Momentum Toledo

04/28/2023

Applications are now open for the 2023/2024 Momentum | Intersection Program. The Arts Commission invites creative individuals to reimagine the potential of Pilkington float glass toward the creation projects funded through Momentum | Intersection, a collaboration of industry, design, and art. To this end, The Arts Commission seeks to provide new partnerships between applications of glass as an artistic medium and manufacturing processes with a call for proposals.

Inspired by the experimental glass workshops held in Toledo, OH in 1962 The Arts Commission is requesting interested artists, designers, architects, engineers, and others working with glass to submit a portfolio and statement of interest to participate in the sixth edition of an industrial collaboration with Pilkington Glass North America part of Nippon Sheet Glass Co., Ltd. (NSG).

Those interested in applying should review the request for proposals (RFP) and apply online by June 28, 2023. The RFP and application link are available on our website at: https://theartscommission.org/events/momentum

Photo in graphic: Alexander Rosenberg sets up work for the 2022 Momentum Intersection Exhibition, photo by Natalie Tranelli Photography

09/19/2022

Thank you to everyone who made the 2022 Momentum Festival possible! This celebration of art and culture in the Glass City is made possible through the generosity of sponsors, community members, partner organizations, and participating artists and entertainers. Together, we are strengthening our community, fostering creativity, and building a new and better future for our city.

Image: Thank You graphic featuring "Canopy" by Pneuhaus and Bike Powered Events and "Giant Light Box" by Adam Sanzenbacher, photo by Ben Morales Photography

09/17/2022

We've had so much fun at Momentum this year! Join us today from 1pm to 10pm for the last day of the festival in Promenade Park and Festival Park, check out Queen's Village Community Kickoff Event at UpTown Green Park from 1pm to 4pm.
If you want to keep the party going, check out Wander the Warehouse on Sunday (September 18) from 12pm to 4pm, find more information at:

The Warehouse District Association's mission is to benefit businesses, institutions, property owners, residents, and visitors by promoting socioeconomic stability and growth and encouraging the preservation and appreciation of the neighborhood's diversity and history.

09/16/2022

Momentum Festival features some amazing new activities this year! Last night Toledo had a blast at The Arts Commission's first Silent Disco, tonight we'll have our first party at UpTown Green, and tomorrow is the first ever Clearly Hidden! Glass Art Scavenger Hunt. Clearly Hidden! is a free activity that starts at 1pm tomorrow (Saturday, September 17), guests are invited to scour the grounds of Promenade Park and Festival Park to find a hidden glass ornament from local glass artists - we ask that participants only find and keep one ornament per person so that others can enjoy the hunt as well. No registration is required, just show up and start hunting!
A huge thanks to the artists that contributed work to this scavenger hunt: Leonard Marty, Firenation, Gathered Glass, and Shawn Messenger. If you find one of the ornaments, please share with us on social media by using the hashtag - we can't wait to see what you find!

09/15/2022

Find everything you need to know about Momentum on our website! Check out the schedule for the weekend, see the details about projects featured at the festival, download maps and schedules, or explore public art through an online tour. See you tomorrow through Saturday for Momentum!
Visit www.theartscommission.org/events/momentum to plan your weekend.

09/14/2022

We love local! Momentum features a variety of local artists and performers. Find a glass ornament at the Clearly Hidden! scavenger hunt - glass artwork by Firenation, Gathered Glass, Shawn Messenger, and Leonard Marty - or stop by the Artist Market on Saturday, September 17, to stock up on a variety of cool art. We'll have performances by local poets on Friday and Saturday, and local bands as well - RELA percussion and Bitch, Thunder on Friday at UpTown Green Park; Klashing Black, TSA's Steel Drum Band, davekevinadam, and Nikki D and the Sisters of Thunder on Saturday at Promenade Park. Check out the Giant Light Box by Adam Sanzenbacher, magic by Andrew Martin, aerial and roaming performances by Bird's Eye View, or The Holding Project by Barbara Miner, Lee Fearnside, and Ashley Pryor. We'll also have windows displays painted at One Lake Erie Center. There are all kinds of ways to enjoy local at Momentum! See you in TWO DAYS!

For a full schedule and maps of the event, visit: www.theartscommission.org/events/momentum

Image Description: Nikki D and the Sisters of Thunder at the 2021 Momentum Festival, photo by Todd Gaertner

09/12/2022

Our first installation is already here and you HAVE to see this in person! Check out Oscillation (created by The Urban Conga, tour managed by Creos) at the Hilton Garden Inn pocket park at Summit and Jefferson through September 17.
See you at the festival in just 3 days!

