Wassenberg Art Center news 12/30/15

By Hope Wallace

Bon Voyage 2015. You have been yet another whirlwind of events, classes, exhibits and being an integral part of the community. Thank you to everyone who participated and joined us in membership and by being involved. We have another great year planned for 2016 so stay tuned and have a wonderful remaining holiday.

Thank you so far Van Wert! Our “Warm up the Ridge” project is on its way t to Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota where warm clothing items will be distributed persons in danger of bitter weather. Warm up the Ridge is an effort organized by the owner of our David Humphreys Miller collection, the Brent Stevens family. You all contributed 150 coats and jackets, and over 17 garbage bags of gloves, hats, scarves, boots and blankets! Pine Ridge Reservation is where most of the descendants of the Lakota (Sioux) warriors whose portraits hang on our wall reside. Marian Whitemouse, a family member of Dewey Beard and John Moves Camp is heading up the drive for warm coats to be distributed to those in need on the reservation. Pine Ridge is the site of third-world living conditions, 80 percent unemployment, widespread gang violence and dramatically high disease and mortally rates.

Our classes will be reconvening on the following dates.

Every Wednesdays, Jan. 13 – Feb. 10 from 6–8 p.m. Basic Pottery with well-known, professional potter Brandon Knott renews for a 5-week course (ages 15–125)! All areas of pottery will be covered by Brandon including, wheel, slab work, sculpture and even raku! 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.

Drawing for the Fraidy Cat. Instructor: Megan Thomas. Jan. 7, 14, 21, 28, 6–8 p.m. Stick people are people too! This class is for anyone who would like to dabble but have had trouble putting pencil to paper. There are NO mistakes so give it a try. You will be surprised at the results. Megan Thomas is a ceramic artist and the new Event and Programming Coordinator for the Wassenberg Art Center. She has a Bachelor’s of Fine Arts Degree from Bowling Green State University. She has exhibited and sold work in Ohio, Louisiana, and Maine. $30 members/$35 regular.

Classic Watercolors (adult) Tuesdays 10 a.m.–noon, ongoing. Instructor: Pat Rayman Students will learn some of the classic and time-tested watercolor techniques for a solid base and further their watercolor painting skills. Wet on wet, dry brush and other tricks will be demonstrated and explored. This class is ongoing but we encourage you to jump in anytime. $35 members, $40 non-members. Materials required: Watercolors, watercolor paper (140 lb), brushes, palette (we use foam/paper plates), drawing pencil, eraser, permanent black pen.

Eat. Talk. Crop. Scrapbooking Marathon. Come spend a weekend working on your favorite photos! The crop starts on Friday, Jan. 22, at 5pm – midnight, continues Saturday, Jan. 23, from 9am – midnight, and Sunday, Jan. 24, 9am – 5pm. Bring your photos, paper, favorite drink, and a treat to share. Dinner on Saturday and lunch on Sunday will be provided. Limited to 35 Scrapaholics. Friday, Jan. 22 – $10 Cricut machines and cartridges will be available. Saturday, Jan. 23 – $20 Creative Memories, Stampin Up, and Close To My Sunday, Jan. 24 – $15 Heart will provide a chance to shop. All 3 days – $40. Please call Pam at 419.238.1062 or the art center at 419.238.6837.

Don’t forget ArtNight will be starting back up again on Jan. 7. What is ArtNight? We open up our doors, our bar, turn on the tunes so you can come and make stuff. We may even have a project or two available. Do you like to play the piano or guitar? Great! You can bring in a project you like, painting, sculpture, whatever you feel like creating. An instructor will be on hand to help. Best of all, it’s free! So grab a friend or come alone, we are friendly.

More classes to be added soon to keep us out of trouble (or in) during the winter!

Would you like to gather with friends for a private Vine & Palette Party? Give our Event & Program Coordinator, Megan a call and we can line something up for you! Our paintings are original and we encourage exploration and experimentation with all our V & P guests. We even provide custom themes.

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.