From the Desk of the Director of the Ashtabula Arts Center

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2928 West 13th St. Ashtabula, Ohio 44004 phone: 440-964-3396 Search This Site: The 70's - an Exciting Time!: Posted: Tuesday, May 06, 2003 by AAC Executive Director Beth Koski Ah – the 70’s!! As we continue our/my trip down memory lane throughout the Arts Center’s 50th Anniversary year, a time of huge change and excitement has come. In its 1970 campaign the Civic Development Corporation granted the Arts Center an $85,000 grant to enable the AAC to purchase land and to plan towards building a new arts facility. By 1971 local contributions and pledges totaling $275,000 were made to the AAC by industry, business, the Ashtabula Foundation, families and individuals to make this a reality. Fred Toguchi was hired to design the new building. Sam Goldstein headed up the building committee, and Larry Hughes of Buckeye Builders was awarded the contract to do the construction. In 1973 our new facility was opened at our current site on West 13th Street. In 1970 I headed off to Boston to further my education. Then in 1971 I took a job in Washington, D.C. and stayed there for a couple of years. I returned to Ohio to finish my degree at Kent State in 1973 and graduated 1974. Therefore, I missed the first official opening moments of the new Arts Center. My first recollection of the new facility was attending my former roommate’s wedding reception at the new Center. I remember how awed I was at this amazing and so atypical building in Ashtabula. I actually couldn’t believe such a place existed here in my hometown. In 1974 I joined Carlisle’s as a Management Trainee. There followed many varied classes at the Arts Center in my after work hours – yoga in the lower gallery, pottery, enameling – to name a few. I never excelled at any of them, but each taught me a new appreciation for each particular art form. The 1975 Civic Development Corporation campaign raised $175,000 for the Arts Center to add a Music Wing onto our building. When originally constructed no true performance space was part of the plans. The Music Wing would add a recital hall and individual instruction studios. This wing was opened in 1977. Corinne Loyd who had been with the Arts Center almost since it had opened its doors had assumed the role of Executive Director. Theatre was going strong each summer at Walnut Beach at the Straw Hat Theatre. Women’s Service League was busily raising funds and supplying hundreds of volunteer hours in support of the AAC. In the mid-70’s Corinne decided she would rather take the second seat at the Center’s helm and became Programming Director. Caron Van Gilder, with an extensive background in grants and arts administration, was hired as the Center’s Executive Director. I was back at the Center in another role – that of volunteer. I joined Women’s Service League and starting racking up my points. Service League members were required to amass a set amount of points annually through various volunteer activities to keep their memberships in good standing. I would usher, sell geraniums, serve dinners, sell tickets, etc. G.B. Repertory Theatre had been established to bring the theatre experience to our audiences during the school year. The Music Wing’s recital stage was adapted for its use. Tables and chairs were set up in the audience space with local companies and individuals purchasing whole tables or seats at tables with their friends for the many outstanding shows produced there. The Good Life Singers were founded in the mid-70’s and also performed regularly in the Music Wing. Jan Hyatt’s very strong dance program was turning out students who succeeded in making dance their careers. The 1970’s were a whirlwind decade for the Ashtabula Arts Center. Many, many changes had taken place. I, myself, had taken a very big step in my life in l979 when I married. The 1980’s were about to usher in more challenges and exciting frontiers for all of us. The Arts Center was on the grow!!