Enriching Osceola County: League for the arts helps community keep area’s cultural heritage

Sally Barber | Cadillac News James Cooper and Clyde Hanson join the Osceola League for the Arts and Humanities jam session Saturday at The Depot in Evart.

Osceola League for the Arts and Humanities has a big mission for a fledgling group. By virtue of their passion for the arts, the organization’s 30 due-paying members are keepers of the area’s cultural heritage. They make art happen from Marion to Reed City to Evart, not for fame or glory, but for the love and joy the arts provide.

A true grassroots organization, the nonprofit group aims to meet the interest of the local population.

“I wanted people to take it and make it their own — and they’ve done it,” said Melora Theunick, OLAH founder.

The all-volunteer group has successfully presented exhibits and shows, a speaker series and instructional classes in a variety of artistic mediums.

“There is so much talent around. I want everyone to know about it,” said OLAH Vice President Sally Zoyiopoulos.

All are invited to help make art happen and requests for classes are welcome.

“If someone would like a class, we’ll do our best to find someone to implement it,” Theunick said.

EVART — The walls of Evart’s historic train depot vibrate, expanding with life, art and music. It’s the first OLAH acoustic jam session and it draws a roomful of musicians and fans to share the pleasures of the homegrown art.

The informal get together is the latest in a series of events organized by the Osceola League for the Arts and Humanities. OLAH marked its first anniversary in January and has plenty to celebrate. In a matter of months it has swelled to define local culture, preserve traditions, exalt the present and provide a legacy for the future.

“We wanted to keep alive some of our traditions in the arts and crafts through teaching,” said Melora Theunick, leather artisan, basket weaver and founder. “There are a lot of things becoming lost arts and we wanted to enrich the culture of the community by offering local opportunities.”

Since the nonprofit organization was established in 2006, it has sponsored three art and craft shows and a quilt exhibit; hosted 12 speaker presentations including authors, master craftsmen and travelogues; and has presented classes ranging from painting and drawing, basket making, tatting, rug-making to autoharp and scroll sawing. Events take place throughout the county providing people creative opportunities in their neighborhoods.

“We’ve probably touched on the borderline of 500 people,” Theunick said.

The original vision was to bring people together for inspiration and fellowship.

“I wanted an outlet for creating and a way to meet people of like mind,” she said. “I wanted to meet creative people I knew were out there — and I’ve done that.”

Sally Zoyiopoulos is a spinner and knitter who came on board shortly after OLAH launched.

“There’s so much talent out there. We’ve just scratched the surface,” she said. “It’s been an experience for me to know these people and see their capabilities.”

Another supporter, Karla Pollington, jumped into the thick of OLAH’s learning opportunities.

“I was a crafter for several years trying anything new,” she said.

OLAH provided new arts for her to explore.

“I took basket making, the scroll sawing class and painting classes. For someone who wants to try something there are so many avenues, and for a small community it’s important to keep the arts going, especially for the young people.”

The organization welcomes anyone from Osceola or surrounding counties to join as a member or to participate in classes and events, but holds firm to its mission of providing cultural enrichment in the hometown environment. Instructors work primarily on a volunteer basis and often from their home studios.

OLAH’s latest addition to the activity line-up is a monthly jam session for acoustic musicians. A songwriters’ club is on the horizon, as well as a demonstration day to showcase local artists and artisans.

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