By Linda Dillman
Staff Writer
The sidewalks, porches, and public areas in downtown Canal Winchester will be a kaleidoscope of color featuring the works of dozens of artists—along with dance and music—on May 21 as Destination: Canal Winchester presents the Art on the Canal Art Stroll from noon to 6 p.m., rain or shine.
“We currently have around 50 central Ohio artist/entertainers participating and a variety of mediums will be represented,” said Karen Stiles, Destination: Canal Winchester’ executive director. “We’re excited that our own Robert Warren—a world-renowned artist—will have his beautiful studio open and he will be demonstrating painting techniques throughout the afternoon. Our favorite chalk artist, Sheryl Lazenby, will return under the gazebo at Stradley Park. It’s so much fun each year to watch her piece slowly evolve. She starts early in the morning to ensure it will be finished by the end of the event.”
Volunteers will be stationed along High Street, handing out maps and explaining the location of each artist. Quilts and Canal Winchester student art will be on display in the town hall building at the corner of High and Waterloo streets and works by members of the Canal Winchester Art Guild are located in the recently renovated Prentiss Schoolhouse building.
This is the third year D:CW is hosting the art stroll. The art guild created the event and hosted it for many years. In 2018, they approached D:CW and asked the organization if it would like to take over the annual one-day stroll.
“We were thrilled with the opportunity,” said Stiles. “Our first year hosting was in 2019, but then in 2020, as with everything else due to COVID, we had to cancel the event that year. We brought it back in 2021 and felt comfortable doing so because it is an outside event. It’s spread out from Stradley Park area down South High Street, on to North High Street and ends at the Canal Winchester Historical Complex. So even though many other events were being canceled, due to the layout of this event, we knew people would not be packed together.”
According to Stiles, the art stroll is free and fun for all ages. Local shops and restaurants will be open as well.
“The Canal Winchester Steel Band will be playing at Stradley Park from 1-3 p.m., followed by dancing lead by Fred Astaire Dance Studio,” said Stiles. “We have several musicians scheduled to play at the historical complex as well. The Children’s Art Wall will be back where children can paint whatever they wish on the wall and the train depot will be open and the trains inside will be running. We have a variety of food vendors coming in as well.”
For information, Stiles encourages people to visit the Art on the Canal Facebook page where works by participating artists are highlighted. Mediums include jewelry, woodworking, oil and water colorists, felters, potters, glass blowers, stain glass makers and authors.
Artists will be located under tents lining the sidewalks of High Street, on front porches of homes, in the Stradley Park area, around the train depot and inside the Prentiss Schoolhouse.
Stop in and visit the one-room Prentiss School and the “Queen of the Line” Railroad Depot at the Canal Winchester Historical Complex, located at 10 W. Oak St.
For complete schedules and event information, visit destinationcw.org or call 614-270-5053.
