So excited for this! The time has come once again for Toledo’s best art event of the year.

“For three consecutive Saturdays in April, more than 300 Toledo-area artists will take over two vacant buildings in Downtown Toledo, transforming them into the largest, most comprehensive and eccentric multi-media galleries in Northwest Ohio.”

Artomatic 419! is free, open to the public, and happening over the course of Three (3) Saturdays starting tomorrow–April 2nd, 9th, and 16th. Come on out! Check the website for schedules and more information!

Artomatic 419! | Downtown, in the Warehouse District | 11 a.m. – 11 p.m.

This Saturday was the Vertical “Mix”, an annual fundraising party for The Arts Commission held this year at the top of the O-I/Fifth Third Bank building. Each year this party gets better and better, with amazing food and cocktails, live entertainment, and the best art auction in the city. As we arrived we were given complimentary binoculars so we could enjoy the amazing view to the fullest which included a “super moon”! The party was packed all night long with Toledoans in fancy attire. A big congrats to all the event chairs, volunteers, and to The Arts Commission!

The Arts Commission of Greater Toledo | 1838 Parkwood Avenue | (419) 254-ARTS

A few weeks ago, on a wonderfully sunny day we took a walk through the Old West End for a visit to the Toledo Museum of Art. I was so happy to get a break from crappy weather that we’ve had and it was nice to see neighbors out and about. We walked through a mix of snow and freshly shoveled sidewalks. At the Museum D. and I enjoyed some great art, including the “Egypt Experience” show which is up for a limited time. While touring the other galleries we caught an impromptu performance by one of the docents on a piano. Later we walked across the street to the Glass Pavilion. Living in the Old West End certainly has some perks but you can enjoy them too. Go visit YOUR museum. It’s free!

Toledo Museum of Art | 2445 Monroe Street | (419) 255-8000

A gentle reminder that I’m not the only one enjoying toledo; Allison Dow has been documenting this great city in photos and sharing on her Flickr account here: Flickr.com/photos/allisondow/

Peruse and enjoy!

Last month the Owen’s Community College Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery had an opening for nationally acclaimed artist Arturo Rodriguez. Arturo was born in Cuba and as a young child came to the U.S. during the 1980 Mariel boatlift.

Rodriguez’s paintings, prints and mixed media are a mix of Cuban and American cultural imagery. While the underlying story could be considered pretty heavy, I might use the word “whimsey” when describing the show… a testament to his keen childhood memory?

Arturo and I met a couple years ago at a BBQ and shortly realized we both attended the same same school in Miami, although at different times and in very different programs (he was in the art high school and I was enrolled in the art college). SMALL WORLD!

The “Marielito” exhibit is currently being showcased in the Library Gallery on the Findlay-area Campus, Oct. 27 – Nov. 19.