Port Clinton Artists’ Club art exhibition showcases artists and the Sutton Center

PCAC exhibition director Judy Maher stands next to her painting “Relaxation” during the group’s art show on July 6 at the Sutton Center. (Photo by Sheri Trusty)

BY SHERI TUSTY

Every time someone walks through the Sutton Center in Port Clinton, a hub of private and nonprofit businesses and organizations, they are greeted by walls filled with original artwork. The walls of the Sutton Center serve as gallery space for the Port Clinton Artists’ Club (PCAC), a club founded in 1956 to bring together local creatives of many media and many skill levels.

On July 6, PCAC hosted an art exhibition and meet and greet at the Sutton Center to raise awareness of the gallery and the many businesses and organizations at the center. The event included free raffle drawings, refreshments, and the opportunity to chat with the artists.

“We decided to host a meet and greet this summer because Port Clinton gets a lot of visitors in the summer and some of them are not familiar with the Sutton Center,” said Judy Maher, chair of the PCAC’s exhibition department.

The artwork that hangs on the walls of the Sutton Center is always for sale. Anyone interested in purchasing one of the artworks can pay for it at Bistro 163, a pay-it-forward restaurant located just inside the front door of the Sutton Center.

Ann Ferguson used a magnifying glass to paint the cows in this landscape painting titled “Blue Sky.” (Photo by Sheri Trusty)

Artwork currently hanging in the gallery includes three pieces by artist Ann Ferguson. All of her pieces are painted from her own original photographs and many depict everyday scenes from Ottawa County. “Keep on Truckin” is Ferguson’s recreation of a classic truck parked on SR 163 and “Portage River Sunset” depicts a sunset behind the Portage River Bridge in Elmore.

“The sunset was so beautiful that I had to photograph it and then paint it,” Ferguson said.

Ferguson was driving between Oak Harbor and Fremont when the beauty of a rural blue sky inspired her to stop her car to take a photograph. Recreating the scene in watercolor became a challenge, not because of the sky, but because of what lay beneath it – a farm full of grazing cows. On her canvas, they are small but very recognizable patches of color in front of a barn.

“I painted with a magnifying glass,” she said.

A guest takes a close look at Jan Hackett’s charcoal artwork. (Photo by Sheri Trusty)

PCAC typically meets on the fourth Monday of each month at 6:15 p.m. at Peace Lutheran Church in Port Clinton, but guests should check before coming to make sure the date has not changed due to holidays or other conflicts. The group consists of over 40 active members representing a variety of media outlets.

“We have artists doing woodwork, pottery, felting, pastel and acrylic painting, basket weaving. Some weave their own fabrics,” Maher said. “We have virtually every medium.”

New members of all skill levels are invited to join the PCAC.

“Beginners and advanced artists are equally welcome,” said PCAC President Patty Wildman. “Everyone can engage in some form of artistic activity.”

For more information, visit www.portclintonartistsclub.com.