About Village Productions
Christine Far opened the Village Production Studio in 1993. As director, teacher and choreographer she utilized local talent, students and volunteers to create over 20 original dance theater productions until her departure in 2005. Village Production is alive and well today in thanks to Christine and her many talents.
Since the beginning, Village Productions has provided a variety of services for people in the greater Amesville area. Village Productions offers classes, workshops, special events, concerts, and lectures. We open the facility for use by supporters and the local community.
Classes are provided in movement, crafts, music, dance, yoga, and more. They are structured to have an experiential component, and are taught by local artists and professionals. They strive to connect children and adults to their personal awareness and hidden talents.
Special events, lectures and performances bring together the people that live in and around Amesville. The hope is to create new relationships, entertain people with novel presentations, and build a sense of community that will carry over into all aspects of civic engagement in the area.
By offering recreational and cultural opportunities for children in rural Athens County, Village Productions believes we can introduce a diversity of new ideas and experiences to those children. We believe those experiences will build skills, self esteem, knowledge about their local and global culture, and a strong connection to the Amesville community.
Christine Far opened the Village Production Studio in 1993. As director, teacher and choreographer she utilized local talent, students and volunteers to create over 20 original dance theater productions until her departure in 2005. Village Production is alive and well today in thanks to Christine and her many talents.
Since the beginning, Village Productions has provided a variety of services for people in the greater Amesville area. Village Productions offers classes, workshops, special events, concerts, and lectures. We open the facility for use by supporters and the local community.
Classes are provided in movement, crafts, music, dance, yoga, and more. They are structured to have an experiential component, and are taught by local artists and professionals. They strive to connect children and adults to their personal awareness and hidden talents.
Special events, lectures and performances bring together the people that live in and around Amesville. The hope is to create new relationships, entertain people with novel presentations, and build a sense of community that will carry over into all aspects of civic engagement in the area.
By offering recreational and cultural opportunities for children in rural Athens County, Village Productions believes we can introduce a diversity of new ideas and experiences to those children. We believe those experiences will build skills, self esteem, knowledge about their local and global culture, and a strong connection to the Amesville community.
Mission Statement
Village Productions' mission is to provide learning opportunities through the living arts. Our goal is to create classes and programs in movement, music, crafts, nature, ecology and life skills that support healthy development of children, families and individuals. Our objective is to support and strengthen the Amesville community.
Village Productions (VP) is a private, non-profit community-based organization. It has three major program sections: Children’s Programming, Adult Education, and Community Events.
We're Making Some Big Improvements!
Our heartfelt thanks go to the Charles G. O'Bleness Foundation for awarding us a grant for much-needed improvements to Village Productions. We're excited about the renovations to the first floor of our building. It's almost finished, but it's close enough for your next event! Click the first floor calendar link above to show the availability and rental application.
2023 Recap
Village Productions 2023 Highlights
We had another great year at Village Productions and wanted to share our successes with those friends and contributors. Our mission states that we provide learning opportunities through the living arts. We aim to create classes and programs in movement, music, crafts, nature, ecology, and life skills that support the healthy development of children, families, and individuals. Our objective is to support and strengthen the Amesville community.
We have been true to our mission in 2023 and have helped create a vital, vibrant center for community activities in Amesville. We held several special events, offered more classes than ever, and reached out to other groups to create positive and effective collaborations.
The Village Productions senior center, with funding from the Athens County Senior Levy, continues to be a big success. We had an average attendance of around 21 people. We had numerous speakers: Tom O’Grady, Amy Lipka, County Commissioners, John Winneberg, Bob Garbo, and many others. Also, there was a delicious breakfast by Roxanne Groff at every gathering.
Other highlights include the continued success of “Greens at Village Production,” with over 100 people of all ages spending the day creating beautiful holiday decorations. Thanks to Poplar Ridge Tree Farm for its ongoing support. Early in the year, the “Amesville Talent Show” fired up the imaginations of local residents to “strut their stuff,” highlighted by Marci and Mary Ann’s interlude comedies. Various community groups also took advantage of our wonderful building. Groups like the Amesville Grange, Alcoholics Anonymous, Rural Action, SOPEC, 4-H and others held trainings or meetings in Amesville.
