| One of the things the Muskingum County Animal Shelter, Red Cross, Family Y, Rotary Club and East Side Ministries have in common is the benevolence of the members of the Zanesville Appalachian Art Project, better known as ZAAP. On September 24th,everyone will get a chance to see the depth of talent these non-profit organizations have seen through the ZAAP All Members Show at the Zanesville Art Center. Organizers have been preparing for this show since 2004. The jury will consider only two pieces of work from each ZAAP artist to fill a designated number of spots at the Art Center, and the work must meet the same quality standards the Art Center uses for any group show at their facility. The display will be on view to the public until October 25th with the opening reception scheduled for September 24th.
One hundred and forty four artists and patrons of the art strong today, ZAAP was organized in 1994 with the help of the former Mayor, Marilyn Swope, as part of the revitalization efforts in the city. Their first project in support of the community was decorating the trashcans downtown. The effort was well received and since then ZAAP members have donated original works of art on everything from ceramic animals to flower pots.
One of their most interesting projects involved Zanesville's Bicentennial Celebration held in 1996. ZAAP members were commissioned to create large paintings of historic downtown buildings which were on display for the whole year leading up to the bicentennial. |
Some of these were sold, some hang in businesses today, and there is a nice collection of them at the
Zanesville-Muskingum Advertiser office on Linden Avenue. In 2004 Eastside Ministries contacted ZAAP about doing a puzzle or a painting that they could sell to raise funds for their group. According to Linda Plants, ZAAP President, "Everything was already in place for this project, we had a postcard we'd used to announce the bicentennial show that made a nice puzzle." The project was very successful. The annual puzzle featuring a ZAAP artist and a Muskingum county building or event is becoming a collector's item. Mary Ann Bucci's painting of the Y-Bridge in Zanesville was selected for the 2006 puzzle through a vote of the public. The puzzle will be available in October.
ZAAP members have their work in shows and displays individually throughout the year, but this is a rare opportunity to see the best of their art all in one place. The Zanesville Art Center is located at 620 Military Road in Zanesville. For more information about the Art Center or this show call
740-452-0741, or visit them on the web at www.zanesvilleartcenter.net.
Membership in ZAAP is open to regional artists, craft persons and art advocates. They meet monthly to network and share information on upcoming shows and events. To learn more about what they're up to or how to join visit their website at
www.zaapart.org. |
