What's Up at Wassenberg?
By: Hope Wallace and Kay Sluterbeck
"Ursus Minor" by Gary Hovey; flatware sculpture. (Photo submitted.)
By Hope Wallace
This Saturday and Sunday we will be checking in artwork for our 57th Annual June Art Exhibit. From 1-5 p.m. at our current location, at 643 S. Washington Street artwork of all shapes, colors and sizes will be coming through the door. This is one of my favorite times of the year witnessing the end results of that creative energy, so bring it on! There is still time to get a prospectus, available at the art center. You can also download one on our website wassenbergartcenter.org. They will also be available during check-in, but it is easier to fill them out ahead of time. Jurors William Mancuso and Melissa Eddings, professors of art at Ohio Northern University will be arriving mid-week to juror the exhibit and choose the pieces to receive awards.
The 57th Annual Wassenberg June Art Exhibit is a longstanding tradition for the art center and for Van Wert. The exhibit opens on June 8 at 7 p.m. to accommodate Peony Festival activities and will be having a free public reception, with barbeque, craft beer and wine-tastings. We will also honor area artists with an award ceremony at 8 p.m. and feature live music by returning northwest Ohio musician John Reichle. John will be bringing several friends along with him also so be sure to attend and share some great music. The exhibit will be on display through June 30 and is sponsored by Van Wert Federal Savings Bank and Taylor Auto Sales. Admission is always free.
"Saddle Creek Trails" by Pat Pancake, pastels. (Photo submitted.)
This past weekend archivists descended on the Wassenberg Art Center for a scrapbooking crop fundraiser. All proceeds went towards the new Wassenberg Art Center, which is relocating to the Van Wert Armory later this summer. The event was organized and administered by Wassenberg Art Center Board Vice President, Pamela Purmort. Door prizes, raffles and gift packs were provided to all the participants and all kinds of food were served. Two vendors, Creative Memories and Stampin’ Up! were in attendance and available to provide any needed materials. We thank all who assisted with this event.
There’s still time to sign up for Terry Ratliff’s evening acrylic painting class. Ratliff, a painter from Fort Wayne (you may have seen his murals at the national Mexican Restaurant chain, Casa’s), will be exploring abstractionism and having fun with paint. The next class is scheduled for Monday May 20, at 6:30 p.m. Terry is skilled in a range of styles from German Expressionism, Impressionism, Realism, Still Lifes and Abstractionism. This class (we use the term loosely) will be a great way to get comfortable painting if you are a first timer, currently painting or someone who feels “rusty”. Students are to bring one or two canvases (under 16x 20) primed in a muted orange, muted mauve, or muted yellow primer, as well as acrylic painting supplies. Give us a call if you have any questions. Class fees are members $30, non-members $35. Check out Terry’s work and his biography at his website http//www.ratart.biz.
Other classes coming up are:
Even More Classic Watercolors (adult) June 4, 11, 18, 25, 10 a.m.–noon, Instructor Pat Rayman. $35 members, $40 non-members.
Sgraffito Ceramic Carving (Ages 18 to 130), June 5, 12, 19, 26, 10 a.m.–12 p.m. Instructor Matt Temple. $45 members, $50 non-members.
Summer Studio Camp sign ups are here and going fast especially for the younger crowd. In these camps, youths will study animals in a myriad of mediums. They will explore big and small animals through works of art and create their own lively animals through drawing and sculpture. Materials will include clay, paper maché, paint and drawing. Materials supplied, wear old clothes and bring a paint shirt. $40 members/$45 non-members.
Summer Animal Art Studio (ages 5-7) June 12, 13, 19, 20, 26, 27 10–11:30 a.m. Instructor Diane Bendele.
Summer Animal Art Studio (ages 8 and up) June 12, 13, 19, 20, 26, 27 12:30–2:30 p.m.
If you have any questions regarding exhibits, classes or programs or would like to sign up please call the Wassenberg Art Center at 419.238.6837, email info@wassenbergartcenter.org or register for classes online at wassenbergartcenter.org. Hours during exhibits are Tuesday through Sunday 1–5 p.m. The Wassenberg Art Center is located at 643 South Washington Street in Van Wert.
POSTED: 05/15/13 at 1:33 pm. FILED UNDER: What's Up at Wassenberg?
“Sugar with Picasso” by Terry Ratliff. (Photo submitted.)