Image Descriptions: "Oscillation" by The Urban Conga, tour managed by Creos, installed in Toledo for Momentum Festival, installation process for the work

09/11/2022

While you're at Momentum this year, keep an eye out for BCAN! Their team will be broadcasting live from Promenade Park, 4pm to 5pm, on Saturday, September 17th. Thanks to all of our media and marketing sponsors for getting the word out about Momentum - Toledo.com, The Blade, 13ABC, Destination Toledo, HART Inc, and BCAN - we appreciate all you've done!

Check out BCAN's footage from last year's festival at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mJ0hb_utKlk. This year's festival starts in just 4 days, come on out to celebrate the International Year of Glass with us.

Image Description: Fayth Atkins from BCAN speaking with a volunteer from The Ability Center at the Zot Artz mural, 2021 Momentum Festival

09/11/2022

Five days! The first day of the festival is going to be a blast, join us on N. St. Clair Street for Art Loop Dancin' in the Streets. Some of the best dancers in Toledo will be performing live, there will be Hot Rods from local car clubs, and there are lots of great restaurants and bars nearby to enjoy some food and drinks! The event starts at 5:30pm and runs until 8:30pm this Thursday, September 15th.
Make your way over to Promenade Park afterwards for the Art Loop After Dark Silent Disco. Guests have a chance to borrow headphones and dance to music in the park - it's fun to join in or just to watch others enjoy! To keep up with all the latest updates on Art Loop, follow on Facebook and on Instagram

09/10/2022

In six days you can start enjoying Momentum Festival! One of the projects you can look forward to seeing at the event is "Canopy" by Pneuhaus and Can-duit Bike Powered Events. "Canopy" is a grove of illuminated tree-like sculptures that continuously transform, illuminating and expanding as participants power them with bike-driven generators. "Canopy" empowers its visitors by giving them a first hand experience of green electricity generation. As players pedal, they see their efforts transformed into large scale beauty and are invited to be amazed with themselves.

You can enjoy "Canopy" at Festival Park, adjacent to Promenade Park (between the ProMedica Steam Plant and Imagination Station) all weekend at Momentum!

To learn more about Momentum Festival, visit: www.theartscommission.org/events/Momentum
To learn more about "Canopy" and Pneuhaus' other work, visit: https://www.pneu.haus/

Image Descriptions: "Canopy" photos provided by Pnehaus and Can-duit

-duit

09/08/2022

ONE WEEK until Momentum starts! This year you can take an online tour of public art in Toledo and have a chance to win a prize. Take a selfie with 10 of the artworks on the tour and tag us with the hashtag of the day for a chance to win:
Thursday -
Friday -
Saturday -

Two tours are available, one in the UpTown neighborhood and another along the Maumee Riverfront. Links to the tours are available on our website at: www.theartscommission.org/events/momentum

Image Descriptions: alternating images from online tour (credit on photos) and selfies as examples of how to post online (selfies provided by Jonny Latsko)

09/07/2022

8 days until Momentum Festival! This year we have some amazing entertainment at the event, including poetry readings. You can enjoy local poets and an open mic night at UpTown Green on Friday, September 16, or join us at Promenade Park on Saturday, September 17, for Whitman on Walls! - poetry readings that respond to films by Compagnia de' Colombari. For both poetry events, Lucas County Poet Laureate Jonie McIntire was instrumental in finding and working with local poets.

Learn more about Momentum and poetry readings at: www.theartscommission.org/events/momentum
Learn more about Whitman on Walls! and Compagnia de' Colombari at: https://www.colombari.org/happeningnow

Image 1: Poets at the 2021 Momentum Festival, photo by Swatch Studios
Image 2: Whitman on Walls! art from Compagnia de' Colombari

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09/07/2022

Countdown the days to Momentum with us - only 9 more days until the festival starts! This year's event will take place in Promenade Park and throughout Downtown Toledo. Here's what you can expect around town:

Art Loop Dancin' in the Streets will take place on N. St. Clair Street by on Thursday, from 5:30PM to 8:30PM.
UpTown Green Park will have yoga on Thursday the 15th; live music, art activities, and food trucks on Friday the 16th; and Queens Village will have an event to celebrate and support Black women on Saturday the 17th.
Exhibitions will be opening at the Toledo Museum of Art Glass Pavilion (Momentum | Intersection, Thursday the 15th) and River House Arts (Of Rainbows and Blues, Andrea Myers solo exhibition).
No matter your interests, we have something for everyone! Check out the full schedule at www.theartscommission.org/events/momentum

