Size: 9"x12"
Medium: Mixed Media on Wood
Artist: Anna Arnold
Inspired by: A New Generation of Leaders, Let's Begin with Me
Suggested Value: $250.00

"I love the simplicity of Alivia's poem and I was drawn to the confident words in the message such as versatile, innovative, and desire.'

Anna Arnold, affectionately known as the Queen of Color, is the Director of the Florence O'Donnell Wasmer Gallery at Ursuline College, and a community muralist, painter, and educator, who lives and works in Cleveland, Ohio. Anna has been one of America's most expressive, exciting, enduring artists and independent educators for over four decades. She is an advocate of lifelong learning and earned a master's degree in art education from Case Western Reserve University School of Graduate Studies program. Anna Arnold earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the Cleveland Institute of Art and has exhibited in over 200 solo and group art exhibits throughout the United States. As an artist and educator, she believes she is a catalyst to inspire, uplift and change. Anna is recognized for her lush, exuberantly colorful expressive portraits, ceramics, masks, beads, and painted furniture.

Size: 36" x 30"
Medium: Acrylic
Artist: Laurel Herbold
Inspired by: "Untitled" by Dangelys from Natividad Pagan International Newcomers Academy
Suggested Value: $575.00

"The poem reminded me of when I was a young girl, and how much I loved and still love the beach."

Laurel Herbold is a Cleveland, Ohio based freelance artist exhibiting and providing custom art and mural services throughout Northeast Ohio and the surrounding area since 1994. Often in collaboration with interior designers, engineers, and architects to develop site-specific artwork, her process begins with conceptual design and results in skillfully customized artwork, murals and faux/specialty finishes for residential and commercial spaces. She has been commissioned for custom art and mural work in New York, California, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Florida, Massachusetts and New Hampshire. For nearly 10 years, she was the senior painter at Eikona Studios in Tremont, a small studio specializing in religious iconography, church design, and restoration servicing local, national, and international religious institutions.

In 2017 she returned entirely back to her freelance and mural, and in 2020 began designing a new style of mural art for Barrio Tacos in Cleveland as well as their sister partner in the New England states. Since March 2011, Laurel has maintained a studio/gallery space at the popular West 78th St. Studios and is always available for consultation and private tours of her gallery collection.

Laurel is also the creator of her well-known Wee People. These stylized paintings and ink drawings of tiny silhouetted figures have expanded into a wide range of fine art as well as a growing line of merchandise and collectibles. The universal theme of unity and the whimsical nature of her work makes them ideal for many custom designs and public installations.

Size: 10" round (framed)
Medium: Acrylic
Artist: Stephanie Stewart
Inspired by: "Colors" by Fatou from Warner Girls Leadership Academy
Suggested Value: $150.00

"As an acrylic artist, I LOVE bright and brilliant colors. I was attracted to this poem because of the urgency communicated for the use of color and diversity among our communities."

My name is Stephanie Stewart from Akron, OH. As an artist, I try to leave the world a little bit brighter as I go. My works are known to capture the strength and beauty of the Black American Woman and culture. My preferred medium is acrylic, but I have a few mixed-media pieces. I am the owner and artist of P31 Art & Design LLC - a fine art business. I am a registered Teaching Artist with the Ohio Arts Council and am actively teaching workshops with local organizations for groups of all ages. As an active member of my art community, I participate in activities and events hosted by several art groups including, BE Arts Collective, the Women's Art League, Akron Black Artist Guild, Cleveland BAM, and the Artists of Rubber City. My works have recently been juried into shows such as Summit Artspace Fresh 2023, Women's Art League Annual Shows, the Cleveland State University's People's Art Show 2022, Summa Hospital Art Gallery Black Artist Show, Weathervane Theatre, and the East Ave Gallery. I have had public art installations in Waterloo Arts District in Cleveland, OH, and the City of Akron's Kerr Park (installation pending Spring 2023). I firmly believe the gift of creativity is within all of us, so it is my mission to get together and share it, spread, and cultivate it!

Size: 11.25" x 15"
Medium: Ink, graphite on incised cotton paper
Artist's Name: Judith Brandon
Inspired By: "Kindness" By Yamilette from Buhrer Dual Language Academy
Suggested Value: $1,200

"I love how Yamilette associated kindness with the color pink. Pink has charm and tenderness but can be scary to use as a dominant color in art. I knew I could handle the challenge if I let Kindness guide me."