Even with all the goings-on around here, we are excited to introduce another painting class in the evenings for those who work or have other commitments during the day. Terry Ratliff, a national painter from Fort Wayne will be heading east to share his diverse range of painting styles to in an evening setting starting Monday May 6, at 6:30 p.m. Terry is skilled in a range of styles from German Expressionism, Impressionism, Realism, Still Lifes and Abstractionism. This class (we use the term loosely) will be fun way to explore how you are comfortable painting. First paint night out Terry will start with a not so usual Still Life. Students are to bring one or two canvases (under 16x 20) primed in a muted orange, muted mauve, or muted yellow primer. Give us a call if you have any questions. Check out Terry’s work and his biography at his website: http://www.ratart.biz
Don’t forget! On Friday, 6-10 p.m. Saturday, 9-midnight and Sunday 9 a.m.-5 p.m. we are holding an all weekend scrapbooking crop as a fundraiser for the NEW Wassenberg Art Center! This is an excellent opportunity for senior moms, new moms, and all the rest of you who are woefully behind on your projects to finish them or make some great progress! All proceeds benefit the Wassenberg Art Center. Cost for the entire weekend: $50, Friday – $10, Saturday – $30, Sunday – $20. Sign up for the entire weekend or partial as priced. Payment can be made at or sent to the Wassenberg Art Center prior to arriving to reserve your table. Snacks will be served on Friday night and Saturday will have a continental breakfast, lunch, and dinner plus snacks. Sunday we will have a continental breakfast, snacks, and lunch. Water, ice and coffee will be provided or you may bring in any other drink of your choice. No alcohol, please. In addition there will be gift packs for all, a raffle table with $1 tickets or 6 tickets for $5, and scrapbook vendors. Raffle prizes include: Clip-It-Up ribbon organizer with Pebbles ribbon iron, Scrapbook Supply Pack with chipboard letters, paper, stamps and Crop-A-Dile Big Bite Summer selection of Thirty One bags & necklace. Graduated Storage Boxes (4) black and white toile accented with red bows.
Entry days for our 57th Annual June Art Exhibit are looming on the horizon! Art check-in is scheduled for May 18 and 19 from 1-5 p.m. here at our current location at 643 S. Washington St. If you or someone you know would like a prospectus we have them available here at the art center, downloadable on our website below or simply call. We will mail one out to you promptly!
For more classes coming up dates and times can also be viewed on our website but are as follows: Even More Classic Watercolors (adult) June 4, 11, 18, 25, 10 a.m.–noon Instructor: Pat . $35 members, $40 non-members. Sgraffito Ceramic Carving (Ages 18 to 130), June 5, 12, 19, 26, 10 a.m.-noon. Instructor: Matt Temple. $45 members, $50 non-members. Summer Studio Camp sign ups are here and going fast especially for the younger crowd. Summer Animal Art Studio (ages 5-7) June 12, 13, 19, 20, 26, 27: 10-11:30 a.m. Instructor: Diane Bendele. Youth will study animals in a myriad of mediums. Explore big and small animals through works of art and create your own lively animals through drawing and sculpture. Study the masters and translate shapes into form, using clay, paper maché, paint and drawing. Exhibit your work at the end of the studio session. Materials supplied, wear old clothes and bring a paint shirt. $40 members/$45 non-members. Summer Animal Art Studio (ages 8 and up) June 12, 13, 19, 20, 26, 27: 12:30–2:30 p.m.
We would like to take a moment to shout out to those businesses and individuals who have supported us financially and to our members who support both financially and by continuing our mission through their work and participation. The Wassenberg Art Center is looking forward to becoming a positive anchor and another bright spot in Van Wert because of you, our unfailing champions.
If you have any questions regarding exhibits, classes or programs or would like to sign up please call the Wassenberg Art Center at 419.238.6837, email info@wassenbergartcenter.org or register for classes online at wassenbergartcenter.org. Hours during exhibits are Tuesday through Sunday 1-5 p.m. The Wassenberg Art Center is located at 643 S. Washington St. in Van Wert.
POSTED: 05/08/13 at 2:05 pm. FILED UNDER: What's Up at Wassenberg?
“Chief Joseph High Eagle, Survivor of the Battle of Little Bighorn” (detail) oil painting by David Humphreys Miller. (Photo submitted)
A long time ago a man I knew used to tell the story of how when people asked how he accomplished what he did, he’d answer, “I was just too dumb to know it couldn’t be done.” That man’s name was Erie J. Sauder, founder of Sauder Woodworking Company in Archbold which is today a $450 million company.
I worked in Sauder’s marketing department as a designer for many years. Some of my assignments involved retelling the company history using design. That story has stuck with me throughout the years and I have always gained inspiration from it. Prior to that, when I worked in the toy industry as an associate toy designer, a story filtered down from my boss (who had been a designer at Mattel Toys in California). The then-CEO of Mattel was known to fire an employee if she heard the word “can’t”. Needless to say, even if embellished, that story also stuck.
In the creative process, we often come up against these words. While they can be discouraging, it often helps to respond either in thought or out loud with “what can be done?” Obviously there are parameters, but often there are just as many alternative avenues.
The personalities of Native Americans such as Sioux, Nez Perce and other tribes have begun to arrive and are beginning to surround us (in a good way). We are honored to have these samplings of the paintings of David Humphreys Miller that will become part of the Faces of Little Bighorn exhibit, later this summer. I wonder how they perceived the word “can’t.”
If you haven’t had a chance to check out the amazing and inventive artwork on display from area students in the Wassenberg High School Art Invitational, now is the time. This exhibit, which definitely shows how important the arts are to our region, runs through May 4. Thanks to our sponsor, Cooper Farms, this exhibit will not only make you smile but has many works that speak to contemporary issues. We again congratulate those students who chose to make statements and express themselves through artwork.
