German Village Art Crawl
Artists to brush off heat for Saturday event
Westerville artist Fran Mangino will be doing live watercolor demonstrations during the German Village Art Crawl Saturday, July 21. Mangino is seen here with her painting Asian Drum Leader. Buy This Photo
PrintFran Mangino said art helped her overcome her shyness.
As a professional artist, she couldn't afford to be bashful.
"You have to get out and talk to people, learn how to communicate," she said. "You have to communicate if you want to sell."
Mangino is one of several artists who will conduct live demonstrations at the German Village Art Crawl, to be held from 6 to 10 p.m. July 21 on Macon Alley.
Tickets, $20 in advance, are available at the Meeting Haus, 588 S. Third St., and on the website gvbusinesscommunity.com. They are $25 at the gate.
The Art Crawl is one of the village's biggest draws, said Greg Gamier, president of the German Village Business Community, which sponsors the event.
"It's the one night that we get to get out in the heat and enjoy good food, good artists, live entertainment and beverages -- all of the things that make it a fun atmosphere," Gamier said. "That's what Art Crawl is."
About three dozen artists, who work in a variety of media, will occupy the many garages along the alley between Whittier and Frankfort streets.
Mangino's medium is transparent watercolor, which allows light rays to penetrate the paint layer and hit the white paper, creating a more luminous appearance.
Visitors can discuss her artwork, technique and motivations while she paints.
Other artists offering live demonstrations include Regina Acosta Tobin, pottery; Jose Bastides; chalk; Karen LaValley, oil; and Kevin Buckland, watercolor.
Free food samples are among the evening's attractions.
They will be provided by Barcelona, Sidecar Catering, Hey Hey Bar and Grill, Brown Bag Deli, G. Michael's, Pistacia Vera, Juergen's and Starbuck's. Beverages also will be available.
Several musicians, including jazz guitarist Paul Marsh, will perform throughout the evening.
Anna & the Consequences will perform cabaret and torch songs.
Brothers, a country-western duo, will play the songs of Johnny Cash, Hank Williams Jr., Buck Owens and Johnny Horton.
Chris and Andy Shaw will bring their own blend of guitar, ukulele, violin and djembe.
New this year is the Nationwide Lounge. Daniel Glasener of German Village Insurance, a Nationwide Insurance agent, will dedicate a portion of his garage to artists and those looking to cool off and relax.
On a related note, devices that emit a light water mist will be placed along the alley to help people stay cool.
Meanwhile, Mangino said she's a veteran Art Crawl artist, but hasn't been there for about eight years.
For 19 years, she was a professional artist, doing 14 outdoor shows a year. But a chronic back problem forced her to give up traveling.
"To tell you the truth, I miss it," Mangino said.
A native of Brookeville, in the northeast part of Ohio, Mangino studied art at Kent State University.
Right out of college, she was an art therapist in a mental institution, and held several other non-art-related jobs over the years before turning professional in 1990.
These days, she's still working and teaching, having recently wrapped up a class at the Meeting Haus. She's also taking classes whenever possible.
"You're never done learning," she said.