Judith Maureen Brandon was born in Indianapolis, IN in 1963.
She attended the Cleveland Institute of Art where she earned a BFA in enameling and drawing. She has been awarded numerous Best in Shows across the country for her large dynamic drawings as well two Ohio Arts Council Grants. She was included three times in the highly competitive National Weather Biennale international juried exhibition.
Upon meeting Judith Brandon you wouldn't imagine her to be the artist behind the large dynamic works on paper she creates. Standing at just five feet she has to be extremely inventive in how she manipulates the materials in her studio.

Size: 16" x 20"
Medium: Acrylic
Artist: Angela Novak
Inspired by: "Fall" by Marion Seltzer 1st - 2nd-grade team
Suggested Value: $245.00

"I too love the fall colors and it was a unique opportunity to create something representing the fall colors."

Angela Novak is an award-winning fluid, abstract artist from Berea, Ohio. Her medium is acrylics, alcohol ink, and resin.. she likes to embellish her art with crystals and other materials and is always challenging herself to try something new.

Fluid art is like life you can tilt the canvas anywhere you want to make it move, but like life, the paint will flow and it's on direction, like life it's beautiful and unpredictable and you just have to surrender to the process and see where it takes you.

Size: 12"x12"
Medium: Mixed Media collage
Artist: Julie Cook
Inspired by: "Fall" by the 1st - 2ndgrade team at Marion C. Seltzer School
Suggested Value: $100.00

"I love to paint nature and I love trees."

Julie Cook is a self-taught artist who mainly works in acrylics and mixed media. Julie has lived in Madison Township for over 30 years. She enjoys experimenting with paint and products to see what new textures and techniques she can create. Julie uses traditional tools as well as unique items like scraps of wood, plastic, and recycled packaging material. Julie is deeply inspired by God's creation and is thankful for the ability He has given her.

Julie's artwork has been juried into several shows throughout Northeast Ohio, and she has had several solo shows including those at Penitentiary Glen, Fairmount Art Center, Solon Center for the Arts, and Holden Arboretum. She is an artist at Stella's Art Gallery in Willoughby where her work can be seen in Studio 1. A portion of the sale of each painting is sent to https://www.globaladvanceprojects.org/ an organization that helps at-risk children on the Thailand/Burma border where her daughter works. Julie's paintings are making a difference in the lives of those children, as well as bringing peace, joy, and contentment to many others.

Size: 11" x 14"
Medium: Watercolor
Artist: Allison Hennie
Inspired by: "The Blue Bunny" by the 1st - 2nd grade team from Artemus Ward School
Suggested Value: $250.00

"I enjoyed the whimsy of the poem! The spirit of the poem and reference to a bunny also made me think of Alice in Wonderland and the open-mindedness of children."

Allison Hennie is a Cleveland native with a passion for people, places and the arts. Hennie is a practicing architect who enjoys watercolors, climbing, and pie for breakfast.

Size: 14" x 14"
Medium: Acrylic and watercolor paint
Artist: Adria Chavers
Inspired by: "We Are" by Artemus Ward 6th - 8th Grade Team
Suggested Value: $120.00

"We Are, inspired by 'We Are', displays a student, looking up into the night sky, illuminated by the bright, shining stars. I loved the clear visualization of a young student, looking up, with hopes and dreams, and endless possibilities."

Adria Chavers, Owner/Artist of A.C.Creativity, is a lover of all arts. Her business began in 2020 as a platform for creative expression for all, and since then, has grown! She has been featured in VoyageOhio, Canvas Rebel, and Julia de Burgos.

Size: 11.75"x 13.75"
Medium: Mixed Media
Artist: David Whiteman
Inspired by: "If I Could Change the World" by the Artemus Ward 3rd - 5th grade team
Suggested Value: $350.00

"There are many things that can make changing the world seem daunting. Today's youth is faced with an overwhelming number of obstacles that can easily deter them from realizing and believing in their true potential. This poem has hope and expresses a desire to change the world for the better. The "If" in the title inspired me to create a piece that shows a darker world that is being changed for the better by the simple touch of a single youth. There is no "If", You Can Change the World!"

David Whiteman's work uses a multitude of pours and layered hand-painted marks, resulting in intricate images that are both controlled and organic in appearance. With strategic color choice and adjustment in density, he creates numerous layers that show depth. Another quality of his work, that ties in the more loose elements, is meticulous hand painting. This detailed work brings a dimensional, organic, and atmospheric presence to his paintings. By layering carefully painted lines and shapes the uncontrolled is tied to its opposite.

Size: 16" x 20"
Medium: Acrylic on canvas
Artist: Laura Dumm
Inspired by: "Pet Adoption" by Robinson G. Jones 3rd - 5th grade Team
Suggested Value: $400.00

"I do art to make a difference and after a 4-year rest from painting, I was drawn to this fundraiser for kids! I also am a big pet lover with 7 rescued cats so it seemed like a message I wanted to do a painting for."

