Apollo Press

The Scribe Ohio's Nonprofit Arts Newspaper

The Scribe is a FREE monthly publication that is created and published under the 501(c)(3) nonprofit Apollo Press.

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Jeffrey Darah - Publisher and Editor 419-470-9489 [email protected]

Dylan Sarieh - Manager and Editor 567-277-5659 [email protected]

The Scribe is a free, community-driven arts publication that promotes local Ohio artists, authors, filmmakers, musicians, and more!

By bringing Ohio's vibrant art scene to a location near you, The Scribe connects you with meaningful stories and beautiful art.

We believe in making art accessible and enjoyable for everyone.

Discover Ohio's art scene!

The Scribe accepts submissions from Ohio artistic creators of all kinds. Just send us your portfolio!

The Scribe is Ohio's best way for artists of all skill levels to grow!

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Curtis Deeter: Shaping Fiction with Emotion

Blending Genres Seamlessly

Curtis Deeter is an author based in Maumee, Ohio, who bridges the gap between genre and literary fiction. With over 12 published works and two books spanning fantasy, science fiction, and horror, his writing style is characterized by a unique duality - combining emotionally weighted plots and characters with moments of levity. When describing his writing style, he notes, "I will often have a comedic moment hit at an emotional peak."

Connecting Through Words

Since moving to Toledo in 2005, Deeter has become deeply embedded in the local artistic community. His connections with literary fiction writers have been particularly influential, pushing him beyond his comfort zone and encouraging deeper emotional exploration in his writing. Despite the perceived divide between genre and literary writing, Deeter's willingness to cross this boundary has significantly enhanced his artistic development.

Building a Creative Network

In 2020, Deeter founded "Of Rust and Glass," a quarterly literary magazine showcasing Midwest voices through visual and written art. As Editor-in-Chief, he works alongside members of his writing community on the magazine's Masthead. He also hosts the WGTE Public Media podcast "Proud to Be of Rust and Glass," where he interviews local artists about their creative journeys and current works.

Roots of a Writer

Deeter's writing journey began in his childhood, heavily influenced by science fiction and fantasy games like Magic the Gathering, StarCraft, and Diablo. These games inspired him to begin world-building at age 11, leading to early creative experiments including what he describes as "a binder full of pre-teen StarCraft and Diablo fanfiction." His serious writing career began in 2015, with his first publications following in 2018.

Echoes of the Midwest

The Midwest significantly influences Deeter's writing, from its distinctive humor to its folklore. His short story "The World's Largest" in the collection Catching Lightning celebrates the unique character of Casey, IL, while his "ParaAbnormal ParaRelics" series explores Southern Ohio ghost stories and cult activities through the lens of aging paranormal investigators.

Curtis Deeter

• Midwest author blending genre and literary fiction styles
• Founded "Of Rust and Glass" magazine and hosts podcast
• Storytelling shaped by trauma and Midwestern culture

[QR Code] ofrustandglass.com

[QR Code] @curtis_a_deeter

Healing Through Storytelling

Writing serves as both an escape and a therapeutic outlet for Deeter. His work often explores challenging personal experiences, particularly themes of parental loss and mental health. Having lost his father to suicide at age 4, writing has become a tool for processing grief. Despite the challenges of balancing writing with career and family commitments, Deeter maintains that making time for writing is about prioritization. While his career demands can be emotionally draining, he successfully dedicates energy to his three main priorities: family, community, and writing.

Jenniffer Omaitz: Transforming Spaces with Abstract Art

Exploring Abstract Realms

Jenniffer's work centers on the constant transformation of urban and geographic environments, exploring the delicate balance between order and chaos. Through both painting and installation art, she communicates environmental sensitivity, using these mediums to express the collision of technology, architecture, and nature. Her approach to painting embraces contradictions – being both explosive and sensitive, temporal and contemplative, bold and transformative.

Art on Display

Her work can currently be viewed at Context Gallery in Cleveland, Ohio, and Space Gallery in Denver, Colorado. Jenniffer continues to seek new opportunities to expand her artistic reach and network.

