Parkway High School Marching Band 2010-2011

Wassenberg Photo Show Entries Taken Sept. 11 and 12

Calling all photographers!  The Wassenberg Art Center (WAC) is preparing for the 33rd Annual October Photography Exhibit.  Anyone of any age who likes to take photographs can enter.  You do not have to be a professional photographer -- just have a good eye for a good picture.  You can download a prospectus (rules and entry form) at www.vanwert.com/wassenberg, or you can contact the art center at 419.238.6837 or toll free 1.888.238.3837 and ask us to mail you a prospectus.  If you get the answering machine, be sure to provide your name and address!  Entries will be taken September 11 and 12 from 1-5 p.m., so don’t delay! 

Last week was filled with fun as children grades 1-3 participated in the “X-treme Printmaking” art camp.  They got to try out a number of exciting techniques, including foamboard prints, nature printing, monoprinting, and much more.  The creative juices were flowing, and everyone had fun!

Information on current classes, art camps and exhibits can be found on our website at www.vanwert.com/wassenberg under “calendar”.  At the moment we are trying to schedule another art camp, but don’t have times and dates confirmed, so please do keep checking the site.  As soon as an activity is finalized (dates, times, etc.) with the instructors, we post it.

The Wassenberg Art Center is currently between exhibits.  Our next show, “Visual Communication and Design” (July 4-August 13), will feature work by the talented students of Indiana-Purdue/Fort Wayne’s Visual Communication and Design Department.  I think you will enjoy this unique display, which will include many types of media including photography and computer design.  The work in the show will be selected by staff in related IPFW departments.

“Visual Communication and Design” will have special hours on July 4 from 1-5 p.m. and on July 5 from noon to 5 p.m. to correspond with the Holiday at Home activities.  After that the show’s hours will be 1-5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday, through August 13.  Admission is free.

The Wassenberg Art Center is located at 643 S. Washington Street in Van Wert, Ohio.  For information visit the website at www.vanwert.com/wassenberg, or call 419.238.6837 or toll free 1.888.238.3837.  The email address is wassenberg@embarqmail.com.

Photo caption:  Instructor Pat Rayman (back) checks out a student’s progress during the “X-treme Printing” class held recently at the art center.

Local Talent in Van Wert Civic Theater Production
Starting Friday, June 25, the Van Wert Civic Theatre Youth Theatre will present to the public Dear Edwina Junior.  

Follow the adventures of advice-giver extraordinaire Edwina Spoonapple as she directs the neighborhood kids in production number after hilarious production number in her "Advice-A-Palooza" extravaganza.

Written in the style of “Schoolhouse Rock Live!” and You're A Good Man Charlie Brown, Dear Edwina Junior is the perfect power musical for a new generation. 

Themes and issues explored include table manners, saving money, sibling rivalry, foods you don't like, tolerance, making new friends, and believing in oneself. It is great show and appropriate for all ages!

The box office opens today and will be open through the run of the show from 2-6 p.m. Tickets, which cost $7, can be reserved by calling 419.238.9689. Show dates are Friday and Saturday, June 25-26, at 8 p.m. and Sunday, June 27, at 2 p.m.

Local residents will be joining the cast.  Amanda Tribolett will be playing Edwina in her first major role.  Her brother, Jeremy, is also cast.  Sisters, Kaylee and Emily Gehle, will also be singing and dancing along with the Tribolett siblings.  The cast have been practicing hard for the past month under the direction of Jamie Allen, director, and Amanda Keltner, music director.

It’s Always an Experience at the Niswonger Performing Arts Center of Northwest Ohio. The Grand Series is now on sale featuring 13 star studded events that include Charlie Daniels Band, Ethan Bortnick, Amy Grant, the Toledo Symphony Orchestra, Oklahoma!, Kenny G, A Christmas Carol, Popovich Comedy Pet Theatre, Swan lake, Jim Brickman, Cirque Shanghai, Pirates of Penzance and Boney James. All 13 shows can be purchased for the best discounted price  along with the opportunity to get the seats you want for the season right now. The series can be purchased online at www.npacvw.org or at the Box Office located in the Grand Lobby of the NPAC at 10700 State Route 118 S., Van Wert during our summer box office hours of Tuesday through Friday, noon – 4 pm. At the same time, if you haven’t already purchased the Community Concert Series consisting of 4 concerts featuring Rich Little’s tribute to Jimmy Stewart, American Spiritual Ensemble, Five By Design-Club Swing and the DePue Brothers Band, those tickets can be added on as well for one low price. Beginning June 11, the Select Series goes on sale where you can build your own package for discounted ticket prices. The Select Series can only be purchased in person at the box office or by phone. For more information, visit the website at www.npacvw.org or contact the box office during summer business hours of Tuesday through Friday, noon to 4 PM in person or by phone at 419.238.NPAC (6722).

