From Skilled Hands » Peninsula Art Academy

My Town Monday: Plein Air Returns to the Valley

fromskilledhands — Sun, 18 Sep 2011 14:01:33 +0000

For years, artists have tried to capture the beauty of the crooked river that is called Cuyahoga. Painters, photographers and artists with sketch pads are regular sights in this Valley.

On Saturday, September 24, 2011, a group of regional artists will converge on the Village, canvases, easels and paints in hand. They will be participants in the second annual Plein Aire competition that is sponsored by Peninsula Area Chamber of Commerce. En plein air is a French expression meaning “in the open air.” It is used to describe the act of painting outdoors. Plein air painting has it’s roots in 19th century Europe. The invention of tubes that contained pigments made painting portable, and the introduction of the steam engine gave painters a way to travel for their art.

If you’re in our neck of the woods or are in the mood for a beautiful drive, come on over and see us. You can watch the painters, take a hike in the amazing Cuyahoga Valley National Park, listen to music during Music on the Porches, take a ride on the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad, and explore the Village of Peninsula. We’re looking forward to meeting you.

For more information on the Plein Air competition, visit here.

And, as always, please feel free to leave me a comment, or a stone, (o), to let me know you’ve stopped by. Wander on over to My Town Monday to see what others have to say about the places they call home.

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My Town Monday, Early Evening Edition

fromskilledhands — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 22:14:07 +0000

After a wee hiatus due to server issues and life in general, I am back! Been busy in my town, the Village of Peninsula, population 602. We’re enjoying the summer weather and the folks that are visiting my Valley.

Turning Point: a show of wood, continues, and we have some new work. Be sure to come in take a look if you’re in the area. Remember that we ship, so if you see something you like and don’t live here, or are unable to take the piece with you, we can safely pack and ship the piece to your home or office. I’ll be posting some photos of new work later this week, so come back to see what is new in the gallery.

The Peninsula Farmers’ Market, at Heritage Farms, is a welcome addition to my town. Each Wednesday, from 3:30-7:00pm, local growers and bakers bring their items to Heritage Farms. We’ve enjoyed pickles and almond butter, teas, coffees, jellies and vinegars; breads, pastries and produce. I can get my knives and tools sharpened, and can listen to great music, all the while supporting my local economy. Heritage Farms is a family owned farm in Peninsula; it’s been in the same family for over 160 years! Kim and Carol grow gorgeous day lilies, pumpkins and Christmas trees. The grounds are beautiful. Take a look!

And our neighbor across the street, the Peninsula Art Academy, along with the Fiber Cafe, will be hosting a very cool event this coming weekend. The Crooked River Fiber Fling will have classes, workshops, an fashion show, an instructors’ showcase and fiber related vendors. Be sure to visit their website for more information. We’ve made mugs with sheep on them in honor of the event; you’ll be able to purchase them at the Fiber Fling.

And, as always, please feel free to leave me a comment, or a stone, (o), to let me know you’ve stopped by. And take a look at My Town Monday, to see what other folks have to say about the places they call home.

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Turning Points

fromskilledhands — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 18:42:11 +0000

photos by Ron Wayton

Turning points. Things in our lives that change our paths. Moments that change how we see the world. As artists, those moments manifest in our work. The repetition can be meditative, and through it refinement occurs.

The craftsmen whose work is in our Turning Points show, have been working on their craft and on their lives for some time. There is a maturity in their work, from the forms to the finishes. We are pleased to share these dynamic new pieces.

If you are in our area, please join us for light refreshments on Saturday, June 25th, from 4-7 pm, and meet some of the artists as we celebrate Art in the Valley. The show will continue throughout the summer, with new pieces being added from time to time. You can see more art across the street at the Peninsula Art Academy. The artist’s reception for Visions of the Valley will be happening simultaneously.

As always, please feel free to leave me a comment, or a stone, (o), to let me know you’ve stopped by.

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Visions of the Valley

fromskilledhands — Fri, 03 Jun 2011 13:53:44 +0000

This Valley, this beautiful valley, along the river called Cuyahoga has long been the home of dreamers, artists and other independent thinkers. Early settlers came here with little more than a few possessions and a dream. They carved out a life along the river, working with their hands and hearts, manifesting their vision.

As artists, we craft our visions, using paint, paper, clay, fiber, metal or a mixture. We take a leap of faith, sharing our vision with the world. Visions of the Valley is an exploration of how each of 17 local and regional artists sees the beautiful Cuyahoga Valley. We invite you to join us at the Peninsula Art Academy, across the street from our Elements Gallery, in the Village of Peninsula, Ohio, population 602.

