Momentum Toledo

04/28/2023

Applications are now open for the 2023/2024 Momentum | Intersection Program. The Arts Commission invites creative individuals to reimagine the potential of Pilkington float glass toward the creation projects funded through Momentum | Intersection, a collaboration of industry, design, and art. To this end, The Arts Commission seeks to provide new partnerships between applications of glass as an artistic medium and manufacturing processes with a call for proposals.

Inspired by the experimental glass workshops held in Toledo, OH in 1962 The Arts Commission is requesting interested artists, designers, architects, engineers, and others working with glass to submit a portfolio and statement of interest to participate in the sixth edition of an industrial collaboration with Pilkington Glass North America part of Nippon Sheet Glass Co., Ltd. (NSG).

Those interested in applying should review the request for proposals (RFP) and apply online by June 28, 2023. The RFP and application link are available on our website at: https://theartscommission.org/events/momentum

Photo in graphic: Alexander Rosenberg sets up work for the 2022 Momentum Intersection Exhibition, photo by Natalie Tranelli Photography

09/19/2022

Thank you to everyone who made the 2022 Momentum Festival possible! This celebration of art and culture in the Glass City is made possible through the generosity of sponsors, community members, partner organizations, and participating artists and entertainers. Together, we are strengthening our community, fostering creativity, and building a new and better future for our city.

Image: Thank You graphic featuring "Canopy" by Pneuhaus and Bike Powered Events and "Giant Light Box" by Adam Sanzenbacher, photo by Ben Morales Photography

09/17/2022

We've had so much fun at Momentum this year! Join us today from 1pm to 10pm for the last day of the festival in Promenade Park and Festival Park, check out Queen's Village Community Kickoff Event at UpTown Green Park from 1pm to 4pm.
If you want to keep the party going, check out Wander the Warehouse on Sunday (September 18) from 12pm to 4pm, find more information at:

The Warehouse District Association's mission is to benefit businesses, institutions, property owners, residents, and visitors by promoting socioeconomic stability and growth and encouraging the preservation and appreciation of the neighborhood's diversity and history.

09/16/2022

Momentum Festival features some amazing new activities this year! Last night Toledo had a blast at The Arts Commission's first Silent Disco, tonight we'll have our first party at UpTown Green, and tomorrow is the first ever Clearly Hidden! Glass Art Scavenger Hunt. Clearly Hidden! is a free activity that starts at 1pm tomorrow (Saturday, September 17), guests are invited to scour the grounds of Promenade Park and Festival Park to find a hidden glass ornament from local glass artists - we ask that participants only find and keep one ornament per person so that others can enjoy the hunt as well. No registration is required, just show up and start hunting!
A huge thanks to the artists that contributed work to this scavenger hunt: Leonard Marty, Firenation, Gathered Glass, and Shawn Messenger. If you find one of the ornaments, please share with us on social media by using the hashtag - we can't wait to see what you find!

09/15/2022

Find everything you need to know about Momentum on our website! Check out the schedule for the weekend, see the details about projects featured at the festival, download maps and schedules, or explore public art through an online tour. See you tomorrow through Saturday for Momentum!
Visit www.theartscommission.org/events/momentum to plan your weekend.

09/14/2022

We love local! Momentum features a variety of local artists and performers. Find a glass ornament at the Clearly Hidden! scavenger hunt - glass artwork by Firenation, Gathered Glass, Shawn Messenger, and Leonard Marty - or stop by the Artist Market on Saturday, September 17, to stock up on a variety of cool art. We'll have performances by local poets on Friday and Saturday, and local bands as well - RELA percussion and Bitch, Thunder on Friday at UpTown Green Park; Klashing Black, TSA's Steel Drum Band, davekevinadam, and Nikki D and the Sisters of Thunder on Saturday at Promenade Park. Check out the Giant Light Box by Adam Sanzenbacher, magic by Andrew Martin, aerial and roaming performances by Bird's Eye View, or The Holding Project by Barbara Miner, Lee Fearnside, and Ashley Pryor. We'll also have windows displays painted at One Lake Erie Center. There are all kinds of ways to enjoy local at Momentum! See you in TWO DAYS!