Arts Place announces the 2010-11 Performance Series, Aural Alchemy.  New season subscriptions are now available.   

Tickets may be ordered online at www.artsland.org, purchased in person or by mail at the Arts Place box office, located at 131 East Walnut Street, P.O. Box 804, Portland, IN 47371, or by phone at 260-726-4809 or toll-free 866-539-9911.  Group rates are available and may be arranged by calling the box office.

Adult subscriptions cost $89, with student subscriptions for $44.50.  This year Arts Place is offering six events.  Those who choose a season subscription save more than 20% off individual ticket prices.

Season subscribers enjoy a list of benefits, including the lowest price per ticket, lost ticket replacement service, advanced notice of special opportunities throughout the year, and early renewal options that guarantee seating for every performance.  In addition, season subscribers also receive the best available seating for each performance.

Performances begin at 7:30 p.m. in Hall-Moser Theatre.  The theatre, named in honor of Linda Hall and in memory of Lee G. Hall and Greg and Marianne Moser, features seating for 283 guests and is completely handicapped accessible.  The raked seating provides an optimal view from anywhere in the theatre.

ArtRageous on Main Held on June 4 and 5
The Peony Festival is on the horizon, and with it comes “ArtRageous on Main,” Van Wert’s art festival downtown in the park.  This is the seventh year for this great festival, and it will run Friday and Saturday, June 4 and 5, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. each day. 

The Wassenberg Art Center will have a booth at ArtRageous again this year.  Two years have passed since our last silent auction of handpainted chairs, so we’re doing this “Chair-ity” fundraiser again to benefit the art center.  Our area artists have done a fantastic job of decorating all kinds of chairs and wooden furniture.  There are Adirondack chairs, footstools, children’s chairs, dining room chairs, kitchen chairs, stools -- and the subjects are as varied as the chairs.  Wait until you see them!

There will also be a chalk drawing event for the kids; check the ArtRageous publicity for further information on this and other fun art events.

The Wassenberg Art Center’s 54th Annual June Art exhibit will open on Sunday, June 6, with a reception from 1-5 p.m.  Many of the artists will be there, so come and take the opportunity to meet them and talk about their work!  Awards will be presented at 2 p.m.  The show will run through June 25; it is sponsored by Van Wert Federal Savings Bank.

The Wassenberg Art Center is located at 643 S. Washington Street.  You can contact us by phone at 419.238.6837 or toll free at 1.888.238.3837.  Our e-mail address is wassenberg@embarqmail.com.  Visit the website at www.vanwert.com/wassenberg and check out our calendar of events.
 

Human Interest, an exhibit featuring works by Celina, Ohio, ceramic artist Ralph Stuckman, will be on display at Arts Place’s Collective Center in St. Marys, Ohio from July 10 through August 28, 2010.  The Collective Center is located at 138 East Spring Street. Admission to the gallery is free and open to the public.

A reception to welcome the artist will be held on Friday, July 9 from 7:00-9:00 p.m.  Gallery hours at the Collective Center are Monday through Thursday from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m.  For more information contact Heidi Meade, Director of Education at 419-394-0707 or thecollectivecenter@artsland.org.

Born on a farm near Bucyrus, Ohio, Ralph Stuckman was highly influenced in the ceramic arts due to those early experiences with nature.  Ralph holds a doctorate in education from Ball State University. A former educator, Dr. Stuckman taught education courses for many years at Wright State University and Urbana University in Ohio.  Education remains an important priority for him.

Ralph became fascinated with the ceramic arts in the 1970s. His informal studies included major institutions in Ohio, Vermont, Missouri, and North Carolina.  Zach Medler of Arts Place in Portland, Indiana, facilitated Ralph’s intensity with ceramic prints.

Stuckman especially enjoys creating works with ceramic prints pertinent to a given theme. He marvels as people are drawn into a prolonged study of each creation.  Ralph frequently hears people comment that they have never seen art as presented in his creations.  He has won many awards and has two solo exhibitions scheduled for 2010. 

Ralph and his wife, Jane, live in Celina, Ohio. Their family includes a son, daughter, and four grandchildren.

Parkway 5th and 6th Grade Music Student Concert
On Monday May 24th the Parkway 5th and 6th grade music students will present their spring concert.  The concert will be held in the auditorium and begins at 7 p.m.  All band members are asked to report to the band room by 6:30 p.m.  All 6th grade choir members are asked to report to the choir room by 6:30 p.m. 

