We’ve long said that at the heart and soul of our community are the people who live and work here. They are the ones who make us unique and the ones who drive our community to thrive. If they are the heart and soul, then the supporting organizations are the heartbeat – the thing that keeps them alive.
Our community is rich in the arts – including visual, literary, and performance. And through our heritage and cultural organizations our community embraces the past and uses it to drive the future, using the lessons learned to grow.
Get caught up with our this quarter’s news from our Arts and Heritage Partners and sign up to receive this quarterly newsletter emailed to you!
Updates from Hancock Historical Museum
The Hancock Historical Museum will be reopening to the public in February with two new exhibits to visit! “Fit as a Fiddle: The Work of Luthier Fred Warren” will feature the work of Fred Warren, who upon his retirement from Marathon fulfilled a lifelong desire to use his mechanical engineering skills to build his own violins. He studied the art of violin making with a nationally-renowned luthier, and soon began making his own instruments. He owned and operated Fred Warren’s Violins for many years, where he made and repaired violins and violas in the basement of his house at 625 West Circle Drive in Findlay. His patterns, one of his violins, and a collection of photographs taken by Dave Hanson were recently donated to the Museum. The museum wishes to remember this talented man and his unusual post-retirement occupation.
“The Ohio Barn Project: Hancock County Barns by Robert Kroeger” will showcase work reflecting Kroeger’s quote, “Barns represent the heart of America, and the old ones are bleeding. So many barns, so little time.” In the early 2000s, while staying in a rural bed and breakfast in Licking County, Ohio, a lonely deteriorating barn, called out to artist and retired dentist, Robert Kroeger. With roof sagging, boards missing, and in obvious disrepair, it captivated his eye. Suddenly a voice whispered, “Paint it and write about it.” The message was like a lightning bolt that hit him between the eyes. Almost immediately, it ignited his Ohio Barn Project, which has taken Robert to more than half of Ohio’s 88 counties, including Hancock County, where he has painted barns, talked with owners, and written stories about each structure. Kroeger’s thirteen Hancock County paintings are on exhibition at the Museum until the 2019 Barn Tour in September, when the paintings will be auctioned off to benefit the Museum.
See information about upcoming events at the museum here, including information on the American Girl Victorian Valentine Tea, the kick-off to the 2019 Classic Movie Night series, and Night at the Museum, a special overnight program for ages 8 – 12!
Updates from Marathon Center for the Performing Arts
Of the many shows coming to MCPA this winter, only one has been called “worthy of the Gods” by Time Out NY: The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical! This “electrifying” (Newsday) musical adaption of the New York Times best-selling novel written by Rick Riordan, will play MCPA on Tuesday, January 29, 2019 at 7:30 pm. With more than 100 million copies of the book series sold worldwide, this global phenomenon has found a new home on the live stage in a “mesmerizing” theatrical event that proves “lightning can strike twice!” (TheaterMania). Following a sold-out run in New York City, where it garnered 3 Drama Desk Award nominations, including Best Musical, this “winning adaptation” (The Hollywood Reporter) will rock Findlay.
For more information about The Lightning Thief and the other exciting shows at MCPA, please visit mcpa.org.
Updates from Findlay-Hancock County Public Library
“Only Child” has been chosen as the featured book for the Findlay-Hancock County Public Library’s 2019 CommunityREAD. Rhiannon Navin, author of “Only Child”, will visit Hancock County on Thursday, March 28 at 7:30 p.m. during CommunityREAD month for a public presentation at the Marathon Center for the Performing Arts.
“Only Child” is a heartbreaking, yet hopeful debut novel about grief, healing, family, and the wisdom of children, narrated by a six-year-old boy who reminds us that sometimes the littlest bodies hold the biggest hearts, and the quietest voices speak the loudest.
Updates from Mazza Museum
Take part in the Mazza Museum’s upcoming programming! On February 3 from 4 – 6 p.m. in the Alumni Memorial Student Union on UF’s campus, Mazza will host Findlay’s own, T.L. McBeth (Trenton McBeath)! Trenton will be speaking and signing his latest picture book, Robot in Love. This event will be preceded by February’s Funday Sunday, also located in the AMU, from 1:30 – 3:30 p.m.. February’s theme will be “Let’s Go Lego” with Lego themed activities and games.
Funday Sunday will return to the museum, located in the Virginia B. Gardner Fine Arts Pavilion on UF’s campus for March’s Funday Sunday on March 3 with the theme “Goofy Goblins” from 1:30 – 3:30 p.m. On March 11 Mazza will be hosting a free community event entitled “The Rabbit Listened: Finding Fun Ways to Talk about Feelings.” This program is for families as part of the CommunityREAD program sponsored by the Findlay Hancock County Public Library. Families can come to find resources for social and emotional learning along with lots of fun!
Updates from University of Findlay
Support the Oilers by attending these student shows! Ticket information may be found at MCPA.org! Upcoming Shows include the Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble’s Pop Concert “Disney Goes to the Movies” and the musical “Newsies” in February, the Jazz Ensemble’s “A Salute to the Jazz Masters” in March, and the UF Choirs “Father and Son Mozart – Mozart’s Requiem” concert, “Songs from Musicals” performed by UF Orchestra, and the Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble presenting their spring concert entitled “Through the Narrow Gate” in April. Read more about these performances here!