Rodney Oda will be honored for his exceptional contribution to furthering the arts in our community by receiving the prestigious William L. Combs Patron of the Arts Award. The award will be presented at Darke County Center for the Arts’ Artist Series 45th Sapphire Celebration Season opening performance on Saturday, October 21 before Artrageous takes the stage at 7 p.m. at St. Clair Memorial Hall.
“Rodney fully understands the important role arts organizations play, going far beyond entertainment to impacting the quality of education, and creative and economic growth of a community. His long-standing commitment to furthering DCCA’s mission is best seen by how he willingly does whatever he can to insure the continued strength of our organization.” stated Andrea Jordan, DCCA Executive Director. “
The William L. Combs Patron of the Arts Award was established by Darke County Center for the Arts in 1988 to recognize those who have made an exceptional contribution to cultural enrichment in our community. Previous recipients of this award include John Winters, Clara Elliott, Hance & Hester Hildebrand, Mary Frances Schultz, Jean Louise Thieme, Martha & William Benkert, Theodore O. Finnarn, Elaine & James Longfellow, Ralph & Donna Plessinger, Patricia Haines, Roberta & David Feltman, Julie & Thomas H. Graber, James & Enid Goubeaux, Julie Strait, Darryl Mehaffie, and Marilyn Delk.
“ArtRageous;” the show, billed as a fusion of live art, rock concert, imaginative movement, vocal performance, and comedy will be a one-of-a-kind experience for concert-goers, according to DCCA Artistic Director David Warner. “This troupe of artists, musicians, singers and dancers pay tribute to a variety of art forms and musical genres throughout the evening, resulting in a uniquely entertaining show culminating in a gallery of finished paintings,” Mr. Warner stated. In a change from past seasons, “ArtRageous” as well as all other Artists Series shows will start at 7 p.m.
The “ArtRageous” troupe brings a message of the arts being an integral and valuable part of human existence, a serious message presented in a quite entertaining manner and with a lot of audience participation. Brave audience members may be invited on stage to assist with the creative activity; each scene or musical number includes some sort of audience participation. At the end of the performance, the entire audience is invited to view the exclusive artworks created during the presentation, meeting the troupe members and taking photos while walking through the gallery of newly created art.
DCCA’s Sapphire Season celebrates 45 years of presenting and promoting the arts and encouraging cultural enrichment in our community. “Opening our Sapphire Celebration with this exciting multi-faceted show is entirely fitting,” said DCCA Executive Director Andrea Jordan. “We invite the community to celebrate with us—while also having a really good time,” she concluded.
“ArtRageous” is sponsored by Rodney Oda, Park National Bank , and the Ohio Arts Council helped fund this program with state tax dollars to encourage economic growth, educational excellence and cultural enrichment for all Ohioans. Also, DCCA membership contributions and funds provided by Darke County Endowment for the Arts support all DCCA presentations. Additionally, DCCA receives funding from the Ketrow Foundation, Harry D. and Esther Stephens Memorial, Inc., and the John R. and Miriam H. Knick Fund of Darke County Foundation.
Tickets for the Artists Series ArtRageous performance cost $25; student tickets are half price. To order yours, contact DCCA at darkecountyarts.org. Tickets will be for sale at the Memorial Hal Box Office starting a 6 pm for the 7 pm show.