The Nuts and Bolts of the Screw Factory

By: Ruthie Koenigsmark

The first Screw Factory Artists Open Studio was conceived a couple of years ago by a group of artists with studios in the Lake Erie Screw Building. They saw it as a way to meet potential patrons and display their work in the intimate and non-competitive atmosphere of their own studios. Phyllis Fannin, Printmaker and 15-year resident of the Screw Factory now known as the Lake Erie Building, was one of the Artists who collaborated with Tom Jordan, former Public Relations Director for the City of Lakewood and Ralph Lukich, the Building’s Manager, to help make the first Open Studio become a reality. Invited guests strolled from studio to studio, conversed with the artists, and experienced first-hand the creative energy of this unique community. Much of the credit for the continued success of the Artists’ Open Studio events now goes to Gina DeSantis whose vision and dedication has helped expand the next generation of promotion of the Screw Factory Artists.

“The Holiday Open Studio events attract a wide array of attendees,” says DeSantis. “We get people who are searching for a unique gift as well as art collectors looking to add to their collections.” The Open Studio has grown in attendance from a few dozen art lovers to a few hundred at their last event, one of the sought-after Holiday Art events of the season.

The composition of participating artists in the Holiday Open Studio is diverse, varying in career stages and artistic styles, mediums, and methods. Not only do they create art, they are also devoted contributors, administrators, gallery directors, students, designers, freelancers, writers