The rain was not enough to keep intrepid Northeast Ohio art & craft lovers away!
Presented by the Women’s Auxiliary Board of Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens, Ohio Mart is a diverse collection of more than 130 exhibitors of fine arts and crafts set up in booths under large white tents scattered around the expansive grounds of the mansion. Some Cleveland area artists of note were there, such as Keith Berr with his stunning photography of wildlife and much more, Mike Guyot and his sketches of subtly-sagging streetscapes, and Chris Zielski‘s tiled-copper sculptural creations.
The Carriage House was decked out for fall and filled to the brim with gifts reflective of the same period as the house and grounds and the Stitchery Showcase was a quick review in the basement of the mansion.
Ducking into the Corbin Conservatory we glimpsed some exotic tropical flowers, one looking like a pink pom pom. Also of note was a fruit tree with a strangely-tentacled lemon that resembled Davy Jones’ squiggly beard. Heading back outside to tour the extensive gardens, we especially enjoyed the view of the lagoon and the Cuyahoga Valley beyond before trekking through the seemingly endless birch-lined path to the mansion.
The self-guided tour of the manor house was our favorite indulgence of the day. We marveled at the grandeur of the magnificent music room and were nearly knocked off our feet by the vibrations created when the Aeolian organ was played, its 2,650 pipes running under the floor and across the room. We lingered while looking at the white-tiled indoor pool in the basement. The exhaustive collection of bedrooms — each with its embellished fireplace, sleeping porch, private bath, etc. — were impressive beyond imagination. We soaked up all the details we could from the helpful guides, but they only whet our appetites for a more extensive Nooks & Crannies Tour on our next visit.
We each snatched a crisp apple to enjoy while hiking through the fruit-laden orchard on the way to our last stop in the modest gatehouse which housed a sobering exhibit outlining the roots of AA.
The Ohio Mart & Stitchery Showcase are held yearly in the fall. Stan Hywet is open Tuesday through Sunday, April through December.
Carol Drummond has been a professional designer for 25 years. Prior to starting her award-winning graphic design studio 15 years ago, Drummond Design, she graduated from the Art Institute of Pittsburgh, worked at a graphic design studio, a video production company, and a consumer products company. She has been an art docent for Mayfield City Schools and currently serves on the COSE Arts Network Advisory Committee. http://www.DrummonDesign.com