Imagine an art show so inclusive that anyone, no matter what level of artistic ability, can participate in it. Such is the idea behind the inaugural NoWOH Art Show at Bowling Green State University, modeled after the People’s Art Show at Cleveland State University. While the CSU show is open to anyone — meaning a two-year-old’s crayon scribbles could be displayed next to a museum-quality sculpture — NoWOH requested entrants to be at least 16 years old and residing in Northwest Ohio. Nearly 80 artists took advantage of the opportunity and submitted more than 200 works. There’s an inherent beauty in this idea. Retirees’ sculptures can sit alongside paintings by art students. All races, ethnicities and cultures can be represented. And any subject matter potentially can be on display, from the subversive to the serene. One thing is for certain — the exhibit guarantees an interesting view of our eclectic state.
Unless otherwise noted below, all photos courtesy of the events or organizations featured.
Fairs/Festivals Corny Attractions Much more than the sweet, slathered-in-butter ears that are a summer cookout staple, the Lodi Sweet Corn Festival, at the Letha House Field in Lodi, features music, rides, fireworks, a parade and of course, corn hole games, July 17–19. MORE>
Museums/Galleries British Invasion The British invade the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum in Cleveland during the photography exhibit “Mike McCartney’s Liverpool Life,” chronicling the unforgettable music of the 1960s, through Sept. 21.MORE>
Music/Theater Summer Shows Enjoy three quirky plays, including Shakespeare’s “Two Gentlemen of Verona” re-imagined as a rock opera, during CSU Summer Stages, Cleveland State University’s repertory theater, in CSU’s Factory Theatre, through Aug. 10.MORE>
Other Events Night Owls See the beauty of the outdoors after sunset when Nature at Night, at the nature center in the North Chagrin Reservation Metropark in Mayfield Village, teaches you about nocturnal animals, astronomy and more on July 19.MORE>
Fairs/Festivals Lunar Celebration In honor of Neil Armstrong’s historic first step on the moon in 1969, his hometown of Wapakoneta throws the Summer Moon Festival, with festivities at the Armstrong Air and Space Museum and throughout the city, July 17–20. MORE>
Museums/Galleries Art Surprise You never know what you might find at “NoWOH,” an exhibit featuring art by any residents of Northwestern Ohio who wanted to enter their work, in the Dorothy Uber Bryan Gallery at Bowling Green State University, July 18–27. MORE>
Music/Theater Hand Jive Wear your poodle skirt to the musical “Grease,” which tells the story of a goody-two-shoes who falls in love with a guy from the wrong side of the tracks, at the Fremont Community Theatre in Fremont, July 18–20.MORE>
Other Events Sketching Session Artists of all skill levels are invited to try their hand at sketching a variety of natural habitats during Sketch the Seasons, at the Old Woman Creek Estuary in Huron, July 19. MORE>
Sponsored Event:
7/19/2008 - 7/19/2008
NW
Perrysburg
Other Events
Splash Bash Watch water disappear, reappear and magically move from one place to another in this wacky water show. A giant sandbox and art activities add to the fun. MORE>
7/19/2008 - 7/27/2008
NW
Sandusky
Music/Theater
Gilligan's Island America's most beloved TV show is back and better than ever as "Gilligan's Island The Musical" takes the stage. The show features everyone's favorite characters, including Gilligan, The Skipper, Mary Anne, Ginger The Professor, The Millionaire and his wife. MORE>
Fairs/Festivals Arts at Heart Just try and keep up with the relentless pace of the 10-day Lancaster Festival, a citywide celebration of arts and music that features pop/country stars Kenny Loggins and Wynonna, July 17–26. MORE>
Museums/Galleries Autumnal Tribute A massive mound of handmade leaves inscribed with the names of fallen American soldiers in Iraq are displayed in “Jane Hammond: Fallen,” at the Wexner Center for the Arts in Columbus, through Aug. 3.MORE>
Music/Theater Annual Affair The story of two people married to others whose once-a-year fling turns into much more is presented in “Same Time Next Year,” at the Center Players Theatre in Galena, through July 27.MORE>
Other Events Capitol Trek Explore nooks and crannies of the Ohio Statehouse in Columbus rarely seen by the public, such as the lost cornerstone and prisoner graffiti, during the Cornerstone to Cuppola tour, July 19–20. MORE>
Fairs/Festivals Animal Farm View lots of farm animals, including hogs, cattle, alpacas, rabbits and turkeys, before enjoying rides, food and a demolition derby during the Warren County Fair at the Warren County Fairgrounds in Lebanon, July 14–19.MORE>
Museums/Galleries Invention Art Engineers will love “Inventions: Twelve Around One-Portfolio by R. Buckminster Fuller,” just as much as art fans. View the series of blueprint-like patent drawings at the Dayton Art Institute, through Aug. 10. MORE>
Music/Theater Jets vs. Sharks Watch rival gangs fight and mismatched lovers pine for one another during the Romeo-and-Juliet-inspired musical “West Side Story” at the Aronoff Center for the Arts in Cincinnati, July 18–26.MORE>
Other Events Train Tracks Railroad enthusiasts won’t want to miss the Entertrainment Junction Preview Weekend, when the world’s first railroad-themed entertainment center featuring models and much more opens in Cincinnati, July 18–20.MORE>
Sponsored Event:
7/20/2008 - 7/20/2008
SW
Miamisburg
Other Events
Tour d'Burg USA Cycling Sanctioned Criterium Bicycle Races through the streets of historic downtown Miamisburg. Additional events include a tour ride of varing lengths from 25 to 75 miles over roling country roads west of Miamisburg, specialty vendors, events and activities for families. MORE>
7/19/2008 - 7/19/2008
SW
Lexington, KY
Other Events
