The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Lake County Art Hop and more are hopping
Was that a fabulous Indian summer or what?! On Dec. 2, we got mid-60s, neighborhoods filled with the sound of leaf blowers, mowers, and motorcycles; the scent of burning leaves and barbeques; and the sight of holiday light displays suddenly bursting with color. Granted, it barely lasted 24 hours, but it was glorious. And then it was over.
Now we are back to winter and all its glory, snow shovels and ice melt by the door, ice scrapers and deicer in the cars, and the air heavy with the scent of cinnamon-infused pine cones and Christmas carols. Yay Ohio.
There are only three weekends until Christmas. Daylight may be getting shorter, but, fortunately, shopping hours are getting longer. Art shows and artists’ collaboratives are popping up to make finding unique items easier.
The Lake County Art Hop runs Dec. 7 through 16 and aims to make your holiday shopping a fun adventure. Read on for more info.
Visit the Waterloo Art District, Waterloo Road from East 152nd Street to East 161st Street, on Facebook to keep up with the dozens of galleries, studios and events. Go to waterlooarts.org/about/waterloo-arts-district to find a very helpful map of what you need to know to make Walk All Over Waterloo, held on the first Friday of every month easier to maneuver. What luck! You are just in time for the next one, Dec. 7.
Wait, there’s more. You can also Walkabout Tremont on the second Friday of each month. This is another local art community that features its resident galleries and artists on a monthly basis. Keep up to date on the event by visiting walkabouttremont.com, where you will also find a helpful map.
Holden Arboretum
Are you a nature lover? Or is one on your holiday gift list? Environmentally friendly nature-inspired work from regional artists has filled the Holden Arboretum’s Warren H. Corning Visitor Center, 9550 Sperry Road, Kirtland. Explore the 2018 “Gifts from the Heart of Nature” show open Tuesdays through Sundays until Dec. 21.
Dozens of area artists are presenting a huge array of works to view and purchase. Artworks include handcrafted wood works, original paintings, card sets, leather, photography, fairy, bird and doll houses, ceramics, jewelry — including Lake Erie glass items, sculptures, pottery more.
Visit holdenarb.org/ event/gifts-from-the-heartof-nature for a complete list of the artists and their offerings. Gift memberships are also appreciated.
Gallery One
Yes, it’s that time of year — time for Dean Morrissey to make an appearance at Gallery One, 7003 Center St., Mentor. Artist and author Morrissey is an American favorite and will be on hand from 7 until 9 p.m. Dec. 7, with an informal lecture at 7:30, and from 1 to 5 p.m. Dec. 8.
Morrissey paints ordinary objects in extraordinary settings that appeal to the child in everyone; even the most familiar-looking objects are never what they seem. He has written several children’s books, but “Ship of Dreams,” a lavishly illustrated story about the Sandman, is the most popular and quickly became one of the bestselling children’s books of all-time. A signed copy would make a great gift.
Gallery One also unveil original Morrissey artwork, including a never-before seen collection of original Trundle paintings.
“Like the Sandman, Trundles are native to The Great Kettles, a magical Chain of Islands across the Sea of Time,” Morrissey said. “Trundles are little creatures that hide in plain sight, inhabiting homes and barns and shops in the real world. Virtually invisible in a cluttered room, very few people have actually seen a Trundle, although many people have them as boarders.”
The Trundles inspired Gallery One to create the Great Trundle Trade-In. Every child age 12 or younger who draws a Trundle and brings it to the show to be displayed on Dec. 7 or 8 will receive a print of a Trundle, hand-signed by Morrissey.
Artwork from Morrissey’s latest book, “The Wizard Mouse,” also will debut during his visit. This family-oriented event is free and open to the public.
For more information, visit galleryone.com or call 440-255-1200 or 800-6211141.
Stella’s Art Gallery
The folks at Stella’s Art Gallery, 8500 Station St., Mentor, has extended its hours through Dec. 23. The new hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesdays, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesdays and Thursdays, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sundays.
This month’s Second Friday event theme is based on the 2004 Christmas movie “The Polar Express” and runs from 6 to 9 p.m. Dec. 14. There will be a variety of train stations set up with free hands-on activities for the kids: ornament making, games and movie viewings.
“I need to give props to Vipassana Salon (also housed in the Matchworks building) for helping with ‘The Polar Express’ theme,” Stella’s co-owner Dani Klein said. “They will be helping with the games and decorations, too.”
The night also will include 20 vendors and painting demonstrations in the atrium, plus Car Hop’s Mobile Diner will be back to serve dinner.
Artwork are being sought for January’s “Black and White” show in all mediums. Entries may be dropped off between 11:30 a.m. and 8 p.m. Jan. 4 and 5. Applications can be found at Stellas Art Gallery. com.
For more information, visit the site or call 440266-9111.
Lake County Art Hop
The Lake County Art Hop, beginning Dec. 7, offers even more opportunities to connect with area artists. Participating locations have extended hours, discounts or freebies, as well as special activities. Check them out. Pick up a passport at any location to unlock sales, specials and events and turn it in once complete to enter the prize basket drawing.
Participating locations and contact info include Flux Metal Arts, 8827 Mentor Ave., Suite A, Mentor, fluxmetalarts.com, 440-2051770; The Art Gallery, 38721 Mentor Ave., Willoughby, artgallerywilloughbyoh. com, 440-946-8001; Cath Smith Photography, 38033 Euclid Ave., Suite T4, Willoughby, 440-497-0023; Our Treasures LLC, 50 W. Erie St., Painesville, 440856-6695; Schoolhouse Salvage, 7533 Tyler Blvd.. Mentor, 440- 946-3117; and Busy Bee Pottery and Arts Studio, 7850 Mentor Ave. No. 554B (Located in the Great Lakes Mall), 440-571-5201, or email mentor@busybeesart.com.
Also, participants joining Stella’s Art Gallery in the Matchworks Building are Natalie Catania Art, Suite No. 114, 440-494-1142; and Beth Lynne Studio, Suite 104, BethLynne.com, 440221-8159.
Sherri Falkenberg, CEO of Lake Events, is presenting the “Christmas Gifts Galore Show” from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Dec. 16 at St. John Vianney Social Center, 7575 Bellflower Road, Mentor.