When it comes to unifying a community, the power of art hits it out of the park. Its closest match? Sports. In celebration of this similarity, The Arts Commission will throw a figurative curveball this year by hosting its annual spring fundraiser, The Mix, at the recently renovated Mud Hens’ Hensville complex.
Third Base
Since 2006, The Arts Commission has helped support its public programs by getting the community together for a party filled with art, entertainment and fun— reminding us of the importance of art in the community. This year, the Hensville complex will lend to the party’s signature, unique atmosphere.
“The venue itself plays a big role,” said Larry Meyer, entertainment coordinator for The Mix. “With multiple rooms available, we hope for a three-ring atmosphere, with a different vibe on each floor. This year, the musical variety includes indie rock, a funk/rock/soul band, a jazz trio, Tejano, ragtime, electronica, belly dancers, and more.”
Somewhere in the ballpark 
As an annual part of The Mix, there will be an art exhibition and auction. This year’s featured artists include Natalie Laneese, Eric Zeigler, Ben Shoenberger, Ryan Thompson, Yusuf Lateef, Phil Hazard, among others. The exhibition, which loosely interprets the “curveball theme,” has been curated by a local art enthusiast, who goes by Carlos, sans last name.
To honor the theme, Carlos chose to interpret “curveball” outside of its athletic definition. When making selections from the exhibiting artists’ catalogues, he looked for pieces that were unexpected or that showcased the formal quality of a curve.
“The curveball of the show is that one side of the gallery is going to be a stark, minimal, clinical white cube,” explained Carlos. “The curveball is when you turn around—the other side of the gallery will be an explosion of color and movement, all anchored by a mural that Natalie Lanese is making specifically for this event.”
Artist Amy Beeler was immediately inspired by the theme’s baseball term. Instead of using Carlos’ less literal interpretation of “curveball,” Beeler made a necklace based on Major League Baseball Hall-of-Famer Randy Johnson’s infamous fastball, which hit a pigeon in the middle of a game. Carlos refers to the piece as “hilarious, but also exquisite at the same time. It’s a very subtle joke.”
Making the art
“Marc Folk approached me [and asked if I would curate the exhibit],” said Carlos. “I’m a person who is very much out and about on the scene… I make it my job to see everything everyone is making, and if something catches my eye, I try to get to know that person and find venues where they can show their work.”
For the exhibit, Carlos tapped his network and approached the artists whose work he admires, explaining, “I instinctively chose artists [with] talent, but people that I know have a very disciplined work ethic and that are working towards establishing themselves. All of the artists have a familiar presence within the Toledo art scene, but they are not people who show work every season.”
Catch this unique exhibition of 25 local artists during The Arts Commission’s biggest party and fundraiser, The Mix.
Help support The 3rd Thursday Loop, Young Artists at Work, and The Arts Commission by letting your creativity hatch and getting first public peek at Hensville during The Mix Curve Ball, set for a home run on Saturday, March 19.
7pm, VIP entrance. 8pm-12:30am, general admission.
$125/VIP, $85/general. Hensville, St. Clair St., Toledo.
419-254-ARTS | theartscommission.org
