It was great seeing everyone tonight at the opening reception of the 1st Invitational Show.  Everyone had such interesting stories and information to share, and we could see many people exchanging emails and phone numbers to keep in contact. 

At one point, we had well over 50 people in the store having some great conversations.  We also love how people ask us very provocative questions during these shows, about selling work, determining sizes to paint, using materials in unconventional ways, how to place in competitions.  We love the type of questions that have many answers.

To show our appreciation for sharing their work, all of the artists in the show received brand new sketchbooks and an ArtSmart gift card. 

If you would like to be considered for an upcoming invitational show, then be sure you become our fan on Facebook (Utrecht Art Supplies - Cleveland), share your blog and/or website with us, participate in one of our open shows including the Sketchbook Scramble, Your Work, or the Mini Show.  You can also bring pictures in to show us your projects; you’ll be pleasantly surprised at how excited we get when we see them.

There is still some time to see the show, but unfortunately, the food is all gone.

Tonight from 7-9PM, our first Invitational Art Show, featuring among others, Jane Petscheck (her work is seen above).   There will be an artists’ meet-n-greet with refreshments.

Don’t forget that there is also a 25% store wide discount for all those who stop by.  Cannot be combined with any other discount.  Cannot be used toward the purchase of gift cards, kits, or vendor direct items.  Good on in-store/in-stock items. 

Don’t forget that we have an art show coming up next Thursday (September 24, 2009) from 7-9PM.  See some wonderful art and get a great in-store discount (25% off non-sale items, cannot be combined with any other offer, good on in-store/in-stock items only, not good on kits, gift cards, or vendor direct items).  There will also be refreshments.

The painting above is by Jeremy Tugeau, one of the featured artists in the show.

Other aritsts include:  Wally Kaplan, Mitzi Lai, John Saille, Bailey Van Kirk, Jamie Morse, Jane Petschek.

First Invitational Art Show

Sponsored by Utrecht Art Supplies

Thursday, September 24, 2009 from 7:00-9:00pm

Come by to get some refreshments, meet the artists, see some great art, and mingle.

Above is a painting that will be featured in the show by Wally Kaplan.  Kaplan works in pastel, acrylic, and watercolor.  Her subjects are chosen to provoke emotion from the viewer and to draw them into her private world.  Her landscapes evoke place & atmosphere while she uses light, color, and composition to bring about a certain mood.  Having grown up in Florida, her landscapes are often the beaches or oceans stored in her memory, but there is usually a figure–someone who relates to nature. 

 Her work is included in private collections in Ohio, Texas, and Florida.  Her work has been published in the AGC Inc “52 Weeks, 52 Works” calendar, Source magazine, and on the cover of the 2007 Cleveland Gallery Guide.

Please click on her painting above to see more of Wally’s work.

MOCA will hold a memorial service for artist, Seth Rosenberg, who passed away suddenly this past week.  The service will be Sunday, September 6, 2009 at 11:30am.

 We wish to express our deepest sympathies to all of Seth’s friends and family.

We will be open our normal hours on Labor Day (Monday, September 7, 2009) to accommodate those of you that still need your back to school supplies.