Photography exhibit opens soon

By Hope Wallace

The 35^th Annual Wassenberg Photography Exhibit will be opening on Saturday, October 6 with a public opening reception starting at 7 p.m. Awards will be presented at 8 p.m. This year the jurors had a very difficult time paring the 300 plus entries down to an amount that could be effectively displayed and we wish to thank all of those photographers who worked hard and took the time to enter the exhibit. Refreshments and gourmet hor d’oeuvres will served. We cordially invite anyone with an interest in photography to attend. The 35^th Annual Wassenberg Photography exhibit is brought to you by Citizen’s National Bank and the Van Wert County Foundation and runs through November 2.

The call for entries has been announced for our 23^rd Annual Artists Sale and we’ll be accepting entries from November 6–10, 1– 5 p.m. If you are a practicing artist, hobbyist or merely dabble, for the price of a $20 artist membership you can exhibit your work. This show and sale is judged for cash awards but not juried. So bring us your stuff and celebrate the creative process. The exhibit will open on November 23, aka “Black Friday” starting at 1 p.m. The opening reception will be held on Saturday November 24 beginning at 6 p.m. with music, food and mulled wine. Awards will be announced at 7 p.m. This is an excellent opportunity to begin your holiday shopping and purchase just the right gift for anyone. Unique and one-of-a kind items, crafted by regional artists is a wonderful way to say you are important to me and also a great way to support local talent. In an added bonus, art appreciates in value!

Our classes are beginning to fill up and we will be announcing winter classes shortly. We’ve recently added Comic Anatomy Drawing and Decorative Ceramic Carving to our Fall schedule with openings as follows.

Drawing for the Fraidy Cat (Ages 12 – 130) Instructor: Matthew Temple October 9, 16, 23, 30, 6:30–8 p.m. Stick people are people too! This class is for anyone who would like to dabble but has trouble putting pencil to paper. There are NO mistakes so give it a try. You will be surprised at the results. $30 members, $35 non-members.

Experimental Drawing (ages 18-130) October 9, 16, 23, 30, 6:30 p.m.–8:30 p.m. Instructor: Pat Rayman. Learn different and sometimes downright crazy but effective techniques.
$30 members, $35 non-members.

More Classic Watercolor (adult) October 9, 16, 23, 30, 10 a.m.–noon Instructor: Pay Rayman Students will learn some of the classic and time-tested watercolor techniques for a solid base and further their watercolor painting skills. Wet on wet, dry brush and other tricks will be demonstrated and explored. This class is ongoing but you can jump in anytime.
Materials required.
$30 members, $35 non-member.

Sgraffito Pumpkins (ages 9-130 (ages 9-12 w/adult) October 23, 24, 25, 6:30-7 p.m. Instructor: Matt Temple. Ever wondered how they carve those super realistic pumpkins that glow eerily from within? $30 members, $35 non-members.

Stage Makeup (ages 9-130 (ages 9-12 w/adult) October 23, 24, 25, 6:30-7 p.m. Instructor: Mark LeMieux. Learn how to create your own character just in time for all those Halloween parties or Trick or Treat. You will learn how to create your own character make up for your next event. $35 members, $40 non-members.

Even More Classic Watercolors (adult) November 6, 13, 20, 27, 10 a.m.–noon Instructor: Pay Rayman Students will learn some of the classic and time-tested watercolor techniques for a solid base and further their watercolor painting skills. Wet on wet, dry brush and other tricks will be demonstrated and explored. This class is ongoing but you can jump in anytime. Materials required. $30 members, $35 non-members.

General Painting (adult) November 6, 13,20, 27, 6:30 p.m.–8:30 p.m. Instructor: Pay Rayman A general painting class, bring your acrylics, watercolors, gouache or… We’ll explore combining paint and using your media choice on its own. Materials required.
$30 members, $35 non-members

Comic Anatomy (ages 12-17) November 3, 10, 17, 10 a.m.–noon. Instructor: Mark LeMuiex. Anatomy? Fun? No way. It is here! Learn basic anatomy construction by learning cartooning. Not only will you be able to draw people better you might get an edge in school. $30 members, $35 non-members. Materials required: Sketchbook, pencils, eraser.

Gifts From the Kiln (Ages 8 and up (Ages 13-130, 13 and under w/parent) November 6, 7, 13, 14, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Instructor: Matt Temple/Hope Wallace Choose from a myriad of items such as cute piggy banks, Russian nesting dolls, and functional bisqued pottery to paint and glaze as you choose to make for friends and loved ones. Easy and fun and just in time for the holidays! $40 members/$45 non-members. All materials supplied.

Decorative Ceramic Carving (Ages 18 to 130), November 7, 8, 14, 15, 10 a.m.–12 p.m. Instructor: Matt Temple. One of our favorite ceramic techniques 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. $45 members/$50 non-members. All materials supplied.

The Wassenberg Art Center’s hours during exhibits are: Tuesday through Sunday 1–5 p.m. and you may contact the art center at 419.238.6837, by email: info@wassenbergartcenter.org or via our website at: wassenbergartcenter.org. The Wassenberg Art Center is located at 643 South Washington Street in Van Wert.