We still have spaces in these classes: Action Acrylics (age 18-adult), May 6, 13, 20, 27, 10 a.m.-noon, Instructor: Pat Rayman, $30 members, $35 non-members.
More Classic Watercolors (adult) May 7, 14, 21, 28 , 10 a.m.-noon, Instructor: Pat Rayman, $35 members, $40 non-members.
Restorative Yoga (adult) May 7, 14, 21, 28: 6–7 p.m. Instructor: Carla Niblick. For a new “twist” restore your artistic soul with this feel good, easygoing class. Please contact your physician before beginning any exercise program. $40 members/$45 non-members.
Even More Classic Watercolors (adult) June 4, 11, 18, 25, 10 a.m.–noon, Instructor: Pat Rayman, $35 members, $40 non-members.
Sgraffito Ceramic Carving (age 18-adult), June 5, 12, 19, 26, 10 a.m.-noon, Instructor: Matt Temple, $45 members, $50 non-members.
Summer Studio Camp sign ups are here! Summer Animal Art Studio (ages 5-7) June 12, 13, 19, 20, 26, 27: 10-11:30 a.m., Instructor: Diane Bendele. Youth will study animals in a myriad of mediums. Explore big and small animals through works of art and create your own lively animals through drawing and sculpture. Study the masters and translate shapes into form, using clay, papier maché, paint and drawing. Exhibit your work at the end of the studio session. Materials supplied, wear old clothes and bring a paint shirt. $40 members/$45 non-members. Summer Animal Art Studio (ages 8 and up) June 12, 13, 19, 20, 26, 27: 12:30–2:30 p.m.
Don’t forget! Starting on May 10, 6–10 p.m. May 11, 9–Midnight, May 12 from 9 a.m.–5 p.m. we are holding an all weekend scrapbooking crop as a fundraiser for the NEW Wassenberg Art Center! This is an excellent opportunity for mothers and all the rest of you who are woefully behind on your projects to finish them or make some great progress! All proceeds benefit the Wassenberg Art Center. Cost for the entire weekend: $50, for Friday, $10, Saturday, $30, Sunday, $20. Sign up for the entire weekend or partial as priced. Payment can be made at or sent to the Wassenberg Art Center prior to arriving to reserve your table. Snacks will be served on Friday night and Saturday will have a continental breakfast, lunch, and dinner plus snacks. Sunday we will have a continental breakfast, snacks, and lunch. Water, ice and coffee will be provided or you may bring in any other drink of your choice. No alcohol, please. In addition there will be gift packs for all, a raffle table with $1 tickets or 6 tickets for $5, and scrapbook vendors.
Entry dates for our 57th Annual June Art Exhibit are coming up soon. Check-in days for artwork are May 18 and 19 from 1–5 p.m. here at our current location at 643 S. Washington St. If you or someone you know would like a prospectus we have them available here at the art center, downloadable online or simply call. We will mail one out to you promptly!
If you have any questions regarding exhibits, classes or programs or would like to sign up please call the Wassenberg Art Center at 419.238.6837, email info@wassenbergartcenter.org or register for classes online at wassenbergartcenter.org. Hours during exhibits are Tuesday through Sunday, 1–5 p.m. The Wassenberg Art Center is located at 643 S. Washington St. in Van Wert.
POSTED: 05/01/13 at 12:54 pm. FILED UNDER: What's Up at Wassenberg?
Daniel Thompson of Van Wert, First Place Winner 2D with “American King.” (Photo submitted.)
We have enthusiastic congratulations to hand out to many area high school students who competed in the Wassenberg High School Art Invitational. Thanks to our sponsor Cooper Farms and a large response from imaginative and skilled art students and their instructors, we were able to expand our award categories and amounts this year. We received over 150 entries and our jurying panel had a very difficult time choosing notable works. All of the students’ work is stunning and reflects a continuing strong visual art presence in our surrounding area.
We awarded excellent work in both two and three-dimensional categories. First place in 2D went to Daniel Thompson, Van Wert High School, with his pencil drawing of a crowned Benjamin Franklin on the $100 dollar bill, which is entitled: American King. Katie Anderson, also of Van Wert High School received second place with her extremely detailed scratchboard portrait of a cat named: Daisy. Third place was awarded to Brandon Joseph, Parkway High School with his energetic acrylic painting of a top-hat-wearing entity entitled: Nightmare.
Alexandra Kleman of Van Wert with her Third Place winning entry, “Prisma Studs.” (Photo submitted.)
In the 3D category first place went to Cam Strunk, of Parkway High School for their ceramic vase: Tall Vase. Second place was awarded to Jackie Bruns, Parkway High School, for her ceramic portrait bust entitled: Du@listic Beauty. Third place went to Alexandra Kleman, Lincolnview High School, for her colored pencil encrusted mixed media sculpture of tennis shoes, titled “Prisma Studs.”
