By JULIE CARLE
BG Independent News
The Bowling Green Arts Council’s annual Art Walk has become a showcase of local artists work for the past 36 years.
Saturday’s event put all that talent on display—from a vibrant mix of artists to a handful of eclectic musicians. Downtown Bowling Green came alive to demonstrate its commitment to the arts. From North Main to South Main and East Wooster to West Wooster, visitors encountered painters, photographers, musicians and makers — each with a unique journey that led them to this shared celebration of art.
Nearly two dozen artists participated in the art walk, many with varied backgrounds and stories to share about the inspiration behind their art.
Along North Main Street, artists set up inside local businesses, transforming familiar spaces into pop-up galleries. Eric Siebeneck showcased mixed media work at Pisanello’s, while Rex Russell and Jennifer Sowders shared space at Black Swamp Games. Jill Allport, Gina Day Heishman and others added to the diversity of styles, from traditional painting to expressive, contemporary pieces.
Further south, South Main Street featured an equally eclectic lineup. Photographer Louis Staeble displayed decades of experience at Elite on Main, while Alice Cook’s alcohol ink creations at Novel Blends drew viewers in with their fluid, vibrant textures. Andrew Warman’s spray-painted works, Lydia Horvath’s caricatures and Raul Ascunce’s painted furniture demonstrated how art can take many forms — and live in many mediums.
In Grounds for Thought, long known for its support of the arts, Vicki Knaerhase and Carol Slater shared their talents, while the paintings of Cara Henry and Randy Bennett ere showcased on the east side of South Main at Qdoba and Myla Marcus, respectively.
Over on Wooster Street, music and visual art blended as Tim Tegge performed at Kabob It and painter Nate Miller exhibited at GOAT Records.
Art shaped by life experiences
What set this year’s Art Walk apart was not just the quality — though many noted it was especially strong — but the deeply personal paths that led artists here.
Siebeneck, a Bowling Green State University graduate, spent two decades in web development before changing careers and becoming a semi-truck driver. Through it all, art remained his creative outlet.
“For the past eight years now I’ve been driving a semi-truck,” he said. “Doing art has always been my outlet for creativity.”
His work, including hockey-themed pieces inspired by the Detroit Red Wings, reflects both passion and persistence — even earning him a finalist spot in a professional art competition.
For Gina Day Heishman, painting began as a way to cope with grief.
“My best friend since second grade passed away from breast cancer,” she said. “My husband said I really needed something to help with the grief.”
Now a self-taught abstract artist, she approaches each canvas intuitively, letting emotion guide color and form.
Others found art later in life. Though Alice Cook enjoyed art as a youngster, the now-retired BGSU employee discovered alcohol ink art through online videos.
“It’s such a neat medium,” she said. “You put it down and it kind of does its own thing — and then you just keep working with it.”
Andrew Warman, a former construction worker, turned to spray paint art during the COVID-19 shutdown.
“I needed something to do,” he said. “I watched a video, tried it, and sold my first piece within a week.”
And for Raul Ascunce, painting furniture began with a practical decision. His daughter’s left-behind dark pine furniture was the impetus.
“My wife said, ‘You paint this or I’m going shopping,’” he laughed. “Painting was cheaper.”
That one project sparked a passion for upcycling, turning discarded furniture into colorful, renewed pieces.
More than just sales
While artwork was available for purchase, many artists emphasized that connection — not commerce — was their primary motivation for participating in the art walk.
Staeble, who has been photographing for more than 50 years, starting with two old cameras willed to him by his grandfather, said the event is about engagement.
“I do it to meet people,” he said. “Selling art is difficult, but I enjoy the interaction.”
That sentiment was echoed by attendees, including Deb Baerwaldt, who praised the community’s support for the arts.
“We are so lucky to live in a community that not only is rich in art but also nurtures the artists,” she said, as she purchased a set of tiles from artist Alice Cook.
Recognizing excellence
As part of the art walk, each artist provided a sample of their artwork that was displayed at the Wood County District Public Library, the starting point for the art walk. The community was invited to peruse the art at the library and vote on their favorite artist for the People’s Choice Awards. This year’s winners were:
- 1st Place: Eric Siebeneck
- 2nd Place: Cara Henry
- 3rd Place: Alice Cook
Jury Awards were selected by Lori Young, a Bowling Green State University School of Art faculty member. Winners were:
- 1st Place: Rex Russell
- 2nd Place: Nate Miller
- 3rd Place: Eric Siebeneck
- Honorable Mention: Randy Bennett
Mary Dennis, president of the BG Arts Council, noted that while there were slightly fewer artists registered, the overall quality stood out.
“The art is of such good quality this year,” she said. “And the musicians are great.”
Attendance at the library remained steady throughout the day, Dennis said. For many, the BG Art Walk has become a can’t-miss tradition. The event really is about more than paintings, photographs and performances. It’s about the people, their stories and their creativity.