Featured at the concert will be the 5th grade band, 5th grade general music class, 6th grade band and the 6th grade choir.  Parkway bands are directed by Ryan Twigg, Parkway choirs are directed by Shannon Wagner and the general music class is directed by Keith Bowers.

Thank you to Nikki Fox for sharing these great pictures of our band!
Click below for more on her website:
http://www.nfoxphoto.com/126-springbandandchoir/small/126-springbandandchoir.htm
 

The Niswonger Performing Arts Center is excited to announce a 2010-2011 season that includes bigger stars and outstanding performances that will illuminate the stage throughout the season. Always an Experience ~ this season is set to be the best one yet.

Opening the season on September 18 is the legendary classic Southern Country rock fiddler and band, Charlie Daniels Band. Spanning 50 years of music, Daniels and the CDB may best be known through chart topping hits like “The Devil Went Down to Georgia,” “In America,” “Uneasy Rider,” “The South’s Gonna Do It,” “Long Haired Country Boy,” “Still in Saigon,” and “The Legend of Wooley Swamp.” This six member band will present a fast-paced night of Southern Country rock music sure to set the stage for an evening of good times.

Piano prodigy Ethan Bortnick is acclaimed as one of the youngest philanthropists in the world, having graced the stages with major recording artists around the world; since he was three, he has been playing keyboard, and at age five he began composing music.  Launching his own PBS special this summer, ten-year old Bortnick will appear in concert at the NPAC for a great night of music and humor on October 5.

Grammy award winner, singer/songwriter Amy Grant will also be gracing the NPAC stage this season on October 17.  Grant has received six Grammys, numerous Dove Awards, and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.  As a respected artist Grant has toured with Michael W. Smith and MercyMe, and has recently had a number one duet with Matthew West, “Give This Christmas Away.”  Grant performs an array of her music including crossover pop hits such as “Baby Baby” and “Every Heartbeat” to her Christian award winning songs such as “El Shaddai” and “Better than a Hallelujah” a current release from her new album Somewhere Down the Road.

October 23 will be a night of both Harry Potter and Halloween as the Toledo Symphony Orchestra performs their special Halloween concert, Harry Potter meets the Symphony.  Come dressed as your favorite Harry Potter character or Halloween costume and enjoy a night of classic Harry Potter music and mayhem. 

Rogers & Hammerstein’s timeless Oklahoma! will be the Broadway show of the season on Monday, November 1.  The rivalry between the cowboys and farmers and the captivating love story of a cowboy, Curly, and a farmer’s daughter, Laurey, was deemed “The Great American Musical” by New York Times.  Musical numbers include “Surrey with a Fringe on Top,” “People Will Say We’re in Love,” “Oh What a Beautiful Mornin’”  and of course “OKLAHOMA!”

This seasons Christmas shows include An Evening with Kenny G and A Christmas Carol.  Kenny G is a world renowned saxophonist and the highest-selling instrumental musician of the modern era, selling over 75 million albums worldwide. Enjoy a night of beautiful Christmas music with this American legend as he brings his classics like “Songbird” and “Silhouette” as well as holiday favorites on December 9.  Charles Dickens beloved classic A Christmas Carol is the timeless fable illustrating the unfairness of the Industrial Revolution as well as the moral story of unselfishness.  The Nebraska Theatre Caravan takes the stage in telling this holiday tale of Scrooge and the Cratchit family on December 17.

As seen on the Tonight Show, Letterman, America’s Got Talent, and currently on the Vegas strip inside Planet Hollywood Hotel and Casino, Gregory Popovich’s Comedy Pet Theatre comes to Van Wert on January 30, 2011.  Popovich rescued all his performing pets from 26 different animal shelters across the country.  This family-oriented show includes comedy, juggling, acrobatics, and balancing skills.  His performing pets include cats, dogs, geese, ferrets, and mice. 

February 1 the State Ballet of Russia ballet company will present perhaps one of the most beautiful ballets ever written in Swan Lake,  for a graceful evening of Russian dance.  The classic music of Tchaikovsky will mesmorize as the ballet unfolds.

Valentine’s weekend will again be special at the NPAC as solo pianist Jim Brickman and friends bring a special evening of romance on Sunday, February 13.  This two-time Grammy-nominated artist will be performing hits like “Valentine,” “Love of My Life,” “If You Believe” and “Never Alone.” 

Cirque Shanghai presents Bai XI: The Show of a Hundred Wonders on Mach 1.  Performers, dancers and acrobats from around the world will leave the audience breathless at their feats, dances and performances. This show is a breathtaking spectacle that establishes a new standard of acrobatic excellence with truly Olympic-caliber artists.

