Public Art Events and Installations
As a way to bring people together, public art highlights the importance of art and culture plays in our world, spreading joy and connection throughout the community. Public art serves as the central point where strangers can meet or share a smile, and connect to the present moment. Valley Art Center is proud to bring joy to the Chagrin Valley through these public art installations! #VACdoesart
Community Murals 2024
.Valley Art Center is thrilled to announce a collaborative public art mural project to beautify the construction site in downtown Chagrin Falls during the Main Street bridge reconstruction project and inspire the community. Leveraging the power of public art to create positivity and community engagement amidst the challenges of construction, Valley Art Center is proud to be providing a source of joy and inspiration to the community.
Designed by local artists under the theme “Celebration of community and togetherness” and selected by public vote and the Valley Art Center Public Art Committee, the 8-foot murals lining the chain link construction fence in Riverside Park will be on display for 2 years. Winning local artists’ designs include Brooke Anderson, Rob Crombie, Eileen Dorsey, Heather Hayden, Lee Heinen, Kathie Jackson Holland, Jessica Wascak, and Lead Muralist Pam Spremulli. Ms. Spremulli’s mural incorporates elements drawn by community members of all ages, emphasizing the inclusive and collaborative nature of the community focused project. Even the structures supporting the murals are a testament to community strength, having been built by local resident and Chagrin Falls employee Mark Nelson and his son Alex.
As a distinguished professional muralist, dedicated arts educator, and resident of Chagrin Falls, Ms. Spremulli brought her unique vision and expertise to this collaborative endeavor as Lead Muralist. “I love opportunities where I can work directly with community members to create a piece that unites,” says Spremulli. “It not only connects us but it can tell a story of personal experience - each individual putting their mark on history and creation.”
Valley Art Center hopes the public art installation will not only enrich the local landscape but also attract visitors to the charming Village of Chagrin Falls, providing a welcome economic boost to its shops and restaurants during the ongoing bridge construction.
Our heartfelt gratitude and thanks to the private family foundations that made these community murals possible.
Designed by local artists under the theme “Celebration of community and togetherness” and selected by public vote and the Valley Art Center Public Art Committee, the 8-foot murals lining the chain link construction fence in Riverside Park will be on display for 2 years. Winning local artists’ designs include Brooke Anderson, Rob Crombie, Eileen Dorsey, Heather Hayden, Lee Heinen, Kathie Jackson Holland, Jessica Wascak, and Lead Muralist Pam Spremulli. Ms. Spremulli’s mural incorporates elements drawn by community members of all ages, emphasizing the inclusive and collaborative nature of the community focused project. Even the structures supporting the murals are a testament to community strength, having been built by local resident and Chagrin Falls employee Mark Nelson and his son Alex.
As a distinguished professional muralist, dedicated arts educator, and resident of Chagrin Falls, Ms. Spremulli brought her unique vision and expertise to this collaborative endeavor as Lead Muralist. “I love opportunities where I can work directly with community members to create a piece that unites,” says Spremulli. “It not only connects us but it can tell a story of personal experience - each individual putting their mark on history and creation.”
Valley Art Center hopes the public art installation will not only enrich the local landscape but also attract visitors to the charming Village of Chagrin Falls, providing a welcome economic boost to its shops and restaurants during the ongoing bridge construction.
Our heartfelt gratitude and thanks to the private family foundations that made these community murals possible.
World Art Day and Earth Day 2023
Ron Shelton Public Art Installation in Riverside Park, Chagrin Falls
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Valley Art Center (VAC) is thrilled to announce a unique and innovative public art project in partnership with the renowned environmental artist Ron Shelton. This project is a celebration of World Art Day and Earth Day, two important events that highlight the importance of art and the environment, funded by the Ohio Arts Council, Valley Art Center, and the VAC Lucy Beattie Public Art Fund.
