In the Spotlight!

Welcome to The Fine Arts Association’s newsletter on-line!  On this page you will find the latest in student success stories, exciting new projects and special features for your information and your enjoyment. We hope that “In the Spotlight” will keep you personally connected to the magic created by your support of Your Center for Arts Education. Enjoy!

Jeannie Fleming-Gifford Hired as Director of Education

Jeannie Fleming-Gifford has been selected as The Fine Arts Association’s new Director of Education. She fills the position recently vacated by Linda Wise who now leads the organization as Executive Director.

“Jeannie is the perfect match for Fine Arts,” comments Ms. Wise who hired Fleming-Gifford. “A musician with experience in arts education, she brings great energy and passion to the organization.”

Ms. Fleming-Gifford’s extensive arts education experience includes serving as Director of CHABAM, an early childhood arts education-based program located in Beachwood. She was also Director of Education for the Columbus Symphony Orchestra and Young Audiences of Northeast Ohio.

Ms. Fleming-Gifford is a graduate of the University of Akron with a Master of Arts in Family and Consumer Sciences, specializing in Child Development and a Bachelor of Arts with concentrations in Music and French Horn. She is a member of the National Association for the Education of Young Children, the Ohio Alliance for Arts Education and serves on the Historic Review Board for the City of Willoughby .

Fleming-Gifford is excited to join the staff at The Fine Arts Association. “ With a rich history, dynamic faculty and multitude of offerings for preschoolers through adults, Fine Arts is a wonderful place to create opportunities that immerse the community in a variety of quality arts programs,” she remarks.

As Director of Education, Ms Fleming- Gifford is responsible for the oversight and coordination of all educational programs in the disciplines of music, visual art, theatre and dance.

FOCUS ON ALUMNI: Peter Davis; La Jolla Playhouse

 "FINE ARTS" was a home away from home where I grew up.  It was, for me, just the right combination of stability, sincerity and irreverence.   It instilled in me a familiarity and respect for the arts.  It is good to learn, at a relatively early age, that a place like that exists.  

While it did start me down the road to the career in the theatre that I am still pursuing, more than anything I think "FINE ARTS" gave me a place to have fun and be myself.  I was nurtured to be the best person I could be.  The fact that I became a "theatre person" is really secondary.   Tim Ryan, Julianne Shick, John ( Quincy ) Long and Marilyn Ryan were role models that I emulate to this day.

As my parents used to say as they schlepped me back and forth from Painesville to Willoughby (sometimes twice in one day....) "Well, It keeps you off the streets." 

After the glory days as a young performer at Fine Arts, I went to Lake Erie College for a BFA in Theatre where I focused on directing. I directed several shows (after graduation) and worked as Assistant Director at Cain Park Theatre productions of SWEENEY TODD and PIPPIN.  I lived in Los Angeles for a year, went to a grad school and ended up in South Florida where I worked for about ten years. During these years I dabbled in teaching, mime, directing and producing, but my bread and butter was stage management. 

In 1996 I moved to New York City where I began to work as a production manager at INTAR Hispanic American Theatre on 42nd Street's Theatre Row, and then for Albert Poland, a commercial theatre manager.  I stage managed at Playwrights Horizons and a brief stint as assistant stage manager on the first national tour of HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS.

I spent 6-7 years as Production Manager for Second Stage Theatre, a major Off Broadway Theatre, where I had the privilege to work with some of the best in the biz. In 2001, as production supervisor, I helped transfer to Broadway the award winning play, METAMORPHOSES.

In 2003, I moved to San Diego to the (if I may so myself) prestigious La Jolla Playhouse, which is represented almost every season in New York (DRACULA, Billy Crystal's 700 SUNDAYS and JERSEY BOYS) where I continue to this day.  

                                                                               -Peter Davis

Society for the Arts – Sharing Vision and Passion
The Fine Arts Association is pleased to announce the creation of the Society for the Arts! This legacy group recognizes our strongest arts advocates for their vision and passion in making legacy gifts to The Fine Arts Association. Friends who have made a deferred gift, through a will, trust, or other legacy opportunity, become members of the Society for the Arts and are invited to meet annually with the executive director for briefings on key issues. Members are also recognized with distinction in our annual report and enjoy special access to selected events. For more information, contact the Development Office at 440.951.7500, ext. 112.