April 2026 News and Notes
Oswego West Pierhead NY by Michael Hill
IN PAINTING I want to say something comforting in the way that music is comforting. I want to paint men and women with that element of the eternal that was formerly symbolized by the halo, and that we try to express by the actual radiance of our colours.
— Vincent van Gogh (1853–1890)
Hadden, Peggy. The Quotable Artist.
WE NEED YOUR HELP!
We’re looking forward to the Toledo Festival of the Arts being an incredible event for our organization! We’ve had a fantastic response from artists, and invitations were sent out on April 17th. To ensure everything runs smoothly and creates a great experience for everyone, we truly need our volunteers. We encourage all members—along with friends and family—to sign up! You can find the volunteer link on our website under the Toledo Festival of the Arts tab at the top of the page, as well as here.
Message from our officers
Spring is here, and it’s almost time to elect new board members! We will hold a membership meeting on May 13th at 6:00 PM. In May, we will also provide an online voting ballot for members to participate in this important process. While officers and most board members will remain in their roles through 2027, a few vacancies will be open. As outlined in our by-laws, this election is essential to maintaining our non-profit 501(c)(3) status.
The Toledo Artists’ Club depends on its members to thrive. Strong leadership helps guide the organization and ensures we remain a vital part of the community. When each volunteer contributes a little, it adds up to something meaningful as a whole
Birds, Bugs, and Blooms Show
Important dates:
- Online entries end April 28, 2026
- April 22, from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. OR call/email to set up an appointment
Help session at TAC to enter this show. Come to the Toledo Artists' Club. Bring your flat artwork to
be photographed if you need submittal images for the application. If you have prepared suitable images, bring them with you on a portable storage device (phone, tablet, flash drive, SD card, or portable hard drive). - Acceptance notifications: May. 15, 2026
- Artwork delivered to the Club: May 28 -29 between 12:00 and 4:00 pm
- Tentative meet & greet June 3, 5:30 - 7:00 pm
MAY SALE
It's back! The Artist's Village annual May Sale!
The May Sale at the Artist Village at Toledo Botanical Garden is a big annual spring event and fundraiser—basically a celebration of art, gardening, and the start of the season.
What it is
It’s a multi-day, free, open-to-the-public event where all the artist guilds and groups in the village open up and sell their work.
What you’ll find in the Village
- Art for sale (paintings, glass, pottery, photography, etc.)
- Plant sales and garden-related items
- Live demos (like glassblowing, stained glass, pottery)
- Open studios—you can walk through and meet artists
- Special exhibits, including shows by the Toledo Artists’ Club
- Hands-on activities
The Toledo Night Market take place in the Garden:
Friday, May 8th, 4-9 pm
Saturday, May 9th, 3-9 pm
They will have Artisans, Live music, food trucks galore, craft drinks & more! Food Trucks will be in front of the conference center not blocking our building as in previous years.
🎨 What's new for us this year?
The Toledo Artists’ Club is inviting members to sell their artwork at the club! We will stay open during the Night Market... more potential for visitors and sales!
Members can drop off their work, and the club will handle sales on your behalf. There is no fee for table space, and you are not required to be present during the event—unless you’d like to volunteer. Artwork will be displayed on tables in the classroom, and all transactions will be managed through the office. The club will retain a 25% commission on all sales. Please let us know if you would like to drop off work for the May Sale!
Drop off will take place May 5, 6, and 7th, during club hours 11 am - 3 pm. or by appointment. email Linda at info@toledoartistclub.com A limited number of pieces will be invited to stay on display in the classroom after the sale.
Please see the link below to let us know you are interested!
CLASSES, WORKSHOPS, & GROUPS, OH MY!
We recently hosted an incredible workshop Take Your Painting to the Next Level with Aaron Bivens on April 9–10! Thirteen lucky artists gained valuable insights, created beautiful work, and formed new artistic friendships.
Have you explored all the exciting opportunities coming up in the next few months?
Check out details on our website - some require registration!
These offerings are perfect for those with daytime commitments—or anyone looking to stay creative!
Ongoing Evening & Monthly Events:
- Laurel Egnew: Mondays, 6:00–8:00 PM
- Elaine’s Arty Parties: Last Wednesday of most months at 6:00 PM
- Figure Drawing Group: Last Thursday of most months at 6:30 PM
- note no Figure Drawing July and August due to Jazz in the Garden!
- Joan Pearse: New classes - the last Tuesday of most months at 6:00 PM
Upcoming Workshops:
- Drawing Bootcamp with Michelle Arnold Paine — June 4, 11, 18 | 6:30–8:30 PM
- Advance Your Drawing Skills with Thomas Frushour — May 14 | 2:00–4:00 PM
- Nature Journaling & Travel Sketchbooks with Donlyn Myers — June 6 | 1:00–4:00 PM
- And more coming soon!
Ongoing Opportunities:
- Tuesday morning plein air painters are out and about—check the schedule!
- Laurel Egnew class: Tuesdays, 1:00–3:00 PM
- Paul Brand class : Tuesdays, 2:00–4:00 PM
- Thursday morning painters meet year-round in the classroom
Other Opportunities for Artists
From the Grand Rapids Arts Council:
Hello Artist!
We look forward to you joining us for a free exhibition and sale of your art at the 3rd annual Pop-Up Art Gallery/Sale at the Otsego Thompson Stone Hall, 20000 West River Rd., Bowling Green, OH, 43402 (St Rt 235 & St Rt 65 on the Maumee River.)
