Art on Park shows work designed to be touched | News, Sports, Jobs

Anyone who has leaned in too closely at a fine art museum has heard that ominous voice come through the speakers — “Please step away from the art.”

There won’t be any voices discouraging getting close to the work at Art on Park in downtown Warren for Saturday’s Touch on Park exhibition. The whole point of the nonjuried show is for viewers to get in touch with the artists’ work by literally touching it.

This is the first time Art on Park has used touch for a theme, but it’s not a new idea, according to David Wheeler, who creates art and curates exhibitions as Dovey Wuvey.

“I’ve had this idea for a long time, before COVID,” Wheeler said. “I was going to make it happen around then, and then COVID happened, and it was decided that everyone touching everything would be a bad idea during the height of that. It came about because children like to touch artwork, and I would love to have a show where they actually can. And I kind of discovered along the way that everyone really wants to touch work … Artists themselves really like to touch artwork. It’s just human nature. We see something we like with it with a neat texture, and we want to put our hands on it. So I wanted to make that an opportunity that could be realized.”

Participating artists include: James Shuttic, Kathryn Infante, Jessica Mackey, Apryle Elizabeth, Victoria Ratliff, Jacquelyn Bader, Jersee Hogue, Amber Howard, Meghan Howard, Mathew Felter, Pete Vouvounas, Rachel Clifford, Loraine Cook, Cheryl Eddie Deibel, Bonnie Loomis, Beth Carson, Jeanne Bryner, Chuck Seidler, Rachel E. Hathhorn, Marcie A. Nagy, Lainey and Dovey Wuvey.

“There are a lot of fiber arts (and) fluffy, furry things,” Wheeler said. “But then I do have a few that are kind of surprising. One of them, I’ll have to put a notice on that says ‘Be careful’ because there are some sharp edges.”

Wheeler often books musicians to perform for opening receptions at Art on Park. In keeping with the hands-on nature of the show, he is bringing instruments, and attendees will be encouraged to touch them and make some auditory art.

“I bought a drum kit for this, and I’ll be bringing in all the instruments that I have in my house,” he said.

“I’ve got a glockenspiel and an accordion and a Casio keyboard, some tambourines. All of that will be set out, and people can just have at it. I think it’ll be something special for the children. Kids will probably enjoy banging on the drums.”

If you go …

WHAT: Touch on Park

WHEN: 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday

WHERE: Art on Park, 180 N. Park Ave., Warren

HOW MUCH: Admission is free.