ABOUT THE BLACK SWAMP ARTS FESTIVAL

Maps and Directions
Retrieve maps to Bowling Green and the festival site plus details on parking, shuttle service, and hotel accommodations. [ CLICK HERE ]

Mission Statement
The mission of the Black Swamp Arts Festival (BSAF) is to connect art and the community by presenting an annual arts festival and by promoting the arts in the Bowling Green community.

Vision
BSAF will provide programming that celebrates the arts;
BSAF will provide opportunities for artists;
BSAF will foster pride and involvement in our community;
BSAF will develop an audience for the arts.

Festival Disclaimer
In cooperation with the City of Bowling Green, the Black Swamp Arts Festival is unable to provide permits to sell, distribute, or display goods or information for organizations that are not directly associated with the Festival.

Volunteers
The Festival is organized and executed every year by volunteers and donations.  Anyone can volunteer for the Festival. Volunteers are needed  for planning throughout  the year as well as working the weekend of the Festival. Read more on our Volunteers page, or contact Rick Schmidt, Volunteer Chair for general Festival volunteering or Becky Laabs for Youth Art volunteering. Also see Dan Baglione Service Award.

Membership
Membership is open to all individuals with an interest in furthering the arts. Representatives of organizations and clubs with an interest in furthering the arts are also welcome. Dues are $10 per individual per year. Paid members are encouraged to attend Festival meetings and have voting rights at said meetings. Meetings are usually once a month from October to July and twice a month between July and the Festival date.

2008 Commitee Members
Festival Chair - Dave Shaffer
Past Chair - Chris Gajewicz
Vice Chair -
Secretary - Michelle Grigore
Treasurer - Leslie Oswald
Budgeting - Floyd Craft
Concessions - Amy Craft Ahrens, Amy Fischer
Fundraising/Development - Todd, Ahrens, Michelle Miller, Stacy Poca, Roger Anderson, Michelle Banks
Hospitality - Michelle Grigore , Earlene Kilpatrick, Sam Melendez, Will Oswald, Tim Stubbs, Patrick Tinker, Tony Bonz
Marketing and PR - Kelli Kling
Performing Arts - Kelly Wicks, Tom McLaughlin, Jr., John Zibbel, Sam Melendez, Cole Christensen, Roger Shope, Matt Donahue, Nick Wray, Ben Redman, Dan Rukheiser, Dave Bomeli
Performing Arts Teen Stage - Catherine Hann, Phillip Dupont, Sean Gorant, Earlene Kilpatrick, Alex Hann, Kathie Van Ness
Site and Logistics - Alex Hann, Dave Shaffer, Monika Twardowski, Kathie Van Ness, Duane Carey, Sean Brennan,
Dave Shilling, Megan Staton
Visual Arts - Linda Brown, Wynn Perry, Matt Karlovec, Amy Karlovec
Volunteers - Rick Schmidt, George Petkwitz, Amy Ward, Vicki Knott, Jessica Wickard, Michelle Adkins, Robert Gray, Dan Cota,
Chris Reichgott
Youth Arts - Lloyd Triggs, Terry Burton, Rob Morgan, Lisa Morgan, Wendy Murphy, Andrea Euler, Anne Merrill, Dan Ginter and Martha Everett

Special Thanks to:
Sandy Wicks (Information Booth)
Earlene Kilpatrick (Main Street Bowling Green)
Darlene Minnick (Huntington Bank)

* BOLD denotes Chair or Vice-Chair.

Festival History
The first Black Swamp Arts Festival was held in Downtown Bowling Green in the Fall of 1993. It was organized by a group of Downtown Business Owners and members of the community who had an interest in spotlighting the arts in Bowling Green. Each year, the Festival has grown: increased number of members who plan and organize Festival details, increased number of fine artists who display and sell their artwork, increased number of performing artists who entertain with all genres of music and stage performances, and an increased number of participants, both local and from out-of-town, who come to enjoy and support the arts.

Merchandise History
Peruse the list of past t-shirts, posters, and other Festival merchandise.

Music History
A look back at the many musical talents that have romped in the swamp!

CONTACT INFORMATION
Black Swamp Arts Festival
P.O. Box 532
Bowling Green, OH  43402
419-354-BSAF (2723) (voice-mail only)
info@blackswamparts.org
www.blackswamparts.org

Meeting Schedule
THE PUBLIC IS ALWAYS WELCOME!

Location: Ace Hardware Meeting Room above Ace Hardware
S. Main Street, Bowling Green, OH

2008 Dates (Time: 7:00 PM, average meeting time: one hour)
February 13
March 12
April 9
May 14
June 11, 25
July 9, 23
August 6, 13, 20, 27
September 3
Festival - September 5 - 7, 2008
Wrap-up meeting * TBD
Annual meeting * TBD

*Indicates a meeting at which a monthly Treasurer's report will be presented and at which minutes shall be taken; important notes and/or information from earlier monthly meetings shall be added to the minutes as appropriate.

Please e-mail us if you have any questions - or just ask at the next meeting! Everyone is welcome!