Tracy Parsons’ “Spirit Tree Lamp” took best-in-show in the second annual “Functional Art Show,” on display through May at Stella’s Art Gallery in Willoughby. (Courtesy of Stella’s Art Gallery)
“Art is for everyone.”
I know that sounds terribly cliché, but it is a fact. It’s also a quote from American artist/activist/philanthropist Keith Haring (1958-1990). His life is as interesting as his artwork. Check him out sometime.
Art touches everyone. It’s intrinsic to who we are as humans in so many ways. Culture and tradition are communicated through the arts via song, dance, images and words. Historical artifacts provide a look at how functional art was used eons ago. Customs and costumes have been passed down for generations.
Art can say things that go beyond the accepted norm. It can be political, provocative, thought provoking or calming. What else has such a broad reach?
I’d love to continue the history lesson, but space is limited, so I will get to the point. Artists, especially designers, surround us with their work, clothes, furniture, dinnerware, lighting, homes, cars, hybrid plants, wallpaper, birthday cards and so much more. It’s like the air we breathe. And without it, what would we be? Think about it.
Having said all that, I omitted the obvious arts that first come to mind: painting, sculpture, theater, poetry and photography. The take-away is that there is much more to art than pretty pictures hanging on the wall or refrigerator, it is part of our lifestyle as humans.
Think about this as you go about your day. What can you touch that an artist did not touch first?
Stella’s Art Gallery
As luck would have it, the second annual “Functional Art Show” is on display through May at Stella’s Art Gallery, 38033 Euclid Ave., Willoughby.
“Awesome show! This is a non-traditional show that has found a home a Stella’s,” gallery owner Dani Klein said. “We received 15 more entries than last year and will do it again in May 2025. I love giving 3D and fabric artists a place to show.”
Congratulations to the winners.
Tracy Parsons took Best in Show honors with her “Spirit Tree Lamp.”
The winners in Ceramics and Glass, and Paper are Ann Rose, first place; Cath Smith, second place; and Emily Strogin, third place.
The winners in Fabric are Patricia Weiss, first and second places; and Carol Liekala, third place. The winners in Furniture are Jeff Sivyer, first place; Grace Klein, second place; and Heather Hayden, third place.
The winners in Wearables are Grace Klein, first place; Carol Liekala, second place; and Julie Sheil, third place.
“Coast to Coast” by photographer David Shockey is on display in the Annex Gallery at Stella’s.
Stella’s has two calls for art going out for June. First up is “Size Matters,” with these categories in any medium: Tiny Bits, for artwork no larger than 4 inches by 6 inches; Medium Muscle, with entries from 8 by 10 inches to 12 by 16 inches; and Living Large, for artworks 18 inches by 24 inches or larger. (Pieces in the latter category must fit through a standard doorway.)
Entries will be accepted from 11:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on June 6 and 7 and from 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on June 8. The awards reception will be from 7 to 9 p.m. June 14. Awards are presented at 8 p.m.
The second call for art is for “Ekphrastic Poetry.” This is poetry written about a specific artwork. Writers are invited to visit the gallery between June 14 and 27, choose an artwork that inspires them and register at the front desk. Only one poem per artwork. A reading of the poetry will be from 7 to 9 p.m. on June 28.
For more information, visit StellasArtGallery.com or call 440-266-9111.
Gallery at Lakeland
The 14th “May Show at Lakeland,” presented in the Gallery at Lakeland Community College, 7700 Clocktower Drive, Kirtland, opens with a reception and awards ceremony at 7 p.m. May 16 and will remain up through July 19.
I look forward to sharing the winners with you in the next Gallery Glances. Learn more at lakelandcc.edu/gallery or call 440-525-7029.
Penitentiary Glen Reservation
Lake Metroparks Reservation, 8668 Kirtland-Chardon Road, Kirtland, will present the 37th annual “Amateur Photography Contest & Show” June 8 through Aug. 4. Entries will be accepted at the nature center until 4 p.m. on May 31.
Do you have pictures taken outdoors in Lake County? The categories are Landmarks of Lake Metroparks, Lake Erie, Wildlife, Landscape, Floral and Black and White, which can depict any of the categories listed above. There are Adult and Junior (ages 14 and younger) divisions.
An opening reception and awards ceremony will be held at 1:30 p.m. June 8. The entry fee — $5 per print for adults, $3 per print for juniors — is required at dropoff. Only one entry per person, per category. A maximum of three entries per photographer.
For more information, call 440-256-1404 or visit goto.lakemetroparks.com/amateur-photo-contest.
Geauga Park District
Because we are including the art of writing today, it feels like a gift to be able to include the winners of Geauga Park District’s 29th annual Nature Writing Contest.
The winners in Child Prose are John Gordon, first place; Avery Blank, second place; Ahmed Salman, third place; and Noah DeLuca and Amina DiCorleto-Khan, honorable mentions.
The winners in Child Poetry are Evelyn Rice, first place; Ela Yogenthiran, second place; Tucker Littman, third place; and Gabrielle Armstrong and Sean Walsh, honorable mentions.
The winners in Adolescent Prose are Nathan Thomas, first place; Josiah Bihary, second place; Chrysanthi Constantinou, third place; and Shriya Iyer, honorable mention.
The winners in Adolescent Poetry are Jiawen Hu, first place; Gianna Paterniti, second place; Zachary Harvey, third place; and Presley Burkholder, honorable mention.
The winners in Adult Prose are Patricia Fox, first place; Hallie Chavez, second place; Diana Kresnye, third place; and Jimmy Miller, honorable mention.
The winners in Adult Poetry are Kevin Pitorak, first place; Lori Black, second place; Lucy McNees, third place; and Tamara Cabrera-Perrine and Sarah Marcus-Donnelly, honorable mentions.
Read all their winning works and learn more about the judges at geaugaparkdistrict.org, clicking on News & Updates.
For more on Geauga Park District information visit the site or call 440-286-9516.