The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Gardening is its own form of art — just look around
Life is moving forward, slowly and a bit tentatively by some and full speed in catch up mode by others, but forward, nonetheless. Please be safe and mindful as we work back into a kinder, more thoughtful future.
Let’s all do our best to hold on to the discoveries we learned during this troubling spring: the importance of family in holding us together with lessons in compromise and respect; the value of home, tending to details and sharing the responsibility of keeping it clean and pretty; home cooked meals and garden fresh foods.
Speaking of fresh foods, I love seeing the rise in first-time gardeners – victory gardens are back. And the flower sales are booming. It is going to be a stunningly beautiful summer in Northeast Ohio. I know this firsthand because my day job is garden center manager at Sabo’s Woodside Nursery in Madison, and I have been sharing tons of advice this season. I love it, and it leads me down today’s less traveled path.
When we think of art, we most often think of drawings, paintings and sculptures, but art is so much more. It defines our lives. Many artists also have beautiful gardens where they draw inspiration and create.
I just watched a garden walk video posted by Painesville potter Sandy Miller of her home gardens and was delighted by her design and compositions in the garden.
“This garden definitely has had an impact on my work,” Miller said. “I’ve moved pretty heavily into edible landscaping these days, I guess anything I need to touch so much I should be able to eat.”
Blending the colors and bloom time, sizes and growing conditions is comparable to assembling a 3-D puzzle. Add that flower colors and growth changes from spring to fall and it makes the accomplishment even more impressive as it holds together through each transition.
There are a lot of unsung garden artists out there, not even realizing that they are more than a gardener, but a plant artist as well, layering season after season of gorgeous blooms. From the masses of passersby, thank you! We appreciate your hard work.
Creating with live materials is a special skill. Hats off to you floral designers as well. You provide countless smiles.
Gallery One
When you’ve been in business for 45 years, as Gallery One, 7003 Center St., Mentor, has been, you accumulate considerable inventory. Owners Alan and Norah Lynn Brown are working their way through a beautiful collection of artworks and memories as they work to empty the retail location.
Everything must go and is on sale. The best deal is their suburb quality Gallery Giclée artworks. All in stock pieces are 50% off. Visit the website at www. galleryone.com to view what’s available or stop in as they have resumed normal business hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.
For more information, call 440-255-1200, 800621-1141 or email alan@ galleryone.com.
Euclid Art Association
For obvious reasons, the Board of Euclid Art has cancelled all EAA activities until September. They are planning to resume their full programming schedule with the start of the 2020–21 season on Sept. 14.
Since the EAA was unable to hold the April, May and June meetings, they have decided to give their renewing members a $5 discount for 2020-21 — Single $20, Joint $25, Associate $25, Student $6.
Congratulations to Keauntee Redfrearn-Riddle, 2020 winner of the Margaret E. Hain Art Scholarship sponsored by the Euclid Art Association. He will pursue studies in art education. Images of Keauntee’s art will soon be posted on their website www.EuclidArt.com.
Leadership is important and the following have agreed to stay on in their respective positions: Lee Peters, President; Rozenia Cunningham, Vice President; Sandi Richards, Treasurer; and Sue Herrle, Secretary. They will be inducted at the September meeting.
For more information, call 216-481-8307.
Valley Art Center
The Valley Center, 155 Bell St., Chagrin Falls, remains closed, but emails and social media are keeping everyone connected. Artists are offering classes online, because art must indeed, go on. Reach out to office@valleyartcenter. org.
Since so many people have turned to online shopping, Amazon in particular, VAC has found a way to tap into this resource and you can help. Simply go to smile.amazon.com and shop as usual. By using the AmazonSmiles platform .5% of your purchase will benefit the art center.
Stellas Art Gallery
Stella’s Art Gallery, 38033 Euclid Ave., Willoughby, is settling into the new location
Stella’s is currently open Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. by appointment, and from 1 to 6 p.m. to the public. Call 216-401-6965 for more information. They have many safety protocols in place; masks are currently required and will be provided if necessary.
The Riverside High School Art IV Show, “Feel the Rhythm,” is a virtual show and may be viewed on Stella’s website and Facebook. Artists are also being featured through social media. Check it out at www.stellasartgallery.com.
Art in the Park
Plans for Painesville’s Art in the Park, scheduled to be held on Aug. 15 in Downtown Painesville’s Veterans Park have come to end, at least for 2020. The tentative date for the 2021 event is Aug. 21. For more information, contact Bethany Homrighaus at starfishandcoffeeshop@ yahoo.com for more information.
Willoughby Arts Fest
Plans are holding steady for the 29th Annual Willoughby ArtsFest to be held from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. throughout historic downtown Willoughby on Aug. 29.
Artists may download the application from the website willoughbyartsfest.com. Additionally, a
Maker’s Market has been added for crafters. Email info@wwlcchamber.com for more information.