I don’t get to see or spend time with my oldest sister, Cathy very much. She has lived in North Carolina for many years and the opportunity simply does not present itself often. Last week however, due to a funeral in the family, the bright spot was, my sister got to stay with me here in Van Wert for several days. I am fortunate to have three sisters and when we get together stories about my mother surface. My mother was a very creative, eloquent and resourceful woman who loved gardening, something she passed to all of us girls. She was kind to everyone (unless an injustice was afoot) and usually had something interesting going on or in the making. It’s interesting and reassuring to see her influences in my sisters and myself at these times.

Being an out-of-town girl, I actually was born not too far from here in Lima as my family lived in Cridersville for several years. During that time, Cathy tells of a memory she had as a young girl coming to Van Wert every year for the Peony Fest. She spoke of the endless and stunning parades and flowers were everywhere. “Every year she would bring us to see this site and I remember being totally amazed.” …Hey! That’s the guy I work for! Then, I proceeded to tell Cathy the story of Charles Wassenberg, his peony farm and his passion for art, which led to the creation of the Wassenberg Art Center. Full circle. I think Mom would approve.

We are happy to announce that Peyton Closson has won the Pencil for Pizza contest this month with his rendition of Mona Lisa. Congratulations Peyton, enjoy the free feast from the Wassenberg Art Center and Pizza Hut®!

You have until December 16 to shop the 22nd Annual Artists Exhibit and Sale, sponsored by Van Wert County Hospital and the Van Wert County Foundation. Our hours are, Tuesday–Sunday, 1-5 p.m. Stop in, have a cup of coffee on us and give a truly meaningful gift this season, a gift representing the good side of human nature and creation–the gift of art.

December 7 we’ll kick off our first ArtMorning! ArtMorning happens every Wednesday from 10 a.m.-noon. Bring your works in progress or your ideas and spend time with other artists. One of us will be on hand to answer questions or offer suggestions.

In more art-action we are announcing an 18 class line-up for the first quarter of 2012. We are going to be offering a continuation of the popular Animé/Manga I and II class with MattTemple, Beginning Drawing for youth and adults and Beginning Anatomy. We are offering more silk painting, a mosaic glass class, a one-night class where you take home your acrylic painting at the end of the evening and a class where we paint with wine. Also back by popular demand LineArt 2/D and introducing LineArt 3/D, Sally Geething’s Beginning Oil Painting, Dynamic Watercolor, Acrylics and a pan pastel class with Pat Rayman. I will be covering the digital end of things with a Beginning Photoshop class in February and will are opening up our ceramics department with beginning classes for youth and adult! A class catalog will be available soon with all the particulars. Visit our website or stop in, in the near future.

Contact the art center at 419.238.6837, email  wassenbergdirector@embarqmail.com or visit our website at: wassenbergartcenter.org. The Wassenberg Art Center is located at 643 S. Washington St. in Van Wert.