In November we are featuring ceramic works by Resident Artists Laura Donnelly and Judith Singer. 
Opening reception on the 13th 5-9pm. Also offering one-of-a-kind giftware! ​

Judith Singer
Inspired as a child in her father’s woodworking shop, Judie has enjoyed a lifetime of artistic expression in fine crafts design.  An initial BFA Degree in Fine Crafts Design, and K- 12 Visual Art Education Certification from Bowling Green State University, Ohio, have led to a career in Art Education, and many wonderful opportunities to continue her own artistic production and learning experiences.
In fibers, metals, and ceramics, Judie’s work explores the use of line, pattern, texture, and color to create surface interest.  She is always looking for found objects for inspiration and incorporation into her work; or to use as creative tools for making tactile surface marks.  She also enjoys exploring the use of heat and fire to create interesting forms and surface designs.
Judie’s work has been exhibited at the Canton Museum of Art, the Massillon Museum, The Little Gallery of the North Canton Public Library, and the Warren and Salem Branches of the Butler Museum of American Art.  In 2013 she joined Minerva’s Market Street Art Spot Gallery as a Resident Artist, with an interest in encouraging creativity and promoting the work of other local/regional artists.
Laura Donnelly
Laura has worked with visual forms in a creative way for as long as she can remember. She is a retired art teacher, is currently creating in her private studio and is a founding Resident Artist at the Market Street Art Spot Gallery in Minerva. She received her Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree from Kent State University and a Master of Arts in Education Degree from Walsh University.
 
Laura taught art for over 38 years in Stark County and holds a Highly Qualified Teacher Status with a Permanent Certificate with the Ohio State Department of Education. With a distinction of Art Teacher Of The Year in 1996, she has been a presenter at state and national art teacher conferences. Her work has won a variety of awards in the area and also received state and national recognition.

​Most of her current works, fashioned from stoneware and porcelain clays, are designed to be either functional or nonfunctional to satisfy both sides of her artistic drive. She is inspired by her grandchildren, local flora and fauna, and her husband's music collection. 

Beginning Friday, October 9th The Art Spot will be featuring woodturning pieces from local woodturners Dave Hout, Steve Ainsworth and Marty Chapman. Gallery Hours for this weekend are 1-9 PM Friday, 10/09; and 1-6 PM Saturday, 10/10. We appreciate the Minerva Rotary for Sponsoring our October Featured Show.

David Hout
Dave Hout has been a woodworker for over 50 years. He learned the craft of woodturning while getting his Industrial Arts Education degree. He attended his first Woodturning symposium in 1982 and fell in love with it. Dave also loves teaching the art and craft of woodturning, which he has been doing since 1985. Dave lives in the greater Akron, OH area.

He taught high school industrial arts and retired as an Assistant Superintendent. He was instrumental in the formation of Buckeye Woodworkers and Woodturners in Hartville  and Northcoast Woodturners in Cleveland  clubs which now have more than 200 members total. He teaches  Woodturning at both the John C. Campbell Folk School and Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts and is a featured demonstrator at symposia  and woodturning club meetings nationally and internationally.

His is an expert in the field of tool design and specifically tools for use in woodturning and has been a tool designer for Hartville Tool and other  national tool manufacturers.

Steve Ainsworth
"My first exposure to woodturning was in junior high shop class making salt/pepper shakers and I built my own lathe in high school. I had no idea how dangerous I was, but I was hooked. With college there was no time for it but always knew that if the opportunity to pursue it further came along I would. That came in 2002 with a trip to the John C Campbell Folk School. I have been on an abnormal path ever since!

I make every effort to celebrate the beauty and richness of wood without getting in the way. I strive for shapes and contours that emphasize the grain patterns, defects, voids, and stresses inherent under the bark; those things that bring the wood to life. I cannot surpass the workings of the creator but am humbled to be a part of the unveiling."

Martin Chapman 
“Marty” Chapman is a retired attorney turned wood turner and wood turning teacher. In 2010 he had his 1st one- man show, Turning Point, at the Second April Gallerie in Canton which was the 1st ever comprehensive showing of individual wood turning work in the Stark County area.

Marty has shown and sold pieces through 2nd April Gallerie and the Canton Museum of Art Museum Store, the Carroll County Community Arts Gallery in Carrollton and at occasional craft shows. His work is in private and corporate collections from Minerva and Canton to San Diego, Washington DC, North Carolina, Seattle, Houston and as far as Canada and Malasia. One of his pieces was featured in the Stark Anthology coffee table book from Indigo Press. Marty regularly demonstrates wood turning and turning techniques at area schools and civic groups, and has often demonstrated at craft shows and fairs, wine-tastings, and First Fridays. He also teaches woodturning and router classes on a regular basis at the John C. Campbell Folk School in Brasstown, N.C.

​Bring your Special Valentine to Minerva's Art Spot Gallery's 5 - 9 PM Opening Reception, Featuring work by Resident Artists! We are celebrating the Art Spot's 9th Anniversary and the Amazing Support of Individuals and Organizations throughout the Minerva/Stark County Communities; our Patrons and Sponsors; wonderful Volunteers; and talented, creative Display and Featured Artists who fill the Gallery with their work!! 

Minerva's Dr. Tom Freeland and Musician Friends will Rock the Spot! Enjoy Good Company and Reception Refreshments, compliments of Resident Artists and Volunteers. Many Thank-you's to the Minerva YMCA for Sponsoring our Anniversary Celebration.