The Healing Wall at Magruder Hospital is a rotating exhibit of local artists. Jan Hackett is the current feature artist. (Photo by Sheri Trusty)

BY SHERI TRUSTY

This year promises to be filled with art, creativity and inspiration as the Greater Port Clinton Area Arts Council (GPCAAC) plans a full year of exhibits, events and classes at The Arts Garage (TAG) and other area locations.

“We actually have exhibits booked for the entire 2023 calendar year already,” said GPCAAC Press Secretary Jesse Denton.

One of the popular off-site exhibits hosted by GPCAAC is the Healing Wall at Magruder Hospital, a rotating art exhibit in the outpatient wing hallway that features the work of area artists. Denton said the purpose of the Healing Wall is to “give a few moments of peace through the stress of a hospital visit.”

The Healing Wall is currently featuring the work of Jan Hackett, a Port Clinton artist who draws, paints, and “Brushos” her creativity onto canvas. Brusho is a unique painting medium that is stored as dry crystalline powder. When mixed with cold water, the powder is transformed into brightly-colored paint.

Brusho gives Hackett a different outlet to create energetic, distinctive works.

Artist Jan Hackett stands next to her work, “Pinkie the Flamingo,” which she created with charcoal and Brusho paint. Hackett is the featured artist at Magruder Hospital’s Healing Wall. (Photo by Sheri Trusty)

“Brusho is so vibrant and unpredictable,” Hackett said. “It’s amazing how it explodes into different colors.”

Lining the Healing Wall are 24 of Hackett’s artworks whose subjects include animals, landscapes and people.

“Whatever I do, I want it to tell some kind of story. I want it to evoke emotion. I want people to see a story that may be different from what somebody else sees,” Hackett said.

Hackett looks at the world with an artistic eye, seeing stories and emotions and colors that others miss. She hopes her art helps open that colorful world to other people.

“For example, when people see leaves, they just see green, but if you really look, there are purples, blues and other colors,” she said. “I want people to see something different in each painting.”

Hackett’s work will remain at the Healing Wall until Friday, Jan. 20.

On Friday, Jan. 6 at 6 p.m., TAG will host an opening reception for the Plein Air Exhibit, which will run through Sunday, Jan. 29. The work will feature the art of The Group, local plein air artists who began gathering with noted artist Rick Dziak about six years ago. “Plein Air” is French for “outdoors,” and every Monday, The Group meets at a local diner for breakfast and then, if the weather permits, they head outside to paint a bit of the beautiful lakeside scenery. If it’s too cold, they meet at TAG and paint portraits from live models or still life paintings.

The Greater Port Clinton Area Arts Council has planned a year full of creativity at The Arts Garage (TAG), shown here, and at other area venues. A Plein Air Exhibit will begin on Friday, Jan. 6, and an exhibit of the Urban Folkart of Keith Fleming will open on Saturday6, Feb. 11. (Photo by Sheri Trusty)

Local artists featured in the Plein Air Exhibit include Dziak, Nike Mendenhall, Dave Peltier, Rose Lucas Hanninger, Sharon Helle, Tricia Kaman, Barbara Everett, Steve Kelley, Peg Vasil and Kay Young.

On Saturday, Feb. 11 at 7 p.m., GPCAAC will host an opening reception for “Urban Folkart” featuring the creatively distinct works of Keith Fleming.

“I work in mixed media and found objects. It’s basically finding stuff and seeing what hits me, and it just happens,” Fleming said. “My work is a little naïve and outsider-artish.”

The Urban Folkart reception will also serve as a fundraiser. There is no entrance fee, and the event will feature a silent auction, heavy hors d’oeuvres, a cash bar, a 50/50 raffle and entertainment. All proceeds will help fund GPCAAC youth programming for 2023.

TAG is located at 317 W. Perry St., Port Clinton. Hours are Wednesday through Sunday, 11a.m. to 4 p.m. or by appointment. For more information, visit www.gpcaac.org.