Performed in its original format, the New York Gilbert and Sullivan players bring the zany world of pirates to Van Wert next spring. The Pirates of Penzance is a comedy set off the coast of Cornwall about loyalty and love between pirates, maidens, buccaneers, and the British police officers.  The delightfully dotty “model of a modern Major-General” and his bumbling British Bobbies bring this exuberant musical theatre masterpiece, complete with a 17 piece orchestra to the NPAC stage on March 25.

Boney James, a contemporary jazz and R&B star will bring the 2010-2011 season to an exciting finish.  He is noted as one of today’s most respected and best-selling instrumental artists and performers. This soulful and gifted saxophonist and songwriter will be on stage April 30. The Philadelphia Tribune said, “An unbelievable technician who knows how to work a crowd…A tough act to follow!”

The 2010-2011 season is full of performances that you will not want to miss.  Series packages for the entire Grand Series of 13 shows will be available for sale on May 28. The Select Series, which is a build your own series at varying discounts, will go on sale June 11. Individual ticket sales begin approximately 90 days prior to the show, or check the website for specific dates. Also on sale is the four-concert Community Concert Series which features world class impersonator, Rich Little in a Tribute to Jimmy Stewart, the American Spiritual Ensemble, Five By Design’s Club Swing, and the amazing fiddling DePue Brothers Band. 

An added attraction to this season is also the kick-off of the NPAC Lecture Series.  Famous children’s author and illustrator, Steven Kellogg will present at the NPAC on Sept. 20.  Any child in school has read and fallen in love with Kellogg’s many stories.  This will be an educational and entertaining evening for children, parents and grandparents.  Additional programs could be added throughout the season.  Watch the website for exciting new announcements.

The box office is located at 10700 State Route 118 S., Van Wert, Ohio in the Grand Lobby of the Niswonger Performing Arts Center of Northwest Ohio. Hours are Monday through Friday from noon to 4 PM. Summer hours begin in June and are Tuesday through Friday from 12-4pm. Tickets can also be purchased over the web or phone with major credit cards at 419.238.NPAC (6722). Visit the NPAC website, www.npacvw.org, for more information on the performances and ticket sale dates and join us on Facebook. 

JAY COUNTY COMMUNITY BAND

Arts Place is currently accepting registrations for its new Jay County Community Band. Only 3 weeks are left to hop on the bandwagon.

• All experienced, area band musicians are welcome to join.
• Registration forms are available at Arts Place, 131 East Walnut Street in Portland, Indiana or 138 East Spring Street in St. Marys, Ohio. An electronic version is available at www.artsland.org. For more information contact Heidi Bouse at 260-726-4809, ext. 231 or heidib@artsland.org.
• Eight Tuesday evening rehearsals beginning Tuesday, May 25 from 6:30-8:00 p.m. and culminating in a July 4th concert at the Jay County Fairgrounds.
• The band will be directed by Arts Place MusicWorks instructors Emilie Garringer, Kelly Smeltzer, and Pete Vogler
• Cost is $25 for the eight week program

The Jay County Community Band is sponsored by Delta Theta Tau Sorority, Xi Chapter.

Broadway Comes to Van Wert

NPAC finale to feature winners of young vocalist contest

Broadway veteran Franc D’Ambrosio and the Lima Symphony Orchestra, will bring a tuneful celebration of the American musical to the Niswonger Performing Arts Center of Northwest Ohio in Van Wert on May 15 for the venue’s season finale.

A highlight of Franc D’Ambrosio’s Broadway show will be a “Phantom of the Opera” medley that will include a duet by the two young winners of the NPAC’s “Call for Christine and Raoul” competition. 33 young vocalists from throughout the region submitted audition CD’s for the chance to sing the parts of Christine and Raoul. On Friday evening, six of these vocalists, chosen by D’Ambrosio and Center Productions, Inc., will participate in Mr. D’Amborosio’s master class and compete for the opportunity to sing a duet the next evening. A local panel of performing arts professionals will select one young man and one young woman to perform with D’Ambrosio and the Lima Symphony Orchestra on stage during the Saturday evening performance.

The contestants range in age from 13 to 21. Those who auditioned are Jamie Allen, Van Wert; Sabryna Ashby, Van Wert; Tanner Baldwin, Continental; Victoria Barnhart, Van Wert; Daniel Bashore, Van Wert; Quintin Bouillon, Van Wert; Kelly Clinger, Orlando, FL/Findlay, OH; Sarah Diller, Bluffton; Megan Farley, Lima; Taylor Frame, Wapakoneta; Maria Fricano, Ada; Kirsten Fuelling, Celina; Caitlin Hancock, Van Wert; Hayley Hesselschwardt, Hicksville; Nicholaus Hribar, Lima; Jennifer Kahlig, Coldwater; Garrett Koesters, St. Henry; Trevor Kroeger, Delphos; Amanda Kuhlman, Lima; Sara Lefeld, St. Henry; Jonathan Luginbill, Bluffton; Brian Mack, Spencerville;  Renni Magee, Lima; Whitney Owens, Van Wert; Brigitte Reinke, Bowling Green; Kathy Roberts, Wapakoneta; Jared Ross, Paulding; Tori Lynn Rutledge, Delphos; Jacquelyn Skoog, Bowling Green; Allison Stiger, Wapakoneta; Jena Sweigart, Celina; Janel Vogel, Ft. Recovery and Brandon Weller, Ottawa. 