Innovating Spaces

In the past five years, her sculptural work has concentrated on exploring stacked structures' architecture, drawing inspiration from international architects who address space constraints and environmental concerns. This investigation examines climate change, post-modern architecture, modular design, and psychological spaces through an ad-hoc assemblage approach.

Jenniffer Omaitz

• Cleveland artist teaching at Kent State University
• Explores chaos through painting/ installations
• Award-winning painter focused on spatial transformation

See more now! [QR Code for omaitz.com] omaits.com [QR Code for @Jennifferomaitz] @Jennifferomaitz

Layers of Creativity

Jenniffer's distinctive painting style involves exposing multiple layers of paint, allowing viewers to witness the documentation and process unfold. The works feature gestural, architectonic, and graphic elements that serve as a collection of influences, passages, and intersections. Color plays a crucial role in highlighting spatial order changes, while gesture becomes a tool for encapsulating time and psyche, fusing internal and external experiences.

Transformative Landscapes

Her installations create three-dimensional landscapes frozen in moments of apparent chaos, simulating fictitious disasters. These works combine drawing and painting with objects and found materials, creating a dynamic interaction with gallery spaces. The installations particularly emphasize the interplay between structure and theatrical elements, utilizing gallery lighting and architectural features to enhance the overall impact.

Path to Distinction

Born in Cleveland, Ohio, artist Jenniffer Omaitz holds an M.F.A. in painting from Kent State University and a B.F.A. from the Cleveland Institute of Art. Currently, she finds herself splitting time between both cities. Her work has been showcased in solo exhibitions at prestigious venues including The Sculpture Center in Cleveland, SPACE Gallery in Denver, and the Museum of Contemporary Art in Cleveland. Notable achievements include participation in the 2010 Biennial of the Americas in Denver, the CAN Triennial in Cleveland 2018, and receiving the 2023 Paul and Norma Tikkanen Painting Prize for Abstraction. She currently serves as part-time faculty at Kent State University's Center for Visual Art and College of Architecture and Environmental Design.

Stephan Stubbins: Bridging Broadway and Beyond

Stephan and Libby share a touching moment in California's vineyards, where their journey together began performing in Broadway Under the Stars.

Broadway Beginnings

Stephan Stubbins spent a year performing on Broadway in New York City, where he refined his skills on some of theater's most celebrated stages. Early in his career, he took a brief step away from the arts to work at a hedge fund: a short-lived detour that allowed him to reflect on his passions. His experience only deepened his resolve to return to storytelling, a craft he loved and felt destined for.

Stephan's life took a transformative turn when he crossed paths with Libby in California. The two were brought together performing in Broadway Under the Stars—an outdoor theater series produced by the newly formed Transcendence Theatre Company. Their connection flourished, leading to a partnership both on stage and off. For six years, they lived on opposite coasts, pursuing their careers while maintaining their bond, before reuniting and marrying in 2019.

Transcendence Theatre Company

Co-founded by Stephan, the Transcendence Theatre Company began with a group of friends and just $83 in its account, a symbol of humble beginnings fueled by bold ambition. Their first production took place in Baja Mexico, where 14 performers traded stability for a dream worth pursuing.

When this first experiment ended, the team embarked on a 2.5-month journey across the U.S., exploring communities and searching for a place to call home. They found it in Wine Country, California, where they reimagined theater as something that could uplift communities, artists, and audiences alike.

What began as a small experiment grew into a company that, over ten years, was earning $4 million annually. Along the way, the theater company made an undeniable impact—notably helping to save Jack London State Park from closure by revitalizing the space with live performances. "It was about making the arts be a beacon of health. So healthy for the artists, healthy for the audience, and healthy for the community," Stephan remarked.

Stephan Stubbins

• Turns art into community experiences, w/ wife Libby
• Co-founder Transcendence Theatre Company

See more now!

Broadway In Love

Stephan and Libby continue to captivate audiences with their creative endeavors. Following a series of online Broadway concerts, including Broadway Mother's Day and Broadway Father's Day, they created the heartfelt production "Broadway in Love" during the Covid pandemic—a testament to their ability to connect with audiences even in uncertain times.

