Elementally Bare will be on display at the Markay Gallery from January 16 to March 7, 2020. It is composed of work from the artists Joseph G. Hamilton and Dana Elise Boggs.

Joseph G. Hamilton:

Joseph is a lifelong resident of Ohio, residing currently in the south-east corner of the state. Joe’s upbringing by a compulsive, eclectic, stay at home mother and obsessive blue-collar father has instilled creativity and attention to details in his work ethic. Influenced by his mother’s vast art text library, professional artist friends, and National Geographic Magazines strewn about the childhoods home, Joe has developed a fascination with the diversity of the human form. He is a six-year veteran of The U.S. Navy, serving as a combat medic, hospital corpsman, and x-ray technician. Four years on board and aircraft carrier traveling the Atlantic Ocean, enlightened his view of many cultures and peoples. Working comfortably in multiple mediums and extensive media, Joe focuses most of his attention on 3D Design and sculptural forms. Exhibition artistry, outdoor sculpture, and part time educator are Joseph’s focus as a professional in the diverse world of art.

Artist’s statement

Elementally Bare is an exploration of the human form and condition. In my series, Bodies Modified, cultural beauty and acceptance is represented by one’s willingness to modify their body in extreme ways. Most of these practices are still observed today in cultures around the world. My ever-evolving body of work, Disturbed Perfection, reflects the flawed nature of such a perfect creation…us.

Dana Elise Boggs:

Dana Elise Boggs is a life-long resident of Ohio and the single mother of two beautiful, grown daughters. Dana’s childhood was influenced by her artist mother and grandmother, Her mother was always involved un something creative, from making costumes for Halloween or a school play, baking and decorating cakes, and painting with her delicate stroke. Dana’s grandmother owned a fabrics and craft store where she offered classes in sewing, craft making, and painting.

Dana works in a variety of media, which begun with baking and elaborately decorating cakes. With a subtle minimalistic and abstract approach, she creates work in which fascination with the clarity of content and an uncompromising attitude towards conceptual and minimal art can be found. Dana works in several mediums, but her focus is 3D design and sculpture.

Artist’s Statement

Elementally Bare is an exploration of the human form and condition. My work represents life’s everyday pressures and liberties. Whether it be the idea of being pushed down or rising above, the relationship between the two is indisputable.

2016 Foothills Art Festival Artist Registration Form

Artists are invited to enter the 35th Annual Foothills Art Festival to be held at the indoor Lodge at Canter’s Cave 4-H Camp, 5 miles northwest of Jackson, Ohio. The Festival will run from Friday, October 14 to Sunday, October 16, 2016.

Artists are invited to exhibit in the following categories: Oil/Acrylic, Pastel/Drawing, Traditional Photography, Enhanced Photography, Three Dimensional Work, and Watercolor.

The exhibit is professionally judged, but is not juried. Artists of all ages and experience are encouraged to enter. Entrants are limited to 4 works per category. Entry fees are $10 per piece or $36 for 4 pieces by the September 2 deadline. If there is room available, late entries will be accepted at the rate of $12 per piece or $44 for 4 pieces.

A total of $1,395 will be awarded in prizes, sponsored by local and regional businesses.  A strong Purchase Award Patron program ensures sales with a Preview Reception the evening of October 13.  Members of the press, volunteers, and artists will party with the buyers.

The Foothills Art Festival is a long standing tradition held within the foothills of Southeastern Ohio and is made possible by the generosity of arts supporters.

Foothills Art Festival is a program of Southern Hills Arts Council. For further information call the Council at 740-286-6355, email foothills@markayjackson.org or write PO Box 149, Jackson, Ohio 45640. Registration deadline is September 2.

Find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/foothillsartfestival.

2016 Foothills Art Festival Artist Registration Form

On August 1, 2016, we will be celebrating our first year of having performances on the Markay stage. To commemorate this milestone, we are celebrating by launching the #I_heART_MARKAY Challenge.

You may have seen some of the millions of videos on social media and TV: around the world, people were dumping a bucket (or buckets) of ice water over their heads and pledging support (both through the challenge itself and financially) to the ALS cause. We are not asking you to do that. We are asking you to show your support to the arts. We describe the arts as a physical manifestation of the internal creative impulse. Major constituents of the arts include literature – including poetry , novels  and short stories, and epics; performing arts – among them music, dance, and theatre; culinary arts,  such as baking, chocolatiering, and winemaking; media arts,  like photography  and cinematography, and visual arts – including drawing painting, ceramics, and sculpting. Some art forms combine a visual element with performance (e.g. film) and the written word (e.g. comics).

