CHAGRIN FALLS, Ohio — If snow, freezing temperatures and grey skies are clouding your normally colorful disposition this winter you can bring back some colorful expression through the visual arts. Valley Art Center invites you to take a class or workshop and thaw-out that artistic voice you have tucked away.
The center offers a robust schedule of classes in session Feb. 23 through April 4 across a wide range of mediums, including drawing, painting, pastels, pottery, printmaking, screen printing, mixed media, metals, jewelry and glass, among others.
Whether you are picking up where you left off or joining a class for the first time, VAC instructors will guide you through the process. Registration is open with classes filling quickly. Contact valleyartcenter.com or call 440-247-7507 for pricing and scheduling information.
Local Celebrity Art-Off: If you’d rather look than make, check out the works created by six local Chagrin Valley celebrities who vying for the title of Art-Off Champion. These fun and fearless community members are leaving it all on the canvas, so to speak to showcase their art and to help in fundraising for the n ot-for-profit Valley Art Center. You can support them and the center by buying votes for $1 each. Scroll through their entries on the valleyartcenter.org website.
Each of the six received guidance and support from professional artists serving as their art coaches as they spent hours creating their unique a piece of artwork from the fun and playful to deeper meaning and thought-provoking. The artwork is on display Jan. 23 through Feb. 27 at the center, 155 Bell St. in Chagrin Falls.
The champion will be declared 6-8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 27 at Chagrin Falls’ Township Hall and each piece will be auctioned live for the benefit of the art center. The evening will include a donated basket raffle, music, hors d’oeuvres, and drinks.
Participants include Dr. George Heathcote of Active Chiropractic, Halle Bargar of Shed Boutique, Teresa Csizma of Sugar Me, Kurt Hebel of Chuck’s Fine Wines, Susan Metallo of Berkshire Hathaway, and Austin Calvetta of Calvetta Brothers. From diverse painting and drawing styles to mixed media assemblages to midcentury-inspired jewelry, the entries are as diversely interesting as the makers. Art coaches include Brad Davis, Gretchen Goss, Laura Rath, Hannah Bates, Linda Pearce and Josh Cunningham.
Welcome to Mechanic’s Row: You don’t have to be handy with tools to attend The Chagrin History Center’s presentation 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 25 for its new exhibit: Mechanic’s Row. Historian John Bourisseau will discuss the businesses that once made up the section on Bell Street. No skill is needed to attend, but an RSVP is required. Light refreshments will be provided. The event is free to attend, but donations are encouraged. Contact Maggie at admin@chagrinhistory.org or call 440-247-4695. The center is located at 87 E. Washington St. in historic Chagrin Falls.
Business awards: Chagrin Valley Chamber of Commerce invites you to its Boots & Black Tie annual business celebration party starting 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 19 at The Club at Hillbrook, 14800 Hillbrook Dr. in Russell Township. The event includes awards presented to a business of the year, nonprofit organization of the year, member of the year and the club’s presidential merit honorees.
The gala evening begins with a mix and mingle including complimentary beer and wine followed by a 6:30 p.m. dinner buffet. The awards presentation is at 7 p.m. It concludes with networking over coffee and dessert. Tickets are $80 and include dinner, beverages and a special take-home swag bag. Contact cvcc.org. Sponsorships are available.
Speaking of history: Brush up or start learning your local facts for the Chagrin History Center’s Pub Quiz 6 p.m. Tuesday, March 3 at Pub Frato, 25 Pleasant Dr. in Chagrin Falls. The gang is back with new questions to test your local knowledge. Recruit your team and enjoy an entertaining evening. Prizes will be awarded for the top team or player. If you’re not a player you can still enjoy Taco Tuesday night at the pub as you cheer on the players.
Say it with fish: Nothing says love to your valentine quite like a bucket or two of fish. Let’s assume your valentine has a pond. The Geauga Soil and Water Conservation District is taking orders for its annual spring fish sale for fingerling-size largemouth bass, channel catfish, minnows, redear “shellcracker” sunfish, perch, white amurs and bluegill/sunfish mix. Pond safety kits and farm pond management books are also available. Visit geaugaswcd.com to place orders and make payments. The pickup will be 9-10:30 a.m. Friday, May 8 on the midway of the Geauga County Fairgrounds. Order deadline is Friday, May 1. Proceeds support education programs. Contact 440-834-1122.
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