Arts Factory to raffle off special artwork

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Artists from the Van Wert Arts Factory have gathered to collaborate on an art piece that will be raffled off as a fundraiser for the Arts Factory. This is an unusual art project because each artist was given the chance to choose one of 10 puzzle pieces to create their own “work of art”, but they won’t know what the finished artwork will look like until the individual puzzle pieces have been fitted together.

The finished piece will be on display at local events through out the summer beginning with ArtRageous on Main, June 1 and 2 in Fountain Park. Raffle tickets will be available at $2 a ticket or three for $5. All money will go to supporting the Van Wert Arts Factory, a volunteer-led art boutique designed to encourage and promote local and regional artists and provide our community with an attractive source for original art.

Using a laser cutter, a full sheet of 300-pound watercolor paper was cut into a shape reflecting the heritage of the community’s Main Street. The large shape was then cut into 13 pieces, like a puzzle. Three of the pieces are being digitally designed by Kendra Swander, with the other 10 pieces up for grabs by Van Wert Arts Factory artists.  When all the pieces are assembled together, the piece will be professionally framed and raffled off to a lucky winner. Participating artists include Kay Sluterbeck, Penny Wiseman, Rob Adams, Seth Baker, Pat Rayman, Steve Jaycox, Pat Pancake, Sally Geething, Connie Boley and Tomi Jaycox.

“The person with the winning raffle ticket will receive a unique, original work of art created by 11 fine artists,” said Arts Factory volunteer Kay Sluterbeck. “It will be an amazing piece of our Main Street heritage, created by artists from our community, that can be enjoyed in many, many ways.”

The Van Wert Arts Factory is an initiative of Main Street Van Wert, with the goal of providing a retail art venue while promoting small business growth through the arts. The Arts Factory is located at 136 E. Main St. For more information, call Program Manager Adam Ries at 419.238.6911.

This collaborative art project is sponsored by Fettig’s Flowers, with additional support provided by Swan Memorials, The Artful Swan and Shutterbugg Studio.