The Port Clinton Artists’ Club awarded the block prints, watercolors and henna paintings by Shelby Bork to be Best of Show. (Photos by D’Arcy Patrick Egan)

Exhibitors arrived from just down the street and many miles away, all lured by the expected crowds of art lovers and curious visitors visiting over the weekend to Arts in the Park hosted by the Port Clinton Artists’ Club at Lakeview Park on the Lake Erie shoreline.

It was a welcome relief after a year-long pandemic put a moratorium on the popular shows.

“The Arts in the Park show this weekend has been a very busy one, and sales have been quite good,” said Patrice Kihlken of Marblehead, displaying unique antique maps of the Lake Erie Island area. “It was gratifying to see the number of exhibitors, and so many people who were eager to browse the wonderful arts and crafts on display.”

This was the first Arts in the Park as an exhibitor for artist Shelby Bork, who had recently relocated with her husband from Missouri to the Port Clinton area. She was surprised and delighted that her exhibit of dozens of block prints, watercolors and henna paintings were judged to be Best of Show.

“This is such a beautiful park, with its Lake Erie views, and the people have been wonderful,” said Bork.

Judged to have created the top three art exhibits by Port Clinton Artists’ Club members were, left to right, Sharon Helle (second); Patrice Kihlken (first) and Marty Willis (third).

There was a short cloudburst late on Saturday, but the weekend was mostly sunny and the food trucks and refreshment stands were busy keeping the cool drinks flowing. Lakeview Park has its own concession stand, as well, excellent permanent restrooms and a large playground and basketball court for the kids.

The PCAC judges picked a winning artist or craftsman in nine categories. They were: Ceramics — Cyndi Hedden; Glass — Joyce Below and Jim Yuko; Jewelry — James Walker; Mixed Media — Shirley Frater; Miscellaneous Arts and Crafts — Greg Matter; Painting and Drawing — Shelby Bork; Photography — Anita Tighe; Textiles and Fabrics — Donna Leslie; and Wood — Richard Hancock.

Honorable Mention Awards were awarded to Scott Blair, Nelson/Lewis, JoAnn Lawrence, Jeffrey Clinger, Bob Henikman, Keith Fisher, Sam Bard and Howard Englehart and P.J. Gronden.