Wassenberg offers free exhibits

By Hope Wallace 

Not only does the Wassenberg Art Center celebrate local and regional art it brings to the Van Wert area national level exhibitions often involving artists and craftsmen from around the globe. Exhibits are free and so are the receptions. This mean you can come look at cool stuff, eat, listen to great music, and purchase a drink if you are so inclined.

What makes us different from a museum in the city? We have generous sponsors who help us with the costs associated with producing an art exhibit and Charles Wassenberg’s will stated that exhibits will be free. Aye Aye Captain. They are free.

The 147^th Annual American Watercolor Society exhibit coming to Van Wert is a big deal. The AWS is one of the premiere watercolor exhibits in the world and throughout its history has had notable artists included in their ranks such as Andrew Wyeth, Charles Burchfield, Childe Hassam and Edward Hopper. In 2014 more than 1,200 artists from throughout the United States and a dozen foreign countries submitted their work to a panel of jurors chosen from signature members of the AWS. Of these submissions (one per artist), 138 paintings were selected for the exhibition. Forty paintings from the show are selected for the Traveling Exhibition, which will tour museums and galleries across the country during the next year. The Wassenberg Art Center in Van Wert is one of those stops.

The exhibit will open on Saturday, January 24, in the Wendel gallery. Open to the public at no cost, regular gallery hours are Tuesday – Sunday 1-5 p.m. The 147^th Annual American Watercolor Society Exhibit will be on view until February 22. A free and open-to-the-public reception is also planned for 7–9 p.m. on January 24, and will feature a concert by international blues musician Radoslav Lorković. www.radoslavlorkovic.com. Lorković, born in Zagreb, Croatia moved to the U.S. at as a child and at age 20 began touring with Bo Ramsey and the Sliders. Since then his full career has taken him all over the world from small stages to large venues such as the Kennedy Center and Carnegie Hall. Free Hors d’oeuvres, and spirits will be available for purchase.

The Wassenberg Art Center is whittling down your excuses to learn how to create something. In addition to our regular morning watercolor class, evening art classes will resume in February. We will begin providing acrylic painting classes with instructor Kathy Funderburg of Bryan, pottery classes with Brandon Knott and a stained glass instruction with Jerry Mazur and even more on the horizon.

Make a “take-home, stained glass, I-did-that” project that you can be proud of. Beginning on Thursdays, Feb. 5–March 12, from 6:30–8:30 p.m. we will host another stained glass class for ages 15–125. This six-week class, taught by Jerry Mazur will cover leading techniques, copper foiling, other items and costs $55 members/$60 non-members.

Don’t have time for a full painting course? Our next Vine & Palette session will be on Tuesday, Feb. 3 from 6:30–9 p.m. Cabin fever is bound to be setting in and we have the perfect antidote! The event includes all painting materials and first glass of wine. Participants may bring a snack to share if they wish. We even provide aprons, because we like to get messy! The cost is $30 for members and $35 for non-members. (21 and over)

Need a great party idea? Vine & Palettes can be designed for private and corporate parties and a Snack/Pizza & Palette version is available for young people. Give us a call to find out more.

Feb. 10–March 3 from 5:30–7:30 p.m. An Acrylic Painting class, (ages 15–125) will be conducted by widely-shown artist and instructor Kathy Funderburg. Kathy attended University of Kansas and the Art Institute of Pittsburg. She has worked for major corporations in graphic design, illustrated children’s books, and designed a line of greeting cards which was later purchased by Mary Kay corporation. Kathy has exhibited her drawings and paintings around the country and has become a popular educator in private instruction, workshops and as an instructor at Defiance College. Cost of this course is $35 members/$40 non-members. Materials fee $20 or you may provide your own.

Feb. 11 –April 1 from 6–8 p.m. Basic Pottery with Brandon Knott of “It’s Knott Pottery” in Continental begins for a full eight-week course (ages 15–125). All areas of creating with clay will be covered by Brandon including, throwing on the wheel, slab work and sculpture. Brandon Knott holds a Bachelors of Science degree in Visual Art and a Masters in Education from Defiance College. Brandon has operated his business “it’s Knott Pottery” since 1995, www.itsknottpottery.com. Brandon has taught at Bryan High School since 2006, where runs a nationally competitive ceramics program which has won numerous awards. He has taught at Defiance College and held workshops at many area art centers. Cost of this course is $65 members/$70 non-members. Materials included.

Watercolor class continues on Tuesday mornings starting at 10 a.m. This is an ongoing class taught by Pat Rayman. Persons are encouraged to jump in anytime and the class is sold in monthly increments. $35 for members and $40 for non-members.

Sign up soon classes are kept small for more in-depth attention. More types of classes will be announced in the near future so check back often.

For information on exhibits, classes and programs listed on there as well. The Wassenberg Art Center is located at 214 South Washington Street (former Van Wert Armory). We can be reached by telephone at: 419.238.6837, email: info@wassenbergartcenter.org and our website is: wassenbergartcenter.org.