Buckeye Book Fair’s artist program comes to conclusion
For several days, Andy J. Pizza traveled around to area schools, delivering a series of workshops for students that combined music, storytelling and illustration. Known for his ability to connect with students, especially those navigating neurodiverse experiences, Pizza used his own journey with ADHD to inspire kids to embrace obstacles as opportunities for creative growth.
Late in 2024, Pizza, an artist, speaker and educator, was named an artist in residence by the Buckeye Book Fair, thanks to a GIG Grant from Arts Midwest, serving Wayne, Ashland and Holmes county schools.
The GIG Fund provides flexible grants to nonprofit organizations to support programs and activities featuring professional artists. These grants help cover artist fees, accessibility accommodations and marketing efforts, making it possible to bring creative programming to underserved communities.
“Hard and bad are not the same thing” was the central theme of Pizza’s workshops, where students were encouraged to view challenges in a new light, understanding the best creative breakthroughs often come from the most difficult moments. With a draw-along activity and a mix of humor and honesty, Pizza showed students how creativity can be found in everyday life and how embracing individuality can lead to their most innovative ideas.
Students, particularly those who are reluctant readers or shy, found themselves immediately captivated.
“Weston was elated when we came back to the room after the assembly,” fifth grade teacher Jenny Brooker said. “He felt such a connection with Andy and appreciated that Andy shared his personal experience with ADHD. He said he felt like Andy was him in the future.”
These types of personal connections are exactly what Pizza hopes to achieve.
But the residency didn’t stop there. The culminating event at Greystone Event Center allowed students to showcase their artistic creations to their families and the community. As families gathered, Pizza shared stories of his own creative journey, reinforcing the lessons taught at the schools. This final event also celebrated the Excellence Awards, an annual tradition honoring young authors in Wayne County for their writing.
This year’s winners — ranging from a third-grader’s tale of a hunt to an eighth-grader’s tribute to veterans — were celebrated for their dedication to storytelling. Students had the chance to not only see their writing recognized, but also to showcase their artwork in front of family members and peers.
“This residency has been a game-changer,” said Kimberly Jarvis, executive director of the Buckeye Book Fair. “We’re proud to bring such high-quality, inspiring programming to our rural communities. It’s about more than just books; it’s about giving our students the tools to visualize, create and overcome their challenges.
“Andy J. Pizza’s message of self-love and creativity is something that will stay with these kids for a lifetime.”
For many students in rural areas, the concept of being a creator — whether in art, writing or another form — can seem like a distant dream. This residency showed them creativity doesn’t have to be a far-off goal; it’s something that can be nurtured right in their own community. Pizza’s approach broke down barriers, encouraging students to take ownership of their stories and embrace their creative voices.
For the Buckeye Book Fair, this residency was not just about fostering a love for art, but also about building community and forging lasting relationships with school administrators, parents and students.
For more information on the Buckeye Book Fair’s programs and upcoming events, visit www.buckeyebookfair.org or follow on social media.