Hello Everyone! I love fall! While for many it is spring that signals a new beginning, for me it is those crisp, sunny days of fall. Maybe it is because I worked with college students my whole career; fall was always the beginning of the circle for me. Fall held the excitement of a new adventure for many and a promise to help find the path forward. I hope this summer each of you was able to spend time with family and friends, take a deep breath, create some beautiful artwork, and get ready for the numerous activities of the MCAL this year. We are so close to our first members’ meeting at Root Candle on Monday, Sept. 25. Carol Klingel has once again created an amazing line-up of speakers for you, so I hope you mark all of the meetings on your calendar now. And this is just the first of many notices that we have had to change the October meeting to Monday, Oct. 16 (room reservation issues!). Same speaker! Same time and place! And a reminder that even though we don’t provide refreshments anymore, you are more than welcome to bring a beverage to the meetings. Carol has also been working on the art supplies sale, which will be held on Sat., Oct. 14 (noon-4:00p.m.) and Sun., Oct. 15 (noon-3:00pm.) at Root Candle. It’s time to clean out that studio, mark prices on your donations, and bring them to Root on Sat., Oct. 14 between 10:00a.m. and noon. The room will also be open at 5:00 before our meeting on Monday, so you will have one last chance to peruse the offerings. Bring a friend and stay for the meeting! All proceeds will go into the MCAL scholarship fund. I want to give one final shout-out to Deanna Clucas. Deanna was awarded Best of Show at the Women’s Art League 90th Fall Art Show in Hudson. The show is open at the Hudson Fine Art and Framing Shop on Main Street in Hudson until Sept, 30. Congratulations, Deanna! I look forward to seeing all of you at the members’ meeting! Sincerely, Linda Long President

Beautiful weather, big crowds, great music, delicious food, and really talented artists. What more could make the 49th annual Art in the Park such a success? Approximately 120 artists started setting up their tents as early as June 15. It was wonderful to see old friends and new faces among them. By 10:00 a.m. on Sunday, the square was alive with activity. Two sets of awards were given. The first was the awards of distinction based on digital artwork submitted to MCAL/Art in the Park. They went to Patricia Bolger (jewelry) Kelly Butler (fine art), Julie Friedman (ecoprints), Glen Petranek (photography), and Joe Leonard (fine craft). These $100 awards were sponsored by Salon Morche, Velvet’s Main Street Framing, Charles R. Pfister Orthodontics, One Lucky Dog Bakery, and Waite and Sons Funeral The second group of awards was presented for the artist’s body of work at the park. Best of Show ($1000 sponsored by Geo. Brown & Associates) went to Kelly Butler for her colored pencil and pastel work. Edy Seaman earned the $800 first-prize President’s Award for her jewelry. The $600 “Every Second Counts” presented by the Law Firm of Brown, Amodio, and Chandler, LPA was awarded to Bette Murray for her assemblage sculptures. Bob Pozarski won the $400 third-place award given by Medina Gem. Finally, Julie Friedman was given a $200 Honorable Mention award provided by Trillium Dermatology for her ecoprints. Rockin’ Rick entertained throughout the day with a wide selection of music and some baffling magic tricks. The Medina County Art League is already busy planning for our next Art in the Park, which will be our 50th-anniversary celebration. If you have a great idea to add to the day, let one of our members know. * * * * * * * * * * * “Brothers in Art” Now at the Medina Library Five talented and award-winning artists from the Medina County Art League have assembled to produce an art show right here in Medina County. The “Brothers in Art” show features the artwork of Bill Beuther, George Harth, Darrell Kent, Craig Staufer, and Ricky Williams. The show will display for sale a broad range of art including photography, digital art, watercolors, oils, acrylics, markers, pointillism, realism, modern Chinese art, impressionism, and abstract art. This exclusive art show will be held in the B. Smith Art Gallery on the third floor of the Medina County District Library adjacent to the Medina Courthouse Square. The art exhibit will be held from July 31 to August 27. Library hours are Monday - Thursday 10:00 am – 8:00 pm, Friday and Saturday 10:00 am – 5:00 pm, and closed on Sundays.

Note: Artfully Yours is a new monthly column submitted by the Medina County Art League (MCAL). Articles will discuss events sponsored by the MCAL, individual artists, workshops, and other topics related to the visual arts. We hope you find this helpful, and maybe that you will be inspired to join this organization! (You don’t have to be an artist. You may just be a supporter of the arts!) If it’s July, it’s once again time for Art in the Park! The Medina County Art League is proud to present our annual celebration of the visual arts. This year’s festival will be bigger and better than ever! About 120 artists will display and sell their artwork on the courthouse square on Sunday, July 16, from 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Rain or shine! Artists include painters, potters, photographers, jewelry makers, leather and fabric artists, and those who work with glass or wood. Chairperson Kathy Stokes-Shafer offered these thoughts on this celebration of the arts: “For the past 49 years, the Medina County Art League has sponsored Art in the Park on the square in Medina. I think at first it was a way for our members to sell their work and bring art to Medina. Over the years it became a major fine art show with vendors from all over the country. It is also the major fund-raiser for the MCAL for operating expenses each year. For example, it helps us pay honoraria to the artists who speak at our member meetings and a portion of the costs to sponsor workshops for our members to continue to learn.” This art fair has a second important purpose for the MCAL. The organization awards scholarships to budding young artists in the Medina County schools. According to Stokes-Shafer, “Each year, we routinely award from $3000 to $5000. In just the past eight years, we have given $20,000 to 32 students. Visitors are encouraged to stop by our scholarship tent to learn more about our scholarship program and purchase a raffle ticket to help us support these young people.” There is one major addition to this year’s Art in the Park that will help the MCAL reach its goals. The Board gave area businesses and organizations an opportunity to sponsor the awards presented to the artists for their body of work. The MCAL thanks the following sponsors: Best of Show ($1000) – George Brown and Associates First Place ($800) – The MCAL President’s Award Second Place ($600) – The “Every Second Counts” award sponsored by the Law Firm of Brown, Amodio, and Chandler Third Place ($400) – Medina Gem Honorable Mention ($200) – Trillium Creek Dermatology Special Awards ($100) – Salon Morche, Charles R. Pfister Orthodontics, Velvet’s West Main Framing, One Lucky Dog Bakery, Waite and Sons Funeral Home Stokes-Shafer also indicated that there will be music throughout the day. Rocking Rick is returning to entertain with both music and magic tricks. Food vendors will be available, and, of course, there are plenty of great restaurants in Medina if visitors are ready to sit down for a bit. MCAL president Linda Long encourages everyone to join the fun. “I came to Medina just four years ago, and I wouldn’t miss Art in the Park for anything! This is a wonderful venue to purchase a beautiful piece of artwork for your home. And I just read that July is ‘Christmas in July’ in Medina. Think about a holiday gift now. Perhaps you have been looking for a unique gift for a wedding, anniversary, birthday, or housewarming. What a great way to support artists and your community. We will see you on the square!”