If you are looking for inspiration, you are in luck. Just take a peek outside. Spring blooms with droplets of rain clinging to the petals make a beautiful subject. Take a picture. Pick a bouquet. Or buy flowers — you can always give them a little spritz at home to create your desired effect. Use them to create your own still life.
My procrastination caught up with me this month, and I’m sure I’m far from the only person to miss an entry deadline because I simply wasn’t ready. It’s a bummer because I had themed-oriented work so close to being ready for three local shows. I missed them all, so now I am glazing a clay piece for a show in May.
Yes, opportunity will knock again, but the disappointment stemming from not entering is worse than entering and not getting in — at least it is for me. Life will toss a roadblock out there when you least expect it, detouring or cancelling your best laid plans. You can outsmart the unknown by being prepared, like a Boy Scout or Girl Scout, and early. Finish your project as soon as you can so last-minute issues can’t stop you cold. Complete work means that it is framed, wired and ready to hang.
Stella’s Art Gallery
Stella’s Art Gallery, 38033 Euclid Ave., Willoughby, opened “The Four Seasons” with an awards reception on April 10.
Said Dani Klein, gallery owner, “It’s just like Ohio — you can see and experience all four seasons in one day.”
Congratulations to Anna Hsu, Best of Show; Tatiana Strelnikova, first place; Patti Larson, second place; and Shaunna Chiacchiero, third place.
The Annex Gallery’s April show, “Unreal: 2 Visions,” featuring Josh Chefitz and Gregory Johnson, is just too cool to miss,” Klein said. “Both (are abstract artists) yet so different and yet complement each other so well. The show will be up until April 30.”
Stella’s next comedy night is April 17. Chicago’s Kristen Toomey is headlining.
Doors open at 7 p.m., with the show starting an hour later. Tickets are available at eventbrite.com. Come early, grab a drink (or bring your own) and explore the gallery. Insider tip: An improv night is in the works for May! I am looking forward to that.
“Size Matters” is back — in a small way. Small Art entries must fit into one of the following categories: 2D, which can be 4 by 6 or 5 by 7 inches, on an 8-by-10-inch mat; and 3D, with entries under 10 inches tall and wide.
Artwork will be accepted from 11:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on April 30 and May 1 and from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on May 2. There will be an awards reception from 7 to 9 p.m. on May 8.
Complete entry details are at stellasartgallery.com or call 440-266-9111.
WAC
What a wonderful organization the Willoughby Arts Collaborative is. This volunteer outfit does so much for the Willoughby art community. The city is filled with artsy details because of its efforts.
WAC is seeking original designs by local artists to be used on utility boxes. This is a juried competition, with a stipend of $100 to be awarded to the artist for each piece of artwork selected. Think big and bold — a landscape format. The entry deadline is May 1. The entry fee is $20 for one or $35 for two or three.
Check out all they have done and are doing at willoughbyartscollaborative.org. Email questions to wac@willoughbyartscollaborative.org. Volunteers are welcome.
Valley Art Center
Check out “Fun, To What End?” — featuring the work of local artists Edward Raffel and Will Wilson — through May 6 at Valley Art Center,155 Bell St., Chagrin Falls.
There will be an artist talk with Raffel and Wilson from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. April 30. Each artist will speak about his work and practice, followed by audience questions.
As award recipients at previous Valley Art Center’s Annual Juried Art Exhibitions, Raffel and Wilson were invited to present a focused body of work in a shared exhibition that celebrates experimentation, imagination, and distinct artistic voices.
VAC is hosting an exhibit by the Emerging Young Artists’ Best in Show Winner, Nicholas Monastra, in The Patron Gallery.
Volunteers are needed for Art by the Falls. For more information or to register, visit valleyartcenter.org, email gallery@valleyartcenter.org or call 440-247-7507.
‘Quilts 2026’
Lake Metroparks Farmpark, 8800 Euclid Chardon Road, Kirtland, is presenting “Quilts 2026” through April 26. This is the weekend quilters love the most, with Quilt Vendor Days on April 17 and 18. Demonstrations featuring the latest tools and techniques on both days will focus on new and inventive techniques.
The new Quilt Inspiration Series is a collection of free lectures designed to spark creative quilting. The final two will be held on April 19 (“Color My Quilt” by Nelly Vileikis) and April 26 (“A Feast From the Fragments” by Sabastianna Costanzo).
Farmpark admission is $7 to $9. For more information, visit bit.ly/lmp-quilts2026.
Rabbit Run
Check out the Rabbit Run Community Art Association’s 34th annual “Juried Art Show,” co-sponsored by the Madison Public Library, 6111 Middle Ridge Road, where the show will be up for viewing through April 29. Much of the artwork is available for purchase.
Congratulations to Ronald Carroll for his Best of Show win. The winners in drawing are Deanne Steele, first place; C. J. Matviyak, second place; and Alexa Titus, third place.
The winners in painting are Shaunna Chiacchiero, first place; Alice Mullins, second place; and Jennifer Kokal, third place.
In photography, the winners are Julie Cook, first place; Joan Pogalies, second place; and Harry Schwentker, third place.
The winners in 3D are C. J. Matviyak, first place; Jim Abrams, second place; and Gina Mote, third place.
The Mixed Media winners are Stephanie Guthrie, first place; Mattie Dramis, second place; and Ashley Heikell, third place.
A category for digital art was added this year. The winners are Tracy Zakraysek, first place; and John Bell, second place.
In the student category, Evangeline Darby won Best of Show. The other winners: Aubree Triskett, first place; Gunner Murphy, second place; and Ashlyn Thompson, third place.
The jurors for the event were Nancy Brotz, visual arts director at the Ashtabula Arts Center, and the aforementioned Dani Klein.
Learn more at rabbitrun.org.