Spring is in the air! Snow and ice will come and go for a few more weeks, but the days are getting longer, the birds are out house hunting, owls are on the nest and buds are swelling on the trees. Can you smell the maple syrup being made?
Yes, my friends, winter is on its last leg. Be careful on the ice while capturing awesome images for this year’s photo contests. A sunny day certainly would set up some interesting plays with shadows and light.
Artists are checking calls for art, summer art festivals, monthly and seasonal shows, special exhibits and programs. When we are not working on something, we are thinking about it. It’s just intrinsic to who we are.
The popular Willoughby ArtsFest will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on July 19, and the time to apply is now! For more information, call 440-942-1632, email artsfest@wwlcchamber.com or download forms at willoughbyartsfest.com.
The Rabbit Run Community Arts Association has announced that applications to enter the 33rd annual “Juried Art Show” are available at the RRCAA office, 49 Park St., Madison Village, or by visiting rabbitrun.org. They will be accepted from March 10 through April 1.
I have some very exciting news to share, so let’s jump right into it.
The Art Gallery
Yes, you read that right. The Art Gallery, 38721 Mentor Ave., Willoughby, is reopening with a new owner and artistic director, Jacques P. Jackson. Negotiations began nearly a year ago, and the deal was done in December. Past owner George Ann Trembour is being “tremendously helpful in making sure there is a smooth transition,” Jackson said.
He has been working to get the gallery back into an exhibit-worthy condition. See for yourself when he opens the first exhibit, “MASS HYSTERIA, Night of 100 Wombs,” with a reception from 5 to 9 p.m. on Feb. 28.
This will be the official opening of the gallery. Interactive activities, such as artist talks and paint-and-sips related to the exhibit will be announced during the reception. Regular hours will be noon to 7 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday.
“The ‘MASS HYSTERIA’ exhibit is born out of ignorance — my ignorance,” Jackson said. “Five years ago, I was met with a conversation that I had not anticipated. A friend gave me the news that she had recently had a hysterectomy. ‘They removed everything except my cervix,’ she told me.
“In that very moment, I realized that at the ripe old age of 45, I had absolutely no concept of what a cervix was — and even less of a clue of its function. It occurred to me that in all of my illustrious education, not more than 20 minutes was dedicated to the study of this magnificent organ, the uterus. Then I thought, ‘If I am this clueless, surely there must be others.’ The reality is few of us are versed in the complexity and majesty of the womb.”
He has opened the door to an artistic celebration of the magic of women just in time for National Women’s History Month, celebrated in March, wth the show running through March 29. He intends to make this an annual exhibit.
Artists included in the show: Marla Dawn, Hadeev, Suhaylah the Artist, Chester Bey, Jerome White, Camara Goodrich, Santanna, Lisa Kenion, Jacques P. Jackson, Amelia Casino, Sheila Spremulli, Jurnee Ta’Zion, DMariana, Allison Lukacsy, Barbara Murnane, Jessica Travis, Brooke Allen, Chrystal Robinson, Lennon Strain and Rosemary Torok.
“The gallery will move in some new directions,” Jackson said. “This means new art, of course, but also new class offerings and fresh and exciting events. Our goal, however, is to retain some of the special events as we learn about them from customers. We know the community is eager to return. And we look forward to servicing their art needs.”
Jackson plans to reach beyond visual art, adding ekphrastasy, poetry relating to art, to the equation and, perhaps, music.
Customers can still shop for artisan-made jewelry and have their art framed. And for those who may still have artwork or framing in the gallery, Jackson has assured me that he will call everyone in the next three weeks to reconnect you with your items.
Please be patient, as he has his hands full preparing to reopen. The new website, artgalleryofwilloughby.com, is still undergoing revisions. Call 440-510-8192 for more information.
Stella’s Art Gallery
The “Typography Show” at Stella’s Art Gallery, 38033 Euclid Ave., Willoughby, will be up for viewing through March 10 in the event gallery, and five Stella artists — Cath Smith, Linda Zolten Woods, Jeni Lang, Becky Glasser and Emily Strogin — are being represented in the Annex Gallery via a variety of media.
“I love how ‘Typography’ made artists think outside the box, said Dani Klein, Stella’s owner. “It encouraged traditional artists to think in forms of letters and symbols
“We will do this one again next year.”
Show winners: Barbara Bachtell, Best in Show; Barbara Martin, first place; Becky Glasser, second place; Carol Leikala, third place; Barbara Martin, honorable mention; and Tanya Brisco, honorable mention.
Next up is “Art Inspired by Music.” Music moves you and urges you to create, be it classical, country, rap or rock ’n’ roll. What is your musical muse? Artists must include the genre, artist and song in each title.
Artwork will be accepted from 11:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on March 6 and 7 and from 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on March 8. An awards reception will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. on March 14.
For more information, visit stellasgallery.com or call 440-266-9111.
Euclid Art Association
The next meeting of the Euclid Art Association, on March 3, will be via Zoom and feature a “Sketch Along” with David Rankin, an internationally acclaimed watercolor artist and author of “Fast Sketching Techniques.” He will demonstrate “shape-sketching procedures” he uses when drawing urban landscapes and bridges in and around Cleveland.
If anyone would like to be included, email a request for the Zoom link to info@euclidArt.com. It will be provided on Feb. 28. Have your sketchbook, and 2B and 9B pencils ready to sketch along with Rankin.