Watercolor show opens; 2nd Big Wassky planned

By Hope Wallace

Radoslav Lorković of Chicago, international blues musician, opened the 147^th Annual American Watercolor Society exhibit Saturday, Jan. 24. If you weren’t able to attend the opening, the exhibit will be on view until Feb. 22.  Lorković, born in Zagreb, Croatia, moved to the U.S. at as a child and at age 20 began touring with Bo Ramsey and the Sliders. Since then, his career has taken him all over the world from small stages to large venues such as the Kennedy Center and Carnegie Hall.

This opening reception was attended in high numbers with most people driving in from around the region. Forty paintings from the competition are selected for the Traveling Exhibition, which toured museums and galleries across the country during 2014. The exhibit travels to Greensboro, N.C. after it leaves Van Wert.

It’s back! Due to popular demand for our unique events, we’ve decided to throw the Second Annual Big Wassky! Same fun event, different goings on–of course!

There is no need to travel to the city to have a memorable St.Valentine’s Day. Saturday, Feb. 14 doors will open at 7 p.m. Grab your roaring twenties attire, your friends, your main squeeze and get here! Earl P. and the Family Tree, of Bryan, will rock the Wass until midnight with rock, blues and maybe a little country thrown in. These characters are worth the trip. We will serve gourmet,

lasagna homemade by our dedicated board member chefs, antipasto and other treats. This speakeasy (no password required – we promise not to rough you up) will feature our friend, Luck-tech photo booth plus, we’ll throw in a few surprises here and there. Costs are: $15 per person, $25 per couple. A limited number of private tables for eight people are also available for $125.

Our new round of art classes are filling quickly so if anyone is thinking about satisfying their creative streak to sign up soon!

Make a “take-home, stained glass, project that you can be proud of. Beginning on Thursdays, Feb. 5–March 12, from 6:30–8:30 p.m. we will host another stained glass class for ages 15–125. This six-week class, taught by Jerry Mazur will cover leading techniques, copper foiling, and other items and costs $55 members/$60 non-members.

Our next Vine & Palette session will be on Tuesday, Feb. 3 from 6:30–9 p.m. Cabin fever is bound to be setting in and we have the perfect antidote! The event includes all painting materials and first glass of wine. Participants may bring a snack to share if they wish. We even provide aprons, because we like to get messy! The cost is $30 for members and $35 for non-members. (21 and over)

Need a great party idea? Vine & Palettes can be designed for private and corporate parties and a Snack/Pizza & Palette version is available for young people. Give us a call to find out more.

Feb. 10–March 3 from 5:30–7:30 p.m. An Acrylic Painting class, (ages 15–125) will be conducted by widely-shown artist and instructor Kathy Funderburg. Kathy attended University of Kansas and the Art Institute of Pittsburg. She has worked for major corporations in graphic design, illustrated children’s books, and designed a line of greeting cards, which was later purchased by Mary Kay Corporation. Kathy has exhibited her drawings and paintings around the country and has become a popular educator in private instruction, workshops and as an instructor at Defiance College. Cost of this course is $35 members/$40 non-members. Materials fee $20 or you may provide your own.

Feb. 11 – April 1 from 6–8 p.m. Basic Pottery with well-known area potter Brandon Knott begins for a full 8-week course (ages 15–125). All areas of pottery will be covered by Brandon including, wheel, slab work and sculpture. Brandon Knott is a great instructor and holds a Bachelors of Science degree in Visual Art and a Masters in Education from Defiance College. Brandon has operated his business “it’s Knott Pottery” since 1995, www.itsknottpottery.com. Brandon has taught at Bryan High School since 2006, where runs a nationally competitive ceramics program which has won numerous awards. He has taught at Defiance College and held workshops at many area art centers. Cost of this course is $65 members/$70 non-members. Materials included.

Watercolor class continues on Tuesday mornings starting at 10 a.m. This is an ongoing class is 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. Sign up soon. Classes are kept small for more in-depth attention. More types of classes will be announced in the near future so check back often.

For more information on exhibits or to sign up for classes and events visit wassenbergartcenter.org. The Wassenberg Art Center is located at 214 South Washington Street (former Van Wert Armory). We can also be reached by telephone at: 419.238.6837, email: info@wassenbergartcenter.org and our website is: wassenbergartcenter.org.