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: Director's Desk: Posted: Thursday, August 21, 2003 The 1990's - A decade of growth and energy for the AAC by Executive Director Beth Koski Here come the roarin’ 90’s – at least that’s what it seems like as I look back upon that decade in the Ashtabula Arts Center’s life. This decade was full of growth and energy. Not unlike 30-40 years of the Center’s early existence, the 1990’s kept the momentum going full speed. By the beginning of the decade the Arts Center had applied to the Civic Development Corporation (CDC) for assistance in expanding our then current small parking lot. With the addition of the Performing Arts Wing in 1987 our capacity had increased dramatically (no pun intended), and we could not accommodate our patrons in the winter months. Most of you are probably unaware of the fact that the Ashtabula Area College Committee is the owner of the property adjacent to the Arts Center on both our west and south sides. We have enjoyed a very amicable relationship with the College Committee whereby we have been allowed the use of the field directly next to our Straw Hat Theatre since Straw Hat was moved to our grounds. Once again the College Committee agreed to allow us to expand our paved parking area onto their property if we should receive this funding from CDC. All of the necessary prerequisites were fulfilled and this area became a reality – thank you to both of these entities very much. John Hubbard had joined the Arts Center’s staff as Theatre Coordinator in 1987 and was going full speed ahead with numerous ideas for expanding our theater programming both at the Center on out into the community at large. Our GB Community Theatre season was expanded. Children’s theatre classes and offerings were added. AACOT (Ashtabula Arts Center on Tour) was born and the theatre experience was brought to local schools and civic groups. The Grand Valley Theatre Company came to life in the Orwell area for summer youth of that area. John also developed and oversaw the beginnings of Brown Bag Theatre Concerts in both Ashtabula and Jefferson – still brought to our communities through the support of the The Star Beacon and Gazette Publications respectively. By 1992 it was readily apparent the AAC’s programming in both the Visual Arts and Music areas would never fully realize their potentials without the leadership of Coordinators (department heads) specifically dedicated to each. It had taken a full five years, but since I had become Executive Director in 1986 one of our main goals had been to bring the AAC to a solvent financial status. We were now paying our bills on time, had erased our debts and could plan our budget realistically. We bit the bullet and hired a full time Music Coordinator – Lyn Savarise -- and a part time Visual Arts Coordinator, Meeghan Humphrey. Meeghan was also to assume the Administrative Assistant’s position part time which was being vacated by her mother, Rosemary Humphrey. We can see today the product of these moves. The AAC now had a full complement of artistic staff on board once again!! Our joy turned to sadness with John Hubbard’s sudden death in the fall of 1993. John had left an indelible mark on the AAC in his six years at the Center. 1994 was ushered in with optimism. Darrell Lowe had been hired part time to assume the in-house Theatre Coordinator position. Linda Fundis was hired to spearhead the Outreach Theatre Coordinator’s position. Darrell was still working full time at the Meadville Tribune newspaper, but was no stranger to the Center’s theatre program. In partnership with his wife, Debra Greene-Lowe, the pair had brought many very successful productions to the Center’s stages. Linda had been very active in AACOT as well as having performed in many main stage productions throughout the years. Also in 1994, through collaboration and partnership with Second National Bank, the AAC presented Ohio Ballet in two free outdoor concerts. Big things were continuing to happen. In 1996 our new Dance Wing was opened. This was built 100% with a $200,000 grant received from the Civic Development Corporation in it’s 1995 campaign. The AAC’s dance studios now boasted one of the finest facilities in northeast Ohio. The flooring in the studios is constructed like that in Lincoln Center in New York City. This addition is truly a testament to the fine work Shelagh Dubsky has done to build a strong dance program in our area. In the fall of 1996 the Arts Center was much honored to win a “Best Of The County” award at the Growth Partnership presentation. Public recognition of the Center as one of our County’s best assets was an accolade enjoyed by all the staff, volunteers, patrons and supporters of the AAC – thank you!! As the 90’s decade was fading into the next millennium mode, changes were constant. Darrell had come aboard full time at the Center as Linda decided to be a stay at home mom. The Center’s Foundation had grown dramatically in size thanks to a large bequest from Jane Knowlton – allowing us to hire a part time Administrative Assistant and Meeghan to become the full time Visual Arts Coordinator. A Night Desk Coordinator’s position was also added, and Marquitta Mollick had filled that job by the end of the decade. Next – on to the 21st Century!!