Honorable mentions went to the following individuals from the following school districts. Van Wert High School: Rebecca Johnson: Jensen, Domanique Grothause: Gentle Companion, Jacey Eikenbary: Destination California, Taylor Gaskill: I’m Out of your League, Nick Olson: Mickey. Parkway High School: Sarah Ridder: Mother, Cam Strunk: Zombie. Crestview High School: Justin Lare: Scrap Bike, Amanda Lobsiger: Bernard, Moses Boroff: My Salad. Paulding High School, Emily Thielbar with Bird and Kennedy Mengerink: Crazyface from Lincolnview High School. Again we wish to congratulate and thank all the students who participated in this competition. Your work is inspiring, very well done and original. We want to see more! This exhibit will run through May 4 and we hope everyone takes a moment to honor our area students in their efforts by visiting.
On May 10 from 6–10 p.m. May 11 from 9 p.m.-12 a.m., May 12 from 9 a.m.–5 p.m. We are holding an all weekend scrapbooking crop as a fundraiser for the NEW Wassenberg Art Center! This is an excellent opportunity, for Senior moms, new moms, and all the rest of you who are woefully behind on your projects to finish them or make some great progress! All proceeds benefit the Wassenberg Art Center. Cost for the entire weekend: $50, Friday – $10, Saturday – $30, Sunday – $20. Sign up for the entire weekend or partial as priced. Payment can be made at or sent to the Wassenberg Art Center at 643 S. Washington St., Van Wert, prior to arriving to reserve your table. Snacks will be served on Friday night and Saturday we will have a continental breakfast, lunch, and dinner plus snacks. Sunday we will have a continental breakfast, snacks, and lunch. Water, ice and coffee will be provided or you may bring in any other drink of your choice. The event will be held at their current location. No alcohol, please. In addition there will be gift packs for all, a raffle table with $1 tickets or 6 tickets for $5, and scrapbook vendors.
Call for entries for our 57th Annual June Art Exhibit are coming up soon. Check-in days for artwork are May 18 and 19th from 1–5 p.m. here at our current location at 643 S. Washington Street. If you or someone you know would like a prospectus we have them available here at the art center, downloadable online or simply call. We will mail one out to you promptly!
In other good news we would like to welcome new Wassenberg Art Center Board members, Emily Hoskins and Kent Barheide, both of Van Wert. We look forward to working with them and bringing their energies, visions and experience to our dynamic Board of Directors.
If you have any questions regarding exhibits, classes or programs or would like to sign up please call the Wassenberg Art Center at 419.238.6837, email info@wassenbergartcenter.org or register for classes online at wassenbergartcenter.org. Hours during exhibits are: Tuesday through Sunday 1–5 p.m. The Wassenberg Art Center is located at 643 S. Washington St. in Van Wert.
POSTED: 04/24/13 at 2:29 pm. FILED UNDER: What's Up at Wassenberg?
White Hawk of Nez Perce Nation, oil, by David Humphreys Miller. (Photo submitted.)
By Hope Wallace
They say stuff runs in threes. That seems to be the case for the Wassenberg Art Center’s recent good fortunes. Today we hovered around waiting for the FedEx® truck to deliver a very special package and indeed our pacing paid off. Over the lunch hour, in a heavily fortified plywood crate, Chief White Hawk of the Nez Perce Nation arrived. Well, not the actual chief in body, there might be some federal regulations against that, but another painting by David Humphreys Miller! This painting was donated by former Van Wert resident, John Casebere, who now lives in the state of Washington. White Hawk will join the large collection donated by Brent Stevens in the new Wassenberg Art Center located in the renovated Van Wert Armory this summer. We will have more on this growing and fascinating story soon. In the meantime, thank you to John Casebere, whose generosity has helped continue the growing movement of creative place-making in Van Wert.
As previously disclosed in a press release last week, the Wassenberg Art Center will be home to a large collection of David Humphreys Miller on a long term basis. This body of work will arrive this summer and is large enough to rotate and keep things fresh. Moving to the armory will allow us to house a full-time exhibit in addition to our regular 8-12 exhibits annually. A separate website will be developed and will catalog the prolific painters body of work and the lives of his subjects. We want to extend our appreciation to the Robert Brent Stevens and family for giving back to Van Wert in this monumental way. We appreciate your passion in our local history connectivity to the community.
We will soon be taking in art from high schools in an approximate 35-mile radius of Van Wert for our High School Invitational. If you are an educator, let your students know about this great opportunity to showcase their work. The opening reception is planned for April 20, 6–8 p.m. with cash award being distributed at 7 p.m. We look forward to seeing what the students have been working on all year. Please plan to attend the public reception and support the area’s hardworking, creative youth.
We are beginning to gear up for our 57th Annual June Art Exhibit as well. Artists should be receiving their call-for-entries in the mail and the forms are available online through download on our website. Please give us a call or if you know an artist age 18 and over encourage them to submit to this time-honored tradition. As always a large celebration will be planned on June 8 to honor our area artists and the strong culture they help provide.
