Stories by Athena Cocoves, Kelly Thompson and Sally Vallongo
Photos by Chris Schooler
SchoolerStudios.com
Toledo’s vibrant arts community has a long, rich history, with a reputation that travels beyond our city’s borders. Our art museum is one of the best in the world; our theaters a showcase for irreplaceable architecture and unduplicated talent. The city has been a birthplace — a starting point — for many accomplished actors, writers, musicians, artists, dancers, and filmographers.
But behind the curtain of the ballet’s annual Nutcracker performance at the Valentine Theater, before the first note of a concert in the Stranahan, and long before a new exhibit graces the interior of the world-renowned Toledo Museum of Art, there are people who plan, organize, gather funding, and make decisions, working overtime to make certain that these events go on flawlessly.
Now, we celebrate those individuals who have dedicated more than just their careers to the Toledo arts scene. They’ve contributed their time, energy, faith, heart, and souls to the cause. And as Walt Whitman once penned in Leaves of Grass, “A great city is that which has the greatest men and women.”
Owner, ABRACADABRA Studio of Poetics
abracadabrapoetry.com
Understanding visual poet Joel Lipman’s work and career through traditional comparisons is not easy. The former UT professor occupied positions in both the English and Art departments, served as associate dean for the arts, and was named the first Poet Laureate of Lucas County from 2008-2013.
Active in the community since 1975, Lipman judges the Toledo Museum of Art’s annual Ekphrastic Poetry Contest and works with the Toledo Arts Commission to bring poetry to sidewalks, TARTA buses, and the Maritime Museum of Toledo. Numerous awards, grants, community projects, and dozens of independently published works make it difficult to pin Joel down to a single, simple description. Often appearing in one place and another at the same time, Lipman is always in the process of drawing a connecting line.
Maybe what characterizes him best is how his intersection of interests enhance the communicative power that he engages as a poet. In his downtown, innovative ABRACADABRA Studio of Poetics, Joel brings others into this process. Since opening in October 2013, ABRACADABRA has offered an intimate workspace for local poets of all experience levels to communicate and develop their voice in an inspirational environment. Joel’s commitment to authenticity and old school methodology and practice provides students with personal and direct instruction. Small, special-topics classes empower students to push traditional boundaries by experimenting with new styles and techniques. Despite being a critically acclaimed artist of visual poetry and book arts, Lipman is not satisfied simply with personal success but is committed to the success of his community.
Executive Director, Arts Commission of Greater Toledo
theartscommission.org
Marc Folk’s move through the ranks to executive director of the Arts Commission of Greater Toledo wasn’t an automatic thing. In fact, his rise was more Artomatic—a creative use of available resources and innate talent.
The result, after 18 years, is a position with enormous influence on the city’s appearance and cultural richness. This reality is best demonstrated during Artomatic, a multiday, multimedia explosion of creativity that Folk brought from an idea to life over the last decade.
So it’s not surprising that the calm, thoughtful, and enterprising Toledo native is excited about the 2015 version of the event, which is set for April 11, 16, 18, 19, and 25 in a downtown space yet to be announced.
Held every two years, Artomatic brings together creative types working in all sorts of media, to find synergy by sharing and celebrating the creative force. Plus, folks who are involved and those who just love to watch have a great time.
A 1998 graduate of the University of Toledo’s school of art, Folk moved almost immediately into the ACGT track, starting as an instructor in its annual summer program, Young Artists at Work. He also directed the Art in Public Places program, which oversees Toledo’s highly regarded public sculpture collection.
Since 2006, when Folk became executive director, the longtime agency has expanded its active role in the area through the LiveWorkCreate program, the Well-Fed Artists workshop series, and other efforts attempting to move economic development and the arts closer together.
Folk won the 2009 Governor’s Award for Arts Administration, was given the Toledo Federation of Arts Societies Special Award, and has been recognized by his alma mater as an Outstanding Alumnus in the Arts.
The coming year has lots to anticipate, he adds. “I am looking forward to the expansion of the Art Walks to a monthly year-round loop with buses, and all the other great collaborations happening next year,” says Folk.