At the heart of every challenge is the true cause: raising awareness and financial support to help the Southern Hills Arts Council to enhance the quality of life in the region by encouraging and stimulating the practice and appreciation of the Arts, through the Markay. The success of the Markay Cultural Arts Center depends on the support of the community.

How can you help?

Step 1: Decide to take the challenge. In theory, you need to be nominated by another person via social media, but if you want to take the challenge, or (more importantly) want to donate to the cause, just go for it.

Step 2:  Accept the challenge. One important component of the challenge is that you have to share a video or photo of yourself taking part in the arts and that you must respond to the call to action within 48 hours of being challenged. If you miss the mark in timing, don’t let it deter you from participating and donating anyway!

Take the alternative. Donate $10 by stopping by the Markay or by visiting https://markaytickets.org/TheatreManager/1/login&donation=2 . Donations are a great idea, regardless of whether you complete the challenge or not. By taking the challenge, you can still donate money to the cause, but can choose any denomination (donate as much as you can afford).

Step 3: State just the facts. You are not doing this to accept an Academy Award or to show your musical prowess. If you are creating a video, this is about a cause, so keep it short and sweet.
State your name, and the name of the person who challenged you and accept the challenge. You can keep it simple by saying, “I accept the #I_heART_MARKAY Challenge,” or you can reflect more on the impact that the arts or the Markay has had on people in your life or in our community. Try to keep it short and on-point, though.

If creating a video is not your cup of tea, you can post a picture of yourself with a work of your ART.

On Video: Challenge three more people (state their names) and say they have 48 hours to complete the challenge.

Say that you are donating money (in addition to sharing your ART). (and really do it).

On your photo post: Challenge three more people (tag your friends) and say they have 48 hours to complete the challenge. Post that you are donating money (in addition to sharing your ART). (and really do it).

Step 4:
Upload video or picture onto social media. We suggest using Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
—Use hashtags. The point of a viral campaign is to spread awareness, so even if you’re averse to using hashtags, this is a good time to make an exception. Mark your post with #I_heART_MARKAY Challenge, #markaychallenge, and #markay1year to spread the word.
—Tag the people you want to challenge.

To tag someone on Twitter, put the “@” symbol before their username. For example, if someone’s Twitter name is MovieBuff123, you would include @MovieBuff123 in your Twitter status.
— On Facebook, hit the spacebar and type in the “@” symbol. If you don’t leave a space before the symbol, the process won’t work. Type in the name of the person you want to tag. Once you start typing the person’s name, a list of your friends will appear, and you can select the person from the list.

— Provide the donation link. The #I_heART_MARKAY Challenge is about awareness and gathering donations, so provide a donation link right there in your post, as well as tagging your challenged friends to encourage their participation, too.

You can use this link  to donate https://markaytickets.org/TheatreManager/1/login&donation=25
Then click post. (be sure your

Step 5:
Donate! The original point of the challenge was to get people to either do the challenge or donate. However, if you can pledge financial support, it’s a good idea to do both. Many people out there are now doing the challenge and donation, instead of picking one, and every contribution goes a long way.

Example of a post:
I support The Markay Cultural Arts Center, and I have been challenged by _______ to participate in the #I_heART MARKAY Challenge.  I am posting a picture/video of my creative side!  I am also donating to support The Markay Cultural Arts Center at https://markaytickets.org/TheatreManager/1/login&donation=25.  I now challenge ______, ______, and ______ to do the same.  For more information on the #I_heART MARKAY Challenge visit the event: I_heART_Markay Challenge. #I_heART_markay, #markaychallenge, and #markay1year

After three weeks of honing their acting and auditioning skills, several area youth will take the stage to showcase what they have learned in the acting and audition workshop, that was hosted at the Markay this month.

The workshop was offered free to area youth through a grant from the Imagine Arts Endowment, which was facilitated by The University of Rio Grande.

The workshop’s first week was under the direction of Candy Kaniecki from West End Studio in Los Angeles, California. The following weeks were under the direction of Minda Hager, Seth Argabright and Dr. Greg Miller.

