Passion Works turns 25

THE ART STUDIO ‘MAKES VISIBLE THE SPIRIT OF ATHENS’

Passion Works Studio turns 25 in 2023 and its signature event, the Honey for the Heart parade, is back after a pandemic hiatus. Now, the Athens-based art studio known for its vibrant displays and rainbowcolored palette is helping to expand Ohio University’s campaign to reduce bias through open and respectful dialogue that extends beyond culture and background.

The Make Respect Visible campaign is a collaborative initiative between the Division for Diversity and Inclusion, Division of Student Affairs and University Communications and Marketing to create a baseline culture of respect for the OHIO community. Passion Works is an obvious bridge between the University and Athens community because of its ethos of treating all people with dignity and respect, particularly those with developmental differences.

“This is the continuation of building the community in which we want to live, and making visible the spirit of Athens,” said Patty Mitchell, executive director and founder of Passion Works. Mitchell is a two-time Ohio University graduate (BFA ’87, MFA ’91) who has elected to make Athens her home. She opened Passion Works 25 years ago, not only to make art that reflects the Athens community, but also to provide a space for artists with and without developmental differences to create art together.

This is one of the reasons why Passion Works is a natural partner for the initiative—the values of Make Respect Visible directly overlap with those of the studio, Mitchell said. The Make Respect Visible artwork created by Passion Works and Ohio University will be featured on banners, yard signs and stickers that will be displayed across the University and on Court Street. —Macklin Caruso

Every three years, Bobcats from around the world gather on the Athens Campus to revel in their OHIO memories and make new ones. This year, they also made history while building on the rich legacy of Ohio University’s Black graduates and friends whose love for and commitment to their alma mater spans decades. A record-breaking 2,000-plus Bobcats—some from as far away as Denmark, South Africa and Botswana—attended September’s Black Alumni Reunion, four days of OHIO love and togetherness. Photos by Rich-Joseph Facun, BSVC ’01