People
Geoff Eacker, Director
Geoff Eacker is the Director of the Art Center and instructor for the Basic Woodworking sprint class. His formal training was as a commercial photographer in central Florida. After moving to the Midwest, he gradually shifted his professional activity to woodworking. While Geoff's main interest is the construction of banjos and guitars, he also designs and builds furniture.
In 1997 Geoff was the co-recipient of a Rockefeller Foundation for the Humanities grant to become the first of many Scholars-in-Residence at Marshall University's Center for the Study of Ethnicity and Gender in Appalachia, Huntington, West Virginia. At Marshall his research focused on women banjo players in Appalachia. The results of this semester long project was a multi-media traveling exhibit featuring Geoff's photographs entitled "Banjo Women in West Virginia and Eastern Kentucky." To date "Banjo Women " has appeared at ten venues in four states.
Geoff received a National Endowment for the Humanities/ Ohio Humanities Council Grant in 1998 to create a multi-media exhibit featuring the life and music of the influential banjo player and longtime Hamilton, Ohio resident, the late Pete Steele. The exhibit was displayed at the Fitton Center for the Creative Arts in Hamilton, Ohio in January 1999.
Geoff's instruments have been featured in the music publications, "Frets" and "The Oldtime Herald," the national exhibit "The Music Makers", at The Dairy Barn in Athens, Ohio, and in the collection of musicians including singer/songwriter, Joni Mitchell.
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Janis Lackey, Administrative Assistant
Janis Lackey holds the dual position of Administrative Assistant in the Art Center and Workshop Coordinator for the CraftSummer program. She has held these positions since joining the Miami staff in April 2008. Janis enjoys working with students in both programs, especially those new to the visual arts.
Contact Janis if you're interested in Art Center membership or have questions about art sprint classes held in Rowan Hall.