Self-taught, Laura has always been interested in art and making art. She married cartoonist/artist Gary Dumm in 1971. In 1986, after working for various publications, she made the decision to become a freelance graphic artist/illustrator.

As well as doing her own work she has collaborated with her husband, coloring his black & white cartoons and working with him on numerous comics, graphic novels, and books.

Now retired, and a full-time painter, she's used drawings by Gary to create a series of paintings dealing with social and environmental issues such as greed, GMO's, pollution, AI, climate change etc. done in a Pop-Art Surrealistic style.

Size: 11" x 14"
Medium: Acrylic Paint
Artist: Beth Lynne
Inspired by: "Pet Adoption" by Robinson G. Jones 3rd - 5th grade team
Suggested Value: $500.00

"As an animal lover and rescuer, I love the message in the poem about the benefits of adopting an animal and giving them a loving home. I wanted to show the joy of rescuing and the difference that it makes for that animal and those who adopt."

Beth has been an artist for over 35 years, having worked as an illustrator for many years at

Cleveland's top art studios as well as freelancing for clients such as American Greetings and Coca-Cola.

Along with illustration, Beth has produced many murals, public art sculptures, drawings
and paintings as well as graphic design work including logo design.

She has been a long-time resident of Lake County and currently has her art studio/gallery.

Beth Lynne Studio is located in Fairport Harbor where she accepts commissions and
creates paintings, animal portraits, home portraits, murals, limited edition prints, custom
designed re-purposed furniture, screen printed apparel featuring her designs, jewelry and
more.

In 2019 Beth was the original creator of Mentor's public art project, Mentor Rocks the Bears, in which bear sculptures were designed by her along with other local artists and they were displayed throughout Mentor.

Much of her work is donated to art fundraisers and auctions, such as Guitar Mania and
Art Fur Animals which she has donated to for 14 years.

When not creating, Beth can usually be found surrounded by cats, including many she
has rescued and fostered, or at an animal sanctuary which she often features in her art.

Size: 15" round
Medium: Acrylic paint on canvas
Artist: LaSaundra Robinson
Inspired by: "We are Sisters" by Angela from Warner Girls Leadership Academy
Suggested Value: $350.00

"I chose this poem because it really connects with the themes of sisterhood and connections in my work."

LaSaundra Robinson is an artist living and working in the Cleveland area. She studied fine arts painting at Ohio University. She has a studio at Artful which is located on the Coventry Peace campus. She works mostly in oil and acrylic. A lot of her work is figurative or portraits of black women. Her work is about finding yourself and being comfortable in your own skin. Letting your inner self and a light show through. She feels a lot of people hide their true selves and stereotypes keep us from reaching our true potential. She lives her life wearing a lot of fake faces, and her art helps her to uncover them. The women are a reflection of themselves. The flowers give us growth, beauty, and Mother Nature. The lines and patterns in her work simply represent finding your way. She wants to make paintings that allow you to feel the person you want to be.

Size: 11" x 14"
Medium: Mixed Media
Artist: Diane Fleisch-Hughes
Inspired By: "We are Sister" by Angela from Warner Girls Leadership Academy
Suggested Value: $300.00

"The poem 'We Are Sisters' spoke to me due to its theme of sisterhood, support, and advocacy of sisters, friends, and teammates."

Diane Fleisch Hughes is a nationally board-certified Art Therapist and licensed Clinical Counselor. She works with special needs children to allow them to express themselves and tell their stories through visual art. She is also Adjunct Professor in the graduate Art Therapy and Counseling program at Ursuline College. As a working artist, Diane uses her art to express her feelings, whether it is about what is happening in her own environment or as a response to what she witnesses through therapy with clients.

Diane is a non-representational figurative artist. She allows the setting of her subject to dictate the color and texture of her mixed media paintings, including naturally found elements and various art media. Her work has been included in national and international exhibitions, featured in Spotlight magazine and Studio Visit magazine as well as included in Renee Phillips, Manhattan Arts articles, "Women Arts Who Help Others Heal Through Art "and "Artists from The Spirit of Resilience Exhibition Who Are World Changers."

Diane has participated in the 2019 Wildacres Residency - one-week residency in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Little Switzerland, NC as well as the 2018 Drawing Marathon, a two-week residency at the New York Studio School in New York City. She participates in service learning trips around the world and has painted murals that hang in places such as El Salvador, Japan, and South Dakota.
Diane works to provide a showcase for other artists by curating exhibitions and facilitating a bi-weekly life drawing session at Stella's Art Gallery in downtown Willoughby.