A new event that made a big splash was the Amesville Writer’s Workshop. Features three prominent Appalachian authors, Robert Gipe, Megan Lucas, and others, who lead over 20 participants in lectures and exercises. Attendees came from Kentucky, North Carolina, Tennessee, West Virginia, and from all over Ohio. The 3-day event garnered smash reviews and will be back in 2024.
The VP Annual Holiday Concert/Movie was back (with the Amesville Community Singers), as well as numerous other small activities. We appreciate the terrific support that was evident at all these events from attendees and volunteers alike. These events fund our scholarships, building repairs, and other costs of operating a small non-profit.
Of course, our classes are the backbone of VP programming, but we also have a wealth of special events embraced by the Amesville community and received notice beyond Athens County. In 2022, the Ohio Hill Country Heritage group wrote this in their tourism guide for the region: “Amesville: small town living couldn’t be finer than in this tight-knit Athens County hamlet (population 171) on the back road from Athens to Marietta (Ohio Route 550). Its claim to fame in Ohio history came in the year of statehood when settlers sold pelts back East to raise funds to buy books. The library became known as the Coonskin Library, the first in the Northwest Territory. The Coonskin Museum, located in the old school cafeteria, opens upon request. Mayor Gary Goosman and allies are known for organizing dinners featuring local foods, gardening classes, and even a quirky inauguration ball. Events are held at Village Productions, where yoga, dance, music, Pilates, drumming, and more take place (www.village-productions.org). Don’t forget the Amesville Firemen’s Festival, which is the third weekend of every July. Outside of town, you’ll find organic farmers, including the well-established Green Edge Gardens and the upstart Homecoming Farm, started by returning son John Wood, purveyor of fresh maple syrup each spring.”
Lastly, our collaborations with other groups add value to the Amesville area. The FREE wifi (in collaboration with the Athens County Public Library) continues to be appreciated and highly used. Also, the Amesville Book Locker brings hundreds of books from the ACPL system to residents around Amesville.
There were many more highlights, but suffice it to say that Village Productions was an active and vibrant part of community building in and around Amesville. We thank all those who helped us achieve our goals and ask that you continue to be involved in the growing community in 2023.
REMEMBER: You can support all this good work by buying an annual membership at Village Productions. For just $350 for an individual or $500 for a family, you can attend ALL the classes you want during 2024. All our teachers are local, and every dime stays in the Amesville community. What a great way to support our community and help create a healthier lifestyle! Also, check out our website to see upcoming dances, concerts, and special events.
WITH A FAMILY MEMBERSHIP, A FAMILY OF FOUR ATTENDING JUST ONE CLASS PER WEEK (EACH QUARTER), YOU CAN SAVE OVER $900.00 IN CLASS FEES.
So, the entire Board of Village Productions is thankful for all the great community support we receive and looks forward to another fantastic year in the “Best Small Town in Athens County”.
Gary Goosman, President
Mary Ann Westendorf, Treasurer
Mary Nossek, Secretary
Molly Blair
Chuck Blyth
Julia Farver
Roxanne Groff
Marci Shubert
Village Productions' mission is to provide learning opportunities through the living arts. Our goal is to create classes and programs in movement, music, crafts, nature, ecology and life skills that support healthy development of children, families and individuals. Our objective is to support and strengthen the Amesville community.
Village Productions (VP) is a private, non-profit community-based organization. It has three major program sections: Children’s Programming, Adult Education, and Community Events.
We're Making Some Big Improvements!
Our heartfelt thanks go to the Charles G. O'Bleness Foundation for awarding us a grant for much-needed improvements to Village Productions. We're excited about the renovations to the first floor of our building. It's almost finished, but it's close enough for your next event! Click the first floor calendar link above to show the availability and rental application.
2023 Recap
Village Productions 2023 Highlights
We had another great year at Village Productions and wanted to share our successes with those friends and contributors. Our mission states that we provide learning opportunities through the living arts. We aim to create classes and programs in movement, music, crafts, nature, ecology, and life skills that support the healthy development of children, families, and individuals. Our objective is to support and strengthen the Amesville community.
