The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
ArtsFest to fill the Downtown Willoughby with art, music
Do you have a Bucket List? I have one in my head but don’t really think about it unless someone mentions it. Summer vacations are good time to achieve some of these goals, and so my story begins.
I helped my husband check off a major goal on his list this month — Cedar Point’s hellish coasters. We hadn’t been in decades, and his recent motorcycle trip did not satisfy his need for speed and thrill, so off we went. Steel Vengeance, Maverick, Millennium Force and Magnum XL-200 did their job and created an unforgettable experience. Enough said.
Now I am addressing my own list — returning to Lakeland Community College in Kirtland to satisfy my need to create in clay or metals. I still have tools for both, and a visit to Lakeland’s website shows my favorite jew- elry instructor, Jane Wiemer, is still teaching — yay! And I am looking forward to meeting the current ceramics professor, J. Derek O’Brien. It’s time for me to make a decision and forge ahead. How about you? There is an abundance of opportunities out there, from one-day classes to a short series to a full semester. Check them out at local art or community centers, galleries, museums and schools.
Have an artsy friend? Plan your own class. Have an art-inspired patio party and paint wine glasses — just remember to let the paint dry before you
it. Need to rekindle your creative juices? Visit a museum or an art festival. There is a great one coming up this weekend — Willoughby ArtsFest.
Willoughby ArtsFest
The 27th annual Willoughby ArtsFest will take over Downtown Willoughby from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. July 21. The streets will be closed and lined with more than 130 juried artists featuring an assortment of artistic styles and media: paintings, pottery, photography, jewelry, textiles, recycled, mixed media and more. The event is free and family-friendly.
There will be musical entertainment on the gazebo in the shade of Wes Point Park and on the streets, along with an assortment of specialty food vendors and popular food trucks.
Last year, a children’s section was added to give kids of all ages a hands-on experience with art. This year, the Kids Studio will include arts and crafts, face painting and an opportunity to paint a car — with markers.
Buy tickets to the art raffle, 6 for $5; you can win beautiful pieces donated by participating artists. Visit the Wine Tent and remember to pop into the storefront establishments, as well. Downtown Willoughby has a great selection of shops and restaurants.
For information, visit WilloughbyArtsFest.com.
Art Gallery
“Sweet Treats” is the theme of the new show at the Art Gallery, 38721 Mentor Ave., Suite 1, Willoughby. It will be open through Aug. 3.
“Artists were invited to submit their idea of sweet treats,” gallery owner George Ann Trembour said. “Some of the results are delightfully humorous. The artists have worked in a variety of media: watercolor, pastels, acrylics, metal, etc. Please stop in and see the crazy world of ‘Sweet Treats.’”
For more information, call the gallery at 440946-8001.
Lakeland Gallery
Artists from Cleveland and Pittsburgh are uniting in a unique show in The Gallery at Lakeland, 7700 Clocktower Drive, Kirtland. Curated by John Morris from Pittsburgh, “ARTBELT: New Art from the Rustbelt” highlights the many talented artists found in this region of the country.
“I’m doing something new,” Gallery Coordinator Mary Urbas said. “I invited a guest curator to collaborate with me for my summer community outreach show. I wanted to re-establish contact with the Pittsburgh art community. In my former life, I did the art fair circuit from 1979-98 and used to do the 3 Rivers Arts Festival and Fair in Mellon Park every year.”
The opening artists’ reception is set for 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. July 22, a Sunday, to give the out-oftown artists an opportunity to attend. The show runs through Sept. 7.
In Morris’ curator statement, he writes: “‘Artbelt’ is, hopefully, the first in a series of exhibits and collaborations exploring art in the former ‘Rust Belt.’”
These 29 artists from greater Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Akron, Youngstown, Canton and Warren represent a variety of approaches, including Amber N. Ford’s sensitive documentary photos; Susan Constanse’s organic abstraction; Dragana Crnjak’s conceptually informed painting; Laura and Garry Dumm’s biting-but-humorous social commentary; and the folk, scifi constructions of Ryder Henry.
Is there a “Rust Belt” aesthetic? I don’t know, but many of these artists seem to have a knack for reusing humble materials, appreciating subtle beauty, laughing at tragedy and making the most out of very little.
All shows are free and open to the public. Contact Urbas for more information at 440-525-7029.
Stella’s Art Gallery
There are a variety of class offerings, including Try-It Tuesdays with Jodi Baldacci, paint night programs and more available at Stella’s Art Gallery, 8500 Station St., Mentor.
Follow the gallery on Facebook and check out stellasartgallery.com for upcoming opportunities.
Digital artist Tracy Zakraysek is the featured artist at Stella’s Art Gallery.
Photographers have until Aug. 3 to prepare work for “Photographers Only,” which will open on Aug. 10. Work will be accepted from 11:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Aug. 3. Valley Art Center In January Valley Art Center, 155 Bell St., Chagrin Falls, began its first in a three-year series of exhibits exploring concepts of identity through three themes: “People,” “Places” and “Things.” The first exhibit fas “PEOPLE,” and the next is “PLACES.”
The entry process will begin July 23 and must be made by visiting valleyartcenter.org/calls-to-entry. html. Call 440-247-7507 for more information.