The Mark and Marie Latta Collection

July 5: Zanesville, zanesvilleart.com he newest addition to the Zanesville Museum of Art brings a variety of treasures back to the place where they were made over a century ago. The Weller Pottery Co. began in the Muskingum County village of Fultonham in 1872, and within a decade moved to Zanesville, once known as the Clay City due to all the potteries that operated there.

“The Mark and Marie Latta Collection: Featuring Weller Pottery Co.’s Hudson Ware,” which goes on display July 5, highlights 77 pieces of Weller Pottery Hudson Ware, known for its pastel colors and detailed decoration. Dating to 1917, the vases in the collection showcase beautiful floral and landscape designs.

“What really characterizes and makes these pieces so unique is that they’re hand painted or decorated by primarily women [around] the turn of the century, which was a unique occupation for women during that period,” says Laine Snyder, director and curator of the Zanesville Museum of Art.

Mark and Marie Latta started their collection with pieces from Roseville Pottery in nearby Roseville and grew into collecting other Muskingum County works. Except for a few that are especially dear to them, the Lattas have donated their Weller Pottery Co. pieces to the Zanesville Museum of Art to serve as a reminder of the city’s rich pottery history. The works will become part of the permanent collection in the American

Art Pottery Gallery. The Lattas are traveling to Zanesville from their home in Muscatine, Iowa, to dedicate the collection named in their honor with a celebration at the museum on July 14.

“[It is] the perfect place to have it on display and to show off what their history and culture was,” says Mark Latta. “We think it belongs there; that’s where it came from.”

Gracie Wilson

festival

Columbus Book Festival

July 15–16: Columbus

Head downtown for meet and greets with authors, book shopping and more. Attend panel discussions, enjoy entertainment and grab a bite from food trucks at this event, which is held at the Columbus Metropolitan Library’s Main Library, as well as the adjacent Kaufman Plaza and Topiary Park. columbusbookfestival.org event

Vermilion Beach Market

Aug. 4–5: Vermilion

What started as retired teacher Anne Naugle’s solo endeavor has grown into a bustling, nonprofit, two-day market in the Lake Erie shore town of Vermilion. This year’s juried market features more than 100 vendors selling home decor, furniture, architectural salvage and more. Enjoy eats from nearly a dozen food trucks as well as Saturday-morning mimosas, while browsing the setup at Sherod Park. A gathering of vintage VW buses will be there Saturday as well. vermilionbeachmarket.com event

Jeep Jam

Aug. 18–20: Clarksville

Take a ride off the beaten path during the weekend-long Jeep Jam. Enjoy the cruise-in with the family on Friday, and stay for the variety of off-roading opportunities, as well as food trucks, activities for kids and more at the original Jeep Jam site. jeepjam.org

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