We have been true to our mission in 2023 and have helped create a vital, vibrant center for community activities in Amesville. We held several special events, offered more classes than ever, and reached out to other groups to create positive and effective collaborations.
The Village Productions senior center, with funding from the Athens County Senior Levy, continues to be a big success. We had an average attendance of around 21 people. We had numerous speakers: Tom O’Grady, Amy Lipka, County Commissioners, John Winneberg, Bob Garbo, and many others. Also, there was a delicious breakfast by Roxanne Groff at every gathering.
Other highlights include the continued success of “Greens at Village Production,” with over 100 people of all ages spending the day creating beautiful holiday decorations. Thanks to Poplar Ridge Tree Farm for its ongoing support. Early in the year, the “Amesville Talent Show” fired up the imaginations of local residents to “strut their stuff,” highlighted by Marci and Mary Ann’s interlude comedies. Various community groups also took advantage of our wonderful building. Groups like the Amesville Grange, Alcoholics Anonymous, Rural Action, SOPEC, 4-H and others held trainings or meetings in Amesville.
A new event that made a big splash was the Amesville Writer’s Workshop. Features three prominent Appalachian authors, Robert Gipe, Megan Lucas, and others, who lead over 20 participants in lectures and exercises. Attendees came from Kentucky, North Carolina, Tennessee, West Virginia, and from all over Ohio. The 3-day event garnered smash reviews and will be back in 2024.
The VP Annual Holiday Concert/Movie was back (with the Amesville Community Singers), as well as numerous other small activities. We appreciate the terrific support that was evident at all these events from attendees and volunteers alike. These events fund our scholarships, building repairs, and other costs of operating a small non-profit.
Of course, our classes are the backbone of VP programming, but we also have a wealth of special events embraced by the Amesville community and received notice beyond Athens County. In 2022, the Ohio Hill Country Heritage group wrote this in their tourism guide for the region: “Amesville: small town living couldn’t be finer than in this tight-knit Athens County hamlet (population 171) on the back road from Athens to Marietta (Ohio Route 550). Its claim to fame in Ohio history came in the year of statehood when settlers sold pelts back East to raise funds to buy books. The library became known as the Coonskin Library, the first in the Northwest Territory. The Coonskin Museum, located in the old school cafeteria, opens upon request. Mayor Gary Goosman and allies are known for organizing dinners featuring local foods, gardening classes, and even a quirky inauguration ball. Events are held at Village Productions, where yoga, dance, music, Pilates, drumming, and more take place (www.village-productions.org). Don’t forget the Amesville Firemen’s Festival, which is the third weekend of every July. Outside of town, you’ll find organic farmers, including the well-established Green Edge Gardens and the upstart Homecoming Farm, started by returning son John Wood, purveyor of fresh maple syrup each spring.”
Lastly, our collaborations with other groups add value to the Amesville area. The FREE wifi (in collaboration with the Athens County Public Library) continues to be appreciated and highly used. Also, the Amesville Book Locker brings hundreds of books from the ACPL system to residents around Amesville.
There were many more highlights, but suffice it to say that Village Productions was an active and vibrant part of community building in and around Amesville. We thank all those who helped us achieve our goals and ask that you continue to be involved in the growing community in 2023.
REMEMBER: You can support all this good work by buying an annual membership at Village Productions. For just $350 for an individual or $500 for a family, you can attend ALL the classes you want during 2024. All our teachers are local, and every dime stays in the Amesville community. What a great way to support our community and help create a healthier lifestyle! Also, check out our website to see upcoming dances, concerts, and special events.
WITH A FAMILY MEMBERSHIP, A FAMILY OF FOUR ATTENDING JUST ONE CLASS PER WEEK (EACH QUARTER), YOU CAN SAVE OVER $900.00 IN CLASS FEES.
So, the entire Board of Village Productions is thankful for all the great community support we receive and looks forward to another fantastic year in the “Best Small Town in Athens County”.
Gary Goosman, President
Mary Ann Westendorf, Treasurer
Mary Nossek, Secretary
Molly Blair
Chuck Blyth
Julia Farver
Roxanne Groff
Marci Shubert