“Derby Jam” Saturday — open to the public

Again, laughter fills the halls of the art center. The sorority group Beta Sigma Phi used our facility for their meeting and we enjoyed showing them around the place. Once empty and dark light and people fill the former Van Wert Armory with new purpose.

Derby Jam is almost here! We have been busy making a special horse race game board and setting up the live stream, so we can all watch the race life size! The horses spring out of the starting gates around 6 p.m. but we will start the jam with local musicians at 4:30 p.m. on May 3. On the menu are derby-inspired beverages barbecue pork, southern style coleslaw, and Kentucky Caviar (what is this??) will be served. After the race Reese Dailey is coming back to the Wass to play on the new stage. Reese Dailey Band is very popular in the Put-in-Bay area, throughout Ohio and our region. Horse-themed art by William John of Lima, Kay Sluterbeck of Van Wert, and Laura Barnhart Corle of Findlay will be on display in addition to our current exhibits. Want to design a crazy Derby hat for the chance to win the best hat contest? Give us a call for tickets or check out our website if you’d like to join us.

“Artism” will be on view until May 4. Many of the pieces have sold so if you have a gift-giving opportunity coming up consider supporting these dynamic artists. Work by regionally located artists from Fort Wayne, Toledo and Columbus are accompanied by DVDs available for sale of “A Thousand Words”, a movie by filmmaker, Richard Walsh of Cleveland. Richard’s brother Conor has artwork in the exhibit and he illustrates with poignant, attention-getting visuals how the arts assist artists with autism with communication and stress.

We have to make another birdhouse run! Our 2014 fundraiser, artists are transforming plain wooden birdhouses and feeders into works of art. The houses will then be sold by silent auction June 6 and 7 at the art center during the Peony festival. Artists will paint an unfinished feeder and return them to us by June 1. If you are interested in painting a feeder let us know, more supplies will be available this week.

Entries will be accepted for our 58^th Annual June Art Exhibit Saturday and Sunday, May 17–18, from 1–5 p.m. Entry is open to all amateur and professional artists 18 years of age and older. A non-refundable fee of $25 for Wassenberg Art Center members or $30 for non-members entitles the artist to submit up to three entries. The exhibit runs from June 14- July 6 with a public opening reception scheduled for June 14 at 6 p.m.

Classic Watercolor class on Tuesday mornings starting at 10 a.m. is an ongoing Watercolor class taught by Pat Rayman. Persons are encouraged to jump in anytime and the class is sold in monthly increments. $35 for members and $40 for non-members.

A drawing class taught by Pat Rayman will be offered at 10 a.m. on Friday mornings June 6, 14, 20, and 27 at 10 a.m. Pat will explore classic structure and experiment with alternate drawing techniques. Give us a call if this sounds like something you would enjoy. $35 for members and $40 for non-members.

Our next Vine & Palette is scheduled for June 10. July 8, and August 7. Participants are encouraged to bring a friend and a bottle of wine to share, any snacks you may like and we’ll take care of the rest. Class time runs 6:30-9:30 p.m. We provide paints, canvas, brushes your first glass of wine and laughs! Wear a paint shirt or apron to protect your clothes. $25 for members and $30 for non-members.

Spots are available for Animaé/Manga (ages 8-130) class taught by instructor, Matthew Temple and is being offered on Thursday evenings, May 8, 15, 22, 29 from 6–8 p.m. A list of inexpensive materials will be available upon registration. Cost for this class is $35 for art center members and $40 for non-members.

The Wassenberg Art Center is located at 214 S. Washington St. (former Van Wert Armory). For information, call 419.238.6837, e-mail info@wassenbergartcenter.org, or visit the website at wassenbergartcenter.org.  Hours during exhibits are Tuesday through Sunday, 1-5 p.m.