“The students have been researching and writing profiles, monologues, dialogues, and songs while learning some of the material made famous by various Jackson County natives who made significant careers in the arts,” explained Miller. He went on to say that the students have been exploring the historical films, musical and literary styles of prior generations of these prominent entertainers who called Jackson County home. Those former Jackson County natives are: Frank Cavett, Ben Ames Williams, Frank Crumit, Carl Summers, Isham Jones, Strickland Gillilan, The   Edwards Sisters Quartet, and Brooks Jones.

Miller explained that the students are preparing solos and monologues and will toss in a few surprises for the audience to enjoy.

Small Town, Big Dreams will be presented on the Markay stage, on Thursday, June 23 at 7 p.m. Admission is free. Any donations will be gifted to the Markay Cultural Arts Center.

Cast of “Small Town, Big Dreams”. First row, pictured from left, Kendra Perry, Emma Matthews, Savannah Crisp and Courtney Polcyn. Back row, pictured from left, Lilian Colley, Lillian Sizemore, Marah Hager, Derek McCarty, Emily Polcyn, KeAnn Wilson and Lindsey Polcyn.

The following youth will be participating in the performance:

• Emma Mathews, 15, of Jackson, is the daughter of Tammy Byler and the grand daughter of Lynn Byler. She attends 10th grade at Jackson High School. Emma has performed in the following productions: Annie as Tessie; Into the Woods, as a member of the chorus; You Can’t Take it with You as Donald; and as Adella in The Little Mermaid.
“It’s exciting to be involved in a program like this and to be working with so many other great actors and actresses,” Emma said of what it meant to her to have access to this workshop.
Emma hopes to continue acting as a career, but if not, she wants to stay involved with productions.

• Kendra Perry, 17, of Jackson, is the daughter of John Perry and Michelle Sanborn. She is a senior at Jackson High School. Kendra has performed in the following roles: Doris in Miracle on 34th Street; Grace in Annie; Dari in The Jungle Book; Cinderella in Into the Woods; Alice in You Can’t Take it with You; Ariel in The Little Mermaid, all productions by the JHS Drama Club; as well as the role of Emma in Emma at the RTG Theatre Guild.
Kendra said that she always had a passion for acting and theatre, adding that there is always more to learn. “I wanted to take this workshop to stay involved and learn as much as a I can,” Kendra explained.
“I hope to gain confidence and basic improve and acting skills,” Kendra said. “I also hope to learn the difference in acting for film and acting for theatre.”
Kendra hopes to major in performance in college and one day act professionally.

• Emily Polcyn, 15, the daughter of Carol and Anthony Polcyn, attends the 10th grade at Jackson High School.
Emily has had the following roles: Jetsam in the Little Mermaid; Kate in Annie, Gay Wellington in You Can’t Take it with You; Harriet in Emma; Alice in Alice in Wonderland Jr.; and in the chorus in Oliver.
Emily hopes to hone her audition skills, cold reading skills and processes for understanding and developing a character.
“This workshop is a great opportunity in a town where acting classes are hard to come by. It teaches me skills I can use as an actress in the future.
Emily plans to attend college for musical theatre.

• Marah Hager, 18, of Rio Grande, is the daughter of Minda Hager. She is a junior at the University of Rio Grande, double majoring in Theatre and English. “I am interested in a MFA in theater eventually. I will go wherever opportunity takes me.”
Marah has held roles in That was Bob (waitress), Steel Magnolias (Shelby), Christmas with a Welsh Accent (ghost) and Emma! A pop musical (Emma).
Marah took the workshop to gain more experience and to learn new techniques. She hoped to strengthen her overall acting, as well as be a better character and have better character interaction.

• Courtney Polcyn, 16, the daughter of Carol and Anthony Polcyn, attends the 11th grade at Jackson High School.
Courtney has played the following roles: Kaa in The Jungle Book; Florinda in Into the Woods; June Fairfax in Emma; The Duchess in You Can’t Take it with You; and The Queen of Hearts in Alice in Wonderland.
“I attended the workshop to improve my acting skills and to gain confidence in public speaking,” Courtney said. She hoped to learn how to improve her cold reading, improve and audition skills, as well as how to analyze a script.
“Even though I am not planning on acting as a career, I do plan to continue doing community theatre,” Courtney said of her future acting aspirations.