Size: 19" x 15" x 2"
Medium: Acrylic
Artist: Maria Varonis
Inspired by: "If We were in Charge of the World" Natividad Pagan International Newcomers Academy 3rd - 5th Grade Boys Team
Suggested Value: $50.00

"I was inspired by the idea of how we perceive nature, and how trees specifically can heal us, motivate us, calm us, and enliven us. This piece of art is realism or impressionism. It depends on how you see the trees..."

Maria lives and writes in Akron, Ohio. She enjoys painting for fun and, it should be noted, she did use an advanced "Q-tip technique" that she found online to create the leaves of these trees.

Size: 18"x24"
Medium: Acrylic
Artist: Mary K. Thomas
Inspired by: "Ways to be Successful" by Wade Park Girls Team
Suggested Value: $200.00

Enhancing the lives of others through inspiring, creative and, fun use of art to heal and give hope to our community. Sharing my love and passion for the arts with the hopes of enriching the lives of others through inspired self-expression. Place keeping and placemaking art tell our stories. Art inspires art encourages and art empowers.

Size: 18"x24"
Medium: Acrylic
Artist: Mary K. Thomas
Inspired by: "Ways to be Successful" by Wade Park Girls Team
Suggested Value: $200.00

Enhancing the lives of others through inspiring, creative and, fun use of art to heal and give hope to our community. Sharing my love and passion for the arts with the hopes of enriching the lives of others through inspired self-expression. Place keeping and placemaking art tell our stories. Art inspires art encourages and art empowers.

Size: 16" x 24"
Medium: Acrylic on Canvas
Artist: Tom Desko
Inspired By: "Snow is Coming" by Aramis from Artemus Ward School
Suggested Value: $450.00

"My choice of poem reminded me of the unpredictable Cleveland winter weather. The insightful, young poet effectively captured the sense of a snow warning."

Tom Desko is a Cleveland-based artist (originally from Youngstown, OH) and he has been painting for over 40 years. His paintings are mostly watercolor and acrylic still-life and landscape but he enjoys the challenge of creating abstract works. Each piece he produces, for himself or by request, is a unique expression of a story. He would love to hear one of yours and possibly share one of his.

Size: 18" x 24"
Medium: Mixed Medium
Artist: Gilberto Rivera
Inspired by: "Best Friends" by Ka'Lehya from Wade Park School
Suggested Value: $350.00

"What drew my attention to the poem was its honesty and the vision of two friends floating in the sky."

Gilberto is an artist, educator, director, and producer with over 15 years of experience in the film industry. He has produced work for a variety of clients, including Cuyahoga Community College, T-Mobile, Crime Stoppers, NBC, MTV, and Bandai. Gilberto has created and taught workshops at the Ohio Valley Arts Center and the Julia De Burgos Center, including his popular "Superhero in You" workshop. He now rebranded the art workshop into Narrative Boom, and his workshops have been featured in many Cleveland area schools, the Cleveland Public Library.

Size: 16" x 19"
Medium: Acrylic
Artist: Gabrielle Alicia Lawrence
Inspired by: "My Dear Future Self" by Princess from Warner Girls Leadership Academy
Suggested Value: $200.00

"We all have things that we want to provide for our future selves. This includes the hopes of who our future selves will be."

Gabrielle Alicia Lawrence did not start within the art field but instead pursued experiences to provide depth and new meanings. Now, Gabrielle is focusing on art to create meaningful images. The medium changes according to what works best to portray the image. Thus, Gabrielle's paintbrush may be loaded with watercolor, gouache or acrylic paint. Training hasn't been limited to one specific school or instructor but rather taking advantage of instruction through various schools and workshops. This includes Rome Art Program, European Summer School, Cuyahoga Community College, and Case Western Reserve University.

Buyer MUST be present to win this piece. (Piece cannot be shipped or picked up in the office)

Size: 48"x 48"
Medium: Acrylic on Canvas
Artist: Dean Skinner
Inspired by: "This is Not a Poem" by Buhrer Dual Language Academy 6th - 8th Grade Team
Suggested Value: $3,600

"These words specifically, "Our history is important...Our history is cruel...Everyone around us is dying...We could make it better...This is fixable."

Dean is a local Cleveland artist who has painted over one hundred large-format portraits. He has been featured in galleries throughout the US and the UK; had his painting of beloved Cleveland street musician, Maurice Reedus Jr., used for the The Sax Man film documentary; and has been commissioned by numerous NFL athletes including former Browns quarterback, Baker Mayfield, and All-Pro Running Back, Derrick Henry of the Tennessee Titans. To see all of Dean's work, please visit: instagram.com/deanskinner/