Festival Crowds
By Carol Stoops
Of all the sights and sounds of summer, perhaps festivals best capture the spirit of creativity and community so characteristic of Dayton. For Carol Stoops, the festival atmosphere provided the character and color she was looking for. “In my vision of a festival, I see vibrant colors, throngs of strolling folks, a cacophony of smells and sounds, and a sense of celebration,” Stoops says. One of the area’s biggest celebrations is Oktoberfest, the annual Dayton Art Institute fundraiser. This year’s event will take place September 23-25 on the grounds of DAI. Don’t miss it!
About Carol Stoops
This Canton, Ohio, native started her career in the medical field, earning her bachelor’s degree in nursing from Case Western Reserve. But life had different plans for Stoops. “I retired as a nurse in 2009 and my art has been blossoming ever since,” says Stoops, who received her artistic training from C.S. Mott College (Flint, Mich.), John Herron School of Art (Indianapolis), and the Indianapolis Art League. “It is exciting and fulfilling to have a greater opportunity to express myself through art. As I nourish my creative spirit and focus on the dialogue with my paintings, I am on a journey to produce my unique images.”