MEDINA, Ohio -- Arts exposure enriches one’s life. Thanks to a local group called Access the Arts (AtA), the opportunity to experience art and music is available to a wide audience in Medina County.
According to the group’s website, “Our purpose is hosting events that unite the community and offer a platform for those who like to share their talents. We strive to provide an exposure to the arts and interactive opportunities for the elderly, disabled and underprivileged.”
Trustee Jane Back said since beginning with free concerts in the Sharon Center Circle, the 501c3 charitable group has branched out to provide music and art classes to students at Highland Local schools and the Medina County Juvenile Detention Center (MCJDC). The Joy Project began at the schools in 2019 with opportunities that engaged children in classical music, painting and musical theater.
In 2020, the Joy Project moved to the MCJDC with artists and musicians who visit and provide weekly classes to the young people. Their goal is “to encourage unity, provide emotional healing, and bring joy to others in need in Northeast Ohio.” Access the Arts is continuing all arts programming during the Coronavirus pandemic through virtual online music and art classes.
One big program coming to the MCJDC during the week of July 20 – 24 is collaboration between AtA, the detention center, and The University of Akron Myers School of Art. The professors and university students will be directing the youth at the detention center to paint their own mural. It will be made up of individual mandalas that will be hung together to make a “quilt” design on a large plywood board.
A mandala is a geometric figure that has symmetrical patterns. It represents the completeness of the universe in Hindu and Buddhist symbolism. The teens have been learning about this symbol in Indian culture from an artist named Nirali Shah from Akron Henna Art. The teens have made several small henna art paintings with Shah, and they will now learn to paint an intricate colorful mandala.
Other AtA programs at the detention center are a twice weekly book club with Jane Back and Lisa Tecco, clay art classes with Joan Zacharias, music classes with Rolando Pizzana, and gardening with Zacharias and Julie Spaite. The youth can earn extra time outdoors with good behavior to maintain and enjoy the vegetable, flower, and herb garden.
On July 25th, AtA is holding a yoga event for a good cause. Roots Yoga and Barre studio is offering a donation-based yoga class at Blue Heron Event Center to benefit Access the Arts (suggested minimum donation $15) Grab your mat, a friend, and some comfortable clothing to help AtA bring free arts programs to the MCJDC and to the Medina County Home. Blue Heron offers a large space for social distancing between mats, and lunch is available to purchase on the patio afterward.
Register ahead by going to www.RootsYogaOhio.com or RSVP to JaneBack@AccessTheArts.net. Walk-ins are also welcome, but those who sign up ahead will have their names placed in a drawing for great door prizes.
Access the Arts is beginning plans to bring arts programs to the Medina County Home, a shelter for adults who are in need of custodial care. AtA hopes to provide music, art and dance programs that will bring joy and comfort to the residents.