Spring. What a fun yoyo. Just another little quirk of Ohio. Thirty degrees feels so much colder after a 70-degree day.
It’s a good thing “Quilts 2025” is setting up at Lake Metroparks Farmpark, 8800 Kirtland-Chardon Road, Kirtland. The show opens on March 28. Expect brilliant colors and stunning designs that will warm your spirits if not your body. The Quilt Vendor Event will be held April 25 through 27. Regular Farmpark admission applies. Learn more at bit.ly/lmp-quilts2025.
So many calls for art lately. Are you an artist or photographer who has never entered a competition? Let’s change that. Ask yourself why. Yes, your work will be critiqued, but that is an important part of growing and getting better. Are you concerned about rejection? Don’t be. You could also be a winner.
Take a chance — you just might surprise yourself. Remember not to take it personally. Being a juror is also difficult. Having been on both sides, I can appreciate the emotional responsibility to myself and to the art I am responsible for comparing and evaluating.
Here’s a tip that is too often overlooked: We meticulously check out artwork, but what of its presentation? Be sure your entry is neat and that the glass and frame are clean and worthy of your artwork.
Let’s get to it.
Stella’s Art Gallery
Stella’s Art Gallery, 38033 Euclid Ave., Willoughby, is presenting “Art Inspired by Music” through April 5. Awards were presented at a recent reception.
The show was juried by artist Diane Fleisch Hughes and musician Bob Hughes. Congratulations to the winners: Michael Bacnik, Best in Show; Joseph John, first place; Karen Melton, second place; Joyce Jentoft, third place; and Ann Dumon and Wendy Playter, honorable mentions.
“This is a great show,” said Dani Klein, gallery co-owner. “You can look at each piece of visual artwork and hear the music. It’s interactive in a different way – stimulating both auditory and visual senses at the same time. I’m very happy with the outcome of this show.
“My goal was to connect the two artforms, and I feel the artists answered that call. So Good!”
The Annex Gallery is hosting Lake County native Michael Walter Dlugolecki’s “45 Years as an Artist.”
“Michael W. Dlugolecki’s ‘45 Years as an Artist’ is phenomenal,” Klein said. “He is such a skilled artist. His goal was to tell his story and inspire young artists to follow their dreams. He does this well.
“Michael will be painting in the Annex Gallery surrounded by his artwork for the (rest of) March during our business hours. Come watch him work, see his art and explore our studios.”
The Secret Society Comedy Club returns to Stella’s, with headlining comedian Anthony DiVito, on April 4. Learn more about this and other “Secret” pop-up comedy events at secretsocietycomedy.com. Tickets are available through Eventbrite.com. Laughter is my favorite exercise!
Next up at Stella’s is a challenge to combine the elements of nature and the elements of art. Entries for “Element of Nature: Earth, Wind, Fire, or Water” must focus on one. Artwork for consideration may be delivered to the gallery from 11:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on April 3 and 4 and from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on April 5. The awards reception will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. on April 11.
For more information, visit stellasgallery.com or call 440-266-9111.
Rabbit Run
The call is out for Northeast Ohio artists, high school-age and adults, to enter the 33rd annual “Juried Art Show,” a collaboration between Madison-based Rabbit Run Community Arts Association and the Madison Public Library.
Cash prizes will be awarded for Best of Show and First Place to both adult and students in painting, drawing, photography and three-dimensional categories.
Entry forms are available at the RRCAA office, 49 Park St.,or by visiting rabbitrun.org. Completed entry forms and fees are being accepted through April 1. Artists may submit up to three works in any two-dimensional medium. Small three-dimensional works may also be submitted. The entry fee for adults is $25 and for students is $7.
The art show will be up for viewing, following judging on April 3, through April 30 at the library, 6111 Middle Ridge Road.
Jurors for the show are Nancy Nelson Brotz, director of visual arts, Ashtabula Arts Center, and Dani Klein, co-owner of Stella’s Art in Willoughby.
All are welcome to attend the awards reception at 6:30 p.m. on April 9.
Penitentiary Glen
Have you been busy capturing images of nature? There is something of interest every season, and our amazing park systems offer an abundance of accessible opportunities.
Penitentiary Glen, 8668 Kirtland-Chardon Road, Kirtland, ib June 7 will open Lake Metroparks’ 38th annual “Amateur Photo Contest & Show.” But let’s not put the cart before the horse. First, they need you to enter your best images taken outdoors within Lake County.
Get busy. There is so much activity as nature reawakens from its long winter nap. It may sound like a long way off, but time is needed to select, crop and print your entry. Entries will be accepted from May 1 through 31 at Penitentiary Glen Nature Center. Prizes will be awarded for first, second and third places in each category and Best of Show.
Images should be matted but not framed. Entry forms with complete details, including tips on matting, can be found at bit.ly/lmp-photo-38.
Be sure to check out “Earth, Air, Fire & Water: Art & the Four Elements” in the exhibit hall through May 11. Artists included in the show are Christine Allchin, Judy Hoppert, Rosalind C. Hughes, Margaret Li, Martina Matthews, Manitu Okahas, Reese Oress, Kate Pennington, Angela Schaal and Christine Siarka.
For more information, call Penitentiary Glen Nature Center at 440-256-1404.
If you would like your artwork to be considered for future shows, contact Wendy Pittenger at 440-256-1404, ext. 2123 or wpittenger@lakemetroparks.com.
Valley Art Center
Valley Art Center, 155 Bell St., Chagrin Falls, will open a dual exhibition featuring two winners from VAC’s annual “Juried Art Exhibition,” Paula Damm and Eileen Woods, with a reception from 5 to 8 p.m. on March 28.
“This exhibition highlights two remarkable artists whose works resonate deeply with contemporary audiences,” said Julie Polsinelli, show curator. “Both Paula and Eileen merge historic techniques with urgent, personal storytelling, creating a visually stunning and emotionally impactful experience.”
Always open for a new twist, VAC has placed QR codes throughout the gallery, allowing visitors to hear the artists share the stories behind the works. The exhibit will be up for viewing through May 7.
For more information, call 440-247-7507 or visit valleyartcenter.org.