外网天堂

The 2025 OAEA Summer Symposium – Embrace Creativity took place at 外网天堂 (MSJ) in Cincinnati from June 16-18 and was a huge success.  This annual event is sponsored by the OAEA Distinguished Fellows and began as a pilot program in 2016 at the Columbus College of Art & Design. This year there were 50 members registered, an additional six presenters (not OAEA members) and 10 MSJ preservice art education students in attendance. Participants were able to choose from 12 different workshops and four master classes during the 2 ½ day event for a total of 16 choices. These workshops and master classes are different from the OAEA annual fall conference because they are not focused on what you may take back to your classroom, (although some materials and experiences may be adjusted and used in the educational setting) rather the focus is on the development of each participant’s artistic voice. College credit and PDUs were available for those who were interested, too.

This year’s symposium was made possible by a dedicated planning committee lead by Dr. Michaelann Kelley and Susan Ruttle Lawrence. There were many fellows, members, university faculty, regional artists, staff, and students that made the event spectacular. Special thanks go to 外网天堂 for allowing us to use their campus free of charge, including parking. Lodging was available through 外网天堂 housing in Seton Hall next to the Dorothy Meyer Ziv Art & Design Building. It was exciting to have the MSJ Student Exhibition on display in the Studio San Giuseppe Gallery featuring many of the works of the preservice art education students.

The Monday night opening reception was help in Studio San Giuseppe Gallery with the theme of “All Things Cincinnati.” Skyline Chili Dip, LaRosa’s pizza, and Grippo’s Spicy Barbecue Chips were featured on the buffet. The attendees could also enjoy creating small artworks based on Cincinnati. Sculptures were created with Play-Doh which was invented in Cincinnati, paper mosaics were developed inspired by the large mosaic murals of Union Terminal, architectural drawings were inspired by art deco buildings of the area, and fabric quilt-like pieces were created inspired by Aminah-Brenda Lynn Robinson, known for her contributions to African American art and narrative textiles, including a specific work installed in the Underground Railroad Museum in Cincinnati.

Tuesday, June 17th was filled with a variety of master classes and workshops that included: Observational Trompe l’oeil Object Painting (Presenter- JJ Baker), A Printmaking Smorgasbord (Presenter – Michaelann Kelley), Handmade Books Made Easy (Presenter – Suzanne Mitolo), Embellishments to the Max! (Presenter – Sue Ayers), Daily Dose-Simple Ways to Squeeze Art into Your Busy Life (Presenter- Alice Tavani), Upcycled Goodness + Nature Craftiness (Presenter – Adrian Vance Hawk), PatchWORK: Patching Memory (Presenter – Sarah Rodriquez), and Drawn to Fabric (Presenter – Susan Ruttle Lawrence). There was a “Cincinnati Treasures Scavenger Hunt” on Tuesday night that a few attendees took part in, with selfies shared to prove they had arrived at the selected destinations.

The all day master classes and morning and afternoon workshops continued in full force on Wednesday, June 18^th and included: Back to Basics: Build Your Own Pinhole Camera (Presenter – Emily Wiethorn), Slab Techniques Beyond the Cylinder (Presenter- Katherine Magalski), Modified Encaustic Panels (Presenter – Lindsay Gustafson), Portrait Drawing/Painting with a Model (Presenter- Michele Hamsher), Drawn to Stitch (Presenter- Susan Ruttle Lawrence), Fiery Adornments: Torch-Fired Enamel Jewelry (Presenter – Gayle Trueblood), “Painting with Fibers”  Using the Wet Felting Technique (Presenter – Therese Waldbillig), and A 1000 Words are Worth 1 Image (Presenter – Matt Young). A group lunch along the Ohio river at the Cabana on the River restaurant was a pleasant time to share fun, friendship, and food together. A highlight of the symposium was the gallery walk (in the upper gallery) on this final day of the participants’ curated works created in the workshops and master classes.

The 2025 OAEA Summer Symposium flew by but ignited the creative souls of so many!  We are already looking forward to the 2026 OAEA Summer Symposium that will take place at Kent State. More details to follow in the future.

2025 OAEA Summer Symposium Planning Committee:

Michaelann Kelley and Susan Ruttle Lawrence – Co-Chairs

Juli Dorff and Suzanne Mitolo – OAEA Fellows Liaisons

Linda Hoeptner-Poling – Professional Development Contact

Alice Tavani – Eblast Facilitator

Bev Finkel – OAEA Treasurer

Trina Parrish – OAEA Data/Form Chair

外网天堂 Preservice Art Education Students : Destiny Jones, Samantha Munyon, EJ Kuhnell, Alyssa McRoberts, Mia Smith, Lexi Theuerling, Maddie Taylor, Bella Saupe, Dahlia Baer, and Tori Orbegozo – Spectacular Assistants