The last post noted a few artists connected in some way with Cahoots Coffee Café and Sutton’s Deli on the town square, and some of their endeavors. Today we will explore just a bit of the terrain in between and farther beyond, out toward Fremont and Clear Lake. And we will take a little deeper look at how to transform the experience of looking at art.
Let’s start with the Copper Tree Fine Art and Craft Gallery at 108 W Maumee, just a block down from Cahoots. This is a very eclectic, interesting, and welcoming place: my last look there encompassed many exhibitors working in various media, including photography, charcoal, water color, oil, fabric, metals, clay and wax. Really looking at this work, as opposed to the cursory glance as life slips by [CGALSB], will spark delight, wonder, and even awe: Who are the local and regional people creating these works? What moves them to do this? What else are they seeing that I am missing? How did they get started? Might I do this someday? More on these questions in posts to come; for now, just know that pausing to really look will transform your world.
This intriguing gallery was born of Ron Kauffman’s long-time dream, Ron being the visionary Art Missionary and catalyst behind the Angola Regional Artists’ Guild. Ultimately Ron hopes the gallery will operate as an artists’ cooperative. And profound thanks to Kent Alwood, who provides this great space alongside his computer business free of all charge.
Crossing to the other side of the street, we find Judy Houk’s Creative Arts Gallery, also opened this spring. Judy is an accomplished painter and private art teacher – indeed many of the works there are those of her students, though her current exhibit includes watercolors by Merv Russell of Toledo. Before coming to Angola in 2005, Judy founded the Black Swamp Art Guild in Williams County, Ohio, and was (and still is) a member of the Toledo Artists’ Club. Angola is fortunate to have such a talented and productive artist teaching her skills to so many local students.
Before leaving the Creative Arts Gallery, don’t forget: after the habitually superficial CGALSB, take that second, deeper real look at what is there. And if Judy is there, you will find she simply beams when talking about art, so begin to practice and develop your own art of AQ: asking questions: Who painted that, what inspired it, why does the finish, texture, etc in this work look so different from the finish, texture, etc in that work, how “mature” is this student’s work, what other media does she work in, what future exhibits/events is the gallery planning, etc.
Beyond these two galleries, just as a general practice wherever you go, never leave without AQ: asking questions. It is another sure mode, in addition to really looking, for transforming any experience and “getting more” out of life.
Now that your mind is opening up to new experience, check out Sandy Austin’s Sticks and Stones shop a block back at 208 W Maumee. Some call Sandy the Hippie Bead Lady, and there is some truth to that, but the whole truth is so much more. Along with the crafts (all with some appeal and some quite excellent), you can find some very good art; and the yet-bigger truth is that Sandy’s roots in and connections to regional art are very, very deep. Way beyond whatever you find in her own shop (interesting enough in its own right), orbit very many quite talented artists of all sort, many of whom (but by no means all) exhibit at her annual April New Moon Living History & Art Faire. The 2011 April event was a wonderful, two-day venue – and frankly it is a small miracle that so much excellent work could come together under such meager auspices, while reflecting so well on Steuben County. I am genuinely impressed, and if you are open-minded enough to see beyond clichéd expectations, you will DIT the genuine treasure that is really there in Sandy and her shop.
What does DIT mean? It is an acronym for discover in time. Some understanding, awareness, sensitivity, etc simply takes time to unfold. Do not doubt: the practice of really looking and asking questions will yield immediate rewards and transform daily experience; still, some of your most profound insights will materialize only over some period of sustained practice: discovery in time. So wherever you are in this regional artistic landscape: suspend judgment; try to really look; ask questions; and expect and allow for deeper discovery in time.
Yes, deeper discovery in time: that is where we are headed with these posts. There is still more in downtown Angola we haven’t yet considered, and so very much more beyond: more galleries, many more artists, and more to be shared and said about seeing art, creating art … and about your potential for artistic practice. Don’t scoff. Anyone can learn to practice some form of art, and we have already noted some of the transformative practices above.
For now though, just a few timely notes about what is happening now, this very mid-June weekend:
· Enchanted Lakes Renaissance Faire & Marketplace, June 17, 18, 19 at Angola’s Buck Lake Ranch.
· Satek Winery Art Show Saturday June 18, 10:00AM -5:00PM, close to Fremont.
· Old Mill Art Gallery wine and cheese night, Friday June 18, 5-7PM, on Ray Clear Lake Road. These are frequent events, call 260-316-6554 or email margaretcarlson@hotmail for more info.
Until the next post, know that the Angola area lakes region is an Art Region, and its towns are Art Towns!
Stephen Rowe currently serves as the Angola Regional Artists’ Guild publicity chairman and writes two additional blogs:
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