Wassenberg gives June Art Exhibit info

Wassenberg Art Center news

Wassenberg Art Center will be hosting its 57th annual June Art Exhibit beginning June 8 with a free, public opening reception from 7-10 p.m. Wassenberg Art Center is located at 643 S. Washington St. in the former Charles Wassenberg Home.

This exhibit originated with founding art club members and continues today, with nearly 100 pieces of original art by professional and amateur artists of the tri-state region, the Toledo Area and as far away as Colorado selected this year by Ohio Northern University art professors William Mancuso and Melissa Eddings, 2013 jurors.

Awards totaling almost $2,000 will be presented at 8 p.m. and most works are for sale.

Live music by northwest Ohio’s “No Such Band”, headed up by John Reichle, will return to the art center for the final time this exhibit will be housed at Wassenberg’s current location. The art center will be moving to the newly renovated Van Wert Armory later this summer.

Barbecue will be served, along with craft beer and wine. The exhibit is free and will run through June 28. Regular exhibit hours are: Tuesday-Sunday, 1-5 p.m.

For more information visit their website at: wassenbergartcenter.org, email: info@wassenbergartcenter.org or call 419.238.6837.

Wassenberg adds new art instructor

Wassenberg Art Center news

The Wassenberg Art Center is introducing an additional art instructor. Terry Ratliff of Fort Wayne, Ind., a nationally published artist and muralist will provide an additional evening acrylic painting class. The multi-part class will begin on Monday, May 13, from 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Ratliff was strongly influenced by his artistic mother and a bachelor’s in fine arts while attending Franklin College on a football scholarship.

This painting is one by new Wassenberg instructor Terry Ratliff. (photo submitted)

There, he studied under mentor Luigi Crispino, an inspirational influence in his artistic development. He’s traveled and painted extensively in France (French Riviera, Paris and Normandy). He then returned to Fort Wayne, where he has been working professionally for over 15 years.

Early in his career, supplemental income, mostly in food services, led to commissions from private individuals, with his first large commission for art (murals and paintings) at the Casa Restaurant chain in Fort Wayne. This work helped to diversify his range of styles from his then usual German Expressionism to include Impressionism, Realism, Still Lifes and Abstractionism.

His work can be viewed at the Casa’s chain — Fort Wayne International Airport, Chicago, Miami, Warsaw, Ind. — at several other restaurants and galleries in Fort Wayne and by appointment at his studio at 1029 W. Jefferson Blvd.

Ratliff has won numerous awards, including being the 2003 Artlink Gallery regional winner, Whatzup Magazine readers’ poll “Best Visual Artist” for eight years running and 1999, 2003 and 2005 “Best in Show” at the annual Fort Wayne Covington Art Fair. He designed the regional logo for The World AIDS Day on December 1, 2000 and has also been involved in set design and artistic painting of sets at The Arena Dinner Theatre in Fort Wayne, for which he has won “Best Set Design” awards several years.

For more information on this class, exhibits or other programs, or would like to sign up, 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.

Encore Theatre sets play audition dates

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LIMA — The Amil Tellers of Dramatics Inc. announces auditions for its upcoming production of the musical A Tale of Two Cities by Jill Santoriello.

Based on Charles Dickens’ masterpiece, A Tale of Two Cities is a musical that focuses on the love triangle between young beauty Lucie Manette, French aristocrat Charles Darnay and drunken English cynic Sydney Carton – all caught in the clutches of the bloody French Revolution.

Appropriate for all ages and audiences, this classic story of love, revolution, and redemption is what the Associated Press called, “the return to the era of big blockbusters such as Les Miserables, Phantom of the Opera, and Miss Saigon. With music reminiscent of Les Miserables, this show was nominated for “Outstanding New Broadway Musical”.

Director Harold Poppe and musical director Shawn Stevens are looking for individuals who have a desire to be a part of bringing this classic story to the stage. The musical production calls for eleven principal roles, seven men, three women, and one little girl, with nine additional featured ensemble roles. Add to these numbers additional ensemble roles, this musical looks to be a large cast.

Additions will take place at the Amil Teller’s Encore Theatre on Monday, May 13, and Tuesday, May 14, starting at 7 both evenings. Individuals auditioning are asked to come with a short, prepared audition vocal number. An accompanist will be provided. Those auditioning will also be asked to perform a selected scene, which will be made available the evenings of auditions.

Performances for the musical, A Tale of Two Cities, are scheduled for July 12-14, and 19-21 at the Encore Theatre, 991 North Shore Drive in Lima.

For further information or to obtain a perusal script prior to auditions, individuals may contact the Encore Theatre Box Office at 419.223.8866 or 800.944.1441.

