Currently, we are working towards creating our very own graphic design lab! In this lab, we will hold classes which will be instructed by educated individuals with experience in graphic design. The lab will be open for use just as the ceramics studio is. This means that individuals who are currently enrolled in a graphic design class will be able to use the computers in the lab to create and explore their newfound skill! Stay tuned for a release date on our first graphic design course!

Due to unforeseen circumstances, Preble Arts will be closed on Saturday, November 13, 2021.  Thank you for your understanding and we apologize for any inconvenience. We will resume normal hours on Tuesday November 16, 2021.

After seven years of leadership of the Preble County Art Association (PCAA), Executive Director Vicky Fanberg is resigning to take a position as Visiting Assistant Professor of Arts Management at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. During Vicky’s seven years as PCAA Executive Director she led the organization’s strategic planning processes and developed initiatives that ensured sustainability and increased the operating budget by 450%. She spearheaded the fundraising for the Preble Arts building at 205 East Main Street in Eaton and raised nearly $1.5 million for the project. The new home of PCAA was made possible by the support of local citizens, foundations, and businesses that shared the vision of community-based arts that Vicky brought to Preble County. 

The programs she established have engaged over 380 artists in exhibits, as instructors and demonstrators of the arts, in solo exhibits in the gallery, in sales opportunities, and at the county fair and Arts Night Out. Vicky has developed programs in collaboration with other private and public organizations in providing arts opportunities to senior citizens, to individuals with developmental disabilities, to youth who are experiencing contacts with the juvenile court or foster care systems, to high school students looking for career opportunities, to individuals with mental health or substance abuse problems, to elementary school students, to teenage girls learning to lead, to pre-school children at the Head Start program, and to individuals and families and companies that want to celebrate special occasions through artistic activity.

Additional community-based projects have included the Wave Wall at the ASK Playground, the mural at the Residences at Eagles Point, seating and planters at the Bistro at Eagles Point, the art wall on the east side of Your Flower Shop, and other public art projects located at Head Start and Safari Junction, and of course Oinkers for Art.

Over a year’s time Vicky helps the PCAA serve over 10,000 people in Preble County and has helped to integrate the arts into the hearts and lives of residents of the county. Fortunately for the community, Vicky will remain involved while the PCAA Board searches for a new executive director. She stated, “I feel that I have made change and hope that the community is happy with the outcomes of my work. I have had many folks in this time that have been mentors, cheerleaders, support systems and have become friends. It has taken a huge network of people to help foster a love for the arts: dedicated board members, energetic Good Folk and amazing leadership with community partners. Although I do not live here, Preble County has felt like home”

Although her leadership will be missed by the community and the Board of Trustees, the PCAA is excited to begin the search for new leadership that will develop new programs for the downtown Eaton location of Preble Arts and continue growing the organizational vision. PCAA seeks a collaborative, strategic, roll-up-your-sleeves leader, arts champion, influencer, and relationship builder, to serve as the next Executive Director of the PCAA. This is a unique opportunity for a skilled leader and proven manager to lead PCAA at a critical point in building its future.

The next Executive Director will have the opportunity to add to PCAA’s vision and build a robust suite of programs for Preble Arts and community outreach that include visual, performing, and creative arts while creating and implementing a funding plan to sustain the programs. The board seeks an Executive Director who will engage fully with the community, is sensitive to local culture and can bring new ideas to the table. The Executive Director will need to be flexible, collaborative, energetic, a visionary, have strong management skills and financially responsible. The primary responsibilities focus on fundraising & development, leadership, staff & facility management, financial management, program development and Board Governance. The Executive Director is responsible for the success and sustainability of the organization and its assets. The new leader must demonstrate a firm commitment to and passion for the PCAA’s mission and the community that we serve. Interested applicants should read the full job description and application process at https://www.preblearts.org/Opportunities.

The Preble County Art Association has rescheduled the 2020 Bad Art, Good Folk Auction for October 3^rd, 2020. The event will be altered to accommodate the challenges of Covid 19. Good Folk are back to working on their artwork and will be ready to share their creations with the public September 10^th. We are adding new features to this year’s event including the online showcase of artwork beginning September 10^th so you can vote for your BAGF participant or plan your bid! Voting can be made 24 hours a day at https://www.preblearts.org/Bad-Art-Good-Folk. A remote bid process is being planned for you to make the purchase of your favorite artwork. Online voting is currently available and will be until the event finale.  Tickets to the event are available online. Only tables are available.

The fundraiser features local celebrities competing to win the most votes from now until October. Each “Good Folk” is creating a piece of art to be auctioned at the culminating event on October 3^rd sponsored by Edison State Community College, Muha Construction, LCNB National Bank, Kramer & Kramer Inc.,  Lawn Plus, RDA Group Architects, Twin Valley Bank, Henny Penny, National Bourbon League, Mike Loy’s Collision, Bullen Ultrasonics, Springmier Farms, Halderman Farm Management, Eaton Lions, Simon Insurance, Skyline Chili and Lewisburg Life.

The 2020 cast is split into three teams and are led by PCAA instructors to create their masterpiece. Erin Abney will be coaching Joe Ferriell from the City of Eaton, Todd Appledorn from Heeter Insurance, and Christine Wilson from Butler County ESC. Michelle Buckley will be coaching Jane Smith from Essence of Wellness, Chris Fourman from LCNB National Bank, and Craig Springmier from Halderman Farm Management. Bad Art Good Folk Veteran Robert Coveney will be coaching Lauren Morris from Twin Valley Bank, Todd Hennigan from Henny Penny and Rick Hanes from Edison Community College.