To learn more about Queens Village, visit: https://www.blackwomenforthewin.com/

To learn more about River House Arts, visit: https://www.riverhousearts.com/

Image Descriptions: Mawtini Dabkeh Troupe at 2021 Momentum Festival, photo by Swatch Studios

09/05/2022

Only ten more days until the start of the 2022 Momentum Festival! This year's festival is a celebration of the International Year of Glass in the Glass City itself. To mark this special occasion, we'll be featuring all sorts of fun activities centered around the art of glass. Check out the opening reception for the 2022 Momentum | Intersection Exhibition at the Toledo Museum of Art Glass Pavilion on Thursday the 15th, stop by UpTown Green Park on Friday the 16th to enjoy the music of Rela Percussion as they rock out on their glass instruments, or find a glass ornament to keep forever at the Clearly Hidden! scavenger hunt in Promenade Park on Saturday the 17th. Firenation will also have their mobile glass blowing studio at Promenade Park that Saturday and guests will have the opportunity to check out live demonstrations and even join glass blowing workshops to create their own glass artwork.

Follow along as we share daily updates to count down to the event and we'll see you at Momentum Festival, September 15th to September 17th! If you want to volunteer at the event or need more information, check out our website at: www.theartscommission.org/events/momentum

Images:
1. Firenation artist Matthew Paskiet demos glass blowing at the 2021 Momentum Festival, photo by Todd Gaertner
2 - 4. Work in progress photos by 2022 Momentum | Intersection artists Brian Corr (2), Alexander Rosenberg (3), and Chuchen Song (4)
5. Momentum graphic with date

09/02/2022

Two weeks from today the godmother of soul will grace Toledo with a live concert at Promenade Park as part of Momentum Festival! Doors open at 5pm on Friday, September 16, Patti LaBelle starts her performance at 8PM but don't be late, local musician Ramona Collins is the opening act and you can't miss her performance.

Get your tickets for Patti LaBelle and learn more about the concert at www.promedicalive.com.

Image Description: Patti LaBelle promotional photo provided by ProMedica Live

09/01/2022

Momentum Festival is only two weeks away! In celebration of the International Year of Glass, we have a special treat for festival-goers in 2022. On Saturday, September 17, guests will be able to participate in a scavenger hunt for glass ornaments from local artists, including: Firenation, Gathered Glass, Shawn Messenger, and Leonard Marty. The ornaments will be hidden in Promenade Park and Festival Park, guests can start their search at 1pm on the 17th.

To check out all of the other activities going on during Momentum, check out our website at www.theartscommission.org/events/momentum

Image Description: Ornament tree by Firenation glass blowing studio

09/01/2022

The opening reception for Momentum | Intersection is on Thursday, September 15, from 5pm to 7pm. Join The Arts Commission, the Toledo Museum of Art, and NSG Pilkington in celebrating the work of internationally renowned artists Brian Corr, Alexander Rosenberg, and Chuchen Song. The reception is at the Toledo Museum of Art Glass Pavilion, it is free to attend and open to the public. The exhibition will run from September 15 to October 16.

We know you can't wait until the 15th to see this work, check out the photos to see Brian Corr's work in progress!

Image Descriptions: Various photos of glass artist Brian Corr's work for the upcoming Intersection Exhibition, photos taken by artist.

08/26/2022

Momentum Festival is around the corner and we need your help! The Arts Commission is seeking volunteers to help artists, guide guests, and various other tasks to make sure the festival runs smoothly.

Check out our website to learn more and sign up: https://theartscommission.org/support/volunteer

08/23/2022

Did you know that 2022 has been named the International Year of Glass (IYOG)? The International Commission on Glass (ICG), the Community of Glass Associations (CGA) and ICOM-Glass submitted an application to the United Nations to designate 2022 as the International Year of Glass. This year has been, and will continue to be, a celebration of the expansive opportunities that glass as a transformative material creates in science, medicine, and art.

We're celebrating by bringing three internationally renowned artists to the Toledo Museum of Art Glass Pavilion for the 2022 Momentum | Intersection Exhibition. Glass artists Brian Corr, Alexander Rosenberg, and Chuchen Song will have work on display from September 15th to October 16th with an opening reception on September 15th from 5pm to 7pm. Check out these amazing photos of Chuchen's work in progress!

