Chocolate walk, drawing classes, watercolor show, oh my!

By Hope Wallace

Walk with the chocolate day draws nearer. We will be pairing chocolate and wine for the 2016 Main Street Chocolate Walk on Feb. 5, 4:30–8:30 p.m. We are the last stop on this choco-trail and will be featuring a wine-down spot for you to relax and warm up. Live music on our baby grand by the glorious Gloria Wendel and then Jake Wilder. We will be pairing wine with gourmet chocolates and perhaps offer a signature chocolate cocktail along with savory snacks to take the edge off any overworked sweet teeth.

On Feb. 7 from 1–5 p.m. we will open one of our favorite shows, the Ohio Watercolor Society Exhibit. This year there are many new pieces showing bold and unusual styles and saturated color that drowns out winter. Live music by Zak Ward of Toledo, free refreshments and cash bar. The exhibit will be displayed from Feb. 7–28. Regular gallery hours are Tuesday through Sunday, 1–5 p.m.

If you don’t already have plans for Valentine’s on Feb. 13, plan to be at the Wass. It’s still a mystery-check back, but we do know some entertaining old friends will be joining us.

Our art class and programs line up.

Drawing for the Fraidy Cat will be on Feb. 4, 11, 18, 25, 6–8 p.m.  Instructor: Megan Thomas. 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.

Improving Drawing Skills, a class taught by instructor Pat Rayman, will be held on Fridays during February.  It will begin Feb. 5 and run through the month 10 a.m. to noon each Friday. Among many other things, studens will learn about using light and shadow effects for more realistic images.  The fee is $30 for 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 5 p.m.–midnight, continues Saturday, January 23, from 9am – midnight, and Sunday, Jan. 24, 9 a.m.– 5 p.m. 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 Sunday, Jan. 24 – $15 Creative Memories, Stampin Up, and Close To My Heart will provide a chance to shop. All three days – $40. Please call Pam at 419.238.1062 or the art center at 419.238.6837.

Don’t forget ArtNight happens every Thursday night. 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.

What a great spot for private parties! We can provide space and an art activity for corporate events too! Give our Event & Program Coordinator, Megan a call and we can line something up for you. Our Vine & Palette paintings are original to us and we encourage exploration and experimentation with all our V & P guests. We even provide custom themes and can create a project for your group.

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.