Deadlines to enter art shows around Northeast Ohio fast approaching | Gallery Glances

It’s time to spring into action. There is so much activity with the onset of a new growing season, from the gardens sprouting and the non-stop singing of birds to baby animals appearing in the woodlands and farms.

Seriously, the world is greening up from the ground to the trees. How can you not be motivated to capture these fleeting images with pencil, paint or camera?

Once you’ve managed to create or capture your favorite moment in time, don’t fight the need to share it. The call for artists to enter work in spring and summer shows is growing. Many offer cash awards, as well as ribbons and recognition. Share your work. A few places to begin are listed here today.

Ashtabula Arts Center

Members of the Lakeshore Artists group are holding their annual show and sale at the Ashtabula Arts Center, 2928 W. 13th St. There will be a reception from 6 to 8 p.m. May 18.

The group originated in 1973 as the Professional Artists of Ashtabula County and has since expanded to include amateur artists, students and others interested in the visual arts. They meet on the second Friday of each month at AAC. The club exhibits at various events throughout the year, including the Wine & Walleye Festival and The Arts on Bridge Street.

The club has grown to more 30 members. Its mission is to encourage the visual arts as a community endeavor through education, exhibits and participation in civic events in the area. For more information, call 440-964-3396.

Lake Metroparks

Entries for the 32nd annual Amateur Photography Contest are being accepted until 4:30 p.m. on May 31 at Penitentiary Glen Nature Center, 8668 Kirtland-Chardon Road, Kirtland.

There are two divisions, Adults and Juniors (ages 14 and younger). Adults may enter up to six images and Juniors up to three images but not more the two per category. There is a $5/$3 entry fee per image — $5 adults and $3 Juniors.

Each year a special category is added to the show to provide special interest and an added challenge to the photographers. Not that images of Lake Metroparks, Lake Erie, Wildlife, Landscape/Floral and Black and White aren’t interesting enough.

This year’s added challenge is Shadows. The entry form reads, “From shades of gray to misty outlines to deep dark silhouettes, wherever there is light there will be shadows. Color photos in this category may include the shadows of animals, birds, people, trees, buildings, etc.” As a returning judge and artist, I am especially interested to see what’s entered in this category.

Here are some tips from the judges: crop your image thoughtfully; sometimes bigger is better; and choose your category wisely, as some images could qualify for more than one.

Pick up an entry form at several Lake Metroparks properties or download one at lakemetroparks.com.

Fairmount Center for the Arts

Time is running out to get artworks ready for the 42nd annual Fairmount Art Exhibition at Fairmount Center for the Arts, 8400 Fairmount Road, Russell Township. Artwork will be accepted between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. May 22.

Categories are Painting, Watercolor, Photography, Graphics, Three-Dimensional and Fiber. Artists may submit up to three original works, at $15 per entry. Entry forms are available onsite, at fairmountcenter.org or by mail by calling 440-338-3171.

Does the phrase “cash awards” motivate you?

An artists’ reception will be held from 6:30 to 9 p.m. May 26. The exhibit will be open May 29 through June 7.

Valley Art Center

June 16 is the deadline for students and faculty to submit artwork for Valley Art Center’s annual Student/Faculty Art Exhibit, 155 Bell St., Chagrin Falls.

Students may submit work done during a class or workshop held between June 2016 and June 2018. Faculty must use the same time period.

The 35th annual Art by the Falls will be June 9 and 10.

This massive undertaking depends heavily on an army of 175 volunteers who fill countless roles during the event. Volunteers serve as booth sitters, Children’s Tent leaders, check-in attendants, water sellers, auction item runners, zone leaders and more. The event is a well-oiled machine.

The call is out for volunteers to step up and help make this year’s event flow a flawlessly as possible. If you are able to help call 440-247-7507 or follow the links at valleyartcenter.org.

Gallery at Lakeland

The ninth annual “May Show at Lakeland Juried Art Exhibition” at the Gallery at Lakeland, 7700 Clocktower Drive, Kirtland, was set to open with an awards reception May 17.

The judges had their work cut out for them: They reviewed 453 artworks submitted by 197 artists. They culled the show down to 121 works created by 80 artists, whose work will be on display through July 13.

Juror Ken Emerick, Ohio Arts Council’s director of artist programs and the Ohio Percent for Art Program, was very impressed with overall quality of the artworks and the number of entries submitted, said Gallery Coordinator Mary Urbas. She said he is urging the artists to consider applying for the grant opportunities that the Ohio Arts Council offers and endow.

Urbas said that during the seven-hour jury process, he would look at her and remark, “Who are these artists? How is it that I had never seen or experienced these artists and their wonderful artworks?”

Congratulations to the Best in Show winner, Mark Giangaspero, whose pastel portrait earned him the top $1,500 Cash Award. Additionally, the Jurors $400 Cash Awards went to Tom Baldwin, Judy Brandon, Michael W. High, Christopher Kaspar, John A. Sargent III and Judy Takacs.

A complete list of accepted artists is available from the Gallery at Lakeland at lakelandcc.edu. For more information, call 440-525-7029 or email murbas@lakelandcc.edu.

Stella Art Gallery

The folks at Stella’s Art Gallery, 8500 Station St., Mentor, are calling for artists to enter their June show, “Size Matters.” Entries will be accepted at the gallery between 11:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. June 1.

Artwork is limited to a maximum frame size/stretched canvas of 11 by 14 inches. The call includes 3D work under 1 foot in diameter. Download an entry form at stellasartgallery.com.

An opening reception will be from 7 to 9 p.m. June 8.

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