Keeneland Concours d'Elegance This award winning classic car show features 100 automobiles with hundreds more in the Car Club Paddock. Don't miss the Cadillac marque with a special display from the General Motors Heritage Museum. Proceeds benefit the Kentucky Children's Hospital. MORE>
Fairs/Festivals Tasty Town Area businesses host art shows and open houses when Taste of Zanesville caps off the town’s Pottery Week. Live entertainment, a flower show and more are also featured during the festival, on July 16. MORE>
Museums/Galleries Personal Politics The works of a man who was both a talented artist and a spokesman against social injustice are displayed in “Politics and Portraits: the Art of Murray Stern” at the Kennedy Museum of Art in Athens, July 18–Sept. 28.MORE>
Music/Theater Cajun Chords The sounds of the bayous of Louisiana can be heard when authentic Cajun band Feufollet brings accordions and fiddles to Nelsonville for a concert outside Stuart’s Opera House, July 17.MORE>
Other Events Native Tribute Learn more about Native American heritage and customs at the 2nd Annual Honoring Our Veterans Pow Wow, featuring food, dance and music at the Waterford Fairgrounds in Waterford, July 19–20. MORE>
Photo Credits: Jane Hammond: Fallen: photo by Jodi Miller; Liverpool Life: Copyright, Mike McCartney from the exhibition: Mike McCartney's Liverpool Life; Politics and Portraits: Murray P. Stern, “Combat,” Oil on canvas, photo courtesy of the Collection of Kennedy Museum of Art, Ohio University; Same Time Next Year: Photo by Dale Bush; Twelve Around One: R. Buckminster Fuller American (1895 - 1983), Motor Vehicle-Dymaxion Car, c. 1981, screenprint on Mylar overlay over offset lithograph on paper, edition 3/60 30 x 40 inches (76.2 x 101.6 cm): Gift of Society Bank, North America, 1991.154.5.
Much more than the sweet, slathered-in-butter ears that are a summer cookout staple, the Lodi Sweet Corn Festival, at the Letha House Field in Lodi, features music, rides, fireworks, a parade and of course, corn hole games, July 17–19. 
The British invade the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum in Cleveland during the photography exhibit “Mike McCartney’s Liverpool Life,” chronicling the unforgettable music of the 1960s, through Sept. 21.
Enjoy three quirky plays, including Shakespeare’s “Two Gentlemen of Verona” re-imagined as a rock opera, during CSU Summer Stages, Cleveland State University’s repertory theater, in CSU’s Factory Theatre, through Aug. 10.
See the beauty of the outdoors after sunset when Nature at Night, at the nature center in the North Chagrin Reservation Metropark in Mayfield Village, teaches you about nocturnal animals, astronomy and more on July 19.
In honor of Neil Armstrong’s historic first step on the moon in 1969, his hometown of Wapakoneta throws the Summer Moon Festival, with festivities at the Armstrong Air and Space Museum and throughout the city, July 17–20. 
You never know what you might find at “NoWOH,” an exhibit featuring art by any residents of Northwestern Ohio who wanted to enter their work, in the Dorothy Uber Bryan Gallery at Bowling Green State University, July 18–27. 
Wear your poodle skirt to the musical “Grease,” which tells the story of a goody-two-shoes who falls in love with a guy from the wrong side of the tracks, at the Fremont Community Theatre in Fremont, July 18–20.
Artists of all skill levels are invited to try their hand at sketching a variety of natural habitats during Sketch the Seasons, at the Old Woman Creek Estuary in Huron, July 19. 
Just try and keep up with the relentless pace of the 10-day Lancaster Festival, a citywide celebration of arts and music that features pop/country stars Kenny Loggins and Wynonna, July 17–26. 
A massive mound of handmade leaves inscribed with the names of fallen American soldiers in Iraq are displayed in “Jane Hammond: Fallen,” at the Wexner Center for the Arts in Columbus, through Aug. 3.
The story of two people married to others whose once-a-year fling turns into much more is presented in “Same Time Next Year,” at the Center Players Theatre in Galena, through July 27.
Explore nooks and crannies of the Ohio Statehouse in Columbus rarely seen by the public, such as the lost cornerstone and prisoner graffiti, during the Cornerstone to Cuppola tour, July 19–20. 
View lots of farm animals, including hogs, cattle, alpacas, rabbits and turkeys, before enjoying rides, food and a demolition derby during the Warren County Fair at the Warren County Fairgrounds in Lebanon, July 14–19.
Engineers will love “Inventions: Twelve Around One-Portfolio by R. Buckminster Fuller,” just as much as art fans. View the series of blueprint-like patent drawings at the Dayton Art Institute, through Aug. 10. 
Watch rival gangs fight and mismatched lovers pine for one another during the Romeo-and-Juliet-inspired musical “West Side Story” at the Aronoff Center for the Arts in Cincinnati, July 18–26.
Railroad enthusiasts won’t want to miss the Entertrainment Junction Preview Weekend, when the world’s first railroad-themed entertainment center featuring models and much more opens in Cincinnati, July 18–20.
Area businesses host art shows and open houses when Taste of Zanesville caps off the town’s Pottery Week. Live entertainment, a flower show and more are also featured during the festival, on July 16. 
The works of a man who was both a talented artist and a spokesman against social injustice are displayed in “Politics and Portraits: the Art of Murray Stern” at the Kennedy Museum of Art in Athens, July 18–Sept. 28.
The sounds of the bayous of Louisiana can be heard when authentic Cajun band Feufollet brings accordions and fiddles to Nelsonville for a concert outside Stuart’s Opera House, July 17.
Learn more about Native American heritage and customs at the 2nd Annual Honoring Our Veterans Pow Wow, featuring food, dance and music at the Waterford Fairgrounds in Waterford, July 19–20. 
