March 2021 – Dr. MJ Sunny Zank, Professor of Music Emerita, Ohio Northern University

National League of American Pen Women Central Ohio Branch

Dr. Sunny Zank performing a piano duet with Virginia Campbell, then NLAPW National President

On March 7, 2021, Dr. Sunny will share with us her inspiration and methods for composing a recent commissioned “march” for a friend and officer of the Ohio Chapter of the Eastern Star, the women’s branch of the Masons.

Dr. Zank is past chair of the ONU University Council (the Council consists of the ONU President, all ONU Vice-Presidents, all College Deans, and elected representation from each of the five Colleges.). She served on the Board of Directors for Japan Studies Association, National American Schools of Music (NASM) Region 5 secretary, and the ONU Board of Trustees. She served CMS as a site host, program chair, and frequently as speaker and poster session presenter (Japanese music).

Her compositions (orchestral, choral, chamber music) have been performed across the U.S. and Canada. She served as adjudicator for the National American Pen Women music composition scholarship. As an active scholar she has presented papers at meetings of the American Musicological Society, the Sonneck Society, the College Music Society, and the Japan Studies Association. She has published over twenty prefaces to scores, of little known compositions, for Musikproduktion Hoeflich (Germany), and writes book and music reviews for the ASTA Journal.

Her teaching specialties are music theory/composition, music history and ethnomusicology (music of East Asia) and violin/viola and string ensemble. Dr. Zank holds degrees from the University of Oregon (B.A., M.A.) and the University of Northern Colorado (D.A.). She has been the recipient of awards from the Freeman Foundation and the Henry Luce fund, to study the music of East Asia at the East West Center of the University of Hawaii and Tokai University. Following her undergraduate work she did additional studies at the Franz Liszt Academy (Budapest), Mozarteum (Salzburg), and Trossingen Hochschule (Germany).

While “retired” Dr. Sunny accepted an invitation, from Virginia Campbell, to be the National Music Chair for the National League of American Pen Women from 2016-18.   Dr. Sunny runs a small violin/piano studio in the greater Lima Ohio area. This involves writing music for students and creating Musical Recitals/shows. A number of her students are Suzuki Violinists though her college preparation program is more traditional in focus.

April 2021 – Jane Flewellen, painter – Beauty and Light

National League of American Pen Women Central Ohio Branch

Jane Flewellen, Artist

Artist Statement

“I paint because I love beauty and light,” says Jane Flewellen. “We all experience pain and suffering in life. Yet, we can find respite and joy in beauty. I typically see more beauty in nature than in human-made objects. Nuances of color, and the interplay of shapes and values are intriguing. Inspiration comes when something remarkable catches my eye—it is just asking to be painted! Light and reflections are fascinating, especially those in glass. I’m often drawn to subjects with a dramatic contrast of light and dark. For me, light beyond the darkness symbolizes hope. My oil paintings capture these unique moments of beauty and light to share with others.

“Having grown up in the densely-wooded hills of New York, I am drawn to landscapes, trees and clouds. Often painting from my own photographs, I am also exploring the challenge of painting from direct observation of still lifes, figures, and the outdoors.”

“Jane’s paintings are filled with amazing light and emotion,” says Sharon Weiss of Sharon Weiss Gallery. “Her lovely landscapes take the observer to a mindful and spiritual place.”

Biography

Jane Flewellen grew up near New York City and its museums exposed her to great art. Her superb, high school art teacher provided challenging, college-level instruction. Jane studied Fine Arts at the University of Michigan, concentrating on drawing, painting, and art history. She is a graduate of The Ohio State University.

Jane’s award-winning paintings have been juried into the Ohio State Fair (professional division), the Zanesville Museum of Art, Bryn du Art, and numerous other exhibits in Ohio, Indiana and Virginia. Her works have been in solo, two-person, and invitational exhibits, including a solo exhibition at The Ohio State University Faculty Club. Her work was selected by the Ohio Percent for Art Program (which provides funds for the acquisition, commissioning and installation of works of art for new or renovated public buildings). Jane is represented by the Sharon Weiss Gallery in the Short North Arts District of Columbus, Ohio.

Jane is a member of the National League of American Pen Women (Art, Active Membership), the Ohio Art League, the Collage of Women Artists,  the Worthington Area Art League and the Peggy R. McConnell Arts Center of Worthington.

Website: janeflewellen.com
Email: jane@janeflewellen.com