Artist Jeff Jackson and his wife show off his creation, “The Swashbuckler,” an octopus made of scrap metal, nuts and bolts. (Photos by Phil Wheeler)

BY PHIL WHEELER

Port Clinton continues to stage its popular summer Thursday Art Walks, with two more scheduled for Aug. 12 and Aug. 26 from 5 to 8 p.m. Take a stroll down Madison Street and purchase amazing items from a wealth of artists and crafters.

Artist Jeff Jackson has been attracting attention by crafting in metal for 10 years, creating sculptures from scrap metal and nuts and bolts.

“I just bought a cheap welder from Harbor Freight,” said Jackson, “I was using it to repair my buddies’ four-wheelers for them. Slowly, year after year, it got better and better.”

His octopus creation featured at the Art Walk this week took about two months, or 150 hours, to construct and is wonderfully fanciful.

Another octopus was an eye-catcher, as well. Intarsia artist Nick Vidakovic created a multicolored octopus measuring over three feet across. Intarsia, an early Italian Art form of wood inlay, creates a picture entirely of cut pieces of wood shaped and sanded to a specific piece of a puzzle-like design.

Vidakovic has been creating beautiful pictures in wood for 25 years.

“I learned how to do it from my grandfather and uncle when I was a little kid,” said Vidakovic. “I just did it for something fun to do, but within several years I was doing it full time.”

The Art Walk spotlight this week on the MOM Entertainment stage was on the Ordinary Americans, a band that featured artist Ashley Kohn. Her fantastic voice resonated up and down the street as she performed classic and original songs.

A fun crowd sat at tables and enjoyed a mixed bag of beverages and a variety of foods available from local restaurants on Madison Street. Everyone enjoyed the fine weather and good entertainment.

Grayson Granlund, 3, enjoys a game of corn hole with his sister Chamberlyn, 17, the Raulurson sisters, Teagan, 18, and Emma, 15, of Catawba took part as well.

There was something for everyone. Corn hole games for kids and adults were available for play. Colorful street chalk was provided for kids of all ages. The music was easy, and not too loud.

It was a fun family night.

Performing artists for the Aug. 12 date will be Chloe & The Steel Strings, and Aug. 26 will feature the Ordinary Americans, with She’s King & Khalid Hanafi. It’s a fun evening out! Come down for the Art Walk, and stick around for the “Music On Madison.”

Bands start at 8 p.m. on Thursdays. Order something to eat and drink from one of the many restaurants.