Featured Ohio State Fair Award winner Artist:Helma Groot

Helma Groot, was awarded one of the Ohio Arts council award, at the 2007 Ohio state Fair.
A brief interview with Helma:


Helma, could you describe some benefits to receiving your award from the Ohio State Fair Fine Arts Exhibit?

"Because my award was through the Ohio Arts Council, it gives exposure to my art to the Council and a very diverse group of people get to see my work and see that you were recognized."

How has The Fair exhibition helped your career?

"The show has helped my career in many ways, I have gotten my best clients through the fair, I have gotten in to other exhibitions from my exposure at the Fair, as well as the sales and prize money."

What would you like to see new at the Fine Arts Exhibit ?

"I think would be fun if they add artists demonstrations during Fair."

What music do you like to listen to in your studio?

"Amiee mann , Elvis Costello,Beth Orton, hank williams, when I am lazy and don't want to keep changing the c.d.'s, WCBE."

What is your favorite time to work?

"In the evening when the kids are in bed."

Thanks Helma!
We look forward to seeing your artwork again soon!

A bright future in a new building!

You may have heard that the Ohio Expo Center & State Fair's Cox Fine Arts Building, where Fine Arts has been located for a great number of years, is scheduled to be demolished immediately following the 2008 Ohio State Fair. We anxiously await to hear the exciting possibilities of our new location at the Ohio Expo Center & State Fair. Check back in the upcoming weeks and months to learn more.

Official News Release

OHIO STATE FAIR NAMES NEW FINE ARTS EXHIBIT CO-DIRECTORS

COLUMBUS— Columbus residents Pamela O’Loughlin and Melissa Vogley Woods have been selected as the new co-directors of the Ohio State Fair Fine Arts Exhibition.

O’Loughlin is a graduate of the Columbus College of Art and Design and The Harding Graduate Internship in Art Therapy. She has ten years experience in child welfare and expressive arts therapies. O’Loughlin is a founding member of Footsteps on Wings Dance Company and was key in the development and certification of Verita Place, a supported living agency. O’Loughlin is active in the community, volunteering at Brentnell Recreation Center and the Franklin County Children’s Services Therapeutic Arts Program.

Vogley Woods graduated from the Kansas City Art Institute with a bachelor’s degree in Painting. She is founder and co-owner of The Painted Monkey Mural Company and co-founder of Community Arts and Mural Project (C.A.M.P), a community-based mural organization dedicated to outreach in the arts. Vogley Woods has exhibited her work extensively both locally and nationally. Melissa Vogley Woods is a recipient of Ohio Arts Council Individual Excellence Award and Greater Columbus Arts Council, International Artist Residency Program, Dresden; Germany. As well as several Franklin Country Neighborhood Arts, Artists in the Community Grants.

The Ohio State Fair Fine Arts Exhibition features the talents of Ohio’s professional and amateur artists. More than $16,000 is awarded to the winning artists in a variety of categories.

In addition to prize money, selected work is eligible for the Patron Purchase Program. The program is designed to provide new and established collectors of Ohio artworks the unique opportunity to add to their collections, while providing the artists statewide visibility and exposure.

To learn more about the Ohio State Fair Fine Arts Exhibit, visit ohiostatefair.com or call 614-644-4040. The Fine Arts Prospectus and entry form will be available at ohiostatefair.com after March 1, 2008. The deadline for entries is June 1, 2008.

The Ohio State Fair Fine Arts Exhibition is presented with support from the Ohio Arts Council.

For more information, call 1-888-OHO-EXPO or 1-614-644-FAIR. On the Web, visit us at ohiostatefair.com.

The Ohio Expo Center is proud to host the Ohio State Fair. With a spectacular midway, big-name entertainment, hundreds of exhibits and one of the largest junior shows in the nation, the 2008 Ohio State Fair will run July 30 - August 10.

Welcome new Directors, Melissa and Pam!

It is with great enthusiasm that we have appointed as the New Co- Directors of The Ohio State Fair Fine Art Exhibition, Melissa Vogley Woods and Pamela L. O’Loughlin. Melissa and Pam are very excited to take on these prestigious positions, and will strive to make to Fine Arts Exhibition the best it can be.

The Directors are optimistic and enthusiastic about foraging a new level for the Fine Arts Exhibit and have many new exciting directions, and goals. With hopes of bring more artists from all of Ohio, expand Awards for Artists, foster community connection through artist run workshops and events, in addition to developing a New Media, performance and Installation category.