Wassenberg to receive art collection

Wassenberg Art Center news

The Wassenberg Art Center has been chosen to be the recipient of a large collection of art consisting of original paintings, prints and sketches of the late world-renowned artist David Humphreys Miller. Donors Robert Brent and Vicki Stevens of Constantine, Mich., will be turning the collection over to the Wassenberg Art Center on long-term loan and to be housed in the art center’s upcoming new location at the Van Wert Armory, 214 N. Washington St. This exhibit will be the only solo exhibition of Millers’ work in the nation.

David Humphreys Miller (left) painting White Cow Bull, the man said to have killed General George Armstrong Custer at the Battle of the Little Big Horn. At right, a portrait of Chief Iron Hail, also known as Dewey Beard. (Miller collection photos)

Miller, originally from Van Wert and the son of local artist Lew Miller, became interested in the Battle of Little Bighorn at the age of 16. During his summer vacations he started traveling out West and began interviewing and painting the Native American survivors of the battle after learning five tribal dialects. In the years following, he painted and interviewed 72 survivors and other Native Americans, authored two books, consulted and acted in several hit films including the 1966 version of Stagecoach, starring Bing Crosby and Ann-Margret, and How the West was Won.

Miller’s research is often referenced when determining which individual purportedly killed General George Custer. Due to the fact Miller interviewed survivors and eyewitnesses in their native dialect, issues commonly caused by erroneous translation were greatly reduced

An opening reception for this extensive collection, valued at nearly $1 million, is being planned for sometime later this summer. A research and interactive website will be developed and be available for students and others to access for study. In addition dedicated programming for schools, organizations and clubs will be developed.

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Wetzel M.C. donates to Wassenberg

Wassenberg Art Center news

The Wetzel Motorcycle Club presented the first installment of a $5,000 pledge to the Wassenberg Art Center to go toward the purchase of a public address system for the Van Wert Armory, which is currently being renovated to serve as the art center’s new location.

Barry Johns of the Wetzel Motorcycle Club presents Hope Wallace, director of the Wassenberg Art Center, with a donation check to help pay for a sound system in the new art center’s location at the Van Wert Armory. (Wassenberg photo)

Wassenberg Director Hope Wallace stated that the Wetzel Motorcycle Club has generously and consistently supported the art center in the past and this added support for the current project demonstrates the group’s commitment to community with action. “We are tremendously grateful to them,” she noted.

The new Wassenberg Art Center will feature a small stage to better facilitate music performances and other activities coinciding with exhibits. As part of the Wassenberg Art Center’s Art-fitter Campaign, Wetzel Motorcycle Club agreed to contribute funds in two annual installments towards a sound system and PA for the stage area.

The Wassenberg Art Center, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization that provides art outreach, exhibits and programming for the Van Wert area, has launched the Art-fitter Campaign as a fundraising program that partners with local businesses, organizations, clubs and individuals to help provide equipment, furnishings, landscaping and other items necessary to complete the new community art center. Contributors will have their name displayed on or near the respective donated item.

The Van Wert County Foundation has funded major renovations such as roofing, HVAC, new windows, electrical and interior upgrades to the armory. The Wassenberg Art Center plans to relocate sometime this summer.

Those who would like to participate in the Wassenberg Art-fitter Campaign, classes or programs can call the Wassenberg Art Center at 419.238.6837, email  info@wassenbergartcenter.org or visit the center’s website at wassenbergartcenter.org. Exhibit hours are Tuesday through Sunday, 1-5 p.m. The Wassenberg Art Center is located at 643 S. Washington St. in Van Wert.

Jubilee Flower Show dates announced

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The 52nd Van Wert County Jubilee Flower Show will be held this year on Saturday, June 1, from 1-5 p.m. and on Sunday, June 2, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.  The show will be held in the Administration Building at the Van Wert County Fairgrounds.  There is no admission charge.

It is not required that you be a resident of Van Wert County or a member of a Garden Club to enter the show.  Entry tags and classifications will be available at a later date.  There is no entry fee.  Entries will be accepted on Saturday, June 1, from 8-10:14 a.m.

Assigned duties to the local garden clubs were announced.  Set-up date for the gardeners will be on Friday, May 31, at 1 p.m. The combined garden clubs of Van Wert County include The Gardeners of Van Wert County, Evergreen Garden Club, and Wren Garden Club.

Osmond brother has online radio show

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Merrill Osmond has been a familiar voice on radio airwaves for nearly five decades.  In his newest radio venture, he’ll be doing the talking and singing.

Merrill Osmond

Osmond will launch “Merrill Osmond Radio,” his own online radio show, in December 2012.  The show will feature music by Merrill Osmond and his famous family, as well as other artists. He will also share personal memories and interests with his legions of fans around the world.

“People have been asking me to start an online radio show for years and I’ve put it off because of my busy schedule,” Merrill explains. “It wasn’t until I started writing down ideas for the show, that I got excited and realized how much fun this will be.”

