Cinema offers diverse viewing opportunities

One of the hidden gems of Athens is the Athena Cinema located on Court Street. It is the quintessential example of a small town theater. The antiquated marquee adds quite a bit of character not only to the theater but to the street as well. The décor in the theater gives off an air of nostalgia with red carpeting, a wide staircase and a chandelier. While watching a film in the Athena, it feels like you stepped into a 1920s film.

The Athena only has three theaters, so the variety of showings is limited, but the theater shows movies that are difficult to find on the big screen anywhere else, especially documentaries and independent films. The prices also tend to be cheaper than larger theaters, which is a huge plus for college students.

The Athena hosts the annual Athens International Film and Video Festival, a weeklong event featuring diverse film and video projects, largely from local artists.

Arts for Ohio has recently collaborated with the Athena to produce Cinematheque, a “screening of classic ‘art’ films from around the world.” The event brings in speakers and fosters discussion and debate about the art. The great thing about Cinematheque is that it is free for Ohio University students and local high school students as it is funded through the Arts for Ohio Initiative.

The Athens International Film and Video Festival will take place this year from April 23 to April 29.

The next Cinematheque is not planned yet, but you can follow the process on the Arts for Ohio Web site.

The best things in life are free

In today’s world, it seems we are nickel-and-dimed at every turn. Things are even worse for college students as the tuition rate continues to climb. Luckily for those of us who attend Ohio University, we get cut a little slack.

The Arts for Ohio Initiative, a project created to integrate the arts into the Ohio University community, eliminates the cost of admission for students for performances and exhibitions presented by the university. The initiative is funded by Vision Ohio in hopes of increasing the presence of arts on campus and inspiring new ways of conversing and thinking.

Not only does the Arts for Ohio Initiative help provide larger audiences at events, which inevitably helps the artists, but it also provides opportunities that students might not get otherwise. College students are traditionally low on funds, so free admission removes a huge barrier to experiencing art.

According to a study by the Arts Education Partnership, students who are exposed to theater, dance and music have more success in school than those who concentrate on academics alone. This is yet another huge benefit of the Arts for Ohio Initiative, and great news to people like me who already view art on a regular basis.

The fact that this initiative is still in place with all the recent budget cuts is a testament to the importance of the arts and arts education. Perhaps the best part of the initiative is the sheer amount of art going on all the time. If you look at the calendar on the Arts for Ohio Web site, there are literally events going on every day, and something for everyone to enjoy.

Here are some events you won’t want to miss this quarter:

•“Marisol” by Jose Rivera, OHIO’s School of Theater main-stage production for this quarter
•Winter Dance Concert, performed by the OHIO School of Dance
•Women of Appalachia art exhibit, currently housed in the Multicultural Center Art Gallery in Baker Center
•Singing Men of Ohio and Singing Men of Ohio Alumni & Friends concert

All of this quarter’s events are listed on the Arts for Ohio Calendar of Events.