ARTSNCT features work of students

This outer space mural was created by Marlie Moner. (Submitted)

From the beginning, ARTSNCT – Arts Center of Newcomerstown has successfully brought communities together in the tri-county area with the arts by featuring local artists in monthly art exhibits, offering a variety of free community events, and thoughtfully awarding its much-coveted Manuel Yingling Music Award.

Currently on exhibit at the center is Art to Love, a collection of artworks created by Newcomerstown High School and middle school students. 

 “The local students utterly amaze me each year,” said Michael Wise, the center’s executive director. “Whether it be the pieces from this student art show, or the imaginative pizza box art submitted each October to our annual pizza box art competition. Searching for the proper adjectives to describe what I see is difficult. Not trying to be redundant, but I must say the art is absolutely fantastic, wonderful, creative, and amazing.” 

Wise and his board of directors were so taken by one piece of pizza box art that they invited Newcomerstown High School junior, Marlie Moner, to expand upon her image to create a colorful mural inside the center’s rear door.  

 The mural features three astronauts floating about on rockets among the stars and planets while playing musical instruments and planting an ARTSNCT flag on a lunar surface.  

 Moner impassionedly painted the initials “KB” on the nametag of the central astronaut in memory of her schoolmate, Kenslee Brandon, that had sadly died in an accident. 

 The center’s reach to other communities continues by welcoming an exhibit of beautiful ceramic pieces from Claymont High School students from April 2-30. An opening reception will be held, Saturday, April 2, 2-4 pm. The event is free and open to the public. 

 “We began 2022 with renewed hopes and goals,” Wise said. “On behalf of our board of directors and our board of advisors, I wish to take this opportunity to express our sincerest gratitude to our community and friends for the support and encouragement we have received.” 

The center’s free art and photography classes, IMAGINATION – Outside the Lines, begin Saturday, April 9, 10:30-noon, for students in grades K-12. The classes continue through Nov. 19. 

Local designer and artist Jessica Haney will be featured May 7-31. A reception is scheduled for Saturday, May 7, 2-4 pm with live entertainment by the Kodachrome Babies. The event is free and open to the public. 

On Saturday, May 14 at 7 pm., ARTSNCT presents A Night of Comedy by Little Theatre Original Productions. Tickets are $10. Call 740-575-5710.

Finally, be sure to mark your calendars now. ARTSNCT will present the talented Dover High School Steel Drum Band and Jazz Band at noon on Saturday, May 21, in front of Olde Main Street Museum on Canal Street. The event is free and open to the public. The museum will also host an open house and offer free tours of the facility. 

ARTSNCT – Arts Center of Newcomerstown, is a Veteran-led 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit organization dedicated to bringing all forms of visual and performing arts to Newcomerstown and the surrounding tri-county area. The center is 100% volunteer-operated and managed, supported by private donations. 

 ARTSNCT is located at 304 South College St. in Newcomerstown. For more information, call 740-575-5710 or visit www.artsnct.org.