The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Whotographer’s automotive pieces displayed at Art Gallery
Here it is — the week we celebrate the Fourth of July which means the year has slid by. And I’ll bet most New Year’s resolutions are not even a memory. Make some new ones and restart your commitment. There is plenty of time left to seize the summer and follow through on your creative plans.
Community, senior, nature and, of course, art centers offer classes to explore new mediums and learn or refine techniques. Pick up a how-to book or watch a video and get inspired. In fact, there is an official Bob Ross YouTube channel of “The Joy of Painting.” How can you not love his “happy trees”?
This is a great time to sketch or paint outdoors, collect pic- tures, and prepared for up- coming shows and compe- titions. Make it happen.
Art Gallery
The Art Gallery, 38721 Mentor Ave. Suite 1, Willoughby, has been celebrating the “Art of the Automobile” in both the gallery and outdoors for the past month. The show features stunning images by photographer Kat Kurkov, includes other gallery artists and vintage, classic vehicles from NeoClassic Cars in Willoughby. “Cars are more than horsepower or transportation. They are movable history and art with a slice of pop culture” Kurkov said.
The exhibit wraps it up this weekend as the drawing for winners in the Wags 4 Warriors art raffle are drawn at 6 p.m. July 6. You do not need to be present to win.
Wags 4 Warriors is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to unite veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD. or traumatic brain injury, aka TBI, with an appropriate dog. They provide all the training, equipment and support for the dog with no cost to the veteran. Their ultimate goal is for the service dog to take away some of the struggles veterans face every day.
Kurkov and other artists have donated beautiful pieces of art, glass, jewelry and more. Tickets are available at the Gallery for $5 each, via cash or checks made out to Wags 4 Warriors.
For more information, call the gallery at 440946-8001 or contact Kat Kurkov at Auto Abstracts, 216-926-4522 or Kat@autoabstracts.com.
Valley Art Center
Valley Art Center, 155 Bell St., Chagrin Falls, is a great place to find a class. Check out their summer offerings at valleyartcenter.org. Better still, check out the new show, the Annual Student/Faculty Exhibit, opening with a reception from 6 to 8 p.m. July 6.
Every student and instructor from the last two years was invited to participate.
This popular annual exhibition, often considered VAC’s most captivating, showcases the diversity of classes and the talents of the artists who teach and study there. For more information, visit valleyartcenter.org.
Stella Art Gallery
Last call to view “Size Matters” at Stella’s Art Gallery, 8500 Station St., Mentor. The show features 60 artworks no larger than 11 by 14 inches and will be open through July 7.
The next monthly Second Friday event will be held will be an open house from 7 to 9 p.m. July 13. It features in-house artists doing demos with interactive experiences for the public. Great time to check them out, as SAG also offers a variety of classes and kids camps. Stop in or follow them on Facebook.
“We will be featuring our new Silver Spaces within the building,” said Dani Klein, SAG founder. “Marc Wertenberger, the owner of the Matchworks building, sees the potential of creating an artisan and cultural hub and now has given Stella’s Art Gallery permission to rent additional wall spaces to potential artists. Application is on the website, and this is a juried process.”
Additional businesses within the building participate in the Second Friday events. Fourk, for instance, will offer its featured menu, and Perkatory, the coffee shop, will have music and magic. Additional building experiences will be available for the public, as well.
Remember, photographers have until Aug. 3 to prepare work for “Photographers Only,” which will open on Aug. 10. Visit StellasArtGallery.com to learn more about all their offerings.
Beachwood Community Center
“The Man of Steel” is open at the Beachwood Community Center, 25225 Fairmount Blvd. This is a mixed-media collaboration with third-generation metal sculptor Jerry Schmidt and friends. There will be an artists’ reception from 1 to 2:30 p.m. July 8.
Schmidt’s work is prominent throughout the Cleveland area. Check out the images on his website, schmidtsculpture. com, or check out his gallery space, Waterloo 7 Studio/Gallery, 15315 Waterloo Road, Cleveland.
Schmidt is a busy guy — his work is also on exhibit at the Ashtabula Arts Center, 2928 W. 13th St., this month. A reception will be from 6 to 8 p.m. July 6. Call AAC at 440-964-3396.
Lakeland Gallery
Time is running out to see the ninth annual May Show Juried Art Exhibition in the Gallery at Lakeland Community College, 7700 Clocktower Drive, Kirtland. Stop in before July 13. Get more info at lakelandcc.edu/gallery.