Franc D’Ambrosio is best known as the Phantom in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Tony Award-winning musical “The Phantom of the Opera.” He was awarded the distinction of the “World’s Longest Running Phantom” and nicknamed “The Ironman of the Mask” after he performed the role over 3,000 times. D’Ambrosio also performed the role of Anthony Corleone, the opera singing son of Al Pacino and Diane Keaton, in Francis Ford Coppola’s Academy Award nominated film “Godfather III.” 

In addition to music from The Phantom, the concert will include such enduring favorites as “The Impossible Dream,” “Mack the Knife,” “Speak Softly Love, “ and “Give my Regards to Broadway,” all backed by the full bodied orchestration of music under the direction of Maestro Crafton Beck and the Lima Symphony Orchestra.   

Partnering on this concert and contest is The Lima News. Tickets for this show are still available and priced at $20-$40. They can be purchased at the NPAC Box Office Monday through Friday from noon to 4 pm at 10700 State Route 118 South, Van Wert, or by calling 419.238.NPAC (6722). Tickets can also be purchased online at www.npacvw.org.

Wolf in Steel Clothing
Gary Hovey of New Knoxville is shown with his sculpture "Wolf in Steel Clothing."   Hovey creates metal sculptures from ordinary tableware -- knives, forks and spoons.  The wolf's fur is made up of over 800 forks.  This sculpture, along with other pieces of Hovey's work, is part of a three-artist exhibit now on display at the Wassenberg Art Center, 643 S. Washington St., Van Wert, Ohio.  The show, which includes paintings by William John Jr. of Lima and Ann Dysinger of Grover Hill, will run through May 8.  Exhibit hours are 1-5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday (closed Mondays) and admission is free. This exhibit is sponsored by Brickner Funeral Home.   For information call 419.238.6837, toll free 1.888.238.3837, or e-mail wassenberg@embarqmail.com. 

Entry Forms and Rules available for June Art Exhibit
The Wassenberg Art Center has announced that prospectuses containing rules and entry forms for its 54th Annual June Art Exhibit are now available for artists who are interested in entering this year’s juried competition.  Entry is open to all artists aged 18 and over.  Prospectuses have been mailed to those who have previously entered the show, and can be downloaded from www.vanwert.com/wassenberg.   They are also available by calling the art center at 419.238.6837 or 1.888.238.3837 and requesting a prospectus be mailed, or by writing to the art center at 643 S. Washington St., Van Wert, Ohio 45891.  Requests for prospectuses may be left on the answering machine; please provide a name and mailing address.

Entry is open to all artists 18 and older.  Entries will be taken at the art center on May 15 and 16 from 1-5 p.m.  All entries must conform to the rules listed in the prospectus. 

The June exhibit will run June 6-25.  It is sponsored by Van Wert Federal Savings Bank.

For more information, contact the art center or visit the website at www.vanwert.com/wassenberg.

Grand Lake Photo Club’s Exhibition Contest Winners

Grand Lake Photo Club held it’s first monthly exhibition contest at their meeting on Sunday April 26, 2010.  With a theme of “Spring”, members took photos of what spring meant to them within a designated time period.  Then the members voted on each other’s photos, selecting what they see as the top three photos representing spring. 

The winners are:

Denise Speelman won 1st place with a photo of a bird’s nest with three blue eggs inside.
Heather Unrast won 2nd place with a photo of a woman taking a walk in the spring flowers

Connie Williams won 3rd place with a photo of the fog on the lake
Billie Bailey won Honorable Mention with a photo of an old bike surrounded by spring flowers

Winners were awarded a mounted print of their photo by Designer Imaging.
The 1st place winner was awarded a $20 gift certificate from Ben's Custom Framing in Coldwater.

Grand Lake Photo Club is accepting new members and more information can be found, including the winning photos, on our website at www.grandlakephotoclub.com.  Mays monthly exhibition theme is “Red”, and the next meeting will be held on May 30th, 2010 at the Galleria in Celina, Ohio.

Caption for photo: Winners in order from left to right, Connie Williams (3rd Place), Dee Speelman (1st Place), Heather Unrast (2nd Place), Billy Bailey not pictured.

