Upper Arlington Cultural Division presents: Chalk on the Wak; and the Pump House Guys

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: May 1, 2006
Contact: Emily Cable, Arts Coordinator
Phone: 614-583-5311
Email: ecable@uaoh.net


“Chalk on the Walk” at Spring Fling

(Upper Arlington, OH) – Join Upper Arlington Cultural Arts Division for “Chalk on the Walk” in Thompson Park on Saturday May 13. As part of the Parks & Recreation Department’s Spring Fling event, Chalk on the Walk provides a chance to get creative while enjoying picturesque Thompson Park as part of an afternoon of fun family activities.

Sponsored by Larson’s Toys and Games, Chalk on the Walk begins at 11:30 a.m., when all participants grab colorful chalk for artistic creations on the Thompson Park walkway between the baseball diamond fences, just south of the North Shelter. Initially artist Michael Kaiser and Jones Middle School students will mark the walkway with chalk, creating images reflective of park memories. At 1:30 p.m. all participants finish these creations, in preparation for public enjoyment and a jurying process by Cultural Arts Commissioners. Awards will be presented to participants who creatively capture their favorite park memory.

Chalk on the Walk is one of many activities within the Spring Fling. The day includes “Touch a Truck” activities, a visit by “Turtle Lady,” the Focus on Fitness May Mile fun walk and run, inflatables, children’s activities, refreshments and more. Spring Fling events are scheduled from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. throughout Thompson Park. Join us in marking the sidewalk with chalk. Please visit the Cultural Arts Division web section at www.ua-ohio.net, under Parks, Recreation and Leisure or call 614-583-5310.

ARTS IN WORK SPACES: Pump House Guys at Caspian II

(Upper Arlington, OH) – The Upper Arlington Cultural Arts Division is pleased to announce The Pump House Guys, the latest artwork on view through a creative art partnership program with Upper Arlington businesses entitled Arts in Work Spaces. The Pump House Guys exhibit of representational landscapes and cityscapes is on view through the end of June at the Engineering Mechanics Corporation of Columbus, located at the Caspian II building, 3518 Riverside Drive.

The Caspian II exhibit includes the paintings of five artists-Ned Moore, Fritz Hoffman, Charles Rowland, Don Dodrill and James Devore-using the name the Pump House Guys to describe their art collective. The Pump House Guys are all from diverse art backgrounds including art educators, illustrators, designers and even an engineer turned painter. The group meets monthly for lunch to socialize, and discuss various topics of interest, share information on current projects, with critiquing often thrown in. In 2001, the group had an exhibit at the historical Pump House Center for the Arts in Chillicothe, Ohio. Soon after, Charles Rowland was asked to curate an exhibit of the group’s work at the High Road Gallery and it was during this exhibit that the group began using the name.

A long-range goal of the Cultural Arts Commission is to increase the accessibility of the arts for the community. In recent years the Commission has worked to create an art program that shares art with UA businesses. An art-lending program, Arts in Work Spaces gives artists another opportunity for displaying their work, increasing the visibility of the Cultural Arts Commission with the City of UA, and fostering an appreciation for the arts among businesses and their clients.

The Arts in Work Spaces program connects business and art establishing a creative partnership. Please visit 3518 Riverside Drive to view the artwork. For more information about participating in the Arts in Work Spaces program and/or purchasing art contact the Cultural Arts Division. Please visit the Cultural Arts Division web section at www.ua-ohio.net, under Parks, Recreation and Leisure or call 614-583-5310.