Ohio has a long and important history with the world of comics. Lancaster, Ohio’s Richard Outcault is credited with creating the first successful newspaper comic strip Hogan’s Alley in 1895. Frederick Opper, from Madison, created the immensely popular Happy Hooligan which ran from 1900 until 1932, the same year that Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster met (CRASH!) in high school in Cleveland and began the collaboration that birthed Superman in 1938.

Zooming in (ZAP!), Cleveland is home to Harvey Pekar, and Gary Dumm of American Splendor fame as well as John Backderf, all of whom were influenced by Robert Crumb, the famous (infamous?) underground comic artist who lived in Cleveland in the mid-’60s.

Zooming in even more, Bill Watterson (Calvin and Hobbes) and Roger Bollen (Animal Crackers) both have called Chagrin Falls their home (ZOWIE!), and true believers, that’s really just the tip of the iceberg.

With this history in mind, this fall Valley Art Center presents an exhibit focusing on comics and comic-related art (POW!). This exhibit will feature a roster of professional artists curated by Gary and Laura Dumm, as well as an open-entry roster of non-professional and student artists juried by the Dumms to showcase and encourage up-and-coming talent. Additionally, Valley Art Center will be offering kids’ classes and workshops (SIZZLE!) in comics creation, to run in conjunction with the exhibit.

This exhibit will be on display September 13 through October 16, with (WHOOSH!) an opening reception on September 13 from 6:00 to 8:00pm.

In November, Valley Art Center presents our 48^th Annual Juried Art Exhibit. Artists living within a 250-mile radius of Chagrin Falls are invited to submit artwork for consideration to this prestigious annual exhibition. Historically, we have received approximately 300-400 pieces of artwork, including 2D and 3D. The art is juried to approximately 100 works in painting, drawing, fiber arts, jewelry, sculpture, photography and more! Over $1,000 in cash is awarded for Best of Show, 1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd Place and several community-sponsored awards including the Hardy Watercolor Award and the Phyllis Lloyd Memorial Award.

Jurors for this year’s exhibit are Nikki Woods, Billy Ritter, and

This exhibit will be on display from November 8 through December 11, with an opening reception November 8 from 6:00 to 8:00pm. The call to entry is open and can be found on ArtCall or at valleyartcenter.org/calls-to-entry.html

 

FALL CLASSES BEGIN | SEPTEMBER 9

COMIX OPENING RECEPTION | SEPTEMBER 13

CHAGRIN DOCUMENTARY FILM FESTIVAL SCREENING | OCTOBER 4

48^TH ANNUAL JURIED SHOW CALL TO ENTRY CLOSES | OCTOBER 11

ARTOBERFEST | OCTOBER 20

48^TH ANNUAL JURIED SHOW | NOVEMBER 8–DECEMBER 11
Reception 6–8pm Friday, November 8

Valley Art Center

155 Bell Street

Chagrin Falls, Ohio 44022

valleyartcenter.org

440.247.7507