Hello! I’m Angelina. Glassblowing, ceramics, watercolor, acrylic, printmaking, stickers, you-name-it kind of artist, designer, hiker, backpacker, and outdoor environmental educator. What inspires me most is the natural world around us and it’s vast intensity. In my spare time I hike and walk any and everywhere I can, stay active, watch movies, spend time with the ones I love, and photograph the beauty and inspiration that surrounds me. My life is about bringing awareness to the little things and how it brings joy and happiness to us, sometimes unnoticed!
I started my Etsy shop after spending several years away from really delving into my art making after graduating art school - studying fine art, and spending a session out in Chilhuly’s Pilchuck School of glass. I have been creating art since I was very young which I would say is when I found my passion for art and continue to do so, this is my first year actually delving into the realms of Art & Craft Vendor shows after being so nervous to for years. This Strongsville show will actually be my first Avant-Garde show, but have a few in store later on this year and hopefully next.
I would say that my creative process has a lot to do with my background in the outdoors, teaching outdoor education and having a passion for the natural world and connection with others. I backpack/hike quite often and find that I am inspired while on the journey in the woods to create works of art that replicate and show as much beauty as I can create - through my work. I try to encourage others to head outside, connect with nature and what it has to offer - through my teaching and through my art.
When others look at my art, I want them to feel a sense of connection to the earth, a connection that seems to be lost with the hustle and bustle, back and forth, that we go through every single day. Maybe a reminder to help us slow down - take a break and be aware of your surroundings. Head outside, in the woods - or even in your backyard, sit in the grass or in the trees and discover the world that is around us even when we are unaware.
Meet Dean Pol from Cork art by Deano...
Born and raised most of my life in the Akron area, Fine Arts graduate of the U of Akron. I currently commute from Westlake and work in downtown Cleveland. By trade I'm an HR professional for many years in multiple industries. In my spare time I have built 2 homes and crafted on many home renovation/remodeling type projects. One of my life passions has been working as an artist creating with a variety of mediums. I love creating art that celebrates aspects of our lives.
I have spent 40 years as an amateur artist working with acrylic paint, wood and 3-D sculpture materials. For the last 6 years I focused my energy on recycling products and using corks of many kinds as the primary design element. I have participated in many other art shows, however this is my first Avant-Garde show.
The vision to see creative usefulness of things that are cast aside with past memories to create appreciation of new lasting art, and I have always used art and crafts as an outlet to create things others appreciated. I could draw and copy things as a young child, then I discovered taking apart things an being creative to design and re-create. I would describe by creative process by looking past what is front of my eyes and seeing the potential of using it as part of something creative and new.
I'm hoping people keep drinking wine and champagne to celebrate so corks are in ample supply, lol. As long as people continue to appreciate the time, patience, creativity and what a hot glue gun and corks can artistically provide there will be a market and possibility for growth. The message behind my work is to see the creative design potential in all things and let corks help you celebrate.
Meet Marsha Ribovich from Rethunk Junk...
Hi! My name is Marsha Ribovich. I was born and raised in Northeast Ohio. I have a
master’s degree in business management from Cleveland State and work full time as a
project analyst during the day. In my free time I experiment with many different art
forms. Rethunk Junk has been in existence for just over 2 years (October 2016). But I have
been creating art nearly my entire life.
We have participated in roughly a dozen Avant-Garde Art & Craft Shows over the past
few years. Predominately in Chagrin Falls, Strongsville, Rocky River, and Fairlawn. We want to do our part to help the environment. Trash and overlooked or outdated items become inspiration for us to repurpose. Friends and complete strangers inspire us too with random thoughts and ideas that we spin into our creations. We love our city/state, music, sports, and inspirational phrases. We are always open to incorporating different types of art into our message. All these passions have inspired most of our designs.
I thought there must be a way to turn trash and unrecycled items into art. That night I received what I believed to be a sign. I was sitting in my living room thinking about the day and I heard a loud bang. A pop can had exploded. I looked at the pop can that appeared to be smiling at me and immediately knew what I would do first. I created wall-art with pop can pieces. I used the bottom of the can and the sides for different designs.
Our creative process can be long and drawn out. We like to create new designs to keep
our vision fresh and also update our classic designs simultaneously. Within the next five years, we see ourselves possibly opening up our own store to provide a larger variety of recycled/repurposed art and include other local artists in our journey. Overall our message behind our work is to take something battered and make it beautiful to proudly display for all to see.
Meet Carol Lucas from Lucas Designs Handmade Pottery and Jewelry...
Quick! Name three fun adventures you want to have in retirement. -Chances are, when the time comes, you could be doing something you never dreamed of, something you enjoy immensely. That happened to me early in my retirement when I walked into a Parma pottery studio that I’d driven past daily for years, and asked, “What’s this all about?”
Ten years later, I’m up to my basement ceiling in pots, plaques, and platters as my fingers prod daily into cool mounds of damp dirt, and shake the life out of gurgling bottles of glaze. I hope to keep this nonsense up for some time to come, as inspiration stirs my soul and guides my crafting philosophy: Follow creativity wherever it takes you.
Meanwhile, I will sell my wares at area craft fairs such as Avant-Garde, which I view as one of the better-quality venues in the Northern Ohio area. Thank you for choosing Lucas Designs Handmade Pottery and Jewelry and remember, “retirement” is just another word for “play!” As the great American Poet Ogden Nash once said: “You are only young once. But you can stay immature indefinitely!”
Meet Meghan Barker and Carrie Kneale from Just that Simple...
We started out as strangers, then became neighbors, and now we’re best friends and business partners. We are mothers, wives, and creative, strong women. We just started our business together but we have both had interests in this field for years. It wasn’t until we became friends that we realized we had the same dream.
Our love for originality and making something completely our own inspires us. We work with old pallets so we love creating something beautiful out of something discarded, warped, and damaged. As two women, struggling with diagnosed anxiety, it’s not always easy to get up and get moving. There are therapeutic benefits to getting out, getting our minds moving, listening to music and getting our hands dirty. By the time we’ve finished a piece, the excitement and feeling of fulfillment outweighs any anxiety.
We enjoy making things from scratch. From start to finish, all of our products are completely original and unique. Because of the wood we use and the way we craft it, not one single piece is exactly like any other. We don’t have any creative process. It’s all about how we are feeling that day, or images we’ve seen, or ideas we’ve created out of thin air. We just get out and go for it and make sure we have fun doing it.
In five years we will have our own shop and office. We will be successful and very pleased with our products and how our business has grown. The message behind our work is you are loved, you are beautiful, you are strong, you are powerful, you are creative, you are talented. IT’S JUST THAT SIMPLE!
2017 Strongsville Fall Avant-Garde Art & Craft Show
Saturday & Sunday, November 10, & 11, 2018
Strongsville Ehrnfelt Recreation Center
18100 Royalton Rd.
Strongsville, OH 44136
For more information, contact Becki Silverstein, Event Coordinator at Becki@ag-shows.com
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