Home Grown Arts
Piqua, Ohio — where creatives are not only born, but prosperous. Despite previous beliefs that artists can’t thrive in rural areas, there is an abundance of creatives who are able to flourish right here in Piqua — all while doing what they love and, most importantly, being who they are. In 2021, we developed a series of interviews with eleven creatives from Piqua and its surrounding areas: "Home Grown Arts". In these short documentaries, each artist shared a part of their story, illustrating how the arts have impacted their lives and shaped them into the individuals they are today. Through each season of Home Grown Arts, our goal remains the same: to shine light on the testimonies on our local artists.
About the Creatives
A.J. Ganger
A.J. Ganger is a 2011 graduate of Miami East High School, who went on to earn his Bachelor's Degree in Communication Arts from Wilmington College in 2015. A.J. is the Director of the Indian Nation Station, the Public Access TV station for Piqua, Ohio. Indian Nation Station is responsible for covering Piqua community events such as sports, school activities, parades, concerts, and this very series of documentaries - Home Grown Arts. A.J. works closely with the students of Piqua High School during their Media classes, teaching them how to use a camera, working with Final Cut Pro, running TriCasters, making graphics, running replay, and teaching them how to communicate with local businesses in coordinating coverage for various opportunities.
Brett Poling
Brett Poling is the Director and Conductor of the Piqua Civic Band. He graduated magna cum laude from the UD Music Department in 1995 with a Bachelor's of Music Education, his Masters in Education from Wright State University in 2007, and Masters in Educational Leadership in 2017. Brett has been an educator for more than 27 years, having taught music, choir and drama at St. Luke School before becoming the technology coordinator and assistant principal. Prior to teaching in Beavercreek, Brett served as the band director for Lima Central Catholic High School + their 3 elementary schools.
Maureen O'Keefe
Maureen O'Keefe
Maureen O'Keefe
Professional artist, Maureen O’Keefe, was born in Sidney, Ohio. She loves spending time in her studio at the Piqua Arts & Innovation Center located in the heart of downtown Piqua, Ohio. Maureen has held various solo exhibitions, and her work has been included in group exhibitions and private collections. She is the recipient of a 2019 Individual Excellence Award from the Ohio Arts Council, and has received numerous local drawing and painting awards.
"...I seek a balance between abstraction and realism, beauty and ugliness, conflict and connection." ~Maureen O'Keefe
Ganger Images
Maureen O'Keefe
Maureen O'Keefe
Covington native, Erik Ganger, and his partner from Piqua, Ohio, Lily Stewart, are professional photographers. Together through their business, Ganger Images, they have pursued various photographic opportunities from the traditional wedding or senior photos, to product + lifestyle photos for Winans Chocolates + Coffees, to event photos at Piqua Community Foundation's Pitch Piqua, and more. The modern style photography duo is dedicated to combining one artistic vision with their client's wants and needs to provide creative, superior quality images.