The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Lots going on at Valley Art Center in Chagrin Falls
There’s no getting around it: Black Friday is quickly approaching.
It’s kinda funny when you think about it. Black Friday. Such a dark name for the gateway to such a colorful season of decorations, shiny ornaments, glittering gifts, twinkling lights and big red bows and garland. Thanksgiving plans are well underway, holiday baking has begun, and many a light displays is up and waiting for the countdown for the switch to be flipped.
It’s the season of the most creative home decorating, both inside and out. Lighting displays, wreaths, swags and more with evergreens bring it all together. There are workshops — see what follows — to get you started without making a mess at home, but I have a quickand-simple tip to set the mood as to you begin.
Pick up some red carnations or roses and a small bundle of greens, or if you have holly or juniper at home just snip off a couple of branches and arrange them in a vase with the red flowers. Add a spritz of pine scent or cinnamon to the air and you’ll be ready to pull out the Christmas cards.
Remember, too, that Black Friday is followed by Small Business Saturday, Nov. 24. Shop local and keep your hometown economy healthy. FYI: I do know that the name Black Friday refers to retailers’ finances moving from the red and into the black. So get out there and help them out, especially the little guys.
A trip to a gallery, museum or craft fair with a friend is a great way to get ideas for shopping as well as to jump start your own creative process.
Valley Art Center
It was an amazing opening event at Valley Art Center, 155 Bell St., Chagrin Falls, for the 47th annual juried Art Exhibit. More than 400 art lovers came to show their support for the show and its artists last week.
Eighty-eight artworks created by 79 artists representing 44 cities in Ohio, Michigan and Pennsylvania will be on exhibit through Dec. 12. New this year is the Frank and Yolita Rausche People’s Choice Award. Be sure to pick up a ballot in the gallery to cast a vote for the piece you think is the best. The winner will be announced before the show closes.
Congratulations to Jennifer Leach, winner of the Best in Show award for her linoleum cut print. First place was awarded to John Paul Costello, second place to Nancy Minter and third place to Kathy Simone.
Several special awards are also presented: The Elsie and Byron Lutman Award went to Wally Kaplan, the Hope Emerling Watercolor Award to Judy Yen, the Russell Hardy Watercolor Award to David Randall and the Phyllis Lloyd Memorial Award: Abstract Painting to Marti Higgins.
Honorable Mentions were presented to Tim Gilbride, Michael High, Patt McClain, John Saile, Melinda K.P. Stees and Antwoine Washington.
For more information, call 440-247-7507 or visit valleyartcenter.org. VAC also offers a great variety of classes for all ages and gift shop displaying many local artists. The gift shop is currently featuring its yearly ornament extravaganza.
Stella Art Gallery
Stella’s Art Gallery, 8500 Station St., Mentor, is a great place to find a multitude of local artists. Stella’s is open 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sundays, 5 to 9 p.m. Wednesdays, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursdays and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.
Follow the gallery on Facebook, visit stellasartgallery.com, call 440-2669111, or, best of all, stop in to check it out in person.
Gallery at Lakeland
Back by popular demand, the Holiday Artists Market returns for the 12th year to Lakeland Community College, 7700 Clocktower Drive, Kirtland, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 26 and 27.
Artists will be in the ABuilding Atrium hallway between the Bookstore and Advising Center with a wide selection of art pieces, from clay works to jewelry, clothing, artworks and more, and at reasonable prices. If you are looking for a one-of-a-kind gift for someone special, you need to check this out. I am looking forward to it.
Plus, all the proceeds from the sale benefit the annual Lakeland Community College Visual Arts Student Exhibition in the spring. While at Lakeland, be sure to check out the Visual Arts Faculty Exhibition, on display through Dec. 28.
For more information, contact Gallery Coordinator Mary Urbas at 440525-7029 or murbas@lakelandcc.edu.
Euclid Art Association
The Euclid Art Association is holding its Winter Art Show Nov.19 through Jan. 7 at Breckenridge Village, Osborne Plaza, 36855 Ridge Road, Willoughby.
The Christmas Party and Chinese Auction will be held Dec. 2 in Fellowship Hall at East Shore United Methodist Church, 23002 Lake Shore Blvd., Euclid. For more information, call 216-481-8307 or email info@EuclidArt. com.
Geauga Park District
Get in the holiday spirit by creating and gifting centerpieces for seniors. Participate in the Geauga Park District’s Greens for Giving workshop from noon to 3 p.m. Dec.1 at the West Woods Nature Center, 9465 Kinsman Road, (Route 87), Russell Township.
This is the fifth year that volunteers will gather to create evergreen decorations for recipients of Geauga County Department on Aging’s homedelivered meals, and this year they have added Chagrin Valley Meals on Wheels.
All supplies — fresh evergreens, decorations and containers — will be provided, but feel free to bring your own hand pruners and additional decorative add-ons if you’d like.
Bob Rogish of Rogish Farms again has donated all the greens for the event; West Geauga’s Class Act a cappella group returns to perform about 1 p.m.; and participants may sign holiday greeting cards to be given to veterans at the Ohio Veterans Home and Cleveland VA Medical Center.
If you would like to get creative for your own home, head out to Swine Creek Reservation’s lodge, 16004 Hayes Road, Middlefield Township, for adult greens workshops Dec.1 — or bring the kids on Dec. 2 or 3. Registration is required. Learn more at geaugaparkdistrict.org or call 440-286-9516.