It’s not too soon to start that holiday gift buying. And if you’re looking for something for that art enthusiast in your life, Stark ARThology should be at the top of your list. Published by Canton’s own Indigo Ink Press, this coffee table style, hardcover book features work from 69 Northeast Ohio artists representing a variety of media. It’s the brainchild of Jessica Bennett, executive director and publisher of Indigo Ink (and our very own Buzzbin Art Editor!) “I came up with the idea of starting a nonprofit press in Canton because I love two things equally – great literature and smart marketing. Publishing is the perfect marriage,” Bennett explains. “The book itself seemed like the obvious foray for Indigo Ink into the publishing world because of how dedicated this community is to the arts. We secured an ArtsinStark special project grant to publish this first title and haven’t looked back- everything has really come together, and quickly!” It was rigorous process to see the project come to light. Planning for the book began in January 2010 and a few months later 162 artists had each submitted three samples of their work for consideration. An advisory committee of art lovers (including Canton Museum of Art Executive Director M.J. Albacete and Robb Hankins, president and CEO of ArtsinStark, the Stark County Arts Council, to name a few) narrowed the selection down to 69 artists. They then had the difficult task of choosing which piece of art to feature from each. The end result is an eclectic mix of styles and media, from watercolor artists like Ted Lawson (whose painting “Mini Bittner” is the book’s cover art) and Nancy Stewart Matin, to steel sculptures from Patrick Buckohr and Joseph Close, and digital designs from Billy Ludwig and Derek Zimmerman. And that’s just barely scratching the surface. The book’s Nov. 19 release date incidentally coincides with Indigo Ink’s first birthday. And what a way to celebrate! In conjunction with the ARThology’s release, there will also be an exhibit at the Canton Museum of Art. It kicks off with a launch party on the Nov. 19, and the exhibit continues through Nov. 28. Launch party tickets are available for $25, which includes admission to the exhibit, an open bar and dessert bar. Guests who pre-order a copy of Stark ARThology receive a $5 discount. Tickets are available online at starkarthology.eventbrite.com. Can’t make it opening night? No worries, the museum is offering free admission for all guests on Nov. 20 and 21 from 1 to 4 p.m. After that, admission to the exhibit is at the regular museum rate and during regular hours. Stark ARThology is just one more example of collaboration in the arts community. David C. Kaminski, former Canton Repository editor, wrote the foreword. Local photographers Tim Belden, Michael Barath and Thom Metz volunteered their time to photograph all the artwork and the artists for the book. And Al Albacete, Mary Byrne and Lynnda Arrasmith, along with the rest of the CMA staff, helped arrange the companion Stark ARThology exhibit. “I think we do a great job of supporting the arts in Stark County, but we can do more to support the artists- this is our small way of supporting them, getting their names out there and letting people experience their work on a new level,” Bennett says. “In the same way, the literary arts have not been elevated quite to the heights of the visual or performing arts here in our region. Indigo Ink Press, and our future books, is an attempt to elevate the literary arts regionally and to a great extent, even nationally.” You can order your copy directly from Indigo Ink Press (IndigoInkPress.org) or from Amazon.com, BN.com. Borders (at the Strip), Backlist Books in Massillon, The Canton Museum of Art and Massillon Museum and almost all of the downtown Canton galleries. Of course, it will also be available at Buzzbin Art & Music Shop and many other local specialty retailers. Stark ARThology Stark County Art • Stark County Artists Edited by Jessica Bennett / Foreword by David C. Kaminski 978-0-9828330-0-1 1st Edition, Shrink-Wrapped with Jacket 9 x 11.5 in, 80 pp, 138 color photographs $29.95