Bulldog students draw attention with their artwork: Olmsted Dates and Data

OLMSTED FALLS, Ohio — “Bright, fun, obnoxious and a total mess.”

That’s how Hadley Allen described her booth, which was a visual representation of herself, at the Olmsted Falls High School Annual Art Show.

She was one of 19 Bulldog seniors in the portfolio prep class who created a booth and showed some of their best and most interesting pieces for students, staff, families and the public to view.

Hadley said she enjoys using oil and acrylic on canvas and creating sculpture and ceramics.

“Since I was little, I made pieces of art with beads on construction paper and made my parents put them on the fridge,” she said. “They have always been big supporters of mine.”

She loves bright colors, painting faces and capturing their expressions on canvas. Her synopsis at the show stated she likes to find a song “that I really love” and tries to project the feeling that it gives her through a painting.

One class project was finding an unusual item and making something out of it. As she was driving, she saw a mailbox in the trash that caught her attention. She stopped, put it in her car and eventually turned it into a deep-sea monster.

Hadley plans to attend Kent State University to study art.

Senior Brendan Volle enjoyed working with different material and mediums during his high school years. He loves creating the little details he puts in his pieces. He wrote on his art booth synopsis, “I like making pieces that are more wacky or colorful.”

Like many artists, Brendan began using art as an expressive form when he was young.

“It has always been my favorite subject in school,” he said. “I begin with a sketch of something I am interested in. Lately it’s been digital art and sculpture.”

According to his booth synopsis, much of his art in the past two years related back to a topic or piece of media he was interested in and wanted to turn into artwork. He wrote Olan Rogers, an actor, comedian and filmmaker, has inspired him through his advice he’s given to others – no matter what, don’t give up on something you are passionate about creating.

He will attend Kent State University to study digital art or video editing. His ultimate goal is to work as a character designer or creating concept art for video games.

The Bulldog main gym was filled with sculpture, painting, ceramic pieces and drawings from many talented students.

Art teacher Jason Skocdopole said such a venue as the annual art show is important to art students.

“They need to have a way to be recognized. Art is individual and there are not a lot of outlets for these students to show their talent at this point in their lives,” he said. “Art is about thinking and creative problem solving. That is shown here at the show.”

He said he was not familiar with other high schools that have this type of show.

“This is very unique,” he said “Our students have to meet certain criteria to present in this show. They are very talented.”

I agree. Thanks to all who make this special show possible.

Pizza specials: Angelina’s Pizza has its grand opening this Sunday (May 21) from noon to 3 p.m. at its new location in the Stearns and Bagley Plaza.

It will have raffle baskets, gift card giveaways, a Pizza Roulette where participants pay $10 for a special treat and various freebies. Berea ARF will be there with some available dogs for adoption and a raffle basket.

All proceeds from this three-hour event will go toward the Olmsted Township dog park that will be built on Schady Road soon.

Angelina’s will not take orders during that time but will open for business from 3 through 9 that night.

Why not stop by, check out the new location and enjoy the festivities this Sunday.

Grandparents pilgrimage: The Catholic Diocese of Cleveland is sponsoring an Anne & Joachim Grandparent Pilgrimage from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. July 26 at our community’s own St. Mary of the Falls Church.

Grandparents, and their grandchildren age 2 and older, are invited to attend. Grandparents, may come alone, however. The Rev. Damian Ference will celebrate Mass, followed by lunch, presentation and activities in the Parish Hall. A photo booth will be available to commemorate this first diocesan pilgrimage for grandparents.

Tickets are $10 for adults and $5, children. There is limited seating available. All tickets are available online at dioceseofcleveland.org. or https://bit.ly/41y5lS3.

Sts. Anne and Joachim were the grandparents of Jesus Christ.

Memorial Day: May 22 is the deadline for being part of the Memorial Day parade set for May 29. The parade will begin at 9:30 a.m. from the east parking lot of Falls-Lenox Primary School. It will go east on Bagley Road and north on Columbia Road to the Village Green at Water Street. A short program will then occur.

To register, go to the city’s website, olmstedfalls.org, and look for the Memorial Day flag banner. Click on its registration page.

Postponed: The June 3 Olmsted Falls Kiwanis Club volleyball tournament at Razzles has been postponed. This column will inform all as to when it will be rescheduled. You also may follow Kiwanis on its Facebook page or at olmstedfallskiwanis.org.

Art excellence: Amber West, an Olmsted Falls High School art teacher, was one of three recipients of the Cleveland Institute of Art Excellence in Teaching Award. It recognizes high school art educators for their contributions to teaching and inspiring the next generation to pursue their passion for art and design.

According to CIA’s news release, Amber wanted to be an art teacher by third grade, when she taught neighborhood kid art in a “classroom” she set up at home. She has taught art at Bulldog schools for 28 years. She earned her bachelor of fine arts from Ohio University, double majoring in art education and graphic design with a minor in art history. She then earned her master degree in art education from Kent State University while teaching.

Amber wrote she was surprised with the award.

“I was very honored to be given an award for doing something that I absolutely love – teaching art to my high schoolers,” she wrote.

Congratulations, Amber.

School stadium closure: The Vitamix Field and Charles A. Harding Memorial Stadium will be temporarily closed beginning June 5 for the track resurfacing. It will be closed to the public and reopened when completed, with an anticipated date in early August.

Umpires needed: Umpires are needed for youth baseball and softball games for the 2023 season. Games are played within the community. You do not need any experience, but candidates who have played baseball and softball are preferred. Those applying will be trained.

It is open to those ages 16 and older. This summer job offers pay between $30 to $75 per game.

If interested, fill out the form at https://forms.gle/8EBSLyrudP7NmKA8A.

Fill the truck: The Olmsted Falls Music Association’s Fill the Truck fundraiser is May 27 at the Olmsted Falls Middle School. It will be there from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The group is again partnering with Savers for this drive.

Start putting aside clothing, shoes, scarves, belts, purses, hats, book bags, cloth lunch boxes, linens, curtains, draperies, towels, bedding and fabric. Bring them in a bag or box to the truck.

Savers compensates the music association based on the pounds of cloth items collected.

Information, please: To include news, tidbits, honors or activities in Olmsted Falls and Olmsted Township, contact Joanne DuMound at [email protected]. She is also on Twitter, @JoanneDuMound. The column’s online version at cleveland.com/olmsted has direct links for many news items.

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