450 Area Elementary School Students Break A Happen Community Canvas Record!

Many thanks to the generous sponsorship and support of P&G without which we could not have made it Happen!

During the first two weeks of February, Happen's Community Canvas program, celebrated Black History Month by using works of art from some of the world's most famous and influential African-American artists. Over 450 students from fifteen schools in the greater Cincinnati are participated in this month-long activity. "We were thrilled to extend this years Black History Month Celebration to 15 schools. It was very rewarding to teach children about the art of African-American artists and then share their work with the community." said Russell Ihrig, our Theatrical Director.

Come see our canvases for Black History Month!

Community Canvas

Community Canvas is a FREE Happen, Inc. program that turns an average chain-link fence into a famous work of art, literally bringing art into the community. The canvas begins as a collection of long paper strips, each displaying one section of a famous work of art. At the opening event, participating children and adults take turns weaving the strips into an empty chain-link fence. When the strips line up they complete the image, which remains on display in the community for 30 days.

Hosting a Community Canvas is a great way for a school, museum, library, community center, or other organization to bring art into the community. Over 50 Community Canvases are completed each year in conjunction with schools, parks and community centers. Thousands of children and adults in the Greater Cincinnati Area have participated in this traveling Happen activity. Each piece is displayed with an art board containing information on the artist and his or her work. Additionally, participants are provided with activity sheets that encourage further engagement with the piece. Canvases can be hosted in 'event' or 'class' style - either allowing people already attending a larger event to participate at will, or as a scheduled event with a presentation and a definite start and end time.

To host a canvas for FREE, please download the application form PDF or call Tommy at (513) 751-2345. Completed applications can be faxed to (513) 751-3545 or snail-mailed to:

Happen, Inc.
ATTN: Community Canvas
5210 Beechmont Ave.
Cincinnati, Oh 45230

Black History Month Celebration

During the month of February, Happen's Community Canvas program celebrated Black History Month by installing canvases at area schools, churches and community centers featuring the work of some of the most famous and influential African-American artists.

1. Feb. 5, John P Parker School
3500 Lumford Pl Cincinnati, OH

2. Feb. 6, Schiel Primary School for Arts Enrichment
2821 Vine St Cincinnati, OH

3. Feb. 7, Sands Montessori
6421 Corbly Rd Cincinnati, OH

4. Feb 7, Riverview East Academy
3555 Kellogg Ave Cincinnati, OH

5. Feb 8, Rees E. Price Academy
1228 Considine Ave Cincinnati, OH

6. Feb 12, Carson School
4323 Glenway Ave Cincinnati, OH

7. Feb 13, Hays Elementary School
1030 Cutter St Cincinnati, OH

8. Feb 13, Cain - Churches Active in Northside
4230 Hamilton Ave Cincinnati, OH

9. Feb 14, The New School
3 Burton Woods Ln, Cincinnati, OH

10. Feb. 15, Winton Hills Academy
5300 Winneste Ave Cincinnati, OH

11. Feb.19, Ethel M Taylor Academy
1930 Fricke Rd Cincinnati, OH

12. Feb. 21, Parham Elementary School
1835 Fairfax Ave Cincinnati, OH

13. Feb. 21, 4th Street Elementary School
101 E 4th St, Newport, KY

14. Feb. 22, Emanuel Community Center
1308 Race St Cincinnati, OH