Since then, they've brought their talents to international stages as headliners on cruise ships and are now performing in theaters across the United States. Upcoming projects include regional tours that will take them to states like Texas, New York, and Ohio throughout 2024.

Stephan's career is marked by milestones shared with some of the most celebrated names in the industry. Stephan has performed alongside icons like Rita Moreno and shared the stage with Dick Van Dyke during the Mary Poppins national tour—an unforgettable highlight in his journey.

"It was about making the arts be a beacon of health. So healthy for the artists, healthy for the audience, and healthy for the community."

A Vision Rooted in Community and Connection

For Stephan, theater is more than entertainment—it's about creating spaces where art and community come together. This philosophy drives his work, whether it's collaborating with organizations like the Toledo Blade, or organizing events that bring people into the fold. His recent holiday show at Maumee Indoor was a perfect example: an event where students shared the spotlight, community awards as audience members connected through lighthearted moments, like ugly sweater competitions.

Looking ahead, Stephan remains committed to building meaningful experiences. He envisions expanding these efforts through community-focused productions, holiday events, and other gatherings that do more than entertain—they bring people together. "What I'm passionate about is what I founded with my friends out in California, which is this idea of transforming the energy of a community through art and through togetherness," Stephan explained.

This forward-thinking approach blends performance with purpose, reminding us that great art does not exist in isolation; it thrives when it builds bridges between people and communities.

Kala Nardecchia: Modern Beauty in Glass

Kala Nardecchia • Stained glass artist from Bowling Green • Balances mortgage lending career with artistic pursuits • Modernizes traditional craft w/ contemporary design

See more now!

@copperfinch_glass

Revitalizing Glass Art

Kala's primary goal is to revitalize interest in stained glass as an art form while bringing beauty into people's homes. Through her artwork, she aims to demonstrate that this historical craft has a place in contemporary art and design.

From Class to Craft

Kala is a stained glass artist based in Bowling Green, Ohio who discovered her passion for the craft just six months ago after taking a class at the Toledo Stained Glass Guild. She has since launched her Instagram account, @copperfinch_glass, and begun showcasing her work at local shows supporting various school districts.

Inspired by Everyday Beauty

Her artistic inspiration stems from life's spontaneous moments—from breathtaking sunsets to playful internet memes. While stained glass is often associated with traditional designs, Kala takes pride in bringing a contemporary twist to the medium, demonstrating its adaptability as a modern art form.

Follow Her Journey

Kala's artwork is primarily available through her Instagram account, where she periodically accepts commission requests. She also maintains an active presence in her local community by participating in craft fairs, allowing her to share her handmade creations directly with art enthusiasts.

Art as a Centering Force

As a mother, wife, and full-time mortgage lender, Kala navigates a fast-paced life filled with constant change. Living with ADHD, she has found that artistic creation serves as an essential grounding force. The hands-on nature of stained glass work helps her channel excess energy and find moments of tranquility in her busy schedule.

Marty Husted: Nature's Story in Oil

Marty Husted

• Child artist from artistic family
• Award-winning children's book illustrator
• Nature-inspired mixed media painter

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Roots of Creativity

Marty Husted's paintings are an expression of joy, storytelling and spirit. As a child, her favorite things to do were to play in the woods, draw, dream, and allow her imagination to transport her to fantasy worlds and far-off places. Coming from a family of professional artists, she was always encouraged and supported to pursue artistic creativity. One of her earliest memories includes her art professor father and his artistic expectation of his five young daughters. He asked them to complete a stack of drawings each week and would praise each child for their efforts. Marty's goal was to always be the child who produced the most and the best drawings. This started her lifetime love of art and, throughout her childhood, she continued to express herself through illustrating stories and drawing from her imagination.

Blending Nature & Imagination

Embracing a mixed media approach, Marty paints landscapes that go beyond literal interpretation. Her process begins with the use of personal reference photos that she uses as a guide for her compositions. Starting with a fairly literal painting on canvas, she adds layers of different media and colors to emphasize organic shapes and textures seen in nature.

