OWS show opens March 9

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

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.

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.