The Valley Art Center’s Juried Art Exhibition opens on November 8

Before I get started today, I’d like to share my findings from the October 26 Ekphrastic Poetry competition, held in conjunction with the ‘OddBall’ show at Stella Art Gallery in Willoughby.

There were eight entries, mainly read by the poets. Cleveland Heights Poet Laureate Ray McNiece was there to judge the show, but did so much more. My friends and I were newcomers and didn’t quite know what to expect.

Before the winner was announced, McNeice, who had been taking notes after each reading, provided a constructive critique of each piece. This gave us a new perspective on our work. Criticisms are a valuable tool in all art forms. They help us see beyond our own visions and grow as artists.

McNeice referred to Dr. in my criticism. Seuss, and that’s why I’m sharing this. I didn’t realize it at the time, but I seem to have been influenced by frequently reading to my children our favorite author, Theodor Seuss Geisel. My point: what you read becomes part of you. Read good things. Be open to criticism, but don’t let it consume you. Take it with a grain of salt and stay true to yourself.

By the way, I won the competition with ‘Waking up Dead’. There will also be an Ekphrastacy evening next month at the Valley Art Center in Chagrin. Keep reading to learn more.

Valley Arts Center

Valley Art Center, 155 Bell St., opens its 53rd annual “Juried Art Exhibition” on Nov. 8 with a reception from 5 to 8 p.m. The reception is free and open to the public.

Visitors can meet the artists and jury members while enjoying a light snack. The first hour of the reception is a sensory-friendly Quiet Hour for guests who prefer a gentler experience. The prizes will be awarded at 7 p.m

This prestigious show is open to artists living within 250 miles of Chagrin Falls. More than $3,500 in cash will be awarded for Best of Show, first, second and third place and various community-sponsored prizes. The jury members were instructed to reduce the almost 400 entries to 53 works of art that can be viewed until December 16.

This year’s jury consisted of Liz Burgess, artist and former owner/manager of Ginko Gallery; Christy Davis, curator of exhibitions at the Canton Museum of Art; and Aaron D. Williams (aka Aawful Aaron), artist and entrepreneur.

This show also features a return of “Ekphrastacy: Artists Talk + Poets Respond” in collaboration with Heights Arts. By combining art and literature, visitors can experience works of art from multiple perspectives. This is a free event from 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM on December 5.

For more information, call 440-247-7507 or visit valleyartcenter.org. VAC also has a very nice gift shop, so allow some extra time for shopping.

Stella’s Art Gallery

Stella’s Art Gallery, 38033 Euclid Ave., offers “Bricolage,” featuring upcycled art made from whatever materials are available. Creativity is the key. Come see it during the opening reception from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM on November 8. The prizes will be awarded at 8 p.m

In collaboration with ‘Bricolage’, the Pottery Heads, my clay group, open ‘Anything Goes II’ in the Annex Gallery. I hope to see you there! This will be a cash-and-carry show, so you don’t have to wait until the show is over to take home your purchases. Our work is fun and imaginative. Lots of nature-inspired pieces, whimsical fairyland items, and holiday and functional pieces.

A revamped Makers’ Market returns in December with additional offers for Christmas shoppers across the gallery.

The main gallery will present a new show, “Peace on Earth and Goodwill Towards All.” This will end 2024 and start 2025 with a sense of hope. Artists are asked to create peaceful works of art. Here’s a tip from the judge, me: think of gratitude, inspire kindness, and find the joy of nature.

The categories are 2D and 3D. Artwork will be accepted from 11:30 AM to 7:30 PM on December 5 and 6 and from 11:30 AM to 5:30 PM on December 7. The awards ceremony will take place from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM on December 13. .

Read more about this, future calls for art and classes at stellaartgallery.com. Gift vouchers are also available.

Willoughby Arts Collaborative

If you’ve been wondering what skeletons line the streets of downtown Willoughby, here’s the answer: They were part of the Dias De Los Muertos celebration, presented by Willoughby Arts Collectivethe Willoughby Historical Society and Stella’s Art Gallery which culminated on November 2.

Winner bragging rights go to first place Willoughby Parks & Recreation; Finestra Gallery, second place; artist Delinda Mariani, third place; Willoughby Public Library and Barktown Willoughby, honorable mentions.

View the WAC Facebook page for images of the event and the winning skeletons.

River Gallery

Jewelry anyone? The 15th annual Jewelry Invitational at River Gallery, 19046 Old Detroit Road, Old River Shopping Area, Rocky River, will be held Nov. 9 from 3 to 6 p.m. Admission is free.

In addition to beautiful jewelry, the Invitational also offers visitors the chance to meet the artists and learn about their creative processes. The exhibition will be available in-store and online throughout the holiday season.

Celebrating artistry, innovation and craftsmanship, the event showcases a remarkable collection of handcrafted jewelry from both new and established artists: Agnes Seebass, Alice Allen, Chris Keener, Elisa Bongfeldt, Emily Phillips, Heather Guidero, Jennifer Surine, Karin Jacobson, Kirk Lang , Maria Pujana, Matthew Smith, Melissa O’Brien, Michelle Pajak-Reynolds, Morgan Hill, Peter Antor and Susan Mahlstedt.

River Gallery is dedicated to promoting and supporting artists with roots in Ohio, with an ever-changing collection of paintings, sculptures, glass, wood, ceramics and jewelry.

For more information, visit rivergalleryarts.comcall 440-331-8406 or email [email protected].

Ashtabula Arts Center

\Ashtabula Arts Center, 2928 W. 13th St., will present “Hope in Artistry: Suicide Awareness & Prevention” in November, National Suicide Prevention Month.

The show was created by the Ashtabula County Suicide Prevention Coalition and the Ashtabula LOSS Team to support suicide survivors by providing them and the community with an artistic outlet to express feelings, raise awareness and start conversations.

More information at ashtabulaartscenter.org.