Greetings & Salutations! It starts as all great stories do—small, hopeful, and full of wonder. A few dreamers in Kent, Ohio, gathered in a modest space with an idea. Not just any idea, but a living, breathing promise: to give art a home, to let creativity flow unrestricted, and to carve out a place where community and expression walk hand in hand. That idea grew, like the roots of the very rock for which the organization is named, into Standing Rock Cultural Arts (SRCA). Over the decades, it has endured, thrived, and transformed into something bigger than any of its founders and supporters could ever imagine.

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The Birth of a Cultural Haven

"What this organization has to offer is transformative power over anything that comes in contact by the simple grace of artistic expression." That power began in a small storefront within the heart of Kent, where early members—Jeff Ingram and Mary Gilmore—conceived something special from sheer passion and necessity. A place where children’s plays came to life, where music spilled into the streets, and where artists who might have never found a safe space were given a haven.

"About 'the room', I was just a small part of the earlier years when we were located across the street in a building that was sold. Jeff Ingram and I worked on 'Kids' Plays' between 1999-2002. We met in the area when writing grant proposals with Jeff Sinclair and others at the time. We had a volunteer, Jimi Image, who helped keep the Water Street Gallery open at times that we were not available. That became what is now known as SRCA," shared Heidi Horvath.

From those early days, SRCA’s mission was clear: to embrace the outsiders, the dreamers, the unconventional. "We represent outsiders, neurodivergent creatives, and are non-competitive on most levels when compared with a major gallery business model". It was a home for the kind of art that didn’t seek validation from institutions—it simply existed, raw and beautiful, and it found its people.

Resilience Through Adversity

Of course, no great story is without struggle. SRCA has faced moving its physical home, financial uncertainty, and even the existential threat of a global pandemic. Reflecting on the different ways SRCA continues to strive to stay relevant; to "Have a big-sounding name, I guess. Have better resources, availability to larger grants. Be more inclusive to more people's needs and dreams, too," noted Jeff Ingram.

When forced to move from its original Water Street home, the organization adapted to relocating, rebuilt, and continued to provide space for the creative process. When COVID-19 threatened to silence its halls, SRCA pivoted—launching virtual exhibitions, radio-style audio plays, and community-driven initiatives that kept the spirit of the arts alive even when the world had to stay apart. "Hell no, we won’t go," said Heidi Weisel, summing up SRCA’s unwavering resolve.

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‍The Cultural Pulse of a Community

"Kent would not be the same without Standing Rock Cultural Arts. From environmental events to social engagement and from young to old, many in the community have been influenced," wrote Matt Keffer. These words echo in the hearts of the organization, painting a clear picture of what SRCA means to Kent and beyond. It’s not just about art—it’s about connection.

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The International Short Film Festival, the Around the World Music Series, and multiple grassroots collaborations with organizations like the F.J. Kluth Gallery, Kent State University, and Main Street Kent have cemented SRCA’s esteem as a critical cultural hub. "We’ve expanded our physical venue nearly four-fold. However, most of all, the New World Children's Theatre truly provided strength to the organization this year through their level of spirit and devotion to the production.”

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Artists from across the world have come to Kent through SRCA’s programs, including but not limited to Kenya’s Kenge Kenge Orutu System, whose cultural exchange left a lasting imprint on both the visiting musicians and the local audience. "The community of Kent has changed the lives of some of the members of this cultural exchange group from Kenya who have adopted Kent as their American home," said Heidi Weisel.

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The Future: A Full-Service Cultural Arts Center

As SRCA moves into 2025, it is no longer just an art space—it is becoming something more. A vision of a full-service cultural arts center is taking shape. "A full-service cultural arts center would be able to provide everything needed to any local or worldwide artist of any medium within their physical and non-physical space and programs," says Jeff Ingram. "This looks like about 4,000 ft² included, but not limited to schooling, study space, performance/screening hall, offices, rental/practice space, woodworking, and so much more. Enriching experiences and for some an invaluable head start."

This vision is not just about expansion; it’s about evolution. It’s about making sure that SRCA doesn’t just survive—it flourishes, adapting to the changing needs of the community. It’s about offering artists a platform that meets them where they are, whether through traditional gallery space, digital media, or immersive community projects.

Join the Action: Keeping the Fire Lit

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"Find people where they are, and bring the light of expression and creativity to them," wrote Heidi Horvath. That is the driving force of SRCA— its very lifeblood. Without the pride of expression, inclusivity, and active participation, the organization could not exist. SRCA is a real-life home for art to live and breathe so it’s doors must stay open. May this remind people that creativity is not a luxury, but a necessity to life.

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The mission of SRCA is “To build community through the arts and provide arts access for all”.

To those wondering how they can help, the answer is simple: show up. Whether it’s by attending an event, volunteering time, or making a donation, every effort contributes to ensuring that SRCA remains a beacon of creativity to be a light in darker days just as art and artists have always done throughout time.

Standing Rock Cultural Arts’ story continues to be written. In fact, the organization has ascended into a new chapter. Like all great stories, it will continue to be written by YOU the artists, the musicians, the dreamers, and the believers who step through its doors. So, if you haven’t yet—step in. Discover what’s possible. And if you’ve been here before, step in again. The story is still unfolding, explore it. It needs all of us to help tell it.

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Check out the Standing Rock Cultural Arts website at www.standingrock.net