CHAGRIN FALLS, Ohio – The 41st annual Art by the Falls fine arts and contemporary crafts festival will be held 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, June 7 and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, June 8 at the Cleveland Metroparks Polo Field, 3814 Chagrin River Rd. This year’s show includes 160 artists from across the US, marking it as the organization’s largest show in its history. Included are painters, potters, jewelers, sculptors, photographers and other fine artists.
Artists will be selling their hand-crafted wares in metal, wood, glass, clay and other materials as well as paintings, prints, photographs, drawings and other materials. The show is a part of VAC’s mission to enrich and inspire the community through visual arts education, events and partnerships. You can also enroll for summer classes at the art center.
Providing a festival atmosphere, 10 food vendors will tempt your palate and a line up of musicians will delight your ears with something for everyone to enjoy including folk, jazz and the blues.
Trolley services during the festival hours will be available from downtown Chagrin Falls to the Polo Field serving festival-going residents, local merchants and visitors.
Contact the center at 440-247-7507 or valleyartcenter.org/artbythefalls for further details.
Educator outdoor workshop: Registration is due June 1 for educators to attend an in-depth workshop Tuesday, June 24t to Thursday, June 26 to look at area watersheds in a changing climate with Geauga Soil and Water Conservation District. Through outdoor investigations, field explorations, and curriculum resources, teachers will learn about natural resources and climate change challenges, along with empowering solutions like backyard and schoolyard composting. With assistance from a Go Green Community Grant through the Geauga-Trumbull Solid Waste Management District, participants will receive composting resources including activities and a compost bin.
Participants can experience learning adventures throughout the Lake Erie basin while lodging at Old Woman Creek, one of Ohio’s best remaining natural estuaries. The workshop is open to educators of all grades and disciplines with optional graduate credit hours available through Ashland University. For more information contact geaugaswcd.com/education/ or Gail Prunty at [email protected] or 440-834-1122.
Reading challenge: Cleveland Public Library is holding a summer reading challenge June 2-July 31 for a chance to win prizes, including Great Lakes Theater subscription packages, a Cleveland Metroparks Zoo family membership along with others. Contact your library branch or go online at cuyahogalibrary.org.
Students launch YouthServe: In late 2024 sophomores Jack Nelson and Charlie Martin of University School along with Valentina DiCenso of Gilmour Academy sought to bridge the gap between students eager to serve and nonprofits in need of volunteers. Hathaway Brown School, Hawken School and Laurel School were also involved in service events in the areas of food insecurity, literacy and sustainability with hands-on experiences that were meaningful, fun and social.
One of those projects featured a collaboration with R.A.K.E. (Random Acts of Kindness Everywhere), founded by US alumnus Ricky Smith ’96. More than 50 students gathered to pack over 200 lunches for individuals in need. YouthServe has grown its online presence through Instagram (@youthserveccis), highlighting service projects and nonprofit partners. The organization is planning to expand to additional schools and evolve into a club and chapter structure.
Got too much stuff: Mayfield Church invites you to participate in a garage sale 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, June 4 in the south parking lot, 7747 Mayfield Rd. in Chester Township. Sellers pay a $15 registration fee and keep the proceeds of their sales. You may sell out of the trunk of your car or set up a table. A table and 2 chairs will be provided. Set up is after 7:30 a.m. There will be face painting, balloon animals, hot dogs, soda pop and chips along with baked desserts for sale and by donation. It will be held indoors in the event of a rain-out. Reserve a table by Monday June 2 at https://bit.ly/4mbITcP or contact Laurie Jackson at 440-729-4006, ext. 104.
Have a field day: Join Geauga Soil and Water Conservation District at either 9 a.m. or 1 p.m. Saturday, June 7 at Holden Forests & Gardens Working Woods, 9805 Sperry Rd. to see what effective forest management practices look like in action. The group is holding their annual Working Woods Open House with guided tour through the woods on a 6-year-old timber harvest site with edge feathering, wildlife habitat improvements. Included are American Chestnut plantings, forest farming, forest pests and pathogens, invasive plant management, non-timber forest products and timber stand improvement. The event is free but registration is required. Contact 440-379-7702 or email [email protected].
To post your news and events contact Rusek at [email protected].
Read more from the Chagrin Solon Sun.