Momentum | Intersection is a partnership between The Arts Commission, NSG Pilkington, and the Toledo Museum of Art.

Image Descriptions: Photos of work in progress by Chuchen Song for the Momentum | Intersection 2022 Exhibition, photos provided by the artist

08/17/2022

We are so excited about the 2022 Momentum | Intersection Exhibition! The exhibit opens on Thursday, September 15th, with an opening reception from 5PM to 7PM at the Toledo Museum of Art Glass Pavilion. Work by glass artists Brian Corr, Alexander Rosenberg, and Chuchen Song will be on display through October 16th.

Check out these cool progress photos from Alexander Rosenberg, and follow him on social media to see more of his work - Instagram: and Facebook: Alexander Rosenberg

08/16/2022

Momentum Festival is almost here! Celebrate the Glass City with us during a weekend of dance, party, and play at Promenade Park and throughout Downtown Toledo. The festival takes place September 15, 16, and 17 - stay tuned for more details!

08/10/2022

The Arts Commission is pleased to share the finalists for the 2023 Momentum | Intersection glass program, an opportunity that connects artists, designers, and industry professionals at Nippon Sheet Glass Co., Ltd./Pilkington Glass North America (NSG Pilkington) for collaboration and development of new artworks. Inspired by the studio glass movement, The Arts Commission seeks to provide new opportunities connecting applications of glass as an artistic medium and manufactured material. This program is a collaboration between The Arts Commission, NSG Pilkington, and the Toledo Museum of Art.

The six finalists for the 2023 Momentum | Intersection glass program are Molly Burke and Nathan Gorgen, James Friedberg and Gabrielle Giungato, Jessica Jane Julius, Weston Lambert, Alison Lowry, and Felicity Machado.

Image Descriptions:
1. Pooled (Creme Orange), by Molly Burke, 2019, Hand-blown Glass, Tin-Cured Silicone, 5x10x14
2. Shoal, by James Friedberg, 54”W x 25”H x 5”D, 2018, Glass, Metal
3. STATIC, by Jessica Jane Julius, Flameworked black glass, size variable, 2006-present, Installation in image displayed at Philadelphia Museum of Art 2012, current installation on view now at the Tacoma Museum of Glass, 2021-2022
4. Unconformity #59, by Weston Lambert, 6” x 3” x 3”. 2022 Jasper and chalcedony glass
5. 35 I can’ts, by Alison Lowry, Still from videoed performance with Jayne Cherry, videography by Stuart Calvin, 8 minutes, Full video here: https://alisonlowry.co.uk/adress/, 2017, Cast glass shoes as performance object
6. Shale Water Portal II: Stony Brook State Park NY, by Felicity Machado, 38”x38”x18”, 2021, Shale, Sugar Maple Tree slice, projection, float glass

06/22/2022

Don't miss your opportunity to apply for the Momentum Intersection Glass Program! The Arts Commission, in partnership with NSG Pilkington and the Toledo Museum of Art, invites creative individuals to reimagine the potential of Pilkington float glass in this unique collaboration of industry and art.

The deadline for application has been extended to July 8th, to apply and for more information visit our website: https://theartscommission.org/

Image Description: The glass artwork "Cloak" by Dylan Palmer from the 2020/2021 artist cohort for Momentum Intersection hangs at the Toledo Museum of Art Glass Pavilion in the Reflection Room in September 2021

06/15/2022

Celebrate the Glass City at the 2022 Momentum Festival! Join us in downtown Toledo on September 15th, 16th, and 17th for three days of live music, art, and film. This is a special year for the festival as we recognize 2022 as the International Year of Glass. Enjoy the Intersection exhibit at the Toledo Museum of Art Glass Pavilion, live glassblowing demonstrations, glass art of all kinds, documentaries about the rich glass history of Toledo, and so much more. Stay tuned for updates!

Momentum Festival is presented by The Arts Commission and ProMedica with support provided by the National Endowment for the Arts, the Ohio Arts Council, and generous community sponsors.

06/01/2022

Don't miss your opportunity to submit an application for the 2023 Momentum | Intersection Glass Program! Inspired by the studio glass movement and the experimental glass workshops held in Toledo, OH in 1962, The Arts Commission, in collaboration with NSG Pilkington and the Toledo Museum of Art, seeks to provide new partnerships between applications of glass as an artistic medium and manufacturing processes.

