Helen Arnold, Scott Hitchings and Linda Kelley, holding a Michelle Gregorek handbag, are represented the artists at this month’s Port Clinton Artists’ Club exhibition at The Arts Garagen that runs through July 3.

For 66 years, the Port Clinton Artists’ Club (PCAC) has been creating art and educating its members in their chosen medium. Invited by the Greater Port Clinton Area Arts Council, the Club is enjoying an exhibition at The Arts Garage, 317 W. Perry St., Port Clinton, through Sunday, July 3.

Perhaps what the PCAC is best known for is Arts in the Park, held annually at Lakeview Park in Port Clinton. One of the largest and best attended festivals in Ottawa County, it will be held on Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 6-7. Opening at 10 a.m. both days, the festival offers fine art and crafts, a children’s Make and Take, an art raffle, music and delicious food.

The children’s area, chaired by member Lisette Post, is a great attraction. Kids can make something cool and clever and take it home.

For more information contact Barbara Radebaugh, 419-341-0390.

Club members are participating in this month’s TAG show with a variety of mediums represented, and from varied backgrounds and unusual experiences. For instance, about 20 years ago, handbag creator, Michelle Gregorek, sold her table saw and bought a 1980 Bermina sewing machine. She used to make chairs, and now she expertly makes handbags out of cork, vinyl and cloth; backpacks, round bags, triangle bags, and fanny packs.

Taking risks has been a recurring theme in her life, “First I’m afraid to try, but I do it anyway,” she said. And, her outcomes have been positive.

Linda Kelley’s third grade teacher saw her talent and arranged for her to have art lessons right away. Kelley’s oil paintings are exquisite. She can spend up to three months on one painting to generate the delicate lines that all come together to create an atmospheric painting of objects, light and color.

About the PCAC she says, “There is a great sense of belonging. Everyone is encouraged to learn and create.”

Scott Hitchings used to hang out at his carpenter father’s job site, where he would collect tossed away nails and wood. He would straighten the nails and make cages for insects and other critters. He built his first piece of machinery in high school – a wood lathe. Today, Hitchings’s workshop is a literal homage to his craft, with every imaginable modern and vintage piece of equipment needed to create his art, and he uses it all.

Hitchings’ kinetic art of a zinnia is on display at TAG. Kinetic art is art from any medium that contains movement perceivable by the viewer or that depends on motion for its effect. Hitchings joined the PCAC after meeting Kay Young at Arts in the Park several years ago. Now, he’s Vice President.

Helen Arnold joined the Club because she loves museums and the group was taking a trip to Cleveland’s Museum of Art. After that she attended meetings and eventually signed up for a watercolor class. She liked it so much, she continued painting, adding watercolor batik to her repertoire.

“I’ve met a lot of people and formed lasting friendships. Artists are fun people who see things differently,” she said.