Wassenberg to begin Phase I of project

It takes a community. We are all in for a better Van Wert and the Wassenberg Art Center has been hard at work for the past several years striving to make our town and region a better place to be. We think we have demonstrated that the power of the lucrative arts industry can be trans-formative through gaining local momentum, appropriated Ohio capital budget funds, and securing a 2015 grant from the National Endowment for the Arts.

Even now, we cannot sit on our laurels. Who really wants to anyway? We are humbled and grateful for all of the support we receive, and we can’t possibly thank all who have contributed directly and/or by participating in our programs. The upward heave must continue, for this is only the beginning of our renaissance.

The construction of the first phase of the Wassenberg Art Park project is set to begin this In this first phase we plan to create a green-space, walking paths, naturalized watershed along Town Creek and install an updated electrical supply to safely conduct festivals and outdoor events like the popular Town Creek Live (more than 3,000 people and growing). In addition, and if funds allow, we will add a re-purposed grain bin concession stand. Oh, and the whole place will glow at night, all night, seven days a week.

While a couple of the projects have been adopted, there is still much to accomplish. For example, we could use funds to complete our glowing…yes, glowing sidewalk. Special luminescent aggregate will cause the circular sidewalk to glow. Adopt a rock! A go-fund my rock campaign will commence soon as well. Watch for posts on our Facebook page.

Please visit our website or call the Wassenberg Art Center office to see how you can get involved.

Beginning March 8 through April 8 a new exhibit will be in place Jordyn Fishman is a student at the highly regarded Penny Stamps School of Art & Design at the University of Michigan. She is also probably one of the youngest persons to be accepted into ArtPrize IX in 2017 for her 22-foot mural: “Income, Inequality, Imagine”, which was accepted by the Grand Rapids Museum of Art venue.

ArtPrize is one of the largest art competition in the world and over 400,000 people flock to the city to see it every year. The venue is the entire city, which includes not only museums, but also, the river, restaurants, sidewalks, lawns, parks, parking lots and even the roofs of buildings. Each participating venue chooses artist(s) they wish to highlight.

Jordyn works through themes of social inequality and uses her art as activism. She works to the root of the problem beginning with phrases, and uses oil paint, acrylic paint, nail polish, glitter, charcoal, pastel, and graphite.

Jordyn’s statement: My work deals with issues of injustice while simultaneously pointing out the strength we have to push back and to come together to fight and to love. We must fight not only for a more just world, but also we must fight for love. To love this world, to love one another, and to love ourselves is the most powerful force we have.

Jordyn will be at the art center from 7 p.m. into the evening on March 17. Please feel free to stop by and check out her work.

Art Classes:

Classic Watercolor: Tuesday mornings from 10 a.m.-noon. Ongoing. $40 art center member price/$45 regular price. Instructor: Pat Rayman. Materials required. Online sign up available.

ArtReach: We have openings available in both age groups and you can sign up anytime. Tuesdays (ages 7–11) and Thursdays (11 and up) 3:30–5 p.m. We are currently accepting students for this great, stress free after-school art program. Sign up forms are available online at wassenbergartcenter.org or at the Wassenberg Art Center office.

ArtNight: Instructor will be Shannon Painter-Carpenter and sometimes we feature other instructors. You are also welcome to bring your own project or sign up for the project we feature. We have some great projects coming up beginning next week, so be watching social media. Enjoy a glass of wine or beer while you are here, hang out with friends, create and relax.

ArtNight March 15: Painted Rock Project: Instructor: Shannon Painter-Carpenter.

Balloon Clay Bowls: March 6, 14 6–8 p.m. Instructor: Shannon Painter-Carpenter. Join us for this two-night class and make a bowl out of…yes a balloon and clay! $30 WAC member price $35 Regular price.

Ceramic Fairy Houses: . Instructor: Shannon Painter-Carpenter There are never enough Fairy Houses for this 2-night class and construct fairy houses just in time for them to move into your spring garden.
Cost:WAC member $30. Regular price $35

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.