UT's popular Art on the Mall returns Sunday

7/26/2012
BY TAHREE LANE
BLADE STAFF WRITER
Artists and patrons swarm Centennial Mall during a recent Art on the Mall at the University of Toledo.
Artists and patrons swarm Centennial Mall during a recent Art on the Mall at the University of Toledo.

In its 20 years, Art on the Mall has established itself as a friendly accessible event full of affordable art.

Selected from 115 who applied, 105 artists will sell their jewelry, mixed media, pottery, textiles/fibers/basketry, paintings, photographs, and wood from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Centennial Mall at the University of Toledo. Most of the presenters are affiliated with UT: alumni, students and their parents, staff, and faculty.

If you go:

Art on the Mall will take place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Centennial Mall at the University of Toledo. Admission and parking are free. Golf-cart shuttle service will be offered from the three nearest parking lots off Bancroft Street: 1 North and 1 South (off Towerview Blvd. East), and 13 (off Campus Road).

The event and parking are free, and includes children's activities and games, live music, pottery demonstrations, and food vendors.

Among favorites returning this year are photographer Agnes Barnes, jeweler Jenny Gorkowski-Klear, and painters Aaron Bivins, Michael Kersey, Kathy Palmer-Genzman, Carol Connolly Pletz, and Tom Durnford, along with mixed-media by Larry Mack, wood by Dave Grabarczyk, yard art by Rick Heard, and large metal work by Michael Rothfuss. Almost $2,000 in prizes will be awarded to artists by a three-person panel, including $500 for best of show.

Performing will be the Urban Jazz Collective, 10 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.; the 14th St. Revival, 1 to 1:45 p.m., and Glass City Steel, 2 to 4:45 p.m. All musicians are students at the Toledo School for the Arts.

A children's area with activities and games will be in the center of Centennial Mall, and food vendors will sell snacks. In addition, three ceramic artists will demonstrate the art of clay from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the steps of the Student Union.

Art on the Mall typically generates $15,000 to $17,000 a year for the UT Alumni Association's events. Information: 419-530-4316 and ansley.abrams@utoledo.edu.

Contact Tahree Lane at 419-724-6075 or tlane@theblade.com.