Community Art Events
ArtSong II
Friday, April 21, 2023
An immersive “once in a lifetime” concert event pairing Grammy award-winning classical pianist Angelin Chang with video projection artist Kevin Jackson. Creating a spellbinding “duet” of two very different art forms, this very special performance merges classical piano with contemporary digital projection mapping art.
Dr. Chang is not only the head of the keyboard studies program at Cleveland State University; she is also a world-class performing artist and music educator with a Grammy to her credit, performing across the globe and serving as the first artist in residence at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C.
Kevin Jackson’s expertise as a visual media artist has evolved from the early years of audio/video to a profound interest in combining Video Projection Mapping Technology and obscure imagery to create dynamic visuals across the globe. A Cleveland native, Jackson has participated in Cleveland and Buffalo film projects winning multiple awards including best editing and best film.
Check out the gallery from ArtSong!
The Alley Project: Broadway’s Back Door
Summer 2023
Drawing from previous successful pop-up events, the Alley Project: Broadway’s Back Door creates a permanent art alley between 5th and 6th Street. The Alley Project includes a mural designed by local artist Bob Peck with AR/VR elements created in collaboration with students at Lorain County Community College and the installation of several temporary murals designed by Ryan Craycraft, Jeff Pye, and ACES youth program participants. Funding for this project has been provided by a GM on Main Street grant.
Fire It Up! Block Parties
First Friday of the month June through September from 5 – 10 pm
June 2, July 7, Aug 4; Sept 1st is the FireFish Festival Preview Night
FireFish Arts continues its programming history in the newly energized “Alley Project.” Serving as a downtown “after party” following Main Street Lorain’s First Friday events these HOT monthly events feature fire performances by Ohio Burn Unit, visual art, comedy, projections, and music. Events will include live artmaking, pop-up markets, and performances – including those by local talent and community youth performers.
Artist & Maker Programs
Artist Programming Advisory Board Launch Event
May 2023
FireFish Arts recognizes the important work of artists within the Lorain community. We work to support local artists as paid professionals in many ways, including as members of the Artist Programming Advisory Board; through paid arts/performing opportunities and opportunities to work with youth and community members; as event vendors; and by offering quarterly artist networking/education events. Our new Artist Programming Advisory Board will begin their important work in May 2023.
Maker Mondays @ the Lorain Public Library Make Space
Mondays: June 12th, July 17th, August 18th from 5:30 – 7:30 pm
Design and create a lantern using traditional art techniques and new maker space technologies. Lanterns will then become a part of the new FireFish Festival Lantern Parade that will be held this September 16th. This workshop is for artists and adults.
Art Maker on the Move!
August 2023
Lorain County Community College’s Art Maker on the Move program brings the LCCC mobile Fab Cab maker space and staff expertise directly to artists intending to introduce artists to digital fabrication technology-based art and art using hybrid technologies. Artist and Fab Lab coordinator Ryan Corrigan will provide two workshops for selected artists, providing them with the tools and skills to create a lit/lantern installation for the FireFish Festival. A Call to Artists will be distributed in May 2023.
Creating Festival Art with Artist in Residence Ian Petroni
August through September 2023
Ian Petroni is a multi-disciplinary artist in Cleveland, Ohio who works as a designer and builder for theater, festivals, and public spaces. Always seeking to serve the circumstances while presenting something unexpected and challenging, he hopes to inspire the imagination of the public. FireFish Arts have commissioned Mr. Petroni to create a lit sculpture for the September FireFish Festival. FireFish community artists will have to opportunity to assist and learn from Petroni as they create their works of art for the festival.
FireFish Artists Annual Winter Soiree
December 2023
This annual event brings together community artists and friends of FireFish for an engaging evening featuring a conversation with guest artists and a special end-of-year celebration.
Check out Youth Art Programs!
FireFish Arts Mission
As a non-profit community-based arts organization, FireFish Arts works to revitalize the city of Lorain through arts based creative placemaking. We accomplish this by providing pioneering arts programming, community art access and outreach, and critical arts leadership. At the core of this effort is supporting the vital role artists play in their community.
FireFish Arts programs are made possible by the generous support of many individual, business, and corporate sponsors, foundations, and local and state government including the Ohio Arts Council, the City of Lorain, the Lorain County Commissioners, Nordson Corporation Foundation, the Nord Family Foundation, the Fowler Family Foundation and GM on Main Street.