19th annual Fine Arts Show underway

"Reflections in a Pond" photograph by Neil Doren. Photo by Louise Seeholzer

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The Community of Fine Arts Show is currently displaying 100 pieces of art at Westlake Porter Public Library, 27333 Center Ridge Road. Works from 52 artists have been accepted for this juried art show, which is presented annually by the Westlake-Westshore Arts Council.

The current exhibit continues through Saturday, Aug. 25, during library hours. In addition, live art demonstrations will be given in the lobby of Porter Library by artists whose works are on display. On Saturday, Aug. 11, Sean Crum will demonstrate Ink Drawing and on Saturday, Aug. 18, Ken Marshal will demonstrate Watercolor. Both programs are from 10 a.m. to noon.

The WWAC also invites the public to a Meet the Artists Reception & Awards Ceremony on Saturday, Aug. 25, from 2 to 3:30 p.m.

COFA accepts art works for judging and display in the categories of: Oil/Acrylics, Watercolor, Drawing/Pen & Ink, Charcoal/Pastel, Photography and Mixed Media. The works are judged in two divisions, Amateur/Semi Professional and Professional. Recipients of first and second place in each division and category receive cash awards and honorable mention recipients are given gift certificates.

The judges for the 2018 show are Joyce Bolte, Daniel Levin and Victoria Wagner.

Bolte, who studied under Fred Leach, a local renowned artist, has had work displayed in numerous art shows and competitions and has received many awards. Bolte, whose paintings hang in private collections throughout Ohio, Florida and Arizona, lives in Grafton, Ohio.

Levin, who is a tenured associate professor of photography at Cuyahoga Community College, has a Ph.D. in visual art from Vermont College of Fine Arts and a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the Rochester Institute of Technology. Levin, who lives in Cleveland Heights, has a comprehensive portfolio including numerous commissions to make portraits of well-known people including Barbara Bush, Margaret Thatcher, John Glenn and many more.

Wagner, who has painted for over 50 years in several mediums including pastel, watercolor, acrylics and oils, is a graduate of the Cleveland Institute of Art and has attended Oil Painters of America (OPA) workshops in New Mexico, Colorado and New York including two with OPA Master Painter Ron Riddick. She currently teaches classes at the Valley Arts Center in Chagrin Falls. The Oil Painters of America displayed Wagner’s work in two national competitions where they were awarded Best of Show and other honors in Ohio.

The Westlake-Westshore Arts Council continues to fulfill its mission by providing programs to enhance and broaden cultural life in the community through awareness, education and involvement. With the cooperation of Porter Library, the Community of Fine Arts is free and open to all.