn. The majority of its programming is free and its “pay what you can” policy for art classes ensures that everyone can participate. Its inclusive, welcoming environment attracts many folks who might not venture downtown or to traditional arts institutions. As a community-based art center, KHAC has a special focus on Kennedy Heights and the surrounding neighborhoods.
Why is the funding important?
“In the past, we have assumed that we could provide free programming for all and support our total operating expenses through grants and contributions. Kennedy Heights Arts Center was very fortunate to receive substantial support from one individual donor in the early years of the organization, but that donor recently passed away. Our relationship with this “angel” has been both a blessing and a curse – it enabled us to grow quickly and develop a full range of programs, but caused a certain amount of reliance on one source of income which is not sustainable for the long-term.” ~ from the description on Arts Fwd
A Cincinnati Valentine’s Day Card That Gives Back
This Valentine’s Day, give a card that gives back. What a special project for these children in Kennedy Heights, teaching them about social responsibility while encouraging their creative minds.
Bess Lindeman, a student at Kennedy Heights Arts Center, suggested a project where kids could create handmade art cards for Valentine’s Day, sell them to the public and donate the proceeds to a local charity. She put the word out and the response was, well overwhelming. What a wonderful idea from such a caring and inventive girl.
Kennedy Heights Arts Center teamed up with artist April Cooper and 15 high school volunteers from Ursuline Academy for a day of service on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. On that day, 35 youth, ages 5 to 12, created three types of cards: watercolors with original poetry, pop-up cards and prints made from etchings on a press. The cards – more than 100 unique varieties – are on sale for $3 each at the Kennedy Heights Arts Center now through Valentine’s Day.
The students selected The Caring Place – a food pantry serving families in Kennedy Heights and Pleasant Ridge – as the beneficiary of their proceeds.
So, this Valentine’s Day, instead of purchasing a mass-produced card, consider giving one of these unique, handmade cards to your loved ones. Your purchase will support families in need in our community.
Cards may be purchased in the art shop at Kennedy Heights Arts Center, 6546 Montgomery Rd. Hours are Tuesdays through Thursdays 10am – 6pm; Fridays 10am – 5pm; and Saturdays 11am to 4pm. For more information, call 513-631-4278 or visit www.kennedyarts.org.