Eyes Wide Open at The Westcott House

The Westcott House Foundation teamed with Eyes Wide Open and OH10 New Media Center to put together an extraordinary project. The house opened its door to 12 artistically-inclined students who worked with photographers to learn the basics of photography and composition, and used high-end digital cameras to take photographs of The Westcott House. Throughout the project they had a chance to get up close and personal with Wright and his architecture, learning about the history of the house and its famous architect. The results were remarkable. During two nights, The Westcott House was transformed into a gallery space with a spectacular ambience created by OH10 New Media. Two pieces from each student were printed on canvas and displayed throughout the house. The masterpiece of architecture surprised and amazed us when we saw it again... through the eyes of the child.

Key Project Partners:
Ty Fischer, Founder and Director, Eyes Wide Open
Ty Fischer is an artist, photographer and entrepreneur. He is the founder of Fisch Ink, a graphic design and wide format printing company. Fischer started Eyes Wide Open to emphasize importance of art in our lives. Today, funding for art programs in our schools is limited or non-existent, yet when communities start revitalization efforts, the Arts are one of the first areas they look as a means of fueling change. The mission of Eyes Wide Open is to encourage children that through hard work, compassion, and creativity, you can not only follow your dreams, but live them.

Rod Hatfield, OH-10 New Media Center
Rod Hatfield is an artist and entrepreneur. He is a partner in Coactive Media/The Now Device based in Seattle, WA, and also the founder of the OH10 New Media Center in Springfield, Ohio. The mission of OH10 New Media Center is to generate a flashpoint for next edge culture, education and economic development in downtown Springfield. It is a collaborative project between Springfield, its community partners and a consortium of new media professionals, globally networked. Together they are transforming Springfield into a technical, creative and new media-friendly city, improving education, entertainment, business development and quality of life for the Springfield community and the state of Ohio. Hatfield's portfolio includes projects for VH-1, Intelsat, the United Nations, the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, MSN, Xbox, DirectX, RealNetworks, and Washington Mutual, among others.

The Westcott House Foundation
Inspired by the creative genius of Frank Lloyd Wright and the entrepreneurial spirit of Burton J. Westcott, the mission of The Westcott House Foundation is to provide experiences that foster an appreciation for their contributions to design and innovation, inspire creativity and promote an understanding of architectural principles and the design process. The vision of The Westcott House Foundation is to become a leading Frank Lloyd Wright house museum, a center of excellence for design integration and innovation and an integral part of the educational infrastructure of the region.