Last chance to see Artists’ Exhibit

By Hope Wallace

Time is running out. On December 15, all the cool art (that isn’t sold) will wander back to their creators to wait for the next opportunity to find a home. Artwork created by 44 regional artists, over 260 pieces overall are often the answer to the perplexing “what to get so and so” holiday dilemma. The 23^rd Annual Artists Exhibit & Sale representing 44 artists features over 260 pieces in every price range! We have sculpture, pottery, original paintings, woven items and woodworking. Most of our one-of-a-kind jewelry items are available for the price of manufactured, commercial jewelry. Sale ends Friday at 5 p.m. This exhibit was brought to you by the Van Wert County Hospital. Regular remaining hours are 1-5 p.m. through Friday.

As the 23^rd Annual Artist’s Exhibit and Sale comes to a close in the coming months we will finalize our 2013 schedule, work on renovations at the Armory and will begin our new season in March 2013 with the Ohio Watercolor Society Exhibit. We will still be located at the Charles Wassenberg house at that time. We have developed a presentation about our renovation and relocation to the Van Wert Armory and how the arts play into community development and economics. We are more than happy to share our vision with your club or organization. Please give us a call if you have any questions or would like to schedule.

I have been thinking about Brainstorming lately. The word was coined in 1953 by advertising executive Alex F. Osborn, as a result of frustration with employees who had trouble coming up with creative ideas on their own. As a result he designed group thinking sessions and later outlined his technique in a book called, Applied Imagination. Two of the main principles for effective brainstorming are: 1. Defer JUDGEMENT! 2. Quantity. No, not quality…that comes later. The accepted assumption is that the greater number of ideas generated increases the chance of a quality, radical and effective solution. The basic steps of good brainstorming according to Osborn are as follows.

Quantity: This is a means of producing divergent effective thoughts, the more ideas from more people = diverse contributions.

Withhold criticism: (this is a biggie) In brainstorming, criticism of ideas generated must be put on hold. Extend or add to ideas, reserving criticism for a later more, critical time. By suspending judgment, participants will feel free to generate unusual ideas.

Welcome unusual ideas: To get a good, long list of ideas, unusual, unrealistic ideas are crucial. Considering new perspectives as valid and suspending assumptions provide new ways of thinking that create better solutions.

Combine and improve ideas: Good ideas may be combined to form a single, larger, better idea. Idea building is stimulated by the process of association.

Now that you know how to brainstorm, tonight the 2nd Public (public means you) Workshop of the Downtown Planning Study will be meeting at 5:30 p.m. in the Hotel Marsh on Main Street. This workshop will summarize the design input from the last meeting and focus on the economics, attractions and business mix of Downtown Van Wert. This is your chance to participate with other local citizens whose pride is resurfacing to create a better community and to be a part of this growing positive momentum.

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.orgor via our website at: wassenbergartcenter.org. The Wassenberg Art Center is located at 643 South Washington Street in Van Wert.