Ukazoo Books to host Art Explosion Toledo

"PARIS IN THE EVENING" acrylic on canvas by Michael Palmer.

Art Explosion Toledo will be 4 to 9 p.m. Saturday at Ukazoo Books, 830 N. Westwood Ave. More than 20 people will display their work, including Klaire Russell, Amy Hernandez-Bullano, Dani Herrera, Bert Spangenthal, Chad Watt, Christie Materni, Ellen Koeberlein, Janis Sweet Hoye, and Michael Palmer. There will be refreshments, music, door prizes and a silent auction. Information: 419-467-6252 and www.facebook.com/ArtExplosionToledo.

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The eighth Health Science Campus Artist Showcase is on view on the fourth floor of Mulford Library at the University of Toledo's health science campus. Nearly 30 students, staff, and faculty in nursing, medicine, pharmacy, and the health professions contributed work for the show in several media. It will continue through March 18. Information: libguides.utoledo.edu/hscart.

The 2013 Juried Student Exhibition, at UT's Center for Visual Arts Gallery, opens Feb. 15. Derek Cote, who teaches art at Wayne State University in Detroit, will select winners and speak at 5 p.m. that day, to be followed by an awards presentation and reception. The center is at 20 Grove Place, adjacent to the Toledo Museum of Art. Information: 419-530-8348.

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The War of 1812 on the Ohio Frontier, an exhibit detailing the crucial role northwest Ohio played in turning the tide of the war, will open Wednesday and continue through Oct. 7 at the Hayes Presidential Center in Fremont. Many of the objects are loaned by Lou Schultz, a member of the Speaker's Bureau for the Ohio War of 1812 Bicentennial Commission. The exhibit will include a time line, as well as the geography and people of the area that influenced the outcome of the battles. There is an admission fee. Information: 800-998-7737 and rbhayes.org.

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Some heavy hitters have left the Toledo Museum of Art of late. Retiring in January were Karen Serota, head of exhibitions since 2006 and an employee since 1999, and Judy Weinberg, frequently seen on Friday nights in her post as coordinator of public programs since 1993. Michelle Harvey is the new manager of exhibitions and publications, and Mary Ann Stock is the coordinator of glass and public programs.

Coming up at the museum:

● The Little Ice Age: Winter in the 1600s as portrayed by Dutch artists, a talk by Paula Reich at 7 p.m. Feb. 15.

● A Baby Tour at 6 p.m. Feb. 15.

● Winter in Black and White: Prints and Photographs from the Collection, at 2 p.m. Feb. 17, with Tom Loeffler.

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Deadline is April 8 for fiber577, an annual fiber show, June 8 and 9 at the 577 Foundation in Perrysburg. Winners will receive cash prizes, a solo exhibit in 2014, and can participate in a June show at Angelwood Gallery in Grand Rapids, Ohio. Selecting winners will be Renee Harris, a Cincinnati fiber artist. The show's mission is to highlight skilled regional artists working with fiber and fiber-influenced mixed media ranging from traditional to experimental. Information: fiber577.com and info@fiber577.com.

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Artist's books by Leigh Cattran, Katie Delay, Anne French, and Jules Webster are on view through February at the Sanger Library branch. So-called "artist's books" are handmade, and the content, design, and binding all contribute to the art form. This show includes tunnel books, accordion books, portfolios, pop-ups, squash books, and traditional book forms.

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The gallery in Sam B's restaurant has been reinstalled with more than 100 hand-made items including art quilts, bronze sculptures, wood, ceramic, glass, stoneware, jewelry, photography, and painting. A meet-the-artists reception with free beverages and appetizers will be 8 to 10 p.m. Friday with music by acoustic guitarist Bruce Lillie. Continuing through May 31, the display is organized by Prizm Creative Community. Sam B's is at 163 S. Main St. in Bowling Green.

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Hearts and flowers of glass can be made at Gathered Art Gallery and Studios Feb. 15, beginning at 4 p.m. Fee: $25-$50. The studio is at 23 N. Huron St. Registration: gathered.art@gmail.com.

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Closing Friday with a 6 to 9 p.m. reception will be Chasing Rainbows, work by Timothy Gaewsky, at Launch Pad Cooperative, 911 Jefferson Ave. And at 8 p.m. Feb. 19 in the gallery, Leonard Kress will read his poetry, which has been in Harvard Review, New Orleans Review, and other publications. Recipient of two individual artist fellowships from the Ohio Arts Council, Kress teaches at Owens Community College.

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For the Love of Art, a show of 200 pieces of art and craft, will be 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Feb. 16, and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, in the Pemberville Opera House, 115 Main St., in Pemberville. Judging the show will be Emanuel Enriquez.

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The annual undergraduate art and design exhibition at Bowling Green State University will open with a 2 to 4 p.m. reception Sunday in the Bryan and Wankelman galleries.

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The Wassenberg Art Center aims to set up shop in the 11,000-square-foot historic Van Wert Armory by June. At 214 S. Washington St. in Van Wert, the armory was built in 1938 by the state of Ohio, and was saved from demolition by the Van Wert County Foundation and the Wassenberg Art Center. It will get a new roof, updated heating, electrical, plumbing, interior decor, and other amenities. It will have additional space for exhibits, classrooms, studios, and artists-in-residence. The grounds will include a veterans' memorial, a water feature, and walking paths to foot bridges across nearby Town Creek and connecting to the downtown area. Upon completion, it's expected to host eight to 10 exhibits a year, as well as receptions, performances, and meetings.

The Wassenberg Art Center was established in 1954 as the Van Wert Art Club by philanthropist Charles Wassenberg, with his wife, Vera, and a group of friends. It's currently located at 643 S. Washington St.

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The U.S./Japan Creative Artists' Program, providing support for a three-month residency in Japan for up to five contemporary or traditional American artists, is taking applications from architects, choreographers, composers, creative writers, designers, media artists, playwrights, visual artists, or solo theater artists who work with original material (such as puppeteers, storytellers, and performance artists). Multidisciplinary artists and artistic directors of theater or dance companies are also eligible. The deadline is March 1 for residencies in 2014. Information: www.jusfc.gov/creative-artists-programs.

Send items two weeks before the event to tlane@theblade.com.