If you have any questions regarding the classes or programs and would like to sign up please call the Wassenberg Art Center at 419.238.6837, email info@wassenbergartcenter.org or register for classes online at wassenbergartcenter.org. Hours during exhibits are Tuesday through Sunday 1–5 p.m. The Wassenberg Art Center is located at 643 S. Washington St. in Van Wert.
POSTED: 04/10/13 at 1:05 pm. FILED UNDER: What's Up at Wassenberg?
New windows and trim by Rager Home Improvement Inc. brighten the exterior and interior of the armory. (Photo submitted.)
By Hope Wallace
If you happened to be trying to get through town this morning, you may have found the road blocked momentarily by large sheets of metal roofing being unloaded by an even larger truck. These were being placed in preparation for their installation on the armory roof. While you were sitting there, (thank you for your patience) maybe you noticed that the eyes of the armory are indeed bright. Rager Home Improvement Inc. has recently finished trimming out the new energy efficient replacement windows throughout the facility and what a difference a simple window can make. The rest of the building, in the throes of renovation, well, look rough, but the white trim pops out, makes the brick look fresher and hints at the good things the building is headed for.
Back in January I dragged Brian Renner, president of First Federal Savings & Loan through an armory filled with baking soda dust. Back when the project started Spray’s Construction pressure-sprayed encapsulated baking soda onto the original glazed block walls to clean them. So this fog of dust was not similar to a bit of drywall dust, no, this is walk-around-like-Count-Dracula-holding-up-a-cape-so-you-can-breathe-dust. I wanted to show Brian what the armory could mean to Van Wert and how much an art center can appeal to a much larger group of people than just to the mysterious art world. Apparently Brian and First Federal think so too. Sometime after that, Mike Cross, one of our Foundation board members, presented the portal sculpture concept to First Federal’s board and they voted to fund the hand-forged archway. The sculpture will be created by nationally known sculptor and blacksmith Michael Bendele of Delphos. We can’t say thank you enough to First Federal Savings and Loan for their generosity and commitment to our community. Their example of civic pride is a testament to the residents and to northwest Ohio as a whole.
Our next round of classes starts Saturday with Anime/Manga drawing classes. Anime is taught by Matthew Temple, Wassenberg Art Center’s office manager and instructor. This class is a great way for young people to learn how to draw people, deal with proportion and expression. If you haven’t signed up, or have a question about our many other choices of instruction give us a call for more details.
Our next exhibit is the 2013 annual High School Invitational and is sponsored by Cooper Farms. We invite you to celebrate the hard work and skill of our young artists! We are looking forward to providing these artists a respected and local venue to exhibit their work. This a juried competition with the student having an opportunity to win cash prizes. The works on exhibit come from area high schools within a 35-mile radius of the Wassenberg Art Center. Public opening reception is April 20 with awards presented at 7 p.m.
On May 10, 6–10 p.m. May 11, 9–Midnight, 12 9 a.m.–5 p.m. We are holding an all weekend scrapbooking crop as a fundraiser for the NEW Wassenberg Art Center! This is an excellent opportunity for Senior moms, new moms, and all the rest of you who are woefully behind on your projects to finish them or make some great progress! All proceeds benefit the Wassenberg Art Center. Cost for the entire weekend: $50, Friday – $10, Saturday – $30, Sunday – $20.00 . Sign up for the entire weekend or partial as priced. Payment can be made at or sent to the Wassenberg Art Center prior to arriving to reserve your table. Snacks will be served on Friday night and Saturday will have a continental breakfast, lunch, and dinner plus snacks. Sunday we will have a continental breakfast, snacks, and lunch. Water, ice and coffee will be provided or you may bring in any other drink of your choice. No alcohol, please. In addition there will be gift packs for all, a raffle table with $1 tickets or 6 tickets for $5, and scrapbook vendors.
On April 24, the Niswonger Performing Arts Center will have international National Geographic, photographer Joel Sartore for a color saturated presentation on photographing some of the worlds most exotic wildlife and since we love photography we can’t help but want to more about this world renowned photographer and see his amazing work. For ticket information call the NPAC at 419.238.NPAC (6722) or visit their website at npacvw.org.
If you have any questions regarding the classes or programs and would like to sign up please call the Wassenberg Art Center at 419.238.6837, email info@wassenbergartcenter.org or register for classes online at wassenbergartcenter.org. Hours during exhibits are: Tuesday through Sunday 1–5 p.m. The Wassenberg Art Center is located at 643 S. Washington St. in Van Wert.
POSTED: 04/03/13 at 1:51 pm. FILED UNDER: What's Up at Wassenberg?
Light streams through the ceiling during roof tear-off of the gallery space at the new Wassenberg Art Center location (in the old armory building). Protective sheeting has been applied until final roofing material can be installed. (Photo submitted.)
By Hope Wallace
More and more we are seeing signs of a village creating community and we will be sharing some exciting news in the near future. We want to thank everyone involved for the generosity and shared vision that has brought us this far in our plan of expanding Van Wert’s visual art center. This hub of creative activity can become an integral part of a town by exploring our creative history, our architecture, and our music, in short, our cultural heritage.
