The Week Of Sullivan

If you've ever wondered about how and why the Home Building Association bank came into being, now is your chance to experience firsthand the beauty and majesty of Louis Sullivan's grand design at the Sullivan Welcome Center. Our docent-led tours will walk you through the history of the building and give you a closer look at the hand-stenciled Banking Hall murals, the stunning use of gold leaf, the opalescent glass windows, and the serpentine-clad wainscot of the building. The second floor, formerly the bank's executive suite, and the lower level, originally housing the bank's marketing department, will also be available to tour, offering a unique and fascinating insight into the building's past.

Joe Tebben, a Newark resident, and retired Classics professor at The Ohio State University is considered to be one of the foremost local experts on the evolution of the Home Building Association bank. Joe will share insights on his research and the parallel lives of bank president Emmet Baugher and famed Chicago architect Louis Sullivan as the two conceive the Newark Jewel Box.

His book, The Old Home, is not just a chronicle of the history of this national landmark, but a compelling read for Louis Sullivan and Newark fans, offering unique insights into the one hundred and ten-year-old building. Explore Licking County is proud to host this drop-in book discussion in the beautifully restored Sullivan Welcome Center - the very space where the history of the Home Building Association of Newark unfolded, making it the perfect venue for this event.

Newark High School has a long history and tradition of sharing the performing arts with the community. From the Pride of Newark marching band to their many ensemble bands, these talented young adults are not just performers, they are a powerhouse of creativity and energy, inspiring in their artistry.

Having their decorated brass quartet perform in the stunning space of the Sullivan Welcome Center, is sure to be a performance worth dropping in for.

With selections from their catalog of music, the high ceilings and serpentine walls of this newly renovated landmark are sure to witness the moment with the music and flair that only Newark High School's young musicians can produce.

Explore Licking County is proud to present the work of Markgraf Clayworks and Graham Judge at the Sullivan Welcome Center in this exciting collaborative exhibition of glass and pottery. Artisan Alchemy is the coming together and juxtaposition of two of the world's oldest art forms: pottery and glasswork.

The Artists:

Graham Judge, a native of Newark, Ohio, brings a deep passion for glass art and education to his role as manager of the Glass Studio at The Works. His journey in glassblowing began in 2013 in Burnsville, North Carolina, where he assisted Dylan Katz and later Rob Levine.

For seven years, Graham honed his craft assisting Aaron Buchholz, a former glass artist at The Works. His experience also includes time at the Franklin Park Conservatory and the Ohio Museum of Glass, where he further developed his skills and industry knowledge.

Markgraf Clayworks, founded and operated by Karen and Tom Markgraf, is based in Granville, Ohio, with a teaching studio located on the square in downtown Newark. Their practice encompasses ceramic art, pottery, and sculpture that merge natural elements with classical forms, enriched by an earthy palette. While certain works reflect a whimsical sensibility—such as the face cups and snake steins—others engage with the deeper cultural and historical resonances of clay as a material.

Explore Licking County is proud to host the work of Joe Sinsabaugh for this two-day-only pop-up gallery experience in the beautifully re-imagined Sullivan Welcome Center. This curated show will feature pieces of Joe's collection that are not only thought-provoking but also inspirational in their composition.

A bit about Joe and his work:

Joe is a multimedia artist, pilot, and tree farmer who has spent most of his life exploring and fine-tuning his craft. He studied painting and sculpture at The Taft School and Duke University before further studying painting and drawing in France.

Much of his inspiration comes from the natural world and prehistoric culture. From landscapes to mobiles to magnified florals and skulls, he uses paints and pastels to highlight the importance of harmony, flow, and detail in nature. Joe's creations display the confluence of intense observation, diverse influence, and honed skill. His work has been exhibited around the country, from Cincinnati to Albuquerque. He currently lives on a farm in the rolling hills of central Ohio.

The Banking Hall of the newly renovated Sullivan Welcome Center will be the perfect location for a unique experience - the live piano stylings of Licking County resident Peter Larson. A long-time friend of Explore Licking County, Peter will be playing a selection of piano jazz that is sure to fill this magnificent space with his inspired artistry.

Peter is, the co-composer of the off-Broadway Musical Brownstone, which won the prestigious 1984 Richard Rodgers Award from the American Academy of Arts and Letters. His illustrious career is studded with original songs composed with Josh Rubins and recorded by renowned American singers like Dionne Warwick, Bette Midler, Michael Crawford, Liz Callaway, and others.

Explore Licking County is proud to host the work of Joe Sinsabaugh for this two-day-only pop-up gallery experience in the beautifully re-imagined Sullivan Welcome Center. This curated show will feature pieces of Joe's collection that are not only thought-provoking but also inspirational in their composition.

A bit about Joe and his work:

Joe is a multimedia artist, pilot, and tree farmer who has spent most of his life exploring and fine-tuning his craft. He studied painting and sculpture at The Taft School and Duke University before further studying painting and drawing in France.

Much of his inspiration comes from the natural world and prehistoric culture. From landscapes to mobiles to magnified florals and skulls, he uses paints and pastels to highlight the importance of harmony, flow, and detail in nature. Joe's creations display the confluence of intense observation, diverse influence, and honed skill. His work has been exhibited around the country, from Cincinnati to Albuquerque. He currently lives on a farm in the rolling hills of central Ohio.

Opening a year before the Home Building Association's new location opened in 1915, the Dager family and Velvet Ice Cream have both been vital to the Licking County story. It seems so beautifully appropriate to bring these two centuries-plus attractions together to celebrate the reopening of the Sullivan Welcome Center.