A taste of art

(Hamilton, OH) – Music, schmusic.

With apologies to Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night (and literature teachers the world over), if food be the food of love, play on.

Students from Miami University’s Upward Bound program did just that.

The year-round college preparatory program provides access to academic support, college and career advising, service and leadership development, mentoring, networking and cultural activities to participants.

On Monday, July 8, students visited Tano Bistro for a taste of the culinary arts as part of the Upward Bound Around Town series of short field trips to local businesses.

Tano’s Tyler McCleary served up an "Art + Food" workshop for students, while Caroline Digiovenale of the Fitton Center Community Engagement team brought a food-centric craft to the table.

McLeary provided fresh focaccia dough and an array of toppings for the students to create their own edible art. While the bread baked, Digiovenale guided them through a craft project to make (inedible) sushi art with yarn.

“This is the second time we’ve worked with Upward Bound in the last few months,” Digiovenale said. “Their student volunteers helped up prepare materials for our Easter crafts and did a great job. So it was good to see them again and be able to do something a little more fun, a little more creative, with them this time.

“The wonderful smell of all that bread was a little distracting while we were making our sushi, but that was an amazing canvas. We had a great afternoon.”

Upward Bound Director Dr. Ashley Hopkins said she looks forward to including more students and community partners in the future. In addition to Tano and the Fitton Center, students have worked with the Hamilton Central YMCA, 3rd Street Music, 17 Strong and ArtSpace.

“This initiative and the city of Hamilton really provide a unique and innovative opportunity for our young Hamiltonians to fall in love with their home community while also mastering important skills and networking for their future academic and professional careers,” she said.

Digiovenale and the engagement crew’s next stop is 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday, July 13, at the West Chester Shakespeare in the Park event at Keehner Park (7211 Barrett Road, west Chester, Ohio 45069). Cincinnati Shakespeare Company presents Hamlet; guests at the Fitton Center craft station can make their own feathered writing quill to emulate the Bard.

Both the performance and the craft are free and open to the public.

The Fitton Center for Creative Arts is located at 101 S. Monument Avenue on the Riverfront in downtown Hamilton, Ohio.

Building Community Excellence through the Arts and Culture