Art of Quitting Well: Ryan McGuire, 2026 Commencement Speech at Welsh Hills School

Art of Quitting Well: Ryan McGuire, 2026 Commencement Speech at Welsh Hills School

This special edition of Hello, My Name is Art features a recording of the 2026 Commencement Speech at Welsh Hills School, given by Ryan McGuire, co-founder and Creative Director (of Happiness) of the Granville Center for the Arts.

Unpacking Our Monthly Art Clubs: a guided tour with Olivia Boucher

Get ready for a whirlwind tour through our free monthly art club happening at the Granville Center for the Arts! In this lively conversation, Ryan McGuire teams up with the excellent Olivia Boucher (GCA Board Member, our in-house photographer, and super volunteer) to share what each club is all about, how you can join in on the fun, and why these gatherings have become such joyful anchors for community connection. You'll enjoy stories, helpful insights, and more than a few moments that are sure to spark a smile. It's like having a cheerful tour guide walk you through all the curiosity, creativity, and playful fun artistic opportunities happening at the center every month. Curious about just one or two clubs? Skip ahead using these timestamps: * Improv Club: 3:00 min * Irish Music Club: 8:40 min * Poetry Open Mic Night: 13:25 min * Painting & Drawing Club: 17:35 min * Fiber Arts Club: 22:30 min * Jewelry Making Club: 27:55 min * Visible Mending Club: 32:20 min * Family Craft Night: 39:30 min Be on the lookout for future episodes to learn about our monthly Yoga + Tea with Margaret Toland, Writing Studio with Keija Parssinen, and Literary & Reading Club.

Vic Nogay: a raw poet finding beauty in the hardest parts of life.

In this episode, we’re honored to sit down with the remarkable Ohio writer and poet Vic Nogay. Vic invites us into her creative journey, exploring the vulnerability, persistence, and courage it takes to become a published author. She opens up about her process, the inspirations behind her new book Naming a Dying Thing, and even reads one of the collection’s most powerful poems — a moment so moving it’s nearly impossible not to cry. Vic is a Denison University alum and editor at Identity Theory. Her writing has been nominated for both the Pushcart Prize and Best Microfiction, and she is the author of the micro poetry chapbook under fire under water (Tiny Wren, 2022). Through her unflinching honesty and lyrical grace, Vic reminds us that poetry can help us face loss, rediscover connection, and find light in even our darkest moments. Pick up your copy of Naming a Dying Thing through Yellow Arrow Publishing [https://www.yellowarrowpublishing.com/news/unsettling-silence-interview-vic-nogay] or at Readers’ Garden Bookstore in Granville, Ohio.

Megen Leigh: After 17 years at Apple, she quit to paint full-time

A year ago, Columbus watercolor artist Megen Leigh did something most people only dream about—she left her 17-year career at Apple to chase her creative calling full-time. Since then, she’s painted her way through more than 20 art conventions, earned a solo gallery show at the Granville Center for the Arts, completed an artist-in-residence at High Road Gallery in Worthington, and was even named Artist Guest of Honor at Chicago’s Windycon 50. Her story is a colorful reminder that courage, curiosity, and community can transform a dream into a daily reality. Learn more about Megen online at www.megenleigh.com [http://www.megenleigh.com] or on all the social networks at @leighmarts.