“I’m looking forward to seeing people enjoy the art performances and activities. What a fun excuse to get out and get together as a community!” states artist and teacher Katie S. Arnold about the Chardon Arts Jam which will take place Saturday June 8 on Chardon Square.
Ms. Arnold has been teaching art classes at Geauga Lyric Theater Guild since 2011 and is one of the many artists that will be providing “experiences” during the Arts Jam.
“Come get a taste of what we do across the street at the Arts Center with visual art! I’ll be doing a collaborative printmaking project in the square and all ages are welcome to participate.”
Director and theater instructor Angela Miloro-Hansen is another Geauga Lyric Theater Guild artist that will be participating in the Arts Jam. She will present a traditional melodrama, “Saved by the Serendipity Circus,” in the afternoon at the theater, complete with the historically correct booing and hissing from the audience.
A workshop “Dance Through Life for Fun and Fitness” will be conducted by choreographer Lisa-Marie French, who most recently directed CATS at Geauga Theater.
An Arts Jam?
Noon until 10:00 p.m., artists from across Northeast Ohio will gather in Chardon, Ohio to celebrate creativity and artistic expression in its many forms. Theatrical performances, dance, music, poetry, and the visual arts will be featured as part of this day-long event.
There will be many opportunities for audience participation, including workshops and demonstrations for participants of all ages and many family-friendly activities for younger artists.
Activities will take place on and around beautiful Chardon Square.
A few more of the featured performers include Jasmine Dragons, The Chardon Polka Band, Laura Lewis clogging, storyteller Robin Echols Cooper, Allison Piccioni and The Logos, The Stockdale Family bluegrass band, Bob Bellamy and Wendy Barlow (hammered dulcimer and classical harp), Tom Evanchuck, and many more.
There will be live music in the Gazebo all afternoon – and in all, more than 50 performers and performing groups will participate throughout the day. Arts activities and performances will also be hosted at selected Main Street merchants.
The Arts Jam will culminate in an evening performance, “The Artist Within”, at Geauga Theater beginning at 8 p.m. The performance will feature community members who lead double lives as fine artists.
Former WKSU radio personality and folk music guru Jim Blum will host the evening.
Events during the day and evening will be free or of nominal charge to the public. Seating for the evening performance is limited and will be available on a first come basis.
Why a Chardon Arts Jam?
A thriving arts community brings numerous benefits to any locale. There are two driving forces for this festival:
Chardon and its neighboring communities in Geauga, Lake and Ashtabula counties, have a rich resource in the many talented artists and performers who live and work in the region.
Compared to their colleagues in urban areas nearer Cleveland, these artists lack venues and performance opportunities to showcase their talents and benefit from networking with other artists and performers in a collaborative arts environment.
Economy. Through this festival and other activities throughout the year, we seek to make Chardon a destination for artists and audiences alike, and in doing so benefit local businesses and merchants and increase Chardon’s participation in the “creative economy”.
Thank you sponsors!
Gold level sponsors of the event include: Geauga Council for Arts and Culture, The Geauga Lyric Theater Guild, The Junction Auto Family, and the Burr Funeral Home.
Bronze sponsors include: The Alvord Agency Insurance and Precision Orthopaedic Specialties, Inc.
The Chardon ARTS JAM will begin at noon June 8. The Geauga Theater is located on Chardon Square, at 101 Water Street. For more information about Geauga Lyric Theater Guild, go online or call 440-286-2255. For more information about the Arts Jam, contact Geauga Council for Arts and Culture at 440-537-3344.