Artistic Director, Outreach Coordinator, and Fitness Component Director
Toledo Ballet Association
LISA MAYER
Director, Toledo Ballet Association School
Toledo Ballet Association
toledoballet.net
For real movers and shakers in the Toledo area, look to the Toledo Ballet’s top artistic staff, Michael Lang and Lisa Mayer. Lisa, a native Toledoan, met Michael, a Hoosier, as cast members in a Broadway show. With national arts cred from around the country, they are sharing their extensive experience here in T-Town.
Lang, spring artistic director and outreach coordinator, as well as director of TBA’s new fitness component, has given Toledo such memorable original dance productions as “From Heart to Quill,” and “If These Walls Could Dance,” celebrating local landmarks.
Mayer is the magician who annually pulls Toledo’s oldest and most beloved production of The Nutcracker together.
But next spring the couple—yes, they are married-with-children—will actually work together for the first time on a production, an original version of Alice in Wonderland. It’s set to open March 28.
And that has both of them really excited.
“Collaborating with my wife makes this one extra special,” Lang commented.
“I find adapting a classic story into a contemporary ballet a much different process than creating an original idea from scratch. With an original work, there are no boundaries or expectations. With Alice in Wonderland, everyone will come with his or her own preconceived ideas.
“It’s an interesting process. Everyone will have to show up on March 28 and 29 at the Valentine Theatre to see.” Lisa, who also will direct the 2014 Nutcracker, says she’s delighted to have Mary Carmen Catoya and Renato Penteado return to dance-spotlight solos.
She’s also excited about the Toledo Ballet move early next year to a new location on Monroe St., in the shopping center anchored by Hobby Lobby, “so that we have four studios to accommodate the need for our expanding enrollment, the fact that we have an amazing contemporary/tap/musical theatre and fitness/conditioning program as well as our already top-notch ballet,” Mayer said.
Executive Director, Toledo Museum of Art
toledomuseum.org
“Do you see what I see?” wonders Brian Kennedy. It’s no idle question for the Toledo museum director. Since taking over the top spot at the Toledo Museum of Art in 2010, Kennedy has engaged with area arts groups in a hands-on manner; rethinking the display of some of the famed collection, and pursuing his personal goal— to raise the visual literacy of the community.
What’s that?
“Visual literacy is a form of critical thinking that enhances your intellectual capacity,” Kennedy explains. He believes it will make us smarter and better able to communicate.
Much like learning to read words enables one to delve into the vast array of informationavailable, or learning to read notes on a scale allows for better music-making, Kennedy and his peers see learning to read images as a third, equally essential language.
“I’m excited that the focus we have had on teaching visual language and helping people to be visually literate has gained momentum,” he said.
“This November (November 5-8) we will have the International Visual Literacy Conference in the museum, and in the coming year we will be launching many programs that have been in pilot or experimental stages in recent years.”
Gaining visual literacy also has an impact on how we see our surroundings, from home to neighborhood to city, Kennedy suggested. “The museum is actively engaged with the Mud Hens and Walleye management,” he added, with plans to improve the corridor from the TMA to downtown.“It’s about connecting what you see to what you do,” said Kennedy.
Marketing and Public Relations
Toledo Symphony
MERWIN SIU
Artistic Coordinator, Toledo Symphony
toledosymphony.com
Their combined ages barely equal the Toledo Symphony’s lifespan, but Ashley Mirakian and Merwin Siu have so much experience, savvy, talent, and energy between them that they are infusing fresh life into nearly every aspect of the TSO operation.
Mirakian is the honcho for all of the marketing and public relations activities for Symphony Space; Siu is artistic coordinator and an idea magnet for concerts and programs. He also leads the second violin section and is a dynamic soloist.
“It’s my job to be excited about music,” says Mirakian, who also helps shape marketing for Toledo Opera. But there’s a program in the new season that is a personal triumph. “For years, I have wanted to bring a show that combines film with a live orchestral soundtrack,” Mirakian said. “It’s finally happening.” That will be the KeyBank Pops concert March 21, when the Opera will perform Wizard of Oz in the Stranahan Theater.
“Judy will sing, the Wicked Witch will cackle, and the symphony will perform the original music on stage below the big screen. For so many people (myself included), our first memory of beautiful symphonic music is from a favorite film score,” Mirakian continued.
