The Van Wert County Courthouse

Friday, Mar. 29, 2024

Art center landscaping will begin soon

By Hope Wallace 

Detail of a sculpture that will be installed on the Wassenberg Art Center property during the final landscaping this spring. (Photo submitted.)
Detail of a sculpture that will be installed on the Wassenberg Art Center property during the final landscaping this spring. (Photo submitted.)

Those first warm days of spring are intoxicating. I want to play outside all day long, everyone is restless for the warm sun on skin feeling. This also brings the anticipation of our landscape work beginning soon! The oasis of the Wassenberg is about to expand to our out-of-doors very soon, and an oasis it will be. Green grass, grouped plantings, a fishpond, meandering paths and many trees will create a mini-central park in downtown Van Wert. Seth Baker, Van Wert County Foundation Secretary who is also a landscape designer, further designed the grounds. A sculpture, reflecting our agricultural roots will be installed on the southwest corner of the building as our second of many sculptures that will grace the property eventually. This sculpture, which utilizes found steel objects, was created by Richard Morgan of Wauseon and stands almost eight feet high.

We at the Wassenberg Art Center challenge you to continue to grow creative place making in Van Wert. Is it our sole responsibility? Not on your life. However, we are happy to lead the charge. Creating in Van Wert and looking at old spaces with fresh eyes and ideas is crucial to the survival of a place that is engaging to live in. Take a chance, be daring. If Detroit after losing half of its inhabitants and still faced with acres of abandoned buildings can begin the rebuild, so can a community of 10,000 persons.

Our Annual High School Invitational will open on April 26 with an opening reception from 1- 5 p.m. and be on view through May 15. We continue to brainstorm new creative outlets to our area with our exhibits, classes and events. Our ArtReach classes are preparing for their puppet-type production of the children’s classic, Frederick. (Frederick is a mouse whose skills don’t necessarily fall in-line with typical mouse skills, however he brings to his mouse family a meaningful gift). In addition to live music, and a hot-dog bar, the play will premier during our High School Invitational exhibit opening, Sunday April.

 

Come to our next Vine & Palette on Tuesday, April 7 from 6:30–9 p.m. Welcome in spring with friends, wine and a fresh swath of color! The class is filling up so give us a call. The session 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)

Our ongoing adult watercolor class continues on Tuesday mornings starting at 10 a.m. and the instructor is 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! This class fills quickly and for good reason! Pottery with Brandon Knott will start on April 22 at 6 p.m. This will be another 8-week long course ending on June 10. New techniques are going to be explored and as the weather warms we’ll take to the outdoors and dig holes for raku!

For more information on exhibits or to sign for classes and events visit wassenbergartcenter.org. The Wassenberg Art Center is located at 214 S. Washington St. (the old Armory building). We can also be reached by telephone at: 419.238.6837, email: info@wassenbergartcenter.org and our website is: wassenbergartcenter.org.

POSTED: 04/01/15 at 12:41 pm. FILED UNDER: What's Up at Wassenberg?