The 2020 cast is looking for support from the entire community to raise contributions for the PCAA. Votes cost $1 each and an unlimited amount can be cast. Voting for Good Folk can be done online at www.preblearts.org or in person at Preble Arts, 207 E. Main St. in Eaton, Ohio. All votes are tax deductible donations and support the PCAA. The funds raised by this event make art opportunities available and accessible to the community.

The PCAA has been serving the community since 1990 by offering gallery exhibits, interactive education experiences and programs that integrate art into the community. In addition to these services, we have a strong focus on strengthening the community through art experiences. The PCAA has loyal dedication to youths, seniors and those that are differently-abled. The PCAA offers Youth for a Creative Community, a program for youth to learn skills, teamwork and collaboration while they make art for the public. In addition, the program RISE: Respect, Integrity, Spirit and Experience focuses on teens in need of guidance and direction.  RISE offers a mentoring experience that fosters pride for themselves and the community by having them actively participate in the creative process while learning life skills, responsibility, team-work and community development. We are proud to work with Your Happy Place, and the Preble County Senior Center, to provide affordable art activities to their clients.

Want to attend the auction? Ticket information will become available in July. More information about this event and all other PCAA programs and activities can be found at www.preblearts.org. Call 937-456-399 or better yet, visit us at 207 E. Main St. in downtown Eaton to see or take part in art!

Seating in our Paint Your Own Pottery Studio is now open during our regular business hours! Due to limited seating, it is helpful for you to call ahead. We are providing indoor and outdoor seating spaced for your safety. All tools are and tables are cleaned between use and out staff is ready to serve you with clean hands and a mask. Call 937-456-3999 to reserve your seat! 

Preble Arts Receives Grant from the CareSource Foundation

Grant will assist with providing Preble County seniors, youth and differently-abled populations access to art and culture.

(Eaton, Ohio May 26, 2020) – The Preble County Art Association (PCAA) fuels creativity in Preble County, fostering a community rich in arts and culture. It is their goal to strengthen the county through the arts and thereby create a community where people want to live, work and play. The PCAA provides art experiences to senior citizens, low-income families, youth, and differently-abled individuals. Art experiences include the creation of art in a variety of mediums that give exposure to new ways of creative thinking, expression and exploration. Mediums include clay, paint, ceramics, fibers and mixed-media. Projects are designed to include personal art exploration, guided art instruction and public art making opportunities. Multiple entry points allow a holistic approach to the individual, development of teambuilding and the opportunity to foster a strong community.

The PCAA believes that through the arts we can enhance our community by raising the quality of life for our citizens, create opportunities to invigorate mental health, address and offer opportunities to heal through the arts. We invest our resources into education and outreach to provide these opportunities. The PCAA offers a variety of classes, workshops and art making opportunities. Currently, there are six exhibits each year highlighting local artists and students. Outreach activities include programs for at-risk teens, seniors and differently-abled folks as well as public art installations with unlikely partners.

“It is an honor and humbling to know that Caresource recognizes the value of the arts for the community and individuals” said PCAA Executive Director, Vicky Fanberg. “Their support allows us to ensure that all people in Preble County have an entry point to the arts and we can provide meaningful and creative experiences.”

The PCAA operates Preble Arts, located in downtown Eaton, Ohio. Preble Arts is a cultural facility that provided exhibit and educational space for the arts.

The CareSource Foundation works to strengthen the network of critical nonprofit organizations in our communities through strategic grantmaking. Since launching in 2006, the Foundation has awarded more than 1,500 grants and invested over $19 million into nonprofits throughout Ohio who are working to eliminate poverty, build healthier communities and develop innovative approaches to address significant social issues. The CareSource Foundation provides grants to nonprofits who are working to eliminate poverty, provide services to low and moderate-income families, build healthier communities, and develop innovative approaches to address significant social issues.

 “Health care is only one component in the complex lives of our consumers and community,” said Cathy Ponitz, Vice President, CareSource Foundation. “The CareSource Foundation enables us to transcend standard health care and reach into our local communities to better understand and solve social issues. Our grantees have become outstanding partners in our work to eradicate poverty and create healthier families and communities.”

CareSource is a nonprofit, multistate health plan recognized as a national leader in managed care. Founded in 1989, CareSource administers one of the nation’s largest Medicaid managed care plans and offers a lifetime of access to care through health insurance, including Medicaid, Health Insurance Marketplace, Medicare Advantage and dual-eligible programs.

Headquartered in Dayton, Ohio, CareSource serves nearly 2 million members in Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio and West Virginia. CareSource understands the challenges consumers face navigating the health system and is transforming health care with industry-leading programs that improve the health and well-being of our members.

For more, visit caresource.com, follow @caresource on Twitter, or like CareSource on Facebook. Additionally, visit preblearts.org or like PrebleArts on Facebook or Instagram.

There has been a FB post going around about an artist named Junior Fritz Jacquet who takes Toilet Paper Rolls and squishes them into funny faces. At this point we all might have an empty roll or two. Here is a video of us trying our hand at it! We want to see your TP roll faces. Post them below. https://youtu.be/1kIhkILfMmE

Kelsey is painting a shell! To do this project you will need paint, paint brushes and a shell. If you don't have a shell you can also paint on a rock! Lets see what she creates! https://youtu.be/2wI93Fmuu2w

Today we are making slime! This one they kids will love! You will need glue, baking soda, and contact solution. Food coloring is optional. Once your kids learn this simple slime they can start to make other kinds like puffy slime with shaving cream! We can't wait to see they slime you guys have made, show us below! Another fun thing you can do youth your kids is making stop motion videos! There are all kinds of apps for making stop motion videos. Hot tip: It takes about 800 photos to make a 3min video. We will be doing some of that later...... https://youtu.be/5h7JgT9RnAA