June art exhibit entries taken this weekend

By Hope Wallace

This Saturday and Sunday we will be checking in artwork for our 57^th Annual June Art Exhibit. From 1-5 p.m. at our current location, at 643 S. Washington Street artwork of all shapes, colors and sizes will be coming through the door. This is one of my favorite times of the year witnessing the end results of that creative energy, so bring it on! There is still time to get a prospectus, available at the art center. You can also download one on our website wassenbergartcenter.org. They will also be available during check-in, but it is easier to fill them out ahead of time. Jurors William Mancuso and Melissa Eddings, professors of art at Ohio Northern University will be arriving mid-week to juror the exhibit and choose the pieces to receive awards.

The 57^th Annual Wassenberg June Art Exhibit is a longstanding tradition for the art center and for Van Wert. The exhibit opens on June 8 at 7 p.m. to accommodate Peony Festival activities and will be having a free public reception, with barbeque, craft beer and wine-tastings. We will also honor area artists with an award ceremony at 8 p.m. and feature live music by returning northwest Ohio musician John Reichle. John will be bringing several friends along with him also so be sure to attend and share some great music. The exhibit will be on display through June 30 and is sponsored by Van Wert Federal Savings Bank and Taylor Auto Sales. Admission is always free.

This past weekend archivists descended on the Wassenberg Art Center for a scrapbooking crop fundraiser. All proceeds went towards the new Wassenberg Art Center, which is relocating to the Van Wert Armory later this summer. The event was organized and administered by Wassenberg Art Center Board Vice President, Pamela Purmort. Door prizes, raffles and gift packs were provided to all the participants and all kinds of food were served. Two vendors, Creative Memories and Stampin’ Up! were in attendance and available to provide any needed materials. We thank all who assisted with this event.

There’s still time to sign up for Terry Ratliff’s evening acrylic painting class. Ratliff, a painter from Fort Wayne (you may have seen his murals at the national Mexican Restaurant chain, Casa’s), will be exploring abstractionism and having fun with paint. The next class is scheduled for Monday May 20, at 6:30 p.m. Terry is skilled in a range of styles from German Expressionism, Impressionism, Realism, Still Lifes and Abstractionism. This class (we use the term loosely) will be a great way to get comfortable painting if you are a first timer, currently painting or someone who feels “rusty”. Students are to bring one or two canvases (under 16x 20) primed in a muted orange, muted mauve, or muted yellow primer, as well as acrylic painting supplies. Give us a call if you have any questions.  Class fees are members $30, non-members $35. Check out Terry’s work and his biography at his website http//www.ratart.biz.

Other classes coming up are:

Even More Classic Watercolors (adult) June 4, 11, 18, 25, 10 a.m.–noon, Instructor Pat Rayman. $35 members, $40 non-members.

Sgraffito Ceramic Carving (Ages 18 to 130), June 5, 12, 19, 26, 10 a.m.–12 p.m. Instructor Matt Temple. $45 members, $50 non-members.

Summer Studio Camp sign ups are here and going fast especially for the younger crowd. In these camps, youths will study animals in
a myriad of mediums. They will explore big and small animals through works of 
art and create their own lively animals through drawing and sculpture.
Materials will include clay, paper
maché, paint and drawing. Materials supplied, wear old clothes and bring a paint shirt.
$40 members/$45 non-members.

Summer Animal Art Studio (ages 5-7) June 12, 13, 19, 20, 26, 27
10–11:30 a.m. Instructor Diane Bendele.

Summer Animal Art Studio (ages 8 and up) June 12, 13, 19, 20, 26, 27 12:30–2:30 p.m.

If you have any questions regarding exhibits, classes or programs or 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 South Washington Street in Van Wert.