By Cayton Blake, BEAT reporter
BRUNSWICK, OH- For over eight years, Access the Arts has been sharing enriching art experiences for those within Medina County and beyond. This unique non-profit creates opportunities for everyone of all races, ages, cultures, and economic backgrounds to express themselves using the arts like dancing, music, and painting. They also help troubled youths better themselves through the arts, as well as just let people who practice the arts to connect.
Jane Back, the founder and president of Access the Arts, created this non-profit because, as a teacher, she saw a need. She noticed kids who are creative and bright sometimes struggle in school. She wanted to give an opportunity for those students to express themselves in ways that help them find their passion.
Access the Arts offers many different opportunities such as dance classes, music classes, and even digital or mixed media art programs. “We are now in 12 different locations, offering all of these things, plus more,” said Back. “We teach monthly, bi-monthly, and sometimes weekly classes in the Medina Juvenile Detention Center, Cups Collective, Lodi Family Center, the Brunswick Senior Center, the Medina County Home, the Society, Hope Recovery Community, Integrated Community Solutions, and several others.”
“For the past eight years, we have brought that healing and joy to over 8,000 class attendees,” she added. “We also host many free community concerts and festivals in Medina County, such as the Strawberry Arts Fest, and free monthly concerts in the Uptown Gazebo in Medina.”
On Thursday, October 22, Access the Arts will collaborate with Main Street Medina for an all-ages event called Witches Night Out. Several Access the Arts sponsors will have witch-themed booths where items can be purchased. Starting at 5:00 pm, there will be all sorts of fun, including a dance party, costume contests, face painting, and more. Dance performances will also be occurring from Just a Numb3r Dance Crew and the Boo Crew. Closing out the event will be a witches’ dance flash mob at 8:00 pm, where anyone can join and is encouraged to wear their witchy gear.
At the end of the day, Back noted, “We want to give access to people of all ages who want to be creative but may not have the financial freedom to take advantage of classes or programs by themselves.”
Access the Arts is in the process of searching for their own permanent space for storage and classes. They are willing to share a space with another business or find their own. Email janeback@accessthearts.org if anyone has space for Access the Arts. Additionally, if you want to learn more about Access the Arts visit their website, AccessTheArts.org and check what events that they have or monetary donations are always welcome.
Cayton Blake, Brunswick Middle School, is one of over fifty student “backpack journalists” (grades 6-12) in the award-winning BEAT Video Program. The program, celebrating its 25th year, is sponsored by Donut Land, Plum Creek Assisted Living Community, MODA Gifts, Scripps Howard Foundation and the Brunswick Rotary Club. Go to https://www.bcsoh.org/community/new-beat-site to learn more about the Program, or visit https://thebeat.viebit.com/?folder=ALL to view videos produced by the students.
PHOTOS: A variety of Access the Arts events; logo; Witches Night Out poster (provided by Access the Arts).