When Joan Kroc left most of her formidable estate to The Salvation Army, used in part to build and endow Ashland’s Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center, she required the organization to add a three-pronged approach to their traditional ministry, with access for the underserved to recreation, education, and the arts. With a symphony orchestra, a strong jazz presence, the university art gallery, the Ashland Regional Ballet, the summer concert series at the Myers Band Shell, and Ashland Chautauqua, we recognized Ashland’s deep roots in the arts, excited to soak in this rich cultural heritage and to supplement it through programming at the Kroc.
I’ve long ascribed to the truth, “garbage in, garbage out,” or as Jac Vanek explains: “You are the books you read, the films you watch, the music you listen to, the people you spend time with, the conversation you engage in. Choose wisely what you feed your mind.” I’m glad for the many ways we can be well-fed in the Ashland area in ways that don’t impact our waistline.
For many of us, it’s about appreciation. We receive music, art, drama and words with gratitude, but are not inclined to sing, compose, paint, act, or write ourselves. Joan Chittister illustrates this sense of appreciation from her early convent days: “Sister Marie Claire, steadfastly opposed to the suppression of joy in the name of holiness, went to her music room every Sunday afternoon to listen to records of symphonies, scores of operas, collections of piano performances . . . She would sit in her rocking chair all afternoon and simply listen. I remember being very moved by the model of such bold and wanton delight in the face of such institutionalized negation of it.” Love that image!
Yet creators live among us. Some have the luxury of an art studio, steady work in theater, or a quiet study with no interruptions. But for most creators, the work of creation is jumbled up with caring for kids, grandkids, or aging parents. Many creators have full-time jobs that relegate the art-making to a “catch as catch can” proposition. Some become discouraged, frazzled, or overwhelmed with the world around us, yet somehow continue to create. Meet some of our Ashland creatives.
Ashlander Barbara Nell Morejon is a fiber artist whose work is exquisite. Collaborating with Marlene Gruetter, they entered Wearable Arts Mandurah with a piece entitled “Captivated.” It’s now on display at the US Consulate in Perth, Australia! Working with felt, her creations of hats, jackets, animals and more are worlds away from my childhood felt art featuring googly eyes and Elmer’s glue
For those whose dramatic talents exceed their artistic abilities, John Moser is the point person for the recently-formed Uniontown Players. The group provides the opportunity to participate in quality theatrical productions. Next on tap – “A Wedding to Die For.” It’s too late to audition for this comedy murder mystery, but there’ll be more chances in the future to get involved, and familiar faces in the cast.
On the literary side of things, Ashland’s contributions to the world of reading have been enhanced this month by Sarah Wells and Jody Thomae. Sarah has written “The Family Bible Devotional,” whose subtitle explains its purpose as stories from the Bible to help kids and parents engage and love scripture. Tested out on her three kids and husband Brandon (the voice of AU basketball), the chapters include conversation starters, prayer prompts, and practical activities.
Jody uses the image of Kintsugi, a Japanese art form which repairs broken pottery with a lacquer mixed with powdered gold, in “The Creator’s Healing Power: Restoring the Broken to Beautiful.” Like Sarah, she supplements her chapters with interactive activities including music, poems, and coloring pages, integrating visual art and music into her work. Powerful work.
Maxine Hong Kingston understands that creation isn’t limited to formal art forms, suggesting that even in difficult times, we can still create something: “a poem, a parade, a community, a school, a vow, a moral principle; one peaceful moment.” Barbara, John, Sarah and Jody are only a sampling of many who take her words to heart. Are you next?
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