May 2026 News and Notes
Cross Pollination by Wendy Cousino
Avoid distant views, paint objects close up. If the foreground is well done, the distance will take care of itself. By having the big lines of the composition go out of the canvas, your imagination can wander beyond the edge. It will make it seem part of a large composition. Have as much fun as you can and don't feel the edge of your canvas confines you–let your vision go right on.
–Charles Hawthorne
FROM THE QUOTABLE ARTIST, BY PEGGY HADDEN
UPDATES
The Toledo Artists Club is proud to present
The Toledo Festival of the Arts,
set amid the scenic beauty of the Toledo Botanical Garden.
Saturday, June 27, 2026 10 am – 6 pm
Sunday, June 28, 2026 11 am – 4 pm
A special thank you to those who have signed-up to volunteer! If you haven't, please contact us via email, or sign up at the link on the website! We can't do this without our amazing members!
"Volunteers do not necessarily have the time; they just have the heart." – Elizabeth Andrew
One of the biggest changes this year is the festival's new location within the Garden. The event will now be centered near the Bancroft Street entrance in the large paved parking area surrounded by the Botanical Garden's beautiful prairie exhibit.The move will create a better experience for everyone, offering easier artist set-up and take-down, protection from rain and mud, and full wheelchair and handicap accessibility thanks to the paved surface and improved footing.
Visitors will still be able to access the festival from both entrances to the Garden, and convenient shuttle service will be provided by TARTA, with pick-up service available from the Meijer store on Central Avenue.
The festival will feature more than 100 artists from throughout the region, showcasing original paintings, sculpture, jewelry, photography, ceramics, glass, mixed media, and more. For the first time ever, all of the artist guilds located within Toledo Botanical Garden will also be open during the festival, giving guests an even greater opportunity to experience the area's vibrant arts community.
Adding even more excitement to the weekend will be a Plein Air painting competition taking place throughout the Gardens. Artists will paint live outdoors all day Saturday, allowing visitors to watch the creative process unfold in real time. Guests will then vote for their favorite artwork on Sunday, with the winning artist receiving a $500 Popular Choice Award. Yes, you read that right - Sign up here, and share with other artists! You are welcome to come a few days early. Registration required to be eligible for $500 award. Learn more on the sign up link!
Board News
If you haven't heard, Ellie Miller and Suzanne Gwozdz are stepping steps down from the board. They will be sadly missed!
We are looking...
- for a new treasurer! Do you or someone you know have a money mind?
- for a few new board members! Both of these prosective board members have gone out of their way and stepped up to help TAC in so many ways!
- Barb Maniak- she has a great background in computers, graphic design and more!
- April Mercer - this friendly member is so dedicated and volunteers most Tuesdays
- The ballot will go May 31, if you are still interested, email us at info@toledoartistclub.com ASAP
- for a bookkeeper! We truly need a bookkeeper! Is it possibly you or someone you know?
- IMPORTANT~ We are looking for someone we can pay to do our monthly bookkeeping. Sue Gwozdz is happy to mentor you as you begin!
image - Eyes2 acrylic & ink by R. Robleski
GALLERY NEWS
Birds, Bugs, & Blooms are coming this week!
Artwork should be delivered to the club: May 28 -29 between 12:00 and 4:00 pm
You should have received an email informing you of the piece(s) that have been accepted!
Remember to bring your contact with you when you drop off!
Hanging will take place May 30th at 9 am.
Mark you calendars for the Birds, Bugs, and Blooms reception is June 3, 5:30 - 7:00 pm in the gallery! Refreshments will be served! If you want to bring a little something please email us info@toledoartistclub.com Please come out and support your fellow artists!
This is the last week for the Adrian Center for the Arts Show! These pieces will be taken down May 29th. Catch the show while you can. We have loved having their artwork in our gallery.
In August, we will have our New Members Show and the Freedom to Create (artist' choice) Show. Online applications open June 1st.
Sign ups for Michelle Arnold Paine's
Drawing Bootcamp 1 Workshop
End Soon!
DRAWING BOOT CAMP:
Part 1
A three-week series
by Michelle Arnold Paine
part 2 will take place in September
June 4, 11, 18, 2026
6:30 p.m. - 8:30 pm| Toledo Artists' Club
5403 Elmer Drive
Toledo, Ohio | 419.531.4079
Toledo Artists' Club members $110
Others $125
In this class we will introduce and practice the skills you need to become excellent at drawing. These include perceiving edges, positive and negative space, and using a viewfinder and a grid. Becoming better at drawing can eliminate some frustrations in painting as you become better able to plan compositions and analyze value within your paintings. If you have always wanted to learn how to draw, or feel you missed out on some basics, this class if for you. The premise of this class is that everyone can learn how to draw.
Nature Journaling
Travel Sketchbooks workshop
with Donlyn Myers
Saturday, June 6, 2026
1-4 pm | Toledo Artists' Club
- Start your own journal!
- Find a new way to enjoy your vacations!
- Watch nature and record your travels through PAINTING and SKETCHING!
- ALL MATERIALS PROVIED!
- Drawing skills NOT required to enjoy this class
- $50 members , $60 non-members
Remember to sign up for Susan Ritters Gouache workshop on July 25th ~Register soon!
We are excited more workshops are in the works!
So much is happening in and around the area! Here are a few other artists opportunities
Waterville's Roche de Boeuf Festival is September 19, 2026
learn more https://watervillechamber.com/roche-de-boeuf-parade-and-festival/
Fallen Timbers Art Festival - Nov. 7 & 8
The Anthony Wayne Area Arts Commission is pleased to announce the 6th Annual Fallen Timbers Art Festival to be held on Saturday, November 7th (10:00 am - 5:00 pm) and Sunday, November 8th (11:00 am - 4:00 pm) This is a by-invitation only event. If interested Lisa Exner by email at lisaexner23@gmail.com or by text at 419-378-0935 Include the name of the event, your name, email address , phone number and 2-3 photos of your work.
The Bowling Green Arts Council and Bowling Green Parks and Recreation Department will host the 11th annual Art in the Park on the grounds of Simpson Garden Park, 1291 Conneaut Avenue, on Friday, June 12th from 5-7 p.m. If you'd like to participate https://bgartscouncil.com/art-in-the-park/
Black Swamp Arts Festival, BG, September 11, 12, & 13, 2026, WOOD COUNTY INVITATIONAL ART SHOW registration closes June 1st https://www.zapplication.org/event-info.php?ID=13973