Siu, too, has a hot pick: “I can’t wait for our program in early February (6-7). [Conductor] Stefan Sanderling has invited two of music’s most innovative artists, Storm Large (vocalist) and Thomas Lauderdale (pianist), to provide their own unique takes on George Gershwin.
“We’re also projecting images taken by the visionary landscape photographer Ansel Adams alongside music of jazz legend Dave Brubeck and his son, Chris. It’s a celebration of the wonderful diversity of American art,” said Siu.
On a personal note, Siu mentions he’s practicing the Samuel Barber Violin Concerto to perform with the Perrysburg Symphony Orchestra in a November 22 concert. “I can’t wait to work with Robert Mirakian and the musicians of the Perrysburg Symphony,” he said.
LOVI ALDINGER (Not Pictured)
Executive Director, Toledo Opera
Associate Director, Toledo Opera
toledoopera.org
In some ways, Lovi Aldinger, an educator and businesswoman, and Suzanne Rorick, a businesswoman and fund-raiser, have become—in a surprisingly short time—like the comfortably married couple of the Toledo Opera. They finish each other’s sentences. They correct and enhance each other’s comments. In action, they create a synergy that exceeds what either one, alone, would manage. And yes, they are excited about the Toledo Opera Association.
“We have a great season coming up, with three important operas, each having a dynamic leading female role,” says Rorick, executive director. “We have incredible casts and stage directors, and of course the Toledo Symphony.”
The TOA season grew by a third since last year. The season opens in October with Puccini’s Tosca, a revival production from the 1999 Valentine Theatre opening; then, in February, “Susannah,” Carlisle Floyd’s drama set in Tennessee, and in April, “Lucia di Lammermoor” by Donizetti. “Susannah” is an American opera, a rarity for the Toledo Opera.
There’s also a gala, Men in Black, the counterpoint to last year’s Ladies in Red event.
Aldinger, associate director, steers the conversation to changes in the opera’s very successful Opera on Wheels program—a traveling road show that presents child-sized versions of great works to elementary schools throughout Northwest Ohio and Southeast Michigan.
The program has grown from a springtime focus to a season-long approach with resident artists available to participate in mainstage productions as well.
Plus, the opera has launched a new venture that targets preschoolers: An Opera is a Story. The pilot program will be introduced in two downtown preschools this year — the Catholic Club and Toledo Day Nursery. “We have a master teacher from Pittsburgh coming to help (with the) start up,” Aldinger said of Christina Farrell, who runs a similar program there called Opera Ignites. “An Opera Is A Story represents an opportunity for the company to add to its educational offerings program,” said Aldinger, adding, “Opera is an ideal vehicle for arts integration into the preschool curriculum since it involves story, drama, singing, and moving to music.”
Executive Director, Valentine Theatre
valentinetheatre.com
As a former leader of several Toledo arts groups, Jori Jex is a passionate ambassador for arts education in the city. And it’s that passion that helped to develop the Season of the Arts Plaza pARTy, a one-of-a-kind event. On September 6, patrons had the opportunity to see ballet, the symphony, jazz bands, dance, and theater all at once — and the event was free to the public. “Our goal is to increase awareness of what Toledo has to offer, and the Valentine is the only place where all of our art forms can converge,” she said. The Season of the Arts program is in its second year, and while its main purpose is to increase patronage, it also exposes attendees to art forms that they may not have seen otherwise.
When she’s not managing the day-to-day operations of the theater, Jex volunteers with the Arts-Based Curriculum Program, integrating fine arts elements into preschool classrooms. The program focuses on children between the ages of 3 and 5, as kids who are exposed to the arts at a young age have a higher academic success rate from kindergarten to graduation.
The Valentine Theatre has undergone several changes in the last century. As a movie theater, it screened the opening of Gone With the Wind in 1939. As a theater and playhouse, it closed in the 1970s and was nearly torn down before being rescued with a $21 million renovation in the 1980s. Now, with Jex’s direction, the theatre hosts more than 150 events every season—and that number is growing.