This enchanting classic of children's literature is re-imagined in brilliant musical style by composer Lucy Simon and Marsha Norman, the Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright of 'Night Mother. Orphaned in India, 11 year-old Mary Lennox returns to Yorkshire to live with her embittered, reclusive uncle Archibald and his invalid son Colin. The estate's many wonders include a magic garden which beckons the children with haunting melodies and the "Dreamers", spirits from Mary's past who guide her through her new life, dramatizing The Secret Garden's compelling tale of forgiveness and renewal.

Doug Eblen Exhibit Opens in St. Marys May 7                
An exhibit entitled The Many Faces of Doug Eblen Art will be on display at Arts Place’s Collective Center in St. Marys, Ohio from May 7 through July 3, 2010.  The Collective Center is located at 138 East Spring Street. Admission to the gallery is free and open to the public. 

A reception to welcome the artist will be held on Saturday, May 8 from 7:00-9:00 p.m. Gallery hours at the Collective Center are Monday through Thursday from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m.  For more information contact Heidi Meade, Director of Education at 419-394-0707 or thecollectivecenter@artsland.org. 

Doug Eblen is a Celina, Ohio native.   After retiring from the United States Postal Service he began to pursue a life long interest in art.  A self-taught artist, Eblen works in watercolor, acrylic, oil paints, and some pastels.  Mr. Eblen’s work has received many awards in local art shows.  He was a featured artist in the Art-to-Art Palette Magazine 2007-08 Fall-Winter Edition. 

The artist is a member of  the Wassenberg Art Center in Van Wert, Ohio; Visual Arts Network in Lima, Ohio; Ohio Plein Air Society; and Ohio Watercolor Society.

Wassenberg Art Center News, by Michele Hiegel

The Wassenberg’s current exhibit features the work of metal sculptor Gary Hovey of New Knoxville, the paintings of Ann Dysinger of Grover Hill, and paintings by William “Bill” John of Lima.  Today we’d like to say a few words about Bill, a versatile artist who works in watercolor, acrylic, pencil, airbrush, pen and ink, gouache, egg tempera, mixed media, stippling and diamond etching.

 William John, a native Ohioan, was raised on a small farm near Wapakoneta.  From childhood he enjoyed exploring nature and hiking the woods on his father’s farm.  And also from childhood he has enjoyed expressing his delight in the outdoors on paper and canvas. 

Along with his stunning wildlife paintings, Bill paints a wide range of other subjects including family portraits, children and pets, horses, antique cars, old and new houses, and barns.  He also works on business logos and art related to land development.

Bill is somewhat unique among professional artists because of his wide variety of subject matter and versatility in a number of mediums.

The exhibit of works by William John, Gary Hovey and Ann Dysinger will be on display now through May 8.  Exhibit hours are 1-5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday.  Admission is free.  The art center is closed on Mondays.  This exhibit is made possible through the generous sponsorship of Brickner Funeral Home.

Would you like to sponsor a Wassenberg exhibit, or memorialize a loved one or pet with a special award in one of the three annual competitive shows?  Contact the art center for details.

Congratulations to Wild Willy’s Pizza on joining the Wassenberg’s Small Business Membership!  This membership level benefits the business while it supports the visual arts in our community -- it is a win-win situation.

The Wassenberg Art Center is located at 643 S. Washington St., Van Wert, Ohio 45891.  For information visit the website at www.vanwert.com/wassenberg, or call 419.238.6837; 1.888.238.3837; e-mail wassenberg@embarqmail.com.

From the Palette, by Kay Sluterbeck

 Sketch of Marie Antoinette going to her death, by Jacques Louis David

No one’s neck was safe from the guillotine during the years following the French Revolution in 1789.  This period was called “The Terror,” for good reason.  The French motto of “liberty, equality, fraternity” came to mean chaos, peril, and revenge as friends turned on friends to save their own lives and people at all levels, from statesmen to poor shopkeepers, were executed, sometimes for ridiculous reasons.

In those terrible years the painter Jacques Louis David (1748-1825) grew to power in the Revolutionary Convention.  He voted for the death of his former patron, Louis XVI, and for this action some of his friends never forgave him and his wife left him.   We can deduce from his pre-Revolution paintings, which are full of symbolism, that David may have believed France must be purified of tyranny -- no matter what the cost.  There is no sign that he was anguished by his activities on behalf of the revolution.  In fact, when an acquaintance told him that 80 people had been guillotined that day, he remarked “Is that all?”  But we know that he was not an unfeeling man.  For example, at great cost to himself he supported the aging artist Fragonard, who had helped David when he was poor and unknown by giving him commissions. 