Each year up to three creative individuals are invited to reimagine the potential of Pilkington float glass through the creation of newly developed works. Applications are open until June 28th. The call is open internationally and artists, architects, designers, engineers, and other creatives working with glass are encouraged to apply. For more information about the Momentum | Intersection program and to apply, visit https://theartscommission.org/projects/momentum-or-intersection.

Image Description: glass artwork titled "Obverse/Reverse" by artists Helen Lee and Alice Chau hung in the Reflection Room at the Toledo Museum of Art Glass Pavilion for the 2020/2021 Momentum | Intersection exhibit (September 2021), photo provided by Kyle Sword

05/14/2022

Did you know that 2022 is the International Year of Glass? Join the Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce for Focus|2022 presented by KeyBank: International Year of Glass to hear more about how you can be involved in this yearlong celebration. The luncheon takes place on Tuesday, May 17th, from 11:30am to 1:30pm at the Toledo Museum of Art Glass Pavilion.

Marc Folk, President and CEO of The Arts Commission, will be at the luncheon to speak about the rich history of glass in Toledo, from the beginning of the Studio Glass Movement in 1962 to the tapestry of events and artists that exist in Toledo today. For a full list of speakers and to sign up for the event, visit https://bit.ly/mayfocus2022 or check out the event on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/events/344293337688820

Image Description: Guests at a Focus luncheon sit and talk at a table while more guests mingle behind them, image provided by Ash Layman of the Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce

05/11/2022

The Momentum | Intersection 2022/2023 Call for Proposals is now open! The Arts Commission, in collaboration with NSG Pilkington, invites creative individuals to reimagine the potential of Pilkington float glass toward the creation of innovative projects funded through Momentum | Intersection, a collaboration of industry, design, and art. This project is a unique opportunity to see the inside workings of the float glass process, gain access to industry experts who make the glass, and integrate this industrial material into your own work. Artists, architects, designers, engineers, and other creatives working with glass living in any locale around the world are encouraged to submit their application by the June 28th deadline.

For more information about the Momentum | Intersection project and to apply, visit https://theartscommission.org/projects/momentum-or-intersection.

05/11/2022

The Momentum | Intersection 2023 Call for Proposals is now open! The Arts Commission, in collaboration with NSG Pilkington, invites creative individuals to reimagine the potential of Pilkington float glass toward the creation of innovative projects funded through Momentum | Intersection, a collaboration of industry, design, and art. This project is a unique opportunity to see the inside workings of the float glass process, gain access to industry experts who make the glass, and integrate this industrial material into your own work. Artists, architects, designers, engineers, and other creatives working with glass living in any locale around the world are encouraged to submit their application by the June 28th deadline.

For more information about the Momentum | Intersection project and to apply, visit https://theartscommission.org/projects/momentum-or-intersection.

Image Description: A crowd enjoys artwork, titled "Faraday Fog", by Nate Ricciuto at the 2021 Momentum Intersection Exhibit opening, image provided by Kyle Sword

04/29/2022

With the help of Jonie McIntire, Lucas County Poet Laureate, we have been celebrating National Poetry Month by recognizing local poets each week. Lucas County is rich with incredible literary artists and you can continue to enjoy their work throughout the year. Here are just a few upcoming opportunities:

Momentum Festival, September 15 to 17, 2022 - We’ll be posting information about poetry opportunities at the event over the coming months!

I Thought I Heard A Cardinal Sing: Ohio’s Appalachian Voices—a reading to be hosted by Toledo Lucas County Public Library
May 14, 2022, at 2PM –Toledo Lucas County Public Library is pleased to announce it will host a reading featuring the anthology I Thought I Heard A Cardinal Sing: Ohio’s Appalachian Voices, a one-of-a-kind collection of poetry focused specifically on the unique cultural experiences of Appalachian poets located in or connected to Ohio (Central) Appalachia.

Writers’ Shop: Poetry Series -Monthly and Quarterly Events

Join us for a monthly poetry writing workshop at area Toledo Lucas County Public Library branches. The sessions hosted by Jonie McIntire, Lucas County Poet Laureate, will be led by different local poets each month. Visit https://events.toledolibrary.org/events for more info!

Photo Information -
First image: 2021 Momentum Festival attendees view The Alphabet Project on display (photo by Swatch Studios)
Second image: A flyer for the upcoming poetry event on May 14th (distributed by the Toledo Lucas County Public Library)