Art center freaks out

By Hope Wallace

Whoa…Van Wert – Thank you! A huge round of gratitude is extended to all of you smiling people who attended Doctor Wassenstein’s Freak Show! The Doctor has decreed the party a success and promises to return in some form next year. Everyone appeared to be having a great time and that makes us here at the art center happy. We also noticed how much work and imagination was put into your extremely creative costumes! Wow.

Hmmmm, people are creating costumes, sets, decorations, music… THAT is a great thing. Costumes are a great form of self-expression, which in turn equals art.

We could never pull this sort of event off if it weren’t for our dedicated board of directors and volunteers who put in many hours of hard work to bring Van Wert a stand-alone social event. To all who gave up their evenings and worked tirelessly often into the wee morning hours and to those who donated equipment or other items, thank you.

Calls for entry have gone out for our Annual Artist Members’ Exhibit & Sale. Art check-in days are Nov. 14 and 15. Please call the art center or visit our website for a copy of the prospectus and official rules. This is a fun, all media exhibit, which is judged for awards. All works are accepted in this show and just in time for the holiday shopping season! This exhibit opens on Nov. 21 with a reception from 6-9 p.m. Shop for unique gifts while supporting local artists. Live music will be provided by Matt Keeler and the Blues Revelers. The Blues Revelers play a mix of Celtic, bluegrass and folk on antique instruments. Your toes will be tapping, we guarantee. Free hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar will be available. All Wassenberg Art Center exhibits and receptions are free and open to the public.

We still have the 38^th annual Wassenberg Photography Exhibit on view through Nov. 8. Be sure to stop by soon and check out these stunning images from both local and regional photographers. Kindly sponsored by Citizens National Bank.

Pottery Class will reconvene with instructor Brandon Knott beginning on Nov. 4, from 6-8 p.m. Cost of the class is $65 for WAC members and $70 for non-members.  Materials included. Sign up soon, this class fills quickly!

Don’t forget Art Night is back! Every Thursday at 7 p.m. we open up our doors, paint and clay bins, a wine bottle and turn on the tunes. Do you like to play the piano? Great! Come on in. Grab a friend and any project you are working on or start something new. You project can be a craft, painting, sculpture, whatever you feel like creating. Gather, relax, hang out with friends and make stuff. An instructor will be on hand. We’re here to help. Best of all, it’s free. We meet every Thursday evening at 7-9 p.m.

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. (former Van Wert Armory). We can also be reached by telephone at: 419.238.6837, email: info@wassenbergartcenter.org and our website is: wassenbergartcenter.org.