The last days of summer mean – yes, they mean the kids go back to school and hallelujah! – but they also mean some bittersweet farewells.

At ArtsWave, we say goodbye to dedicated arts administrator and mentor, Heather Hallenberg, After more than 20 years at ArtsWave, and a career in Cincinnati museums before that, Heather will be retiring at the end of August.

Heather has had an enormous impact on the evolution of the organization that is ArtsWave today, and on many arts and cultural organizations throughout our region. She has also been a counselor, confidante and friend to many arts professionals and business volunteers over the years. As Mary Stagaman, ArtsWave Board Member and Senior Inclusion Advisor at Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber, put it, Heather is the "best friend small arts ever had."  Join me in virtual cheer to Heather's life work and service to a thriving community through the arts. 

(And if you want to send your love to Heather, post your memories at #HeatherLegacy.)



MORE ARTS COMINGS AND GOINGS
Other farewells we are tracking include some major contributions by Cincinnati arts organizations to our region’s vitality and sense of community. After four years, the last Lumenocity from the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra lit up the faces and imaginations of thousands of street fair-goers and audience members at the Taft Theatre. 

30 Americans at the Cincinnati Art Museum ends on August 28. This riveting exhibit was recently described by ArtsWave’s own “normal-guy-turned-critic” John David Back as a must-see. If you do anything to better yourself in 2016, John says, go see this.

The Cincinnati Opera ended its season on a high note, with international acclaim for its “Fellow Travelers” premier and widespread excitement for its new production of “Tosca.” Even my 9-year-old daughter, Delaney, whispered halfway during act two: “Wow, I didn’t know opera would be this dramatic!”

Speaking of drama, Cincinnati Landmark Productions is doing "Chicago" at the Warsaw Federal Incline Theater, The Carnegie is doing "Rock of Ages," and The Know is presenting "Girlfriend." Cincinnati Shakespeare Company is still making the rounds of the region’s parks with a Macbeth set in Scottish wilderness and a Midsummer Night's Dream featuring hip-hop from Elementz. 

The Behringer-Crawford Museum in Covington has just opened up its own new park: an innovative, accessible nature and play space for kids. And downtown, ArtWorks is putting the finishing touches on some awe-inspiring new murals including one on the Fifth Third Building across the way from the Contemporary Arts Center -- where you can still catch the installations by Do Ho Suh and Tomas Seracino.  I’ve heard the teas are sold out at Cincy’s temporary Downton Abbey, but the costume exhibit from thepopular show being presented at the Taft Museum goes on for a few more weeks.

If you haven’t seized your arts moment yet for the summer of ’16, you can catch these and other memory-making events by visiting CincyArtsGuide.com. Be sure to share them by tagging #CincyArts and #SummerinCincy! Then, make your plans to usher in fall with a whole new array of arts experiences.