Why does St. Patrick’s Day seem so important to many individuals who may only possess a mere smidgeon of Irish ancestry? Cultural pride, and in much the same sense Van Wert has a lot to be proud of.
We are happy to announce our spring (yes, it really is spring) schedule. We have added the following classes and will announce our Summer Studio Camps for youth and other workshops shortly. Be sure to sign up early, spaces are limited.
Animé/Manga Class (Ages 12-adult), April 6, 13, 20, 27, 10 a.m.–12 p.m. Instructor: Matt Temple. Get in another round of this popular art class, which teaches human proportion, expression and character development.
Drawing on the Right (adult) April 8, 15, 22, 29 10 a.m.–noon. Instructor: Pat Rayman. Learn how to really see and draw what you see without a lot of fluff getting in the way.
Classic Watercolors (adult) April 9, 16, 23, 30 10 a.m.–noon Instructor: Pat Rayman. Students will learn some of the classic and time-tested watercolor techniques for a solid in studio watercolor.
Action Acrylics (18-adult) May 6, 13, 20, 27 6:30 p.m.–8:30 p.m. Instructor: Pat Rayman Learn the basics of acrylic painting along with learning how to achieve dramatic lighting effects and create mood. A variety of subjects will be explored.
More Classic Watercolors (adult) May 7, 14, 21, 28, 10 a.m.–noon. Instructor: Pat Rayman. This class continues with our basic ongoing watercolor class but anyone can jump in and begin at the start of each class.
Even More Classic Watercolors (adult) June 4, 11, 18, 25, 10 a.m.–noon. Instructor: Pat Rayman. This class continues with our basic ongoing watercolor class but anyone can jump in and begin at the start of each class.
Sgraffito Ceramic Carving (Ages 18 and up), June 5, 12, 19, 26, 10 a.m.–12 p.m. Instructor: Matt Temple. One of our favorite techniques for ceramics around here, Sgraffito can be rustic and powerful, fun and whimsical or edgy. We’ll teach you how to use underglazes, some stains and other techniques of carving through color to create dynamic surfaces. Sign up early, class size is limited.
On May 10, 6 p.m. –midnight, May 11, 9 a.m.– midnight, and May 12, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. we are holding an all weekend scrapbooking crop as a fundraiser for the NEW Wassenberg Art Center! This is an excellent opportunity for senior moms, new moms, and all the rest of you who are woefully behind on your projects to finish them or make some great progress! All proceeds benefit the Wassenberg Art Center. Cost for the entire weekend: $50, Friday – $10, Saturday – $30, Sunday – $20. Sign up for the entire weekend or partial as priced. Payment can be made at or sent to the Wassenberg Art Center prior to arriving to reserve your table. Snacks will be served on Friday night and Saturday will have a continental breakfast, lunch, and dinner plus snacks. Sunday we will have a continental breakfast, snacks, and lunch. Water, ice and coffee will be provided or you may bring in any other drink of your choice. No alcohol, please. In addition there will be gift packs for all, a raffle table with $1 tickets or 6 tickets for $5, and scrapbook vendors. You may call: 419-238-1062 for more information and we’ll even get you all signed up.
Our next upcoming exhibit is the 2013 Annual High School Invitational and is sponsored by Cooper Farms. We invite you to celebrate the hard work and skill of our young artists! We are looking forward to providing these artists a respected and local venue to exhibit their work. This a juried competition with the student having an opportunity to win cash prizes. The works on exhibit come from area high schools within a 35-mile radius of the Wassenberg Art Center. Public opening reception is April 20 with awards presented at 7 p.m.
Artists, take your seats. Literally. Our Char-ity Auction fundraiser is ramping up and we will have again this year, one of a kind hand painted chairs created by local artists up for silent bid during ArtRageous 2013, which takes place June 7 and 8. For those artists who would like to donate your skills and talent to paint an original chair, give us a call. Most of the Adirondack-style chairs were donated by Ace Hardware, however we will have children’s chairs, stools and other styles as well.
On April 24, the Niswonger Performing Arts Center will have international National Geographic, photographer Joel Sartore for a color saturated presentation on photographing some of the worlds most exotic wildlife and since we love photography we can’t help but want to more about this world renowned photographer and see his amazing work. For ticket information call the NPAC at 419.238.NPAC (6722) or visit their website at: npacvw.org.
If you have any questions regarding the classes or programs and would like to sign up please call the Wassenberg Art Center at 419.238.6837, email info@wassenbergartcenter.org or register for classes online at wassenbergartcenter.org. Hours during exhibits are Tuesday through Sunday 1–5 p.m. The Wassenberg Art Center is located at 643 S. Washington St. in Van Wert.
POSTED: 03/27/13 at 1:41 pm. FILED UNDER: What's Up at Wassenberg?
View of the 1893 Columbia Worlds Fair, Chicago, known as the White City. This event was the forerunner of urban planning. (Photo submitted.)
By Hope Wallace
“Make no small plans; they have no magic to stir men’s blood.” Daniel Burnham, architect.
