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Volume 52, No. 20
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CHESTERLAND NEWS Wednesday, February 17, 2021
Your Community Newspaper Since 1967 Insect & Arachnid Exhibit A’Buzz at The West Woods By Rose Nemunaitis editor@geaugamapleleaf.com Some of the smallest forms of nature are getting big attention inside The West Woods Nature Center in Russell Township. What’s the Buzz Insect and Arachnid Inspired Art Exhibition, a 10-week community art show that opened Feb. 13, is celebrating creativity inspired by the insect world and demonstrating the talents of regional artisans. The show runs through April 26 and is open daily from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. “This exhibit offers an opportunity for people to realize the beauty of insects and arachnids — so diverse in colors and patterns, size and shape,” said Teresa Runion, GPD special events coordinator. There are 136 artists represented in the show, 80 of which are from Geauga County. The exhibit comprises 358 pieces of artwork, as well as hundreds of additional pieces submitted for the Buzz Boutique gift shop. This marks Geauga Park District’s ninth community art show. It’s first, in 2006, was a collaborative project with Geauga Arts Council called “InfiniTree,” an exhibition of hundreds of art pieces created from a single tree. Over the years, Geauga Park District has had several installations of “discARTed,” showcasing artwork created from recycled medium, as well as themed exhibits. These include “Nature of Metal” (artwork created from metal), “Creativity Tapped” (artwork inspired by maple trees and maple sugaring), “Frozen Artistry” (ice-and-snow-themed artwork) and “Eyes to the Sky” (astronomy-themed artwork.) “My wish is that work displayed inspires those who attend to try their hand at creative pursuits,” Runion said. “The exhibit
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Sheila Dorris, of “Design with Art and Soul,” created “Lifeline… Ode to the Bees” for the new art exhibit at The West Woods Nature Center in Russell Township.
showcases work by artists of all ages and abilities created through a wide range of media. Everyone possesses some degree of creativity. The natural beauty of Geauga County and surrounding communities is inspiration for many who work and live here.” Artist Sheila Dorris’ creation, “Lifeline … Ode to the Bees,” focuses on environmental changes that have impacted the earth, wildlife — including bee populations — and humans. “Saddened by effects causing danger to all who inhabit our earth, in all societies, as well as our members of the Peaceable Kingdom, I designed this yard sculpture in honor of the international movements, #aworldofhearts and #heartsinthewindow,” Dorris said. Her clothesline has a painted bee sculpture, mostly out of carved and scrolled wood, with an additional bee created as a soft sculpture. Both have wings of lace on their backs.
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Geauga Park District events coordinator Teresa Runion said visitors to the new art exhibit at The West Woods will get up close and personal with human-sized “beetles,” come face-to-face with a larger-than-life praying mantis and see how natural materials may be turned into home decor.
“Their delicate extensions represent the current environment, worldwide for all of nature’s wildlife, as well as us humans,” Dorris said. “Designed to hang between
two trees in my front yard, it is born out of respect for concerns around the globe and as a sign of support in unity, as people have been coming See Art • Page 7
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