As part of his duties as official artist of the Revolution, he stationed himself along the route of the tumbrels (open carts) to sketch victims on their way to the guillotine.  Probably the saddest of these drawings is a 1793 sketch of “the Widow Capet”, the name the revolutionaries gave to Marie Antoinette, Queen of France.  The young queen may have been vain, weak and foolish during her reign, but David’s drawing shows her going to her death with courage and dignity.  Her beauty is gone, destroyed by her horrific and biased trial, condemnation, imprisonment, illness, execution of her husband and loss of her child.  As Johnathon Jones of the “Guardian” notes in a December 2002 essay on this sketch, “This drawing is an acknowledgement of the Revolution's violence, in which David is complicit. David is an honest extremist. He believes in the inevitability of this execution so absolutely that he can stand back and feel a tweak of empathy.”

David’s duties included painting scenes of the revolution and staging public ceremonies.  He was also assigned to see that all hints of royalty were removed from even the most ordinary things -- for example, playing cards were redesigned to eliminate the knave, king and queen.  Even the art world was not exempt, the Royal Academy and its schools were abolished.. 

And just to be safe, he changed his own style away from pre-Revolutionary classicism to realism.  Most of his pictures of the period are not the most interesting ones of his career, but in one picture he rose above himself.  This is the “Death of Marat”.  Marat was David’s personal friend and a power of the new regime.  Due to a serious skin condition, Marat spent much of his time in a medicinal bath, which he set up as a makeshift office, with pens, paper and books beside it.  A young woman named Charlotte Corday, who was outraged by the excesses of the Terror, gained an appointment with Marat by saying she had vital information to reveal.  Alone with Marat, she stabbed the helpless man.  She was arrested on the spot and later guillotined.

A dead man in a bathtub may not seem like a good subject for a painting.  But David, channeling his grief into icy calm, created a classical, restrained painting that still has the power to stir the emotions.

 David eventually came under suspicion himself.  He supported Robespierre, who was tried and executed because his terrorist activities became intolerably abusive.  David would probably have suffered the same fate, but his trial was delayed long enough for the judges and councils to cool down.  It was a terrifying time for the artist.  There are eyewitness reports of David on the stand, a once-powerful man reduced to a sweating, mumbling wreck begging for his life and denying his connection with Robespierre.

David’s life was spared.  He was imprisoned in the Luxembourg Palace, used for the overflow of prisoners.  His “cell” was a room with a view of the gardens, where his children were brought by their governess so he could watch them play.  His friends and students supplied him with art materials.  Upon his release he withdrew from politics, going back to painting. 

Eventually his paintings again made him the sensation of Paris, and when Napoleon came to power David found himself in politics again. When Napoleon’s power waned, David tried to support him, but signed petitions which made it wise for him to flee the country when Napoleon fell.  Fortunately, he was wealthy enough to live comfortably in Brussels -- where, at a distance, he remained the most powerful force in French painting.  In his semi-retirement he even began painting for his own pleasure instead of for the support of politicians.  Jacques Louis David died in 1825 after one of the most convoluted careers in both art and political history.

Arts Place is currently accepting registrations for its new Jay County Community Band, an offering of the MusicWorks program.  All experienced, area band musicians are welcome to join.  Registration forms are available at Arts Place, 131 East Walnut Street in Portland, Indiana or 138 East Spring Street in St. Marys, Ohio.  An electronic version is available at www.artsland.org.   For more information contact Heidi Bouse at 260-726-4809, ext. 231 or heidib@artsland.org.

Led by Arts Place MusicWorks instructors Emilie Garringer, Kelly Smeltzer, and Pete Vogler, the Jay County Community Band will hold eight Tuesday evening rehearsals beginning Tuesday, May 25 from 6:30-8:00 p.m.  The ensemble will perform in a July 4^th concert at the Jay County Fairgrounds.  Cost is $25 for the eight week program. 

The Van Wert Area Performing Arts Foundation has just released the new 2010-11 Community Concert Series.   

The new season offers four professional concerts beginning on October 30 with world-famous impressionist Rich Little in a show that gives tribute to his late friend and Hollywood actor, Jimmy Stewart.  This exciting evening of entertainment and laughter is not your typical evening; it includes music, singing and Rich’s adventures into the colorful world of Hollywood no one can match. His performance of Jimmy Stewart comes to life right before your very eyes. 

On February 19, the American Spiritual Ensemble comes to the NPAC to present a concert of spirituals and other great choral music, including classic spirituals, jazz, and Broadway.  Several soloists are also highlighted during their performances.  This group of All-Star singers hails from Lexington, KY, but the singers actually perform all over the world. It is an exciting experience as the American Spiritual Ensemble celebrates an African-American tradition.   

