New exhibit open at Arts Place

“Almost Everything,” a new exhibit in the Hugh N. Ronald Gallery at Arts Place in Portland features the work of Cincinnati artist Jonpaul Smith.

Smith weaves together discarded consumer packaging, paper scraps, traditional and nontraditional prints into pop culture tapestries.

His pieces play off each other to create large-scale visual environments that represent his interest in the “systems and patterns that permeate the natural and man-made world in which we live,” according to a press release

Smith received a master of fine arts degree as well as a graduate certificate from the University of Cincinnati. He has exhibited work throughout the United States and internationally, including exhibitions in Australia, Spain, Hungary and Japan.

“Almost Everything” will remain on display at the Portland Center of Arts Place from now until Dec. 20.

A reception is planned for Friday in conjunction with the 37th annual holiday benefit auction at Arts Place. At 5:50 p.m., Smith will give a brief artist talk. He will be present throughout the evening to discuss his work.



Jazz in Blackford

Muncie’s Hometown Band Jazz Quartet will perform at the Blackford County Arts Center of Arts Place on Sunday, Dec. 15, from 2 to 4 p.m.. There will be live jazz, desserts, wine, beer, and coffee. The cost per person is $25. Advance only tickets are available for this event. No tickets will be sold at the door, and the audience is limited to 50 people.

Tickets are available now. For more information call (765) 348-4154 or email [email protected].

The Blackford County Arts Center is located at 107 W. Washington St., Hartford City.



Toy drive

The Artifices Luminis Chapter of the Low Twelve Riders will be sponsoring a used toy drive from 8 a.m. to noon on Dec. 7 at Jay F. & A.M. Lodge 87 in Portland.

Clean usable toys will be collected and given to the Salvation Army for distribution.



On Sale

Tickets go on sale Friday, Nov. 22, for a 2020 performance by BlackHawk and Sawyer Brown at the Mercer County Fairgrounds in Celina, Ohio.

The concert is set for Friday, Aug. 14.

For more information go to www.mercercountyohiofair.com.



Recital set

Cornerstone Center for the Arts, Muncie, will conclude its current class session with its Fall Celebration on Sunday, Dec. 8. This recital will include dance and music performances as well as a martial arts demonstration, and a student art gallery.

Act 1 will begin at 2 p.m. in the E.B. Ball Auditorium, followed by Act 2 beginning at 4 p.m. During intermission a martial arts demonstration will take place in the Colonnade Room. Light refreshments will be available in the Colonnade Room on the first floor of Cornerstone. The event will continue until 5:30 p.m.



Blood drive

A special community blood drive in honor of John Paul Morris and in memory of Wiley Freel will be conducted by the American Red Cross from 1 to 7 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 22, at Sonoco Protective Solutions.



Opera on stage

Ball State Opera Theatre’s performance of “Orpheus in the Underworld” will offer a comedic mockery of relationships, opera conventions, puritanism, libertinism, cancel culture and more on Saturday, Nov. 23, at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, Nov. 24, at 3 p.m. in Sursa Performance Hall on the BSU campus.

 The performance’s 30-member cast sings to the story of the Greek gods and their unruly children as they leave the boredom and perpetual bliss of Mount Olympus for a chance to visit a new kind of scenery: hell.

Presented in English, the operatic comic romp is complete with well-known choreography,, projected scenery, elaborate costumes, and a 22-member chamber orchestra.

Tickets are $15 for general admission, $13 for seniors, $10 for faculty/staff and $5 in advance with a student ID at the Emens Box Office, or $8 at the door.