Make a tile at the OWS opening March 9

By Hope Wallace

It’s difficult to stop talking about our future new home in the Van Wert Armory. With all the changes and renovations underway I do try to pace myself, but this past week has been an active one and we just have to share. The armory will sport a 59-foot patio along the front of the building with steps reaching across that span. This area will be a great space for people to gather and hang out or enjoy lunch al fresco on nice days.

This past Friday, an enthusiastic group of artists and non-artists got together to decorate ceramic tiles to embellish the risers of the 3 steps with a row of one-of-a-kind carved tiles. Four hundred tiles will be needed to complete the project and appropriate production techniques are being used to insure longevity of the tiles. Approximately one-third of the tiles are complete. If you are interested in putting your mark on the new art center by creating a tile, give us a call for the next event date. Tile makers include: Christelle and Rachel Bowerman of Lima, Sue Rakes of Napoleon, Toni Britton-Harmon of Wauseon, Scott Kraemer of Bryan, Anna and Jim Perry of Ohio City, Brendan Colley of Hazel Park, Mich., Erin McMillan, Adam Ries, William and Alexis Hawkins, and Hope Wallace, all of Van Wert.

The Ohio Watercolor Society (OWS) traveling exhibit will open on March 9 and continue through March 31. We invite you to attend the public opening reception on March 9 running from 1 to 3 p.m. Refreshments will be provided. The OWS exhibit is comprised of approximately 40 of Ohio’s best watercolor paintings. Winners of this competition go on to compete in national level competitions of the prestigious American Watercolor Society (AWS). The artists (who come from all over Ohio and some border states) represented in this show exemplify the talent Ohio has to offer. Incidentally, we are excited to be hosting the AWS exhibit in early 2015.

During the opening reception of the OWS exhibit on March 9, you’re invited to create a ceramic tile for use in and around our future home, the Van Wert Armory. Areas such as the stage front, restrooms and outdoor areas will receive a splash of uniqueness and help to make the Wassenberg Art Center’s new location a community effort.

On April 24, our friends at the Niswonger Performing Arts Center will have international National Geographic, photographer Joel Sartore for a color saturated presentation on photographing some of the worlds most exotic wildlife and another event, “Remembering Rockwell”, presented by Ceci Wiselogel and scheduled for March 14 at 1:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Visit the Niswonger Performing Arts Center website for ticket information. Tickets are only $5 and this is a great way to learn more about America’s favorite illustrator, Norman Rockwell and is the next best thing to a Rockwell museum visit.

If you have any questions regarding the classes or programs and would like to sign up please call the Wassenberg Art Center at 419.238.6837, email info@wassenbergartcenter.org or register for classes online at wassenbergartcenter.org. Hours during exhibits are Tuesday through Sunday 1–5 p.m. The Wassenberg Art Center is located at 643 S. Washington St. in Van Wert.