Shelton is a visionary artist who creates stunning environmental displays from ordinary and often unsustainable objects like plastics. He transforms these environmental hazards into beautiful works of art, drawing attention to the environmental impact of our actions. "Art has the power to change the world and change minds. With this plastic study, my artistic practice will no longer be just an aesthetic pursuit," says Shelton. |
Check out this video of the install from Buess Media!
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In keeping with his commitment to the environment, Shelton will create a wasp nest pattern installation made entirely from recycled plastics, to be installed in Riverside Park in Chagrin Falls, Ohio. This project will showcase the beauty of public art and the power of sustainability while providing a unique opportunity for the community to get involved.
From April 15th to April 22nd, the public will be able to enjoy this stunning work of art, which will be de-installed on Earth Day and recycled to reappear as part of the Valley Art Center's Contemporary Debris show in September. This exhibition will showcase the beauty of reused materials and inspire the community to think about the impact of their actions on the environment. So mark your calendars and join Valley Art Center in celebrating World Art Day and Earth Day by participating in this exciting public art project. This project will inspire creativity, encourage conversation about the environment, and bring joy to the community through art. Let's come together and make a difference, one art piece at a time! |
Photo: Michael Steinberg.
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Thank you to WKYC Channel 3 for covering the project! Watch the video below!
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Transforming Trash into Art: Public Art Installation and Community Workshop Brings Environmental Awareness
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VAC was excited to offer a unique opportunity for the community to get involved in this project by hosting a community workshop on March 18th.
All ages and experience levels are welcome to work alongside the artist to create pieces for the installation, and learn about the lifespan of plastic with Dr. Cathi Lehn, Sustainability from the City of Cleveland - Mayor’s Office of Sustainability.
This project is funded by the Ohio Arts Council, Valley Art Center, and the VAC Lucy Beattie Public Art Fund.
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Floral Flash 2022
In April of 2022 Valley Art Center engaged with local floral artist Janet Ingold in a "Floral Flash" public art installation. Installed in downtown Chagrin Falls right next to the iconic falls themselves from April 15 - April 22, 2022 this temporary floral art piece was conceived as a way to celebrate World Art Day (April 15, 2022) and Earth Day (April 22, 2022). This public art installation was made possible by VAC's Lucy Beattie Memorial Fund.
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Enjoy a brief time-lapse video of the installation process of the Floral Flash.
Search the hashtags #ChagrinFloralFlash and #VACPublicArt on Facebook or Instagram to see pictures of the piece by our community! |
50th Anniversary Yarn Bombing
In 2021, Valley Art Center celebrated its 50th Anniversary, and a major part of that was a "Yarn Bombing" on the trees in front of our facility by internationally known yarn-bomber Carol Hummel. Over the course of a very sunny week in May 2021, Carol and her daughter/assistant Molly Sedensky swathed the trees in over 1000 hand-crocheted discs, created by VAC volunteers and supporters.
Valley Art Center Mural
Valley Art Center’s (VAC) mural is the first sanctioned mural in the Village of Chagrin Falls. It was painted by Chagrin Falls resident and artist Charles “Bud” Deihl, whose design was selected in a 2014 juried competition.
The mural employs hyperrealism and surrealism and includes many references to Chagrin Falls and the arts. It incorporates features of the building, including a door, light fixtures and two windows.
Deihl is a VAC instructor and past board member and works primarily in oils on canvas. He is a former graphic designer and illustrator as well as former President and Professor of Art at Columbus College of Art & Design among many other prestigious positions. In 2007, he designed VAC’s current front façade. He has long been part of VAC’s evolution in a significant and meaningful way.
The mural employs hyperrealism and surrealism and includes many references to Chagrin Falls and the arts. It incorporates features of the building, including a door, light fixtures and two windows.
Deihl is a VAC instructor and past board member and works primarily in oils on canvas. He is a former graphic designer and illustrator as well as former President and Professor of Art at Columbus College of Art & Design among many other prestigious positions. In 2007, he designed VAC’s current front façade. He has long been part of VAC’s evolution in a significant and meaningful way.
