By DAVID DUPONT
BG Independent News
Randy Bennett has been a fixture at Art Walk in downtown Bowling Green for more than a decade. Until the pandemic intervened the painter would set up his easel in Grounds for Thought and paint and talk with people who happened by.
“It’s always been my place to go down and paint.” But he didn’t officially exhibit his work.
The event brings out the best in Bowling Green, he said. “Art Walk is cool. It gives artists a venue to show their work, and it’s an opportunity for the community, artists, and businesses to form an alliance.”
Not having officially signed up, he wasn’t eligible for any of the awards.
This year Art Walk coincided with an exhibit of18 of his paintings at Myla Marcus Winery. With the shop on the Art Walk itinerary, his work was officially included. This proved a popular decision.
Bennett won the People’s Choice Award at The 30th Art Walk.
Seventeen artists and artisans had work in local shops and were represented by one piece each in an exhibit in the Wood County District Public Library atrium that served as a launching pad for the event sending visitors into the various shops that were hosting displays.
Also on display were works from Bowling Green Middle School students and the work by students in the high school’s senior studio.
The library also hosted the reception and awards ceremony.
Emerson Deangelo received first place for his ceramics and prints in the juried art competition.
Also, selected by juror Crystalyn Hutchins were: Michaela Westra, encaustic painting, second, and Margo Mohr, painting, third.
Other People’s Choice Award winners were painters Leah Patterson, second, and Brynn Busalacchi.
Deangelo will start his final year of the Bachelor of Fine Arts degree this year. He first arrived at BGSU from Hilliard High in 2013, but after a few years, decided to break. Now he’s returned to complete his degree.
His recent work is informed by his dental problems. “I’ve always had issues with my teeth in the last year had four teeth pulled out.”
His prints and ceramic sculpture are “a way to work through the trauma of dental surgery.”
Deangelo said he’s done artwork since childhood inspired by his grandparents who raised him. They were always involved in arts and crafts and encouraged him. In high school he worked in a variety of media. He was attracted to attend BGSU by its reputation of being one of the best ceramics programs in the country and a desire to work with noted ceramic sculptor John Balistreri.
This was his first time participating in Art Walk. “I love BG and to be part of the community brings a sense belonging,” Deangelo said.
“It’s always nice to be out and interacting with the community,” said Jeffrey Eden, a 2021 MFA graduate who was displaying his images of tree canopies in front of Ace Hardware.
Down the street, Westra, a 2022 MFA graduate, offered visitors the opportunity to tell her a story, and she would create a small painting on wood for them. “I like to talk with people about their stories and maybe give them a little piece to take with them.”
City Councilman Jeff Dennis said that it was “amazing” to see artists and customers inside downtown stores. It’s been a tough couple years for both the retail and arts sectors. Art Walk was held in 2020 and 2021, but virtually.
“Events like this are so critically important to create a greater quality of place,” he said, “and important to our overall economic development strategy.”
