Mansfield exploded with color and creativity Saturday as the Mansfield Art Center (MAC) held its fifth annual Art Explosion. The event featured local artists, music, vendors and food.
“This year they really reached out to the community more,” said Llalan Fowler manager of Main Street Books. This was the first year the bookstore attended the event.
Melissa Drozda, MAC board member, said the event had a greater emphasis on community involvement and a focus as a family friendly atmosphere. “We really reached out to the community and wanted to include as many local artists, vendors and musical talent as possible,” she added.
The rain did not dampen the creative spirit of the event and a large portion of the artists and activities moved indoors. Some artists and vendors who had tents chose to stay outdoors where the sun did eventually make an appearance.
“The graffiti wall is always a big hit for children and adults,” said Drozda. A scavenger hunt kept many kids busy as they moved from station to station to fill their palette. In order to claim a prize a number of creative and educational tasks had to be completed they included, loom weaving, digital storytelling, a shaving cream marbling station, a pottery wheel station where kids could experience throwing clay on the wheel or ask an artist a question, and chalk drawing or an opportunity to ‘tag’ the graffiti wall. The loom weaving station was manned by MAC board members and owner of Apple Hills Orchard Barbara Joudery.
“This is a great event for kids, for everyone,” Joudery said.
Jerry Francl, Operations Manager at the MAC, was pleased with the turnout and participation at this year’s event.
“It’s a great opportunity, glad to be here,” said Harry Melroy, of Sycamore, an artist who describes his paintings as ‘color fantasy.’ This was the second year Melroy participated in the event adding he looks forward to next year.
John Donnelly, an abstract painter from Mt. Vernon said,”I love paint, I love the act of painting.” Donnelly has taught painting and drawing at Mount Vernon Nazarene University for the past 25 years and has been painting for a total of 50 years.
Edward Burn, a photographer and artist from Galion, stated,”It’s a really cool and unique experience. It’s great.” Burn displayed pieces from his ‘New Orleans Nights’ themed prints and paintings. It was his first year in attendance and plans on returning next year.
A number of ‘green themed’ artists had their creativity on display including Robert Wappner, owner & Designer of Robert K. Art & Design. He described his re-purposing of glass bottles into wind chimes as ‘upcycle art’. “It’s about taking recycled items and turning them into art, doing something different,” said Wappner.
Allyssa Woodard of Lexington uses recycled leather belts to fuel her creative passion creating unique and custom made leather cuffs. “I love the opportunity to be here, it’s wonderful,” Woodard said. She added that her leathers can be purchased in the art center gift shop year-round.
Local Indie rock band “The Other Kin”, infused the crowd with an energetic performance. “What you hear is organically created,” said lead guitarist and vocals Cody Nicolas. Nicolas moved here from Boston in 2012 and has been playing the guitar since age five. Nicolas said this was the band’s first performance at the art center.
”It’s a good thing, a great opportunity to do what we love to do,” said Nicolas. Band members include Jonathan Hape, drummer and Mark Canole, bass player. The band is in search of a new name and welcomes suggestions from the public and plans to use social media in the process, as well as in their vision to become a self-sustaining and relevant band.
The musical line-up included Rock Salt & Nails (folk), Elyi Wyatt, Misprint, Legendary & Game Master with DJ Dirty Wax (hip-hop) and Thomas Edisun Sound Machine (paranormal rock).Nick Durchik emceed the event.
A silent auction benefited the art students at the center with a raffle that featured glass art by local artist George Whitten. All proceeds from the raffle went to the center to purchase a new glass kiln.
Smokin’ Bros BBQ fed the crowd with slow-cooked ribs and chicken served with their secret 17 ingredient sauce.
Local handmade jewelry, hand-drawn caricatures, local artists, live music and plenty of kids’ activities, food and beverages served up an explosion of talent, inspiration and family-friendly fun.