For a full schedule and maps of the event, visit: www.theartscommission.org/events/momentum

Image Description: Nikki D and the Sisters of Thunder at the 2021 Momentum Festival, photo by Todd Gaertner

09/12/2022

Our first installation is already here and you HAVE to see this in person! Check out Oscillation (created by The Urban Conga, tour managed by Creos) at the Hilton Garden Inn pocket park at Summit and Jefferson through September 17.
See you at the festival in just 3 days!

Image Descriptions: "Oscillation" by The Urban Conga, tour managed by Creos, installed in Toledo for Momentum Festival, installation process for the work

09/11/2022

While you're at Momentum this year, keep an eye out for BCAN! Their team will be broadcasting live from Promenade Park, 4pm to 5pm, on Saturday, September 17th. Thanks to all of our media and marketing sponsors for getting the word out about Momentum - Toledo.com, The Blade, 13ABC, Destination Toledo, HART Inc, and BCAN - we appreciate all you've done!

Check out BCAN's footage from last year's festival at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mJ0hb_utKlk. This year's festival starts in just 4 days, come on out to celebrate the International Year of Glass with us.

Image Description: Fayth Atkins from BCAN speaking with a volunteer from The Ability Center at the Zot Artz mural, 2021 Momentum Festival

09/11/2022

Five days! The first day of the festival is going to be a blast, join us on N. St. Clair Street for Art Loop Dancin' in the Streets. Some of the best dancers in Toledo will be performing live, there will be Hot Rods from local car clubs, and there are lots of great restaurants and bars nearby to enjoy some food and drinks! The event starts at 5:30pm and runs until 8:30pm this Thursday, September 15th.
Make your way over to Promenade Park afterwards for the Art Loop After Dark Silent Disco. Guests have a chance to borrow headphones and dance to music in the park - it's fun to join in or just to watch others enjoy! To keep up with all the latest updates on Art Loop, follow on Facebook and on Instagram

09/10/2022

In six days you can start enjoying Momentum Festival! One of the projects you can look forward to seeing at the event is "Canopy" by Pneuhaus and Can-duit Bike Powered Events. "Canopy" is a grove of illuminated tree-like sculptures that continuously transform, illuminating and expanding as participants power them with bike-driven generators. "Canopy" empowers its visitors by giving them a first hand experience of green electricity generation. As players pedal, they see their efforts transformed into large scale beauty and are invited to be amazed with themselves.

You can enjoy "Canopy" at Festival Park, adjacent to Promenade Park (between the ProMedica Steam Plant and Imagination Station) all weekend at Momentum!

To learn more about Momentum Festival, visit: www.theartscommission.org/events/Momentum
To learn more about "Canopy" and Pneuhaus' other work, visit: https://www.pneu.haus/

Image Descriptions: "Canopy" photos provided by Pnehaus and Can-duit

-duit

09/08/2022

ONE WEEK until Momentum starts! This year you can take an online tour of public art in Toledo and have a chance to win a prize. Take a selfie with 10 of the artworks on the tour and tag us with the hashtag of the day for a chance to win:
Thursday -
Friday -
Saturday -

Two tours are available, one in the UpTown neighborhood and another along the Maumee Riverfront. Links to the tours are available on our website at: www.theartscommission.org/events/momentum

Image Descriptions: alternating images from online tour (credit on photos) and selfies as examples of how to post online (selfies provided by Jonny Latsko)

09/07/2022

8 days until Momentum Festival! This year we have some amazing entertainment at the event, including poetry readings. You can enjoy local poets and an open mic night at UpTown Green on Friday, September 16, or join us at Promenade Park on Saturday, September 17, for Whitman on Walls! - poetry readings that respond to films by Compagnia de' Colombari. For both poetry events, Lucas County Poet Laureate Jonie McIntire was instrumental in finding and working with local poets.

Learn more about Momentum and poetry readings at: www.theartscommission.org/events/momentum
Learn more about Whitman on Walls! and Compagnia de' Colombari at: https://www.colombari.org/happeningnow

Image 1: Poets at the 2021 Momentum Festival, photo by Swatch Studios
Image 2: Whitman on Walls! art from Compagnia de' Colombari

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