Wakeman couple behind a new show at Artseen

VERMILION — You might have been to a show at the art seen gallery in Vermilion in one of the years since 2007.That was when Warren Steiner and Sherry Bradshaw, residents of Wakeman, opened the historic Liberty Theater as an art gallery. This year's new show, "Water Signs," has been put together by Bradshaw and runs through Labor Day.Besides opening a gallery, the theater was envisioned as studio space where Bradshaw could work year around. It afforded more space that facilitated large works and allowed more workshops and classes to be offered as well.This year's common theme is that all three of the exhibiting artists are astrologically water signs, all are kayakers, and all are inspired by Lake Erie.As Bradshaw said, "this is a lake town and this work speaks to the water sign."Bradshaw said she shows her installation art in the form of "resin casting and molding of found natural items which I find on the road, the beach, or in the woods, such as dead birds, fish, fungus, mushrooms or bones." These are molded and mounted in thought-provoking displays, often in shadow boxes lit from behind, as a way to honor nature's denizens. This year Bradshaw's huge, resin-molded catfish helps portray that theme.Each year natural objects such as driftwood and porcelain molded displays of turtle shells and fish vertebrae, or coyote bones work their way into Bradshaw's art.Previously featured at The Art Seen, Jennifer Whitten has returned to amaze viewers with her intricate, time-consuming detailed seed bead work. This year she has ventured into turning trash into treasure by her ability to elaborately decorate old tools, set with shiny gems and beads, until they become symbols for the possibilities of psychological change.The art seen is located at 5591 Liberty Ave., Vermilion, and is open May 25 through Sept. 1. Gallery hours are noon to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday and also by appointment. You can call 440-963-0611 or send an email to theartseengallery@gmail.com.Sherry Bradshaw, of Wakeman, is the owner of The Artseen in Vermilion. Sherry Bradshaw, of Wakeman, is the owner of the Artseen gallery in Vermilion.