Artist Inspired by Nature On July 16, artist, photographer and…

July 11, 2013

Artist Inspired by Nature

On July 16, artist, photographer and crafter Cyndi Konopka will share her nature-inspired work with the Geauga Arts Network Group (GANG). Host for the evening will be Jeanne Brodie.

This educational program, which is free and open to the general public, will take place from 6:30-8 p.m. at Heinen’s Cafe, 402 Center St. in Chardon. No reservations are necessary.

Konopka is a Geauga County resident whose work includes photography, artworks made of recycled glass and highly artistic bird feeders. She was top in her class at the Cleveland Institute of Art, majoring in photography and design, and currently works as a professional photographer and videographer.

With a keen interest in nature and environmental stewardship, Konopka uses recycled objects in her artwork and has a life-goal of living completely “off the grid.” Her hobbies include animal rescue, beekeeping, sewing and gardening.

The Geauga Arts Network Group is an ad hoc group whose mission is to promote communication, collaboration and cooperation across artistic disciplines for artists living and/or working in Geauga County. For more information, call Joanne Durante at 440-729-6481.

Teen Benefit Performance

Geauga Lyric Theater Guild will hold a benefit performance July 12 of the teen drama project, I Never Saw Another Butterfly, directed by Angela Miloro-Hansen. Based on a true story, this incredibly powerful script follows the journey of a teen and young woman as they are imprisoned in the Terezin concentration camp.

After wining numerous awards at the regional level, GLTGs cast of 28 has been invited to perform at the Ohio Community Theatre Association State Conference in Dayton in August. Only 12 to 15 theaters in the state will be invited to perform. One of the ways the cast is intending to raise funds for travel expenses, lodging and conference fees is from this special benefit performance.

Tickets for the benefit performance will be $10 general admission at the door.

Two baskets are being raffled off at the performance. One contains four VIP Indians loge seats with parking and entrance to the Terrace Club on Aug. 6, four tickets to the Great Lakes Science Center and four tickets to the Cleveland Orchestra for a value of $556. The second basket contains four loge tickets to Once at the Palace Theatre, four tickets to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and four tickets to the Cleveland Aquarium, a value of $460.

Tickets are $5 each or five for $20 and will be available at the business office or at the theater on Friday.

For information, contact the business office at 440-285-7701. Anyone wishing to donate, or to help with the fundraising, such as car washes and more, please contact the office, or mail donations to GLTG, PO Box 834, Chardon, OH 44024, ATTN Teen Drama.

The Geauga Theater is located on Chardon Square, at 101 Water St.

Shrek the Musical at GLTG

Shrek the Musical kicks off the summer youth performances at Geauga Theater. This comedic musical fairy tale is directed by Patty Osredkar and performed by a talented cast of teens.

Shrek, an ogre, sets out to reclaim his swamp from squatting, displaced fairy creatures, by rescuing the dragon-guarded Princess Fiona. He must deliver her to Lord Farquaad, who must marry a princess to become a king and make his land of Dulac into a real kingdom. As expected, nothing goes as planned for Shrek.

Performances are July 18 and 19 at 7:30 p.m. and July 20 at 2 p.m. Tickets $8 for reserved seating.

Geauga Theater is located at 101 Water St. in Chardon. Tickets are available online at www.geaugatheater.org or call the box office at 440-286-2255. Marquee sponsor for the summer workshop series is Lake Health.

Fairmount Summer Session

Fairmount Center for the Arts second summer session begins July 15 and will run until Aug. 10. Fairmount has a full range of classes, workshops and summer camps for students as young as 2 to senior adults.

Call at 440-338-3171 or visit www.fairmountcenter.org for information, a course catalog, registration form, fees for classes and more.

Fairmount Center for the Arts is located at 8400 Fairmount Road in Novelty.