What started as a three year community art project has now broadened to a 20 year conference and art show. Realizing Ethnic Awareness and Cultural Heritage Across Dayton, or REACH Across Dayton, sets out to bring students at Sinclair Community College and people of the Dayton area of all backgrounds together through their similarities using art.
Tess Little, art teacher and project director of REACH, started the program in 1993. As an art teacher, Little could see students from all walks of life struggling to succeed, which made her take a look at culture.
“All the stories sounded the same,” Little said, as she began speaking to students on their background. Little then came up with the idea and presented it as such.
“Sinclair is trying to retain students, why not look at similarities between cultures and not focus on differences,” she said. The school then allowed her to try out her idea.
“Art had a way of touching the soul,” Little said.
The program has worked on some large art projects over the years. The bronze piece on the corner of Third and Main streets is a REACH Across Dayton Project. Until Feb. 22, the Dayton Visual Arts Center will have pieces on display that REACH Across Dayton have worked on. Starting Feb. 6 through March 6, there will be exhibits displayed at Sinclair in the Burnell R. Roberts Gallery, Hypotneuse Gallery and Works on Paper Gallery from students.
Any student can ask to join and be a part of REACH Across Dayton, it is not set aside for art students only. Students help with the community art projects as well as the conference.
This year’s conference will take place on Feb. 22 in the Ponitz Center of Building 12 beginning at 8 a.m. and ending at 4:30 p.m. The conference provides a wide range of cultural programs and explores ethnic traditions of the Miami Valley. There will be speakers and presentations throughout the day, along with breakout sessions and performances. The art workshop that will take place at the conference will be led by artists Willis “Bing” Davis and Christina Preyma, all materials are provided.
“It’s a good conference to understand what a conference is about,” Little said, pertaining to students who may have never attended one before. She said professors usually may ask a student to write a paper or do something for the class over the conference if they are excused from class to attend.
Attending costs $50. This includes access to the conference, lunch, refreshments and parking. For students that want to attend there is a fee waiver application online that must be turned into Building 13 Room 201 by Feb. 15. For more information on REACH Across Dayton or the conference, go online to sinclair.edu/organizations/reach