Behind the scenes, Jex works with just seven other staff members, each of them playing key roles in operating the theater. “We’re pretty specialized in what we do. To get a person in the door, see the show, and out the door, it takes all eight of us,” she explained. “Otherwise, it just won’t work.”
Executive Director, Art Tatum Jazz Society
arttatumsociety.com
Kay Elliott was introduced to the Toledo jazz legend Jon Hendricks in 2000 by a high school friend who invited her to a concert at St. Martin de Porres Catholic Church, where Hendricks was scheduled to sing with the Toledo Symphony. On the day of the concert, a major snowstorm forced the city to close—but Elliott made sure the show went on. “I called the mayor and I told him, ‘We’re still having this concert,’” she said. The city plowed the streets leading to the Bancroft St. parish and 900 people showed up for the performance, making it a standing-room only crowd in the 750-seat church. “It was a magnificent performance,” she recalled. “And I’ve been involved in the Toledo jazz scene ever since.”
In the past fourteen years, Elliott has been a driving force behind the Art Tatum Jazz Society, helping the organization attract such acclaimed jazz musicians as Delfeayo Marsalis, Jason Marsalis, Jonathan Batiste, and Trombone Shorty.
The Tatum Society is in its second year of hosting Jazz on the Maumee, a program that promotes music education and gives opportunities to local musicians, including students from the Toledo School for the Arts, with jazz shows held every Wednesday in Downtown’s Grand Plaza Hotel, giving local aficionados a chance to not only enjoy jazz but to meet others who love the genre. “Since we started doing this, I believe that all of Downtown Toledo has been invigorated,” Elliott said.
Owner, The Art Supply Depo
artsupplydepo.com
Jules Webster doesn’t fit your typical image of a successful business owner. The 31-year-old Toledo native opened The Art Supply Depo in July of 2011 and has been defying stereotypes ever since, maintaining economic growth and pursuing community development over personal profit.
After two years of planning, Jules opened The Depo at 29 S. St. Clair St. with the goal of selling high-quality art supplies and price-appropriate works from talented local artists, as well as operating as a home base for a growing arts community. While her plan has remained the same, the concept has expanded beyond her original dream. The store now carries ten times more inventory than expected, the local businesses she hoped to attract to the Warehouse District are there, and the arts community is thriving. In-store gallery shows and events draw artists of all skill levels into the Depo, creating a supportive network of creatives.
She looks to her talented customer base when choosing staff, exhibiting artists, and selecting teachers for specialized class offerings. As an artist, Jules understands the kind of dedication and curiosity that goes into enhancing technique.
She firmly believes that creating art is a learned skill, and not a born talent, and she brings this message to every aspect of the store with a dedication for investing in the artists who choose to invest in the Depo. Her vision is reinforced by the knowledgeable, passionate staff of working artists who share her commitment to foster an encouraging and motivational support network.
MATT TAYLOR
(Not Pictured)
Muralists
Public art defies traditional boundaries by leaving the galleries and museums, taking style and vision to the street and going directly to the public. Downtown Toledo has been taken by storm with walls rehabilitated by color, shape, and oversized images. Murals are popping up throughout the area, created by local artists and organizations.
Driving or walking down Adams St., Matt Taylor’s Toledo Loves Love mural gives passers-by an appreciation of tight line technique, balanced color, and a captivating composition. The vision, executed by the local artist who is also employed as a graphic designer, has occupied the UpTown District in support of LGBT rights since the summer of 2012. Commissioned pieces at locations such as Black Kite Coffee, 2499 Collingwood Blvd.,Findlay High School’s gymnasium, Digital Roots, LeSo Gallery, and JUPmode have also been touched by Taylor and his brush.
Yusuf Lateef’s textured, rough, and energetic paintings can be seen at the new location of Bleak House Coffee, 612 Adams St. Although you may have seen his work at Bozarts or during a LIVE painting at NEX clothing near the University of Toledo, his collaborative public murals can be seen at locations such as the Roosevelt Pool, through active involvement with Young Artists at Work. The program gives local high school students professional art experience while earning a summer wage, and Lateef has helped students define and represent their vision at community hotspots. Check out the mural he is currently working on at 18th and Madison with Ivan Kende.