• Savannah Crisp, 16, of Jackson, is the daughter of Crystal Crisp and Matt. She is a junior at Jackson High School.
Her prior acting roles were in Annie, The Jungle Book as a wolf cub; and Cinderella’s Dead mother in Into the Woods. She also has had a role in the French Art Colony’s production of Emma!, A pop musical.
“I hope to learn how to make a performance more real and how to get more in character,” Savannah explained as to why she attended the workshop. She plans to continue to participate in community theatre.

• Derek McCarty, 16, is the son of Tammy and Roy McCarty of Oak Hill. Derek is a junior at Oak Hill High School. His previous acting roles include the Baker in Beauty and the Beast; the Mayor in the Wizard of Oz; Mike T.V. in Willy Wonka; Prince Eric in The Little Mermaid; Scar in The Lion King and is slated to be the Genie in Aladdin this upcoming school year.
Derek took the workshop because he wanted to improve his acting skills. He explained that he hopes the workshop will help him become the character better.
“It was an amazing experience to participate in this class,” Derek said. He hopes to eventually become a professional actor.

• KeAnn Wilson, 16, of Oak Hill, the daughter of Nikiah Wolfe and John Wolfe. She attends the 11th grade at Oak Hill High School. Her previous acting roles were a Munchkin in the Wizard of Oz; an Oomph Loompa in Willy Wonka; Allana in The Little Mermaid, Rafiki in The Lion King and will be starring as Jasmine in the upcoming OHHS production of Aladdin.
“I decided to take this acting workshop to learn more about acting and improve,” KeAnn said. “I hope to learn how to become a better actress,” she explained.
“It’s a pretty big opportunity,” KeAnn said of the workshop. “There aren’t places around here that offer acting classes or anything of the sort and I’m glad I could do this.”
KeAnn said it is her dream to become a professional actress.

• Lindsey Polcyn, 18, of Jackson, is the daughter of Carol and Anthony Polcyn. Lindsey is a Freshman at Capital University. She has undertaken the following roles: Mrs. Armstrong in the Greatest Christmas Pageant Ever; sang in the chorus on Oklahoma; Judge Harper in Miracle on 34th St.; Miss Hannigan in Annie; Shere Khan in The Jungle Book; the Baker’s wife in Into the Woods; Grandma Vanderhoff in You Can’t Take it with You and was Ursula in The Little Mermaid.
“I wanted to further hone my skills as an actress so I can have success in the Operatic Field that I am pursuing,” Lindsey said. “I hope to learn to trust myself as an actress and not rely on what I think the audience wants. I want to be the most genuine version of myself,” she said of what she hoped to learn during the workshop.
“In an area like this, it is often difficult to have access to accelerated studies in the arts outside of high school. This allows those who are truly passionate to learn more about the basics of acting,” Lindsey said of how access to the workshop was important to her.
Lindsey wants to pursue Opera performance in he future. ”I plan to travel around the world and perform,” she said.

• Lillian Sizemore, 14, of Vinton County, is the daughter of Katie and Phil Sizemore. She will be in the 9th grade at Wellston High School in the Fall. Lillian’s past acting roles include Ariel in The Little Mermaid;  Harriet in Emma!;  Celeste in an Ohio University student film Clairvoyant; Gracie in Songs for Myself; a musical; and was an extra in another Ohio University Student Film titled Doll.
“I’ve already learned important lessons from this class and I hope to learn more,” Lillian said. “I hope to learn how to come out of my shell more and be less nervous I professional situations. I want to learn skills that will help me in a career,” Lillian explained as what she hoped to learn during the workshop.
“I want to work in film,” Lillian said of her acting aspirations. “I want to not only act in film, but I also want to write and work around them.”

• Lilian Colley, 10, of Rio Grande. She is the daughter of Lucia Jones. She attends the fifth grade at Rio Grande Elementary.
Lilian has acted the lead in four Ohio University Film School productions, and one supporting role. She has been in two films; Mother and When Skies are Gray, which was shown at International Film Festivals. She has also acted in several RTG plays and University of Rio Grande Theater.
Lilian hopes to learn how to work better with other actors. Her future acting aspirations include working in film and television.