“Merrill Osmond Radio” will give listeners a chance to pick topics for Osmond to discuss and will provide them a number to call in during some shows. It will also give his fans a look inside the lives of one of America’s most notable musical families.

Osmond rose to fame in the 1970s as the lead singer of the iconic group The Osmond Brothers. Their impressive string of hits, like “One Bad Apple,” “Crazy Horses,” and “Down by the Lazy River” launched the Osmonds to legendary status. They racked up 27 Gold records, including five No. 1 songs. Merrill Osmond wrote many of their hits and continues to record and tour today, both as a solo act and with his brothers.

“Of course I’ll play some of the Osmond Brothers’ music on my radio show,” Merrill says.  “I also plan to devote a show to my memories of Elvis.”

The first few “Merrill Osmond Radio” shows will be holiday-themed. Other topics Osmond plans to tackle include his life in show business, and the healing power of music.

The show will stream monthly at first but will become more frequent as it gains popularity. For show dates and times, visit www.merrillosmond.com. To listen to the show, go to www.merrillosmond.com/radio. “Like” the show at www.facebook.com/merrillosmondradio.

Bonamassa plays to Ft. Wayne sellout

STUART JEWETT/for the Van Wert independent

Joe Bonamassa entertains at the Embassy Theatre in Fort Wayne, Ind., on Wednesday. (photo by Stuart Jewett for the Van Wert independent)

His career began playing in a band called Bloodline which featured the offspring of several famous musicians; Miles Davis, Robby Krieger of The Doors, and Berry Oakley of The Allman Bothers.

Now, spring forward to November 7, 2012, and you find Bonamassa dazzling the audience for the umpteenth time in Fort Wayne, Ind., during a concert Wednesday evening at The Embassy Theatre. Several Van Wert residents had the chance to enjoy the concert.

Bonamassa has collaborated with numerous artists, including BB King, Eric Clapton, Paul Rogers of Bad Company, and Jon Lord of Deep Purple, during his long and successful career.

On Wednesday, he kept the audience on the edge of their seats with songs like “If Nickels Were Heartaches”, and “The Ballad of John Henry”.

Needless to say, no one left the Embassy Theatre until after the last note of the last song. The show was a sellout.

NPAC volunteers honored at banquet

NPAC information

The many volunteers who provide service to the Niswonger Performing Arts Center of Northwest Ohio gathered recently for a recognition banquet and training meeting.

More than 150 men, women and teenagers volunteer hours of service to make sure all aspects of NPAC events are covered.  Volunteers come from a 40-mile radius, in addition to the many local people.

The volunteers were treated to a delicious meal prepared by the Black Swamp Bistro in Van Wert, which is always open before NPAC shows for dinner, as well as afterwards for drinks and desserts.

Following dinner, the volunteers convened in the Van Wert County Foundation Saltzgaber Music Hall for a refresher course of the many jobs and responsibilities they cover. They then watched season videos of upcoming concerts and shows and learned valuable insight into the performers coming to the NPAC.

Anyone interested in becoming a NPAC volunteer should contact Facility Coordinator Mark Hartman at 419.203.2873 or email him at facilities@npacvw.org.  Those interested may also pick up a volunteer application form at the NPAC box office.

Attending a training session and the purchase of a uniform sweater or vest are required.

The Niswonger Performing Arts Center kicks its season off this weekend with its five-year Gala Celebration featuring inspirational speaker Ronan Tynan Friday night at 7 p.m., and then as world-class singer, tenor Ronan Tynan, performs in concert backed by the Lima Symphony Orchestra on Saturday at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets for both events are available at the door or in advance at the NPAC box office (419.238.NPAC 6722) and online at www.npacvw.org.

Volunteers for the Niswonger Performing Arts Center of Northwest Ohio pose for a photo inside the facility. (photo submitted)

Book club ready to begin new season

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The First Presbyterian Church Read and Review Book Club will begin its first monthly meeting of the 2012-2013 season on Thursday, September 6, at noon in the church’s Fellowship Hall (basement) in Van Wert.

Fannie Flagg’s book entitled Can’t Wait to Get to Heaven will be reviewed by moderator Joan Blankenmeyer. In this comedy-mystery, Flagg takes her readers to Elmwood Springs, Mo., where surprising experiences of an 80-year-old inspire the community to ponder the age-old question:  Why are we here?

Judy Bowsher and Sandy De Camp will furnish the dessert. All are welcome to attend this book club, which is held the first Thursday of every month from September through December, then February through May.

Book club attendees are welcome to bring a brown bag lunch to eat during this hour; a drink and dessert are provided at a cost of $2.50, which is used for church missions.

For more information concerning the book club, contact the church office between 8 a.m.-noon weekdays at 419.238.3670 or someone who is a regular member of this group.