During the run of our Holiday shows, from November 7 through December 21, 2024, we will hold in our lobby gallery our popular fundraiser, the 15th annual “Jewelry Heist,” in lieu of a Gallery Artist.
Need some extra bling for a party? Want something unique? Up for something fun? Need a gift for a friend? Browse hundreds of super-affordable necklaces, bracelets, scarves, rings, handbags, hats and more! Friends of the theater have generously donated beautiful semi-precious jewelry, sterling silver, and hand-crafted objects. Purchases will not only support Clague Playhouse, but also help you start your holiday shopping!
The Jewelry Heist sale will be open during our Red Barn Youth Theater Holiday Show on Thursday, December 19 through Saturday, December 21 from 1 to 8PM.
We are happy to showcase local artists in our Lobby Gallery. If you are interested in displaying your artwork, please call the Box Office at 440-331-0403 or contact GalleryArtist@ClaguePlayhouse.org.
Artists from our 2024-2025 Season…
Lois Carlene Bosworth – October 3-31, 2024
Lois Carlene Bosworth passed away in May at the age of 92. An active member of her church and community, Lois was also a longtime patron of Clague Playhouse.
Lois was known for her famous “wearable art” pieces: hats, sweaters, scarves, and coats that included hand-made glass-fired buttons. She sold her creations on the wearable art-show circuit, traveling across multiple states for more than forty years and becoming a well-known name. She was one of four featured artists at the Cleveland Museum of Art’s Textile Alliance Wearable Art runway show and sale in October 2009 and at the Lakewood Art festival in 2014.
Judy De Angelis – September 13 – October 6, 2024
Art by Judy De Angelis
Art by Judy De Angelis
Judy De Angelis, a native of Cleveland, expresses her artistic vision through the dynamic interplay of colored pencils, unveiling a vivid exploration of unseen dimensions—whether it be the ethereal realms of waves and vibrations or the intricate tapestry of internal mental landscapes.
In her most recent series, The Becoming, she delves into the evolving relationship humans have with technology and its impact on society and our species. Drawing inspiration from ancient megaliths to modern futuristic fantasies, this series takes viewers on a journey through natural and architectural influences, geometrical landscapes, and illustrative mathematics, all depicted through androgynous figural structures.
Artists from our 2023-2024 Season…
Thomas V. Gardner – September 15 – October 8, 2023
photos by Thomas V. Gardner
photos by Thomas V. Gardner
Cleveland native Thomas V. Gardner (1930-2003) raised seven children with his wife Patricia after service in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War. A lover of all things handheld and manual, his hobbies included carpentry, target shooting, and photography. His home on Frank Street in North Olmsted, a short drive from the Clague Playhouse, included a backyard woodworking shop and basement darkroom where he developed his own photography.
All examples come from the private collection of Andrew Hanwell, one of Thomas’s many grandchildren. Andrew fondly remembers him as “the classic grandpa, in the best possible way. Thick glasses, checkered shirts, weekly visits to our home with Entenmann donuts, tea, and good conversation. Truly one of the greats.”
Samuel J. Francazio – January 26 – February 18, 2024
paintings by Samuel J. Francazio
paintings by Samuel J. Francazio
In the 1970’s, Samuel studied art at Adrian College, Adrian, Michigan, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts with a concentration in painting and pottery. In succeeding years, he married and raised a family, and worked construction to pay his bills. He put his passion for creating art on the back burner.
When Samuel retired from construction work in 2008, he began experimenting with his creativity, and began photography and attending pottery classes. He then became inspired to begin painting again, and have been enjoying networking with other artists by attending art exhibits, visiting studios, and making contact with artists world wide on social media. Samuel has recently exhibited in local galleries such as Wasmer Gallery of Ursuline College, Fairmount Center for the Arts, Artist Archives of Western Reserve, Bruno Casino Gallery, CWAL, Rocky River Nature Center, Lakeland Community College, and Gallery Plus at the West 78th St. Studios.
Emily Szalkowski – March 22 through April 14, 2024
Works by Emily Szalkowski
Works by Emily Szalkowski
Works by Emily Szalkowski
from the Artist… Welcome to the Little World Inside my Head
I am an artist. I love to draw weird stuff. I rarely think about what I am going to draw, it just happens.
I love to buy new sketch books and markers before using the ones I already have. I love going to public events just to sit on the ground and draw.
I have ADHD, anxiety and am on the Autistic spectrum. I also struggle with self-esteem issues.
I love goth clothes. Black is my signature color. I sometimes get weird looks when I am out or even laughed at. I would rather deal with that than be someone I am not.
