Well, dear readers, it is time for my holiday hiatus. Just in case you thought Gallery Glances was randomly published, it does, in fact, typically run on the first and third Friday of each month in The News Herald’s TGIF and prior to that at News-Herald.com. Mystery solved.
That means you will not hear from me again until 2024, so I am taking this opportunity to wish each of you a very merry Christmas, happy Hanukah and a happy new year! Thank you for reading. Be safe. Be happy. Be creative. And make some memories!
This is a great time of year to check out the many amazing museums in Cleveland. Plan a day out with holiday visitors or send them on a journey and enjoy a day alone. LOL. Several current exhibits will be open through the holidays.
Blessings on all those spirited decorators out there who are illuminating our evening drives. Thank you — I don’t remember seeing so many beautiful home displays. Setting them up on those balmy days of late November sure beat doing it in the cold and snow. Well done, everyone.
Get your new 2024 calendar out. We are looking ahead today so you don’t miss early deadlines.
Stella’s Art Gallery
The “Maker’s Market” at Stella’s Art Gallery, 38033 Euclid Ave., Willoughby, opened Dec. 8 to a very receptive crowd. This is the biggest collection of local artists and the longest holiday gift show in the area. It will remain open through Jan. 2, just in case you don’t get your special gift or have some Christmas cash to spend.
“The ‘Market’ is awesome!” gallery owner Dani Klein said. “Our Meet the Artists night was well attended; it was great to see the community buy from local artists. We turned our Event Center/Show Gallery into a holiday boutique with over 35 participating artists between the event center and studios.”
Come enjoy the diversity of style and media in this eclectic collection: wood, resin, stained glass, paintings, upcycled creations, fabric, jewelry, clay, photography, mosaics and more. Looking for a unique ornament for 2023? Stop in. Consider a gift card for classes or artwork. What a great way to encourage a budding artist of any age. It is always on my wish list. Hint, hint.
“We are super excited to introduce our new line called Melting Pot Studios,” Klein said.
Klein, Carol Pitts (Stella’s co-owner and Klein’s mom) and Delinda Mariani have teamed up to create ethnic and nostalgic food-themed ornaments out of clay.
“This year we have sold and shipped our pizzelle ornaments all over North America — five hundred to be exact,” Klein said. “We have the pizzelles, along with raviolis, pierogis, kolaches and more at Stella’s.”
The first show of 2024 will be the eighth annual “Black and White Show.” All entries must be done in black-and-white, including the frames. Shades of gray are allowed, but no other colors will be accepted.
The categories are Painting, Graphite & Charcoal, Photography and 3D. Entries will be accepted from 11:30 a.m. to 7:30 on Jan. 4 and 5 and from 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Jan. 6.
December hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday; and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday and Friday.
For more information, call 440-266-9111 or visit Stellasartgallery.com.
Rider’s Inn
Here’s a quick review of a new holiday art market. I mentioned the “Holiday Sip and Shop” at Rider’s Inn, 792 Mentor Ave., Painesville, last time and have an update from a secret shopper. Well, not so secret, as it is my sister-in-law and art partner, Wendy Chom.
“Lots of cool vendors! A character sketch artist, several jewelry tables, soaps, tarot card readers, Christmas crafts, baked goods and decorated tabletop trees everywhere,” she reported. “The trees are part of a silent auction that goes until Dec. 16, with all the proceeds being used to decorate the graves of veterans.”
Elaine Crane sells Rider’s Inn to her ‘clone’
Our favorite local baker, Adam Young of The Little Cottage Kitchen, 121 Madison Ave., Painesville, sold out of all his tasty offerings. I write of the various art forms, not the least of which is the culinary arts, especially this time of year. His flavors are worth a mention. Check out his website, the-little-cottage-kitchen.square.site, or call 440-391-7337.
Valley Art Center
Looking for a sign of spring? Check this out. The call is out for artists to participate in Chagrin Falls-based Valley Art Center’s 40th annual Art by the Falls. Entries are due by Feb. 15. Not so far away.
The two-day fine art and contemporary craft festival is presented by VAC on June 8 and 9 at Chagrin Falls’ Riverside Park.
The gift shop at VAC,155 Bell Road, has expanded its offering to help the artists and the holiday shoppers. Visit valleyartcenter.org for details.
Ursuline College
The Florence O’Donnell Wasmer Gallery at Ursuline College, 2550 Lander Road, Pepper Pike, is presenting the juried exhibition “New Masters 3: Women Artists of Northeast Ohio” through Jan. 25.
Gallery Hours are noon to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday. For more information, call 440-646-8121, email [email protected] or visit ursuline.edu/wasmer-gallery.
Gallery at Lakeland
The Gallery at Lakeland, 7700 Clocktower Drive, Kirtland, is presenting the Lakeland Community College Visual Arts Faculty Exhibition, now through Jan 15. For more information, contact Gallery Coordinator Mary Urbas at 440-525-7029 or [email protected].
78th Street Studios
It is time for the Third Friday ArtWalk at 78th Street Studios, 1300 W. 78th St., Cleveland. More than 60 galleries, studios, and creative businesses will be celebrating the holiday from 5 to 9 p.m. on Dec. 15. Visit 78thstreetstudios.com and see for yourself.