About SHAC
The Southern Hills Arts Council (SHAC) works to enhance the quality of life in the region by encouraging and stimulating the practice and appreciation of the arts. SHAC has the fiscal responsibility of the upkeep of the Markay Cultural Arts Center’s theatre and gallery, as well as the responsibility of the organization’s membership.
OUR MISSION:
“To enhance the quality of life by encouraging and stimulating the practice and appreciation of the arts.”
SHAC invites fine artists and cultural curators who live and work in the region to submit proposals for gallery exhibitions and programs for consideration by our Visual Arts and Performing Arts Committees. Proposals are invited from visual artists, poets and writers, musicians, and performing artists, as well as curators of cultural programs with local significance. Emerging artists are welcome to submit proposals. Priority will be given to SHAC members. But, ALL submissions will be considered. Send proposals to: Southern Hills Arts Council, P.O. Box 149, Jackson, Ohio 45640, or via email: info@markayjackson.org
The Southern Hills Arts Council is made possible in part by state tax dollars allocated by the Ohio Legislature to the Ohio Arts Council (OAC). The OAC is a state agency that funds and supports quality arts experiences to strengthen Ohio communities culturally, educationally, and economically.
SHAC MEMBERSHIP OPPORTUNITY
Becoming a member of the Southern Hills Arts Council requires making an annual contribution. The Council is a 501(c)3 organization and by becoming a member, you are a helping to make the arts a part of the fabric of our lives in the region. Membership renews on your anniversary date annually and is available at several levels, including a discounted membership for seniors and students.
Seniors and Students only (Those 60 and older OR full time students under the age of 21) will receive a 5% discount for general admission to performances, as well as discounts on classes, for a contribution of $20.
Individuals who contribute $30 will receive a 5% discount for general admission to performances, as well as discounts on classes.
Families who contribute $50 will receive a 5% discount for general admission to performances, as well as discounts on classes.
Individuals who contribute $100, become Performing Arts Members and will receive a 10% discount for general admission to performances, as well as discounts on classes, two free drinks for each performance where drinks are served, and an opportunity for a backstage tour.
HISTORY OF THE SOUTHERN HILLS ARTS COUNCIL
Southern Hills Arts Council was formed on June 6, 1981 and incorporated as a non-profit organization on June 29, 1981.
The organization was envisioned as a coordinating group for the arts in Gallia, Jackson, Meigs, and Vinton Counties by Dr. Paul Hayes, who was then President of Rio Grande College. Hayes persuaded arts leaders from the four counties to join in the umbrella group. These leaders included the remnants of an arts organization that had flourished and waned in Jackson County. Hayes gave space and part-time personnel to the emerging agency.
In 1983 the Council entered the Ohio Arts Council’s Long Term Assistance Program (LTAP), under the Minority Arts division. This program sent a consultant to the group to assist in organizational growth. During this year a CART week was held in Jackson County which depended heavily on volunteers to organize and facilitate the various arts activities held during this week.
In 1985, Southern Hills assumed sponsorship of the Foothills Art Festival which was begun by Jeanne and Louis Jindra at their winery on Camba Road. The Festival continued at this location, first inside the winery and later in two huge tents on the winery’s grounds, until the winery closed and the Foothills Arts Festival moved the event to its current Canter’s Cave location.
In 1986, with the guidance of a second LTAP consultant, Southern Hills underwent a complete self-assessment and reorganization. Hayes was no longer at Rio Grande and its new president did not share his enthusiasm for the program. Staff and space were withdrawn. The Council had already experienced difficulty in fund raising, since our letterhead had a Rio Grande address and we were identified as a college adjunct. During this year of evaluation, meetings were held in the counties to assess our strongest support. It was clear that the center was in Jackson.
Barbara Summers became the Executive Director of the Southern Hills Arts Council in 1987. A new constitution was drawn and this mission was defined as “to enhance the quality of life by encouraging and stimulating the practice and appreciation of the arts.”