I am Emily. I am super weird and goofy, but I also do my best to be a great business- woman, a loving daughter/sister/friend, and all around just the best person I can be. I love being Emily, Emily is me.
Alpana Dhond – May 17 through June 9, 2024
Paintings by Alpana Dhond
Paintings by Alpana Dhond
Alpana Dhond
Alpana is a self-taught artist who started painting as a hobby. She was introduced to soft pastels at an art workshop a few years ago and fell in love with them. From then on, she kept practicing and learning. Selling her painting to a friend gave her huge inspiration and enthusiasm to get better at her art.
As an artist, she finds solace and inspiration in the vibrant world of pastels although she had no formal training in Art. Through her work, she encourages viewers to slow down, gaze anew at the world around us, drawing them into a world of gentle serenity.
She hopes these paintings inspire a sense of protection and appreciation towards nature.
– Right now showcasing 3 paintings at High Road Gallery in Columbus, OH organized by Ohio Pastel Artists League till May 25th, 2024
– Won the first place and an honorable mention award at the COFA juried art.
Artists from our 2022-2023 Season…
Gary Aheimer and Dottie Palazzo – September 16 – October 14, 2022
Gary Aheimer
Gary Aheimer and his wife, Marie, have been donors for several years and have volunteered in various activities, including working with a Board committee to update the Code of Regulations. A couple years ago, before Covid, Gary decided to dabble in painting when he signed up for art classes at the Senior Center. While dabbling he discovered a great love for painting and quite a talent.
During the Covid shutdown Gary experimented with different paints, different application utensils and fun concepts. He will display a selection of his unique masterpieces and, since he will be including descriptions of how he did it, it will be quite educational and inspiring.
Dottie Palazzo
Dottie Palazzo comes from parents, George DeWald and Olive Rade DeWald, both artistically talented: George in painting, wood carving, and being an excellent and sought after sandstone mason. Olive in her needlework, including doing work for interior designers in New England.
Dottie took oil painting lessons as a lark years ago with a group of clients at a Fairview Park hair salon. Not any kind of serious lessons as Gary is taking. But just enough to teach her some fundamentals, how to handle the paint and a brush, and to whet her appetite for painting. She recently retrieved two of her paintings from her daughter in Utah and decide that at this ripe old age it is time to celebrate her work.
Both of these artists have a love for bright colors, so this is going to be a bright, colorful and happy event.
Paul Johanni – Jan. 20 – Feb. 12, 2023
A Westlake resident for the past 52 years, Paul is happy to share his art with the audiences of Clague Playhouse.
After retiring from a successful career teaching social sciences at John Marshall High School in Cleveland, Ohio, Paul discovered another exciting source of happiness, “The World of Art”. Over the past 21 years Paul has taken the art of “pine needle stitchery” from traditional baskets to free form three-dimensional art. Nature’s garden has given him simple fibers like fallen pine needles, dried grasses, soft clay, fascinating glazes, and funky wood which he fashions into functional structures and whimsical, free-form sculptures. Having no formal education in art or natural sciences and therefore none of the learned restraints, his journey is an exciting adventure of exploration, discovery and creation. He searches for materials that can be married with the pine needle stitchery into complimentary partnerships. His collection of works has been exhibited in numerous one man shows and has won many awards in juried art shows. His free spirit is represented in his work.
Participants in the Carolyn L. Farrell Foundation Arts Enrichment – March 17 – April 8, 2023
These pieces are by individuals affected by dementia/Alzheimer’s and their primary care partners. Programs are at the Center for Artful Living in Westlake. Visit their website: farrellfoundation.org or call: 440-414-0434 for information about their programs or artwork.
Joe McChrystal – May 12 – June 4, 2023
Joe McChrystal…aka Joe McArtist…is a local self-taught abstract expressionist oil painter…he keeps it loose, raw, instinctual and experimental…an attempt to organize the chaos of life into the mystery of Art. Joe displays and sells at River Reserve Interior in Rocky River, Frames Unlimited in Westlake and Tremont establishments. He is a member of Virginia Casscarellas Artist in Bloom Ministry of Bay Village.
Artists from our 2021-2022 Season…
“Kramer Productions” – September 10 – October 3, 2021
Ellyn Kilpatrick – March 11 – April 3, 2022
Ellyn Kilpatrick – Gallery Display March 2022
Ellyn Kilpatrick – Gallery Display March 2022
Sophia Lynch – May 6-29, 2022
Sophia Lynch – Gallery Display May 2022
Sophia Lynch – Gallery Display May 2022
Artists from our 2019-2020 Season…
Robert Parry – September 13 until October 13, 2019
