Yellow+Springs+Art+History+1960's

Throughout the 60's YS Arts Council presented day programs called "Art Demonstrations". Artists shared their art knowledge and skills in embroidery, enameling, painting, woodworking, sculpture, spinning, ceramics, silversmithing, sketching, silk screening, leather working, photography, fashion design, weaving and more.

1960: YS Opera House was torn down. During its height, an active summer theater program took place here.

1960's: Julia Reichert (independent film maker) - Julia's senior project at Antioch College (with Jim Klein) has been called "the first film of the modern women's movement". The film was nominated and won an Oscar. Numerous films have followed.

*1960's: Phyllis Cannon - managed a youth summer puppetry program. These marionettes were authentic and intricate, with carved wooden parts, cast hands and shoes. The troupe performed in the Mills Lawn Gym/Auditorium and at G. Stanley Hall (next to Antioch School, which was later demolished in 2008)

*1960's: Robert Metcalf - taught stained glass at Antioch College.

1951-1974: Howard Kahoe - Village Manager

1961: The [|Miami Valley Arts Council] was incorporated and functioned until 1970.

1961: David Battle's design is chosen to represent the Peace Corps. [|more.]

1963: The last Year of John Bryan High School

1963: Jane Baker and a group of dedicated music lovers formed Chamber Music in Yellow Springs, a non-profit organization that presents professional chamber music concerts. Presenting primarily at the Presbyterian Church, the group is still active (2013).

1963-68: The John Bryan Building was used as a junior high school.

1965-1984: Jim Rose (professional puppeteer) had an active career as one of the countries premier theatrical puppeteers. He was a member of Antioch College's theatre faculty.

1965: "The English Trio" was formed. Members Mary Schumacher, Shirley Mullins, and Ava English plyed together for 26 years.

1967: "Zeely" by Virginia Hamilton Adoff was published. Every year after that through 1999 she had one - two books published. [|More on Viginia Hamilton.]


 * mid-1960's: Unfinished Creations (art supplies store) opened by Antioch College grad Pam Hogarty.

1967: Jan Jones (Antioch College art professor in ceramics) was hired by Mel Strong (Department Chair, Antioch Art Department). She started a 4 year Ceramics program. This was a pivotal time when views of pottery were changing from craft to a field professional fine art.

1968-1998: Karen Shirley (ceramics, drawing, photography, painting) - member of the Art Department at Antioch College.

1968: YSAC ceramics classes were taught by Dick Miller at the Carr Nurseries (Odiorne Greenhouses) on High Street. It was owned by Corrine Pezel and a functioning ceramics studio existed in the boiler area.

1968-1972 Many in the Yellow Springs creative community are inspired by the Whole Earth Catalog series, by Stewart Brand, which provided access to hundreds of products for sale for a sustainable lifestyle. The book provided a rich assortment of creative ideas and products for artists. [|Whole Earth Catalog]

1969: YSAC enameling classes taught by Evelyn LaMer (out of her home studio).

Late 1960's: "Feminist Writer's Group" began. Started by Gene Hudson and Hazel Tulecky. It lasted until the mid 80's.


 * Note: The Yellow Springs Art History Project is a wiki, a continually evolving historic document. We welcome edits and additions of facts, figures, dates and details that tell the story off the arts in Yellow Springs. Further research is particularly needed for items with an asterisk*. Email the moderator for edits and additions to the Yellow Springs Art History Project wiki. email **

Yellow Springs Art History 1970's