Our service area was delineated as “Jackson County, Ohio and the surrounding area.” The intent was not to limit participation, but to build on the strong county support.
Thanks to a generous offer from Wellston business leaders Pauline and Oryn Johnson, we opened Studio 93 on South Pennsylvania Avenue. The name alluded to the fact that State Route 93 is the thread that links the county together and satisfied our concern that the public understand that our efforts are directed at all residents. Art classes were begun. Home tours were launched.
In 1988 we began Free Summer Arts & Crafts Classes for Children. We worked to forge alliances with governments, businesses, and civic organizations in Jackson, Oak Hill, and Wellston to raise the necessary funds. The program, in modified form, continues to this day to stimulate the creative energies in our youth during the summer hiatus from school.
In this same year, we initiated the Jackson County High School Art Show, an annual exhibition of the best work from students in Jackson, Oak Hill, and Wellston High Schools. At first this exhibit revolved among the three communities now it has a permanent home in the Markay Gallery. Cash prizes are awarded with the Best of Show given in memory of Lilly O. Goldstayn, artist, teacher, and gardener.
1988 began our sponsorship of the Apple Festival Art Show, held in conjunction with the Apple Festival. It was then held at the Jackson City Library and only during that week. Now it is part of the regular Gallery schedule at the Markay with invitations mailed to nearly 100 local artists and artisans to showcase our homegrown talent.
In 1990 we took our first step as a presenter when we were successful in securing an Ohio Arts Council grant to bring “Out of the Red Brush” to Jackson High School. We sold out the performance and experienced great success. During this year, we moved Foothills Art Festival to Canter’s Cave 4-H Camp and Studio 93 into a small building at 2 Evans Place, Jackson, graciously provided by Accent II Realty.
In 1991, thanks to the generosity of Phil Bowman, we opened the Arts Annex, on Main Street in Jackson, across from the Courthouse, for a period of 6 months. It gave us great visibility. We scheduled exhibitions, classes, play readings, and receptions in the space.
In 1992 we assumed sponsorship of a Play Reading Circle in conjunction with Dr. Greg Miller and the University of Rio Grande. In 1993 the Council sponsored the establishment of the Southern Ohio Community Band, under the direction of Dr. Richard Berry.
1994 saw the disbanding of the Community Band and the loss of the Play Reading Circle. Hands-on arts activities directed toward children were added to Foothills Art Festival. Studio 93 was moved to 237 Main Street and we began paying rent. This intensified our search for a home. Classes were suspended due to lack of space.
In 1995 the search for a home continued with focus on restoring buildings in conjunction with either Jackson or Wellston. Consultant Rick Jones, Fitton Center for the Arts, Hamilton, helped us define our goals. A feasibility study was done with a $4,225 design arts grant from the Ohio Arts Council, and the abandoned Markay Theatre in Jackson was selected.
In 1996 a lease agreement was reached with the City of Jackson. We pay $1 per year and in return it is our task to renovate, maintain, and operate the Markay. Council members set out to return this Art Deco gem of a building to good operating condition with an eye to renovation, not restoration. However, it was always the intent to save whatever original features we could. Furthermore, we wished to work without accruing debt.
We applied for Phase I restoration funding from the Appalachian Public Facilities Task Force and were awarded $123,000, thanks to assistance from John Carey who has served us at the state level as Representative and Senator.
First business was to stablize the badly deteriorating edifice, then move to creating, in phases, spaces usable for the arts.
We held the Markay’s grand re-opening June 1, 1997 as a community cultural arts center. The lobby had been transformed into a Gallery where we hold 9 visual and cultural arts exhibitions annually. The former commercial space on the south side had been turned into a Meeting Room/Lending Arts Library. In addition, we had created an office, handicapped accessible rest room, and small kitchen. All these spaces are well used.
Today the Gallery provides a welcoming space for a variety of public and private functions. With card tables and chairs, we can accommodate many different kinds of events.
