Snow doesn’t sour Spring on Park art show | News, Sports, Jobs

Staff photo / R. Michael Semple
Adam and Asha Gregory of Warren view artwork in a variety of mediums during Saturday’s opening reception of Spring on Park, a nature-themed art show, hosted by the Fine Arts Council of Trumbull County and the Lotus Art Center. The show features 109 pieces from about 50 artists and runs through the end of the month at the Art on Park building downtown.

WARREN — With snow falling and low temperatures outside, the first Spring on Park show had plenty of art to make people look forward to better weather.

The nature-themed show at downtown’s Art on Park building had 109 pieces from about 50 artists on display at the Saturday opening. The show is a collaboration between the Fine Arts Council of Trumbull County and the Lotus Art Center and is co-curated by David Wheeler of the Fine Arts Council and Sara Lee of the Lotus Art Center.

“We have artists of all ages and skill levels, including people currently hanging in national museums and children,” Wheeler said. “This is the first time for some artists to hang their work in a public space, which is fantastic.”

Submissions include sculpture, photography, paintings, fiber arts, kinetic art, drawings and mixed media. The show runs until the end of the month.

The show will have another opening noon to 4 p.m. March 20, the first day of spring. Admission is free.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, there’s been very few art shows on the city’s Courthouse Square.

“We hope to go back to normal with a full schedule,” Wheeler said.

Michele Coe of Southington had three pieces in the show.

“I always like supporting art shows in Warren and this is a great space,” she said of Art on Park. “Nature is a great theme. Nature is the topic of most of my art work. It’s glorious to see art in public again.”

Coe’s husband, Dale, said while “it’s not quite spring weather,” it’s “great to come here and enjoy all of the art.”

The pandemic, he said, “really stifled people’s creativity. It was horrible. Hopefully, it will be better and get back to normal.”

Lee said: “Even with the weather, it’s a great show and we’re very happy with the turnout of people here. It’s ironic that a show about nature and spring started during a blizzard.”

She also noted how “nice it is to have people out” after dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic. “People are happier in general, seeing each other and being together.”

During Saturday’s opening, there was a plant life drawing activity presented by Lotus.

Beth Carson of East Palestine sketched a rubber tree plant.

Carson said she was impressed with the show and the building.

“This is a wonderful show,” she said.

It was her first time in the Art on Park building.

“It’s an interesting space,” Carson said. “I’m glad it promoted the arts.”

Other Art on Park shows and their opening dates include Losing My Religion, April 9; Black and White on Park, May 7; Paint on Park, June 4; Sharpies and Cardboard, July 1; Cityscapes and Landscapes, Aug. 5; Glue on Park, Sept. 10; Dark on Park, Oct. 8; and Portraiture on Park, Nov. 5.