Hop between Geauga’s Chardon Arts and Nature Arts fests

Looks like another busy weekend for the arts and outdoors. In fact, the outdoor arts theme will carry right on through August. The month starts with both the Chardon Arts Festival and Geauga Park District’s Nature Art Festival happening this weekend, and it carries on with Painesville’s on Aug, 17. Read on for more information. Even the Nursery Growers of Lake County Ohio have added art to their 52nd annual Field Day, being held 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 13 at Chalet Debonne Vineyards, 7840 Doty Road, Madison. The event showcases local and regional growers and suppliers to the nursery industry, has informational booths from OSU Master Gardeners, Ohio Department of Natural Resources and many more and has invited Perry woodcarver Chris Pascoe (Carvings by Chris) to demonstrate his craft throughout the day. Pascoe had been carving natural stone for more than 30 years and, after making a change to wood his business, has expanded and created the need for more workspace. Since officially opening his studio on North Ridge Road in Perry in the spring, he has been busy with custom work and letting his creativity soar — like many of the birds he creates. There will be music and food artistry by the Local Eden Food truck, Betty’s Bombass Burgers and Nelly Belly Woodfired Pizza. Guests may waive the $5 admission fee by registering at nglco.com or calling 440-241-7969 before Aug. 9. And if you visit NGLCO Field Day, catch me to say hello — I’ll be everywhere. Get out and soak up that sunshine and vitamin D while you can. We all know what’s waiting in the wings, right? The beautiful colors of autumn in Ohio! You didn’t think I would reference that cold, white event that occurs between fall and spring, did you? Savor summer, the present is aptly named because you get to open a brand-new day every morning.

Euclid Art Association

Euclid Art Association President Lee Richards has some news to share about members of the Euclid Art Association. Deb Kramarz is a participating artist in “Art in Nature,” a mixed-media exhibit at the Beachwood Community Center Art Gallery, 25325 Fairmount Blvd. The public is invited to meet the artists at a reception from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Aug. 4. The exhibit is presented by Friends of Euclid Creek, the Painted Rain Barrel Project and the City of Beachwood and features painted rain barrels, photography, paintings and mixed media works by local artists. “Art in Nature” runs through Aug. 24 and may be viewed from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays and 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sundays. Photographer Stuart Pearl’s presentation at the May meeting apparently left members and guests wanting more. Fortunately, there’s another chance to hear from him. Stuart and wife Jeanne will present “Acacia: Environmental Impact” from 1 to 3 p.m. on Aug,. 3 in Fellowship Hall of East Shore United Methodist Church 23002 Lake Shore Blvd., Euclid. “Many expressed an interest in his work with Acacia, and we listened,” Richards said. “So here’s your chance to hear more.” The program is free and open to the public courtesy of a matching grant by Cuyahoga Arts and Culture, but registration is required. Call 216-721-9020 for more information.

Chardon Arts Festival

The Chardon Square Association’s annual Arts Festival will be 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 4 on the historic square in the center of Chardon, at the intersection of Routes 6 and 44. This is a juried show with more than 100 artists on hand offering beautiful one-of-a-kind collectables and gifts. The artists represent a wide array of media, including painting, fabric art and weaving, stained glass, pottery, woodcarving, photography, jewelry, stone cutting. This year’s featured artist is Pat Ingram of Brushworks Studio in Chardon. In addition to the artists and food vendors, the village restaurants and specialty shops will also be open. Learn more at chardonsquareassociation.org/ events/arts-festival.

Nature Art Festival

Celebrating a perfect partnership, the Geauga Park District’s Nature Art Festival — Aug. 3 at Big Creek Park, 9160 Robinson Road, Chardon is again sharing the day with the Chardon Art Festival. A free Lolly the Trolly service is being offers to transport folks between the events. The Nature Art Festival will feature more than 40 artists, plus free family entertainment, including make-n-take crafts, cartoon portraits, face painting, balloon art, live music and food trucks. All the artworks in this show have a connection to nature in the materials used. You will see driftwood creations, shells, rocks and minerals, fabric and of course, sculptures, paintings and photography. There will be live classic rock/blues and country music by the Sev & Starr Duo and the Swamp Rattlers throughout the day, which will be followed by the Nature Writing Contest event and open mic from 3 to 5 p.m. Learn more at geaugaparkdistrict.org. The Geauga Arts Council Juried Art Show will open an exhibit at the West Woods Nature Center, 9465 Kinsman Road, Russell Township with a Meet the Artists reception from 6 to 8 p.m. Aug. 7.

The Art Gallery

The Art Gallery, 38721 Mentor Ave., Willoughby, will open “Zoo NOIS-es” with a reception from 6 to 9 p.m. Aug. 9. It will remain up for viewing through Aug. 31. FYI: NOIS is the Northern Ohio Illustrators Society. “This show is what happens when artists visit the zoo with cameras and sketch pads in hand,” gallery owner George Ann Trembour said. “Most of the animals (in the show) are portraits of Cleveland zoo denizens. Artists exhibiting will be Lou Grasso, George Kocar, Dan Driscoll, George Ann Trembour, Gerry Shamray and more.” For more information, call 440-946-8001.

Art in the Park

Painesville’s Art in the Park is set for 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 17. More than 60 artists will showcase their work at this summer’s show, held on the shady lanes of downtown Painesville’s Veterans Park. Admission is free. Learn more at painesvilleart. com/art-in-the-park.