The group Five By Design will present the show- “Club Soda” featuring great Swing Music with a big band and vocals on March 18.  Not only is this a concert of exciting swing music, but it is also a story of trying to save “Club Swing” from the wrecking ball.  Come and see what happens as the fabulous “Club Swing” comes to life “where the music’s hot, the drinks are cool, and the legend lives forever!”   

The final concert in the series is the Bluegrass fiddlin’ DePue Brothers Band in April.  The four brothers who actually hail from nearby Bowling Green, Ohio have earned great acclaim in the music business; two as members of the world-renowned Philadelphia Orchestra, one as the Concert Master of the Indianapolis Symphony and the other as a world fiddling champion.  They are joined on stage with four other musicians as they turn in their classical violin chops to tear up the stage with some of the wildest fiddling you have ever heard! 

Brochures have been mailed to current ticket patrons who have until May 16 to renew their season tickets.  New patrons will be accepted beginning May 17.  Single tickets will be sold approximately 90 days before each concert.  Buying the entire series allows a better selection of seats and is a savings of nearly 50%.  For more information, please visit the NPAC website: www.npacvw.org or stop by the box office, located at 10700 SR 118 South in Van Wert for a brochure and information.

Wildlife Show Opens ~ Wassenberg Art Center

What a great opening for a great new exhibit!  The show includes paintings by Ann Dysinger of Grover Hill and Bill John of Lima which feature everything from deer to ducks to dogs, and the most unique sculptures by Gary Hovey of New Knoxville.

The sculptures include a beautiful six-foot-tall giraffe, a raccoon, a couple of owls, a Cocker Spaniel puppy, and more!  All of them are made of everyday flatware -- forks, knives and spoons -- welded together to make wonderful animals, birds, plants and fish.  They are amazing to see, and both adults and kids love them!

This show is on display through May 8.  Exhibit hours are 1-5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday (closed Mondays).  It is sponsored through the generosity of Brickner Funeral Home.

We have a class in Creative Drawing coming up May 4, 11, 25 -- 6:30-8:30 p.m.  Class Fee:  $45 art center members, $55 non-members.  Instructor:  Pat Rayman.  This class will offer a variety of ways to improve your drawing skills and have fun doing it.  A variety of subjects will be explored.  Materials needed:  Drawing pad and/or Bristol paper pad, an assortment of drawing pencils (B, HB, 2B, etc.), permanent ink pen (for example, Micron or Sharpie), kneaded eraser, colored pencils.  Preregistration is required.  Payment assures your place in class.

To register, contact the Wassenberg Art Center, 643 S. Washington Street, Van Wert, Ohio 45891, 419.238.6837; 1.888.238.3837; wassenberg@embarqmail.com.  Visit the art center’s website at www.vanwert.com/wassenberg (click on “calendar”) to see current information on shows and classes.

The Wassenberg Art Center is a nonprofit community art center funded by donations, sponsorships, membership and class fees, memorials and grants.

Click here to view the promotional poster!

Arts Place will be holding a Benefit Auction on Friday, April 16, 2010 at Speedway Lanes, located at 455 North Herman Street in New Bremen, Ohio.  The event will begin at 7:00 p.m.  Admission is free with hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar available.  Entertainment will be provided by the Serenade String Quartet.  If you are interested in attending please contact Arts Place at 419-394-0707 or thecollectivecenter@artsland.org.

All proceeds from the auction will support the programs and activities of Arts Place in Ohio, including Arts in the Parks, MusicWorks, Innovations, exhibits, and more.  A list of auction items is available online at www.artsland.org.
           
Individuals and area businesses donate all auction items, including trips, gift items, artwork, gift certificates, and much more.  To donate an item or service for the Benefit Auction, submit a bid, or for more information, please contact Arts Place at 419-394-0707 or thecollectivecenter@artsland.org.

Auctioneering services donated by Jon Hall of Owen Hall Realtors and Auctioneering, and Larry Schaaf of Larry Schaaf Auto Sales and Triple E Rental.  The Ohio Arts Council helped fund this organization with state tax dollars to encourage economic growth, educational excellence and cultural enrichment for all Ohioans.

Victoria Henkle is from Rockford, Ohio, and graduated from Parkway High School in 2006. She has always had a passion for art, and seeks to instill that passion in others through her major of art education. Her artwork relates to her firsthand experiences, and she wants the viewers to be able to relate it to their own experiences as well.

Ashley Martin is from Kokomo, Ind. Throughout her childhood she was very interested in art, and upon attending Bluffton chose to major in art with a minor in graphic design. Much of her artwork draws inspiration from emotion that the human body and facial expression.