Inspired by Appalachia

Although Marty currently lives in Columbus, Ohio, she draws much of her inspiration from many areas of the country and the world but, most particularly, from the forests and hills of Appalachia. Spending time at the family cabin nestled in the hills of Southern Ohio gives her the opportunity to connect with natural surroundings and interpret the visual symphony she observes while she paints.

Path to Painting

After completing her Bachelor of Arts degree at Columbus College of Design, Marty began to successfully pursue her dream of illustrating children's books. It was a perfect opportunity for her to start a family and work remotely with publishing companies. She illustrated both trade and educational books, some winning national awards. Eventually, Marty decided to focus on artwork that expressed her love of nature.

MUST-KNOW PERFORMING ARTS IN TOLEDO

Toledo Ballet

Established in 1939, Toledo Ballet is renowned for its annual Nutcracker, the longest consecutively running production of its kind. With inclusive programs for all levels, including Adaptive Dance, and collaborations with the Toledo Symphony, it continues to inspire the community through the art of dance.

Toledo Met

Toledo Met fosters young talent in a supportive environment, offering expert dance training with a focus on integrity and inclusion. The organization prioritizes student growth, creating a safe space for youth to explore their creativity and achieve personal excellence. Through high-quality instruction, it remains dedicated to empowering the next generation of performers.

Toledo Repertoire Theatre

Established in 1933, the Toledo Repertoire Theatre is a cornerstone of Toledo's artistic community. Dedicated to educating, entertaining, and serving the region through live theater, "The Rep" offers a diverse lineup of performances while fostering local talent and creativity.

Ballet Theatre of Toledo

Since 2005, Ballet Theatre of Toledo has offered world-class training in a supportive environment, welcoming students from ages 3 to adult. With state-of-the-art facilities and a focus on creativity and technique, the organization enriches Northwest Ohio and Southeast Michigan through captivating performances and community engagement.

El Corazon de Mexico Ballet Folklorico

Founded in 1996, El Corazon de Mexico preserves and celebrates Mexican culture through vibrant folkloric dance. With over 60 performers ranging from ages 6 to 39, the group showcases over 100 traditional dances at festivals, cultural events, and civic celebrations, fostering a deep appreciation for Mexican heritage.

Toledo Symphony

Founded in 1943, the Toledo Symphony Orchestra is a cornerstone of the region's music scene, offering professional performances and music education. Reaching over 260,000 people annually, it collaborates with local organizations to provide accessible concerts and programs, enriching the community with its artistic impact.

Celebrating Toledo's Performing Arts

Toledo's vibrant performing arts community showcases the transformative power of dance and theater. From the Toledo Ballet's historic Nutcracker to youth-centered training at Toledo Met, the city offers opportunities for performers and audiences of all ages. The Toledo Repertoire Theatre brings live theater to life, while the Ballet Theatre of Toledo fosters creativity and skill through engaging performances. El Corazon de Mexico Ballet Folklorico celebrates Mexican heritage through traditional dance, and the Toledo Symphony enriches the region with live music and accessible programs.

Dance and theater connect audiences and foster creativity, pride, and community spirit. Stay tuned for more in-depth stories and updates on Toledo's thriving arts scene!

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Jeffrey Darah (419) 470-9489 [email protected]

f O @thescribeohio apollo-press.com

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Who is the Woman in the Logo?

Seshat is the Ancient Egyptian Goddess of not only writing, but also knowledge and wisdom. Her name means "female scribe." It was believed she assisted the Pharaoh in various measuring and writing related rituals.

Seshat became the face of The Scribe once we had clarified our paper's mission. Though Seshat is primarily related to writing and not visual art, being involved in a literary publication such as a newspaper is still very fitting.

She has essentially no art of her that survived past Ancient Egypt, making her nearly lost to time. We have been commissioning artists to draw her in their own styles, helping them rediscover her!

The green symbol above her head is called an Emblem.

Who is Seshat? Learn more: apollo-press.com/seshat

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... I'M GOING TO NEED A RIDE.

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