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From Hearts to Hands to Home: A My Town Monday Post

fromskilledhands — Mon, 08 Nov 2010 02:00:11 +0000

I have loved the form of a fan for a long time. It is complete by itself, and yet it is part of a larger whole, a circle.

This is how I see myself, and the rest of my family of man: we, too, are complete as individuals, and are also part of a larger whole. Seeing the world from this perspective has been an interesting way to go through my life. I am so aware of the pain and the challenges; and this also gives me a chance to see the incredible beauty on this planet. It enables me to be acutely aware of the connectedness we share. We really do all live in the same town, you know.

And so Heart to Hands to Home, gifts to the women and children who are served by the Battered Women’s Shelter of Summit and Medina Counties, was born. We have supported the work of the shelter for many years by donating our good seconds. These items have been given as gifts for birthdays, holidays, Valentine’s Day and Mothers’ Day to the women and children who benefit from the shelter’s services.

This year, we, along with the Peninsula Art Academy, invite other artists to join us in supporting the shelter by donating our good seconds of functional, decorative and wearable art. Work from our hearts through our hands to their homes.

The mission of the Battered Women’s Shelter is to lead the community in the prevention of domestic abuse by providing emergency shelter, advocacy and education throughout Summit and Medina Counties, all in an effort to break the cycle of abuse and help promote peace in every family.

The agency is the only one in it’s service area providing protective shelter to families experiencing domestic violence. With a 90-bed capacity between Summit and Medina counties, it provides over 17,000 nights of shelter per year. Approximately 1000 women per year, seek a support group in their community to help point them in the right direction and let them know, they are not alone.

Items may be dropped off or mailed to Elements Gallery, 1619 W. Mill St, Peninsula, OH 44264, by December 16th.

This is an opportunity for all of us, in our towns, to give to others in our communities, because giving is receiving. This is where We The People can demonstrate the Power. Of. One. Where, when we make a difference in other folks’ lives, we make a difference in our own.

As always, my friends, please feel free to leave me a comment, or a stone (o), to let me know you’ve stopped by. And take a moment to visit My Town Monday; you’ll see what our neighbors have to say about their necks of the woods.

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Raising a Cup of Kindness: Being the Change

fromskilledhands — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 16:40:00 +0000

Artists are a generous lot. We give with our hands and hearts. When we issued a Call to Artists for the 2009 Cups of Kindess art show and sale to benefit the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank, we received responses from many local, regional and national artists. Seventy nine artists donated over 140 pieces of art; the proceeds from the sale of these amazing pieces benefits the Foodbank.

We still have some wonderful pieces, one of which, a vessel by Larry McCardel, is pictured above. We are holding a silent auction at Elements Gallery and at the Peninsula Art Academy for these pieces, which will end on April 17. Larry’s piece, which is hand turned curly narra wood measures 3″ x 3.5″. It is a beautiful piece. You have the opportunity to add this piece to your collection and to help the Foodbank. Each dollar that is raised purchases $7 worth of food and grocery items. To bid on this item, leave me a comment or email me : from skilled hands AT gmail DOT com. Take a look at the other items on the Cups of Kindness site, and make a bid.

We are the change we wish to see in the world.

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Let Silence Speak: Cups of Kindness

fromskilledhands — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 15:40:20 +0000

You can still partner with us in supporting the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank through our Cups of Kindness show and sale. Join us for a silent auction and bid on the remaining pieces of amazing art! Remember that each dollar we raise purchases $7 worth of food and other grocery items. Come on down to Elements Gallery and to the Peninsula Art Academy in the beautiful Village of Peninsula. The winning bids will be drawn on April 17, and winners will be contacted by phone or email.

We the People have proved the Power. Of. One. — over and over again. We have shown that we can, with our hands and hearts, help our friends and neighbors in a time of need. As Margaret Mead said, “A small group of thoughtful people could change the world. Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”

We can do this: One. Cup. At. A. Time.

photos courtesy Ron Wayton, photographer

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Raising a Cup of Kindness

fromskilledhands — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 13:59:11 +0000

Hunger does not discriminate; it affects people without regard to background or social status. In our land of plenty, people are hungry every day; they have to decide between paying rent or eating, between medication or food, between staying warm and buying groceries. Of this I am certain: having enough to eat is a right rather than a privilege.

The mission of the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank is simple: Feed People. Fight Hunger.

The Foodbank uses its resources well: each dollar that is donated purchases $7 worth of food and grocery products to those in need. Meals that provide sustenance to people who are already stressed. No questions asked. When I recently toured the facility, I was amazed by the quantity of food that was ready to distribute to agencies large and small. The facility was immaculate; the people, both volunteers and paid staff, passionate about their purpose.

The Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank is located in Akron, Ohio. It serves 8 Ohio counties: Carroll, Holmes, Medina, Portage, Stark, Summit, Tuscarawas and Wayne. It distributes food to more than 400 member agencies that provide food pantries, hot meal sites, shelters and other emergency hunger-relief programs.

The statistics are mind boggling:

the Foodbank serves over 163,000 people annually.

*1 out of every 3 are children under age 18

*1 out of every 10 is a senior citizen

*One in eight Ohioans lives in poverty

*Ohio ranks third in childhood food insecurity for children under 5 — hungry or at risk for hunger

*One in eight Ohioans use the Food Assistance Program (formerly Food Stamps)

*Every $1 donated to the Foodbank provides $7 worth of food and grocery products for people in need.

*There has been a 23% increase for food requests for food at food pantries over the requests in 2008.

*In 2008, the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank distributed 16 million pounds of food.

*In 2009, the Foodbank is on pace to distribute 17.5 million pounds of food.

We are reaching out to others by giving hope. There is, I think, joy and intrinsic satisfaction in helping people who will never know who we are. As members of a world community, we have a moral and ethical responsibility to share our resources and to preserve dignity.

Cups of Kindness is now in it’s second year. This year, we are pleased to join with the Peninsula Art Academy, the Peninsula Area Chamber of Commerce, the Cuyahoga Valley National Park Association, the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad, local, regional and national artists and a group of dedicated volunteers to support the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank.

Local, national and regional artists — over 70, have raised a cup of kindness by donating over 125 pieces of artwork; the proceeds from the sale of the work will benefit the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank.

If you are in our neck of the woods on Saturday, December 5, from 10-2, join us for light refreshments at our opening reception. The show will run until January 10, 2010.

Take a look at our website to see some of the beautiful pieces of art that have been donated. Items will be available for purchase online on the evening of Sunday, December 6.

We the People have proved the Power. Of. One. — over and over again. We have shown that we can, with our hands and hearts, help our friends and neighbors in a time of need. As Margaret Mead said, “A small group of thoughtful people could change the world. Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”

We can do this: One. Cup. At. A. Time.

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Raising a Cup of Kindness in 2009

fromskilledhands — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 19:49:22 +0000

photos courtesy Ron Wayton, photographer

Last year 76 artists and authors, and assorted web designers, sign makers, muffin bakers, photographers and patrons raised a Cup of Kindness as they donated over 150 pieces of work and countless other services to benefit friends and neighbors in need. Through the generosity of these fine folks and people all over the country, we have raised enough money for the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank to provide around 28,000 meals. That is an astounding figure: twenty-eight thousand meals. That is enough to feed each of the 601 people in the Village of Peninsula 46.6 times.

Artwork is coming in and is being cataloged and packed to go to be photographed for this year’s show, which will open on Saturday, December 5th, from 10:00am-2:00pm, at our Elements Gallery and at the Peninsula Art Academy across the street, and will continue through January 10, 2010. Check back for more details about online purchases and other ways to help.

We the people have demonstrated the Power of One. And one more. And one more. This is how we make a difference in the world. One. Cup. At. A. Time.

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Raising a Cup of Kindness

fromskilledhands — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 04:01:38 +0000

Cups of Kindness, a show and sale to benefit the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank, has raised enough money to purchase around 27,000 meals—that’s almost 45 meals for the 600 and some folks who live in the Village of Peninsula, Ohio.

Over 70 artists donated pieces of art, 160 pieces in all. All proceeds from the sale of the artwork has benefited the hungry in the 8 Ohio counties that the Foodbank serves. The show opened in early December of 2008, and continues.

Diane Keske Talmadge has been drawing and painting since she was a child. She is an accomplished portrait, landscape and still life painter. Her paintings have a wonderful luminous quality about them, quietly showing how she sees the world. Diane teaches painting and drawing in her home studio and at the Peninsula Art Academy.

Diane has a collection of 25 or so antique teacups, and she puts at least 1 antique piece in each of her still life paintings. When she was asked if she would donate a piece to Cups of Kindness, Diane didn’t hesitate. She painted two of her antique teacups, which are displayed on lovely small easels. This piece, along with it’s companion pink teacup are available here. Please visit Elements Gallery in the Village of Peninsula, Ohio, or the Cups of Kindness website to see this and other beautiful pieces of artwork. Every dollar raised purchases 7 nutritious meals for NE Ohio’s hungry, folks like you and me, who need a hand.

Cups of Kindness: Friends and neighbors helping each other.

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