Daniel Burnham was the chief architect of the 1893 Worlds Fair Exposition in Chicago, which came to be called the White City. Whenever I see images from this world’s fair, I am dumbfounded that this project was completed in less than two years. Two hundred buildings covering 630 acres in the area of what is now Jackson Park included roads, promenades, a midway, railroads, lavish gardens and landscaped lagoons with winding canals featuring silently propelled boats of many descriptions.
Forty-six countries were represented in national pavilions and the fair drew 26 million visitors. Granted, the 1893 Worlds Fair was not designed for permanency and in the days before accessibility codes and fire protection systems most of the buildings burned to the ground in July 1894 after closing in May of that same year. Two surviving buildings that were designed for permanency house the Field Museum of Natural History and the Chicago Institute of Art.
The planning of this monumental undertaking was headed up by the famous architect Daniel Burnham, who later developed the first techniques of what we now know as urban design. This is an inspiring project that endured many delays, surmounted numerous hurdles and presents a perspective of what a community can do when it sets its collective mind to it.
Relatively speaking, there are no small plans when it comes to the Van Wert Armory. Work crews are working simultaneously on floors, HVAC, roofing, electrical and general construction. While we may not have mysteriously powered, festive gondolas traversing up and down Town Creek, we are excited and honored to help create a new attraction for Van Wert and we are grateful for the support the community has shown.
Participants from “Up to the Challenge” work on clay tiles. (Photo submitted.)
This past Saturday guests from Up to the Challenge (a group based in Delphos and dedicated to expanding skills for persons with developmental disabilities) came to the art center to create tiles for the armory steps. Six participants from around the area, Paulding and Delphos seemed to enjoy the tactile sensation of clay and the ability to help with a good cause. Stamped textural designs and a beautiful horse emerged from their efforts. Thank you!
On May 10, 6–10 p.m. May 11, 9–Midnight, and May 12, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. we are holding an all weekend scrapbooking crop as a fundraiser for the NEW Wassenberg Art Center! This is an excellent opportunity for senior moms, new moms, and all the rest of you who are woefully behind on your projects to finish them or make some great progress! All proceeds benefit the Wassenberg Art Center. Cost for the entire weekend: $50, Friday – $10, Saturday – $30, Sunday – $20. Sign up for the entire weekend or partial as priced. Payment can be made at or sent to the Wassenberg Art Center prior to arriving to reserve your table. Snacks will be served on Friday night and Saturday will have a continental breakfast, lunch, and dinner plus snacks. Sunday we will have a continental breakfast, snacks, and lunch. Water, ice and coffee will be provided or you may bring in any other drink of your choice. No alcohol, please. In addition there will be gift packs for all, a raffle table with $1 tickets or 6 tickets for $5, and scrapbook vendors.
Our next upcoming exhibit is the 2013 Annual High School Invitational and is sponsored by Cooper Farms. We invite you to celebrate the hard work and skill of our young artists! We are looking forward to providing these artists a respected and local venue to exhibit their work. This a juried competition with the student having an opportunity to win cash prizes. The works on exhibit come from area high schools within a 35-mile radius of the Wassenberg Art Center. Public opening reception is April 20 with awards presented at 7 p.m.
Artists! Grab your chairs. The Char-ity Auction is back in grand fashion and we have naked chairs awaiting your artwork. Those of you who would like to donate your skills and talent and paint an original on a donated chair to be sold at our silent auction, give us a call. The finished chairs will be available during the 2013 Peony Festival and are sponsored by Ace Hardware.
On April 24, the Niswonger Performing Arts Center will have international National Geographic, photographer Joel Sartore for a color saturated presentation on photographing some of the worlds most exotic wildlife and since we love photography we can’t help but want to more about this world renowned photographer and see his amazing work. For ticket information call the NPAC at 419.238.NPAC (6722) or visit its website at: npacvw.org.
If you have any questions regarding the classes or programs and would like to sign up please call the Wassenberg Art Center at 419.238.6837, email info@wassenbergartcenter.org or register for classes online at wassenbergartcenter.org. Hours during exhibits are: Tuesday through Sunday 1–5 p.m. The Wassenberg Art Center is located at 643 South Washington Street in Van Wert.
POSTED: 03/20/13 at 12:46 pm. FILED UNDER: What's Up at Wassenberg?
The pottery room was packed at the Wassenberg Art Center Saturday evening. A diverse group of people of all ages got together to take part in creating tiles for the steps of the Armory. (Photo submitted.)
By Hope Wallace
Thanks to everyone who came out to the Ohio Watercolor Society exhibit opening reception. What a great way to initiate in the best of the best watercolors in Ohio, and you turned out in large numbers to celebrate. This exhibit will close on March 31 so don’t let time slip away — visit before it’s gone! While you are here, make a tile!
Our next exhibit is the 2013 Annual High School Invitational. We invite you to celebrate the hard work and skill of our young artists! We are looking forward to providing these artists a respected and local venue to exhibit their work. This a juried competition with the student having an opportunity to win cash prizes. The works on exhibit come from area high schools within a 35-mile radius of the Wassenberg Art Center. Public opening reception is April 20 with awards presented at 7 p.m.