Day: Thursday, May 14
Time: 4:00 to 8:00 PM
Place: Thompson Stone Hall, Otsego Park
FREE FOR YOU AND THE PUBLIC!
The Concept:
We want artists to display some of their artwork for the public to peruse and buy, if you choose. You will have a 6’ by 2’-6” table for display. Please put a price on your work and let the public know how to contact you (business cards or QR codes). You will also be responsible for collecting payment for any work sold. Our goal is to expose the public to the wonderful artists in our area and to help you advertise your work!
You will need to furnish any easels you may need but may use only one floor easel. If you need a floor easel, we do have some we could loan you (Call Diana: 419-832-2203). We will have approximately 25 tables set up and will assign artists to tables through a random drawing. Artists will be responsible for their own sales. NO commissions will be taken by GRAC. GRAC members will be available to help you unload and reload your artwork.
“En plein air” artists are encouraged to paint outside along the river during the event. The setting along the Maumee in the late afternoon and evening is always beautiful. You may also offer your work for sale either outside or by securing a table inside via the information below. However, if “plein air” artists wish to display their work inside, specify if you want a table when you respond to this email and we can accommodate it if space allows.
We will offer beer and wine for purchase and a free charcuterie for all who attend. In addition, we will draw the name of an artist who attends for a cash award of $100.
We are excited to promote your art and look forward to hearing from you!
If you are interested, please email grac@grandrapidsartscouncil.org with the following information as soon as possible. You will be considered in order of submission. ASAP
They will let you know if you have a table by 4/20:
Name:
Phone Number:
Social Media Tags:
Type of Artwork:
Please attach 3 images of your work:
**Your response will be considered an assurance that you will be at the pop-up event for setup between 2:30 and 3:30 pm and will be at the event until 8:00 pm on Thursday, May 14th. (If something comes up, please let GRAC know so we can give your table to another artist). Please be aware that GRAC will not be responsible for any damage to artwork before, during or after the event.
Please help us promote the event by sharing the attached flyer on social media!
Sincerely, The Grand Rapids Arts Council (GRAC)
Amy Laukauf-Fitch, President
Mary Horen, Vice-President
Craig Hamilton, Treasurer
Kate Votava, Secretary
Amy Fitch, Public Relations Coordinator
Additional Board Members: Karen Burns, Robin Dudley, Gary Fitch, Christine Fowler, Terry Green, Madelyn Kannen, Neil Morrison, Mary Jo Myers, Angie Studer and Diana Pulschen Votava
Bowling Green Art Walk
BOWLING GREEN ART WALK
Saturday, May 9, 2026
1:30 – 4:30 p.m.
Bowling Green Arts Council is proud to announce Art Walk 2026, a visual arts show and musical performances in locations throughout downtown Bowling Green.
Eligibility and Requirements
Anyone living within 50 miles of Bowling Green is eligible to participate. Artists may display works in any size or medium as space and amenities of the chosen venue allow. Work must be‘ family-friendly ’and acceptable by the venue. All work must be properly presented (i.e., framed, mounted or matted, with a hanging device if needed).
Each artist must meet with their merchant at least one week prior to the event. Artists or their representatives are strongly encouraged to be present at the venue during the. event to talk to visitors about their work and to conduct sales.
One work should be brought to the Wood County District Public Library at 12:30pm for the jury review, 251 N Main St, Bowling Green Bowling Green. Please label your artwork for the Library display (Name, Title, Medium, Price or NFS), and let us know if you need an easel or a table. Set-up at the merchant location is from 1-1:30 p.m. unless you have made early arrangements with your venue.
All artists are invited to the After Party at Myla Marcus Winery from 5-6 p.m. for refreshments, music and awards. Brochures listing all artists/locations will be distributed throughout the area.
Entry Deadline
April 21. Registration must include all required information and payment.
Sept. 17–Oct. 3, 2026
ArtPrize is an international art competition and cultural festival held annually in Grand Rapids, Michigan—a celebration of ideas, conversations, experimentation, and inclusiveness.
Each year, we welcome over 800,000 visitors to discover the transformative power of art.
Explore the works of thousands of artists from across the globe as our city itself evolves into a living canvas.
Artist + Designer Registration Closes May 28
A message from The Scribe
Hello,
I hope you’re doing well!
I’m reaching out on behalf of The Scribe, an Ohio arts newspaper dedicated to showcasing diverse voices, creative expression, and original work from emerging and established artists alike. Our mission is to provide a platform where art, writing, and ideas can reach a wider audience and spark meaningful conversation within our community.
We are currently seeking submissions from artists who would like to have their work featured in an upcoming issue. This includes visual arts, performing arts, photography, poetry, short prose, and other creative formats.
If you’re interested in contributing, we would love to share your work. Follow this link to check out our website and review the submission details. It is free to submit!
If you have questions, would like more details, or would prefer to discuss your work before submitting, you are welcome to request an interview. We would be happy to connect and learn more about you and your creative process.
Thank you for considering being a part of The Scribe. We look forward to the possibility of featuring your work!
All the best,
Emily Vore
Administrative Assistant
Apollo Press | The Scribe | The Ibis
2550 Tracy Rd. Ste 1508
Northwood, OH 43619
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