Remembering a road trip

By Hope Wallace

There is nothing like a road trip to put the spark back into inspiration. I often travel to places to see how others are promoting the arts in their communities and I’m always on the lookout for new bands to bring in who help celebrate the visual arts by performing at our receptions. This weekend, I spent in Cleveland and Akron checking out a band called Vanity Crash who were not only showcasing some of their own songs but also providing a tribute to the late David Bowie. The evening started with a presentation on Bowie and illustrated how instrumental he was not only to the music industry but to film, visual arts and literary arts. This performance took place at “Musica” located in Akron. Musica is a venue known for popular music acts and up and coming musicians.  The next day brought us the fairly recently renovated Cleveland Museum of Art. If you haven’t been to visit, it’s a great destination. The renovation included extra exhibit space, a café-style gourmet restaurant located in a lofty mezzanine, which provides a hushed and relaxed feeling of being outdoors. People linger everywhere, not in a hurry to leave its peaceful space. Like many museums and art centers across the country, weekends see all kinds of interactive happenings including themed parties, regular musical performers and rental events.

STARTING TOMORROW! Evening Pottery Class with Megan: Wednesday March 23, 30, April 6, 13, 20, 27 from 6–8 p.m. Instructor: Megan Thomas. Megan has a Bachelor’s of Fine Arts Degree from Bowling Green State University where she concentrated in both 2D and 3D studies, graduating with a degree in ceramics. She is also serving as our new Event and Programming Coordinator and art instructor and has exhibited and sold work in Ohio, Louisiana, and Maine. Cost of the class is $70 members/$75 regular. Includes basic materials and new stock glazes. Some materials required. This is a 6-week session.

STARTING THURSDAY! Evening Drawing Class with Megan: Thursdays March 24, 31, March 24, 31, April 7, 14, 21, 28 6–8 p.m. This six-week course 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. Materials required: drawing pencils, kneaded eraser, drawing pad, ink pen and colored pencils.
$50 members/$55 regular. This is a six-week course.

ArtNight, Free! Thursday from 6–9 p.m. bring a friend, listen to some music, drink some wine and be a maker! We might even have a few projects you can work on if you have creator’s block!

Watercolor techniques (ongoing) Tuesdays 10 a.m.–noon.  Adults ages 18 and up. 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.

Acrylic Painting Class Fridays April 8, 15, 22, 29, 10 a.m.-noon.  Adults ages 18 and up.  $35 members, $40 regular. Instructor:  Pat Rayman. Cost of the class will be $35 members/$40 non-members. Materials required: 8″x10″ canvas paper pad, canvas boards, stretched canvas or artist panel boards (one per class) at least (5) tubes acrylic paint, white, black, red, blue and yellow, a drawing pencil, palette (we use foam or paper plates), kneaded eraser.

Exhibits and Calls for entry:

“Paws de résistance” opened on March 12 and will be on view until April 10. Check it out before they trot away.

Call for entry! “Winds of Change” exhibit. The wind can be exhilarating. It can also be challenging. So can change. Wassenberg Art Center is challenging artists to contemplate the breezes that tickle our imaginations. We’ll be accepting wind-themed artwork in painting, drawing, photography, and sculptural mediums. Artists are encouraged to consider the effect of wind and wind-based clean energy in their lives and in the regional landscape. Do you make mobiles, kinetic sculptures, or wind-swept landscapes? This exhibit is for you. Please submit your work, entry form, and fee before the May 1 deadline. You may enter up to 4 pieces. All works meeting submission requirements will be judged for the following cash awards: First Place: $400, Second Place: $150, Third Place: $75. Please call the art center or visit our website for more information. Entry deadline is May 1, 5 p.m. The exhibit opens on May 7 and a closing reception is scheduled for Friday, May 27, 6–9 p.m. Featured performer, international blues musician Radoslav Lorkovic, of Chicago, will be returning to provide live music on our baby grand and his accordion.

On April 17, we will open the Annual High School Invitational at 1 p.m. with an opening reception and award presentation. Students will be providing the live music and refreshments will be provided. If your young artist is within a 30-mile radius of Van Wert, please see your high school art instructor for details. Students do NOT currently need to be enrolled in a high school art class.

Call for entry! For 60 years the Wassenberg Art Center has hosted the Annual June Art Exhibit. Some of the first June Art Exhibits were hosted right here in our still new-to-us home, the former Van Wert Armory. While we embrace change, it’s good to come home to one of our favorite comforts, the Annual June Art Exhibit. Entries will be accepted Saturday & Sunday, May 13,14,15, from 1 – 5 p.m. Entry is open to all artists 18 and older. A non-refundable fee of $25 for Wassenberg Art Center members or $30 for non-members entitles the artist to submit up to three entries. Almost $2000 in total cash prizes will be awarded. Please call the art center or visit our website for more information. 
This exhibit opens on June 11 with a reception, featuring the return of The One-eyed Show of Saint Mary’s, which performed last year  behind the Wassenberg Art Center for Eats on the Streets.

For more information on exhibits or to sign up for classes and events visit: wassenbergartcenter.org. The Wassenberg Art Center is located at 214 South Washington Street (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.