Art Blog: Original oil paintings

GCAC to Host Artist Roundtable discussions in November 2007

"GCAC to Host Roundtable discussions"

GCAC issued a Press Release on 10/18/07 to invite local artists to ...participate in a series of discussions about their needs for success, and how GCAC can better play a role in helping them reach their goals...

http://www.gcac.org/press/news.php?id=98

The Press Release states that all sessions are open to any individual artist, regardless of medium. If you want to attend one of the Artist Roundtables, RSVP to Alicia Oddi, GCAC Grants and Services Director. Her email address is included in the Press Release so I won't post it here.

Additional information contained in the release:

...The following is a list of dates, times and locations for each session:

- 5-7 p.m. on Wed., Nov. 7 at the Columbus Music Hall, 734 Oak St.
- 7-9 p.m. on Thurs., Nov. 8 at Junctionview Studios, 889 Williams Ave.
- 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Mon., Nov. 12 at the Columbus Dance Theatre, 592 E. Main St.
- 4-6 p.m. on Sun., Nov. 18 at the Panera Bread meeting room in Clintonville, 4519 N. High St.

GCAC's Artist Roundtables are part of a larger effort to provide more professional development and networking opportunities for the area's individual artists...

Posted by: Robin

2007 Greater Columbus Arts Council Public Forum

"Arts & Culture in Columbus: Moving Forward"

I attended the 2007 GCAC Public Forum that was held at the Columbus State Community College in the Center for Workforce Development. The event took place on 10/12/07, and was one of several sessions included in the GCAC "Arts & Culture in Columbus: Moving Forward" two day community event.

From the GCAC 9/13/07 news release

...On Thurs., Oct. 11 and Fri., Oct. 12, the GCAC will host a community discussion about how the arts can help with collaborative approaches to building the city as it moves toward its 2012 bicentennial and beyond...arts and business leaders, together with  GCAC staff and board members, will utilize current research about the central Ohio arts industry to look at where industry is now, where it's going and how the arts can contribute to community problem solving...This year's Public Forum will highlight how the arts fit into the city's 2012 initiative...

Mayor Coleman, Columbus City Council Member Kevin Boyce, and GCAC President Bryan Knicely spoke about the challenges we face as well as the city's plans to include the arts in its 2012 initiative. Visit the GCAC web site for more specific information about their progress to date, and future plans.

I was particularly interested in attending this event because of the focus on how to transform research into action. We have a wealth of information from studies and similar forums on how to increase support of the arts, and it is good to see that we are moving forward and making progress.

The Public Forum also provided me with the opportunity to hear first hand from leaders of a number of our local arts organizations about the challenges they face, and about upcoming programs they have in the works.

Ron and I are most successful at sharing his artwork when we are out in the community attending these types of events. At this particular event I was seated at a table with several of the people who interviewed and filmed the WOSU Artzine segment on Ron's "Cargo: The Middle Passage" interactive exhibit that is on display at The King Arts Complex. It was very nice to have the opportunity to thank them in person for including Ron in the WOSU series of videos.

I am looking forward to participating in future GCAC programs !

Posted by: Robin

EnterpriseWorks

EnterpriseWorks offers training and services

I attended a workshop entitled "Five Critical Elements for an Effective Web Site" on 12/6/06. The training was provided by Art Wickerham of The Only Way to Travel, Inc. and was sponsored by EnterpriseWorks.

EnterpriseWorks provides business tools, resources, and counseling for small business and micro-enterprise. Tammy Schakett representing EnterpriseWorks served as Facilitator and Art Wickerham of The Only Way to Travel, Inc. provided training for the interactive workshop.

Art Wickerham offered detailed information, and provided a spiral-bound book as a resource at the end of the session. I found the material covered in the workshop and in the book to be informative and relevant, and was impressed with the specific and realistic advice offered.

I have maintained our business web site for two years, and appreciated that the training focused on what to do now that you have a web site up and running. The title of the spiral-bound book offered to workshop participants is "You have your web site...Now What ?"

I can highly recommend this resource to other webmasters after having taken the time to read the material. The book ISBN number is 0-9667398-3-3. Contact Art and Donna Wickerman online at The Only Way to Travel

I only recently found out about EnterpriseWorks and the workshops that they provide. The entire process from registration through attending the event was businesslike and professional, and I will be sure to let my peers know of the services they have to offer.

Workshops are held at Community Capital Development Center (CCDC) located at 900 Michigan Avenue, Columbus, Ohio.  For directions to CCDC, visit their website at www.ccdcorp.org.  Pre-registration is required.  Seating is limited.  Call 614-228-4152 today for more information or to register for a workshop.

Additional information about EnterpriseWorks can be found on their web site.

EnterpriseWorks100 E. Broad St. Ste. 2460
Columbus, OH 432151-800-867-2997

Posted by: Robin

2006 Ohio Business Opportunity Fair

The Ohio Department of Development, Division of Minority Business Affairs 2006 Ohio Business Opportunity Fair

I attended the 2006 Ohio Business Opportunity Fair this week presented at the Greater Columbus Convention Center.  This was my second year to attend the event and I was once again pleased and very impressed with the outstanding program and conference participants.

This is an exceptional event and offers guests the valuable opportunity to network with and learn from some of the most successful business owners and leaders in our community.

I was particularly impressed with the "Town Hall Meeting and Luncheon" that took place on 5/16/06. The panel covered a range of topics centered around the theme of "Strategically planning for growth". The Panel consisted of the following executives:

• Joseph Anderson, President and CEO, TAG HOLDINGS, Inc.
• Debbie Manos, Senior VP & Director of Procurement, Key Bank
• Darrell McNair, President, Nescor Plastics
• Keith Stevens, President/CEO of PROTEAM Resources, Moderator
• Jeffrey L. Thompson, Corporate Director of Supplier Performance, Eaton
• Robert Wagner, Vice President, Strategic Sourcing, Cardinal Health, Inc.

The theme for the 2006 Ohio Business Opportunity Fair was "Embracing Diversity in an evolving Business World". This year marked the 15th annual event for fair attendees and consisted of a golf outing, educational seminars, an awards reception and an exhibitor fair. The event schedule spanned three days from 5/15/06-5/17/06

Conference Seminars included:

• "Marketing your Business"
• "Getting big enough to qualify and compete for business"
• "E-Sourcing: An evolving 21st Century Procurement Strategy"
• "Supplier Diversity"

2006 Co-Chairpersons:

Paula S. Carter
Honda North America

LeRoy A. Pepion
The Blackfoot Company

Ohio Assembly of Councils (OAC), consisting of the Northern Ohio Minority Business Council and the South Central Ohio Minority Business Council hosted the event.

Posted by: Robin