In five years, Stella’s Art Gallery has made mark on area

Happy fifth anniversary to Stella’s Art Gallery!

There is no better friend to local artists than mother-daughter duo Carol Pitts and Dani Klein. Both are potters and painters with as deep a joy for life as they have for art.

I am blessed to have gotten to know them both through classes and art shows and now call them friends. But that is not why I always include them in Gallery Glances. They are a non-stop showcase of revolving art!

They spent three years in the Matchworks Building in Mentor, which they swiftly outgrew. Stella’s then moved to the welcoming embrace of art-loving Willoughby, where the growth continues with more than 50 artists now exhibiting, selling and teaching. Plus, countless art lovers support the gallery through purchases, classes and donations. Stella’s is a freight train full of enthusiasm and skill.

They quickly joined the core of Willoughby’s arts and festival presentations. Working through COVID-19-related restrictions and bouncing back from every setback, they continue to grow and thrive. I look forward to seeing what the next five years will bring.

The public is invited to Stella’s, 38033 Euclid Ave., Willoughby, from 4 to 7 p.m. March 19 to help them celebrate their fifth anniversary. There will be live music, wine and snacks.

Another favorite of mine has also been Mentor’s Gallery One. They have moved to 8600 East Blvd. Unit C and downsized, but Gallery One still carries quality work by internationally known artists and does exceptional framing. Their most recent acquisition is a collection of Bev Doolittle prints. Check them out at galleryone.com or reach out to owner Allan Brown at [email protected], 800-621-1141 or 440-255-1200.

The weather is breaking, so get your sketchbook and camera and head outdoors to discover. Keep an eye here for photo and art contests to share and promote your work.

The 78th Street Studios

March 18 is the next Third Friday art walk at the 78th Street Studios, 1301 W. 78th St., Cleveland, from 5 to 9 p.m. Admission is free, and in addition to art, there will be music and refreshments available. It is an eclectic collection of art studios and shops filling a two-city-block building.

This month they are showing support for the people of Ukraine by donating 100 percent of donations made at the door or online to CareUSA, which has an “A” rating with Charity Watch, to help provide emergency food, water,and hygiene kits, aimed at providing protection to women, girls and the elderly during this humanitarian crisis.

Learn more at 78thstreetstudios.com.

Gallery at Lakeland

The Gallery at Lakeland continues the celebration of Women’s History Month through April 1 with “from WOMAN XIV… Created by women, of women & about women,” curated by Gallery Coordinator Mary Urbas.

For information, call 440-525-7029.

Stella’s Art Gallery

The March show celebrating women at at the previously mentioned Stella’s Art Gallery opened with an awards ceremony last weekend.

“Art Inspired by Woman: In Honor of Women,” featuring artworks done by women or by those who honor them, includes dedications and insights into the work. The show was juried by award-winning portrait artist Tricia Kaman.

Kaman describes the exhibition in her juror statement: “We see a celebration of a variety of women: from the universal Mother Earth to very specific women with experiences that impact our perceptions and shape our lives.”

Congratulations to Best in Show winner Suzan Kraus. The winners in two-dimensional art are Robin W. Nall, first place; Candace Barr, second place; and Ann Dumont, third place.

The winners in three-dimensional art are Helen Hayes, first place; Yvonne Columbus-Jaska, second place; and Diana Montagino, third place.

The winners in mixed media are J InkyLorain Cantrell, first place; Sheila Dorris, second place; and Sue Hood, third place. Honorable mentions went to Toni Fiderio and Nancy Nelson-Brotz.

“This is an elegant show honoring women that have influenced the artists,” Klein said. “Tricia Kaman did a fabulous job juroring and curating the show. The competition was high! We welcome many new names to Stella’s showing with us for the first time.”

Next up is the April show, “Celebrating the Elements: Earth, Wind, Fire, Water.” Upcycle, requiring the use of 75 percent recycled materials, joins the usual 2-D and 3-D categories. Entries will be accepted from 12:30 to 7:30 p.m. March 31 and April 1 and from 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. April 2. An awards reception will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. April 8.

Stella’s Annex Gallery is presenting a satellite exhibition from Lakeland Community College. Artwork from the 2021 “May Show” Winners, including Clare Murray Adams, Cynthia Brewster, Jonah Jacobs, Juniper Mainelis, Barbara Martin and Don Stuart, will be up for viewing through April 1.

Stella’s also will present an extended view in collaboration with the Gallery at Lakeland’s “May Show” in June.

Learn more at StellasArtGallery.com.

Willoughby Arts Collaborative

The Willoughby Arts Collaborative is hosting a traveling student show, “The Fabric of Our Community” starting March 12 through 26 at Stella’s Art Gallery; March 28 through April 8 at Willoughby Eastlake Schools; April 11 through 23 at Andrews Osborne Academy-International Festival; and April 25 through May 9 at The Fine Arts Association.

Willoughby Mayor Bob Fiala handed out the awards at the opening reception at Stella’s Art Gallery to a room full of smiling kids as they saw their work on display and were surrounded by their proud family members there to support them.

The jury for the show included Carol Leikala, artist and retired art teacher; Delinda Mariani, artist and art teacher; and Nancy Nelson-Brotz, visual arts director at the Ashtabula Arts Center.

Rabbit Run

Time is running out to enter the 30th annual “Juried Art Show,” sponsored by Rabbit Run Community Arts Association, 49 Park St., Madison, and the Madison Public Library, 6111 Middle Ridge Road. Artworks may be dropped off at the library during regular business hours from March 21 through 28.

The show opens March 30 at the library. An awards reception will be at 6:30 p.m. April 6. Cash prizes will be awarded for Best of Show and First Place to both adult and students in painting, drawing, photography and three-dimensional categories.

Jurors for the show are aforementioned Dani Klein and Jim Loomis, who has taught art since the 1970s and is teaching at the Ashtabula Arts Center. Working with clay and drawing are his specialties.

Get more information from RRCAA, at 440-428-5913, rabbitrun.org or [email protected], or from the library, at 440-428-2189.