OTR Community bringing first official event to Washington Park | Community Spirit

OVER-THE-RHINE, OH (FOX19) - A group of Over-the-Rhine residents, business owners, stakeholders and advocates have come together to create an art installation, OTR Flags, to be celebrated in the newly expanded and renovated Washington Park, once complete in late Spring 2012. The event was inspired by the silk flag installation, Gates, in New York City's Central Park.

"OTR Flags will be a beautiful public art exhibit in Washington Park. Art brings the community together in conversation and celebration. To have over 100 hand painted, colorful silk flags flying during the World Choir Games is an honor and a responsibility that our collaborative steering committee is taking seriously", says Angela Morrow project visionary artist.

OTR Flags is a celebratory conversation within the Over-the-Rhine community and all are encouraged to participate. The installation will consist of twenty large flags on light posts throughout the Park that have been sponsored by companies and organizations throughout the City to show their support of Over-the-Rhine. Each flag will be hand painted by preselected artists. Smaller flags, created by individuals throughout the region, will be exhibited around the historic bandstand. For the next nine months the community will be engaged with dialogue as they partake in the creation of the flags.

The installation will be displayed through June and July 2012encouraging the public to gather in the park, get to know one another, and learn the true meaning of a thriving community. There are two ways to get involved:

1. Participate in community workshops, held at venues throughout OTR. Each workshop is open to eight individuals in the community and cost $25 to decorate your own flag. In addition to the eight that sign up, two individuals from different organizations will be selected for the OTR FLAGS scholarship program and will be able to join in the community activity for free. The first session is during Second Sunday on Main, September 11 at 1pm and 3:30pm at 1342 Main Street in front of the c4yoruself art gallery. To sign up, visit <http://www.eventbrite.com/preview?eid=1829944413>.

2. For those who would like to be more engaged, there are sponsorship opportunities available on different levels. To date, OTR Flag sponsors are Tri-Health, Cincinnati Opera, Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, May Festival, ArtsWave, YMCA, Emanuel Community Center, Tender Mercies, C4Yourself Gallery, Know Theatre, and Heidelberg Distributing Company. For more information please contact Joan Kaup, (513) 604-5559 or email otrflags@gmail.com <mailto:otrflags@gmail.com>.

OTR Flags Steering Committee includes representatives from Artworks, ArtsWave, 3CDC, Cincinnati Arts Association, Emanuel Community Center, OTR Community Housing, OTR Community Council, Drop Inn Center, YMCA, and the community at large. For more information on this community installation, visit the official OTR FLAGS Facebook page, http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/OTR-Flags/159968887400171 <http://www.facebook.com/>.