Bill Purmort of Van Wert and Ralph Stuckman of Celina roll slabs of clay for cutting into tiles. (Photo submitted.)
After the reception we packed out the basement pottery studio with approximately 25 persons arriving to create tiles for the front steps of the armory. The first firing is done and we’ll have many more to glaze soon. Thanks to those of you who stepped in and rolled slabs to keep up with demand!
This Thursday at 1:30 and 7:30 p.m. we will welcome Ceci Wiselogel presenting “Remembering Rockwell”, at the Niswonger Performing Arts Center. Tickets are only $5. This is a great way to learn more about America’s favorite illustrator, Norman Rockwell and is the next best thing to a Rockwell museum visit. For ticket information call the NPAC at 419-238-NPAC (6722) or visit their website at: npacvw.org.
On April 24, the Niswonger Performing Arts Center will have international National Geographic, photographer Joel Sartore for a color saturated presentation on photographing some of the worlds most exotic wildlife and since we love photography we can’t help but want to more about this world renowned photographer and see his amazing work.
The new windows arrived at the armory and installation is underway! Several contractors such as roofing, electrical and plumbing are working simultaneously in a kind of fine tuned dance and the watching the coordination is a lot like performance art. After all creativity is key, the medium is secondary.
If you have any questions regarding the classes or programs and would like to sign up please call the Wassenberg Art Center at 419.238.6837, email info@wassenbergartcenter.org or register for classes online at: wassenbergartcenter.org. Hours during exhibits are Tuesday through Sunday 1–5 p.m. The Wassenberg Art Center is located at 643 S. Washington St. in Van Wert.
POSTED: 03/13/13 at 1:20 pm. FILED UNDER: What's Up at Wassenberg?
By Hope Wallace
The Ohio Watercolor Society (OWS) watercolors arrived at the Wassenberg in all their color-saturated glory to warm up a gray day. They are waiting quietly in the galleries ready to color our world for the Ohio Watercolor Society exhibit, which will open on March 9 and continue through March 31. A public opening reception will be held March 9 from 1-3 p.m. Refreshments will be provided by Georgia Kohart of Defiance, and Jayne Smith, Pamela Purmort and Ruth Duprey of Van Wert.
One of our favorite traditions, the OWS traveling exhibit is comprised of approximately 40 of Ohio’s best watercolor paintings. Winners of this competition go on to compete in national level
A participant at the clay tile party displays her finished tile. (Photo submitted.)
competitions of the prestigious American Watercolor completion. The artists from all over Ohio and some border states that are represented in this show are just another shining example of the powerful talent Ohio has to offer. Additionally, we are excited to be hosting the future American Watercolor Society exhibit in early 2015.
While you are here for the opening reception on March 9 we invite you to make a ceramic tile. We are creating 2” x 6” handmade tiles for use in and around our future home at the Van Wert Armory. After the reception, you’re invited to join in making more tiles. We have 177 linear feet to complete so your creative get-muddy efforts will be truly appreciated. Creating tiles is not only for artists, so if you have ever wanted to try your hand at pottery here’s your chance! Many areas will be used to celebrate our local culture and the Wassenberg Art Center is a great place to showcase such a community effort.
A Dancer Concete crew member finishes another pass to create polished concrete floors in the former Armory drill hall – soon to be the Wassenberg gallery. (Photo submitted.)
Speaking of light and color, the new windows are due to arrive at the Armory and the concrete floors are taking shape as Nick Dancer and his crew from Dancer Concrete, Fort Wayne, Indiana, polish the surfaces into a sleek almost-like-granite condition. Color will be applied when the floors are completely prepared and we can’t wait to help with that, brushes in hand! By the way, do you have any vintage lighting collecting dust in your attic?
Have you ever wondered where to purchase an unusual, one-of-a-kind gift? Check out our gift gallery. We get new items often and have just obtained local jewelry artist Tici Schaffer’s exquisite necklaces. These pieces are show-stoppers and the natural stones used in the designs have their own unique story to tell. Tici has a great deal of design and fashion experience, having worked as a buyer for well-known department stores, and her work reflects this insight right down to the last highlight on natural abalone.
On April 24, the Niswonger Performing Arts Center will have international National Geographic, photographer Joel Sartore for a color saturated presentation on photographing some of the worlds most exotic wildlife and another event, “Remembering Rockwell”, presented by Ceci Wiselogel and scheduled for March 14 at 1:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Visit the Niswonger Performing Arts Center website for ticket information. Tickets are only $5 and this is a great way to learn more about America’s favorite illustrator, Norman Rockwell. It’s the next best thing to a Rockwell museum visit.
If you have any questions regarding the classes or programs and would like to sign up please call the Wassenberg Art Center at: 419.238.6837, email info@wassenbergartcenter.org or register for classes online at wassenbergartcenter.org. Hours during exhibits are Tuesday through Sunday 1–5 p.m. The Wassenberg Art Center is located at 643 S. Washington St. in Van Wert.
POSTED: 03/06/13 at 2:37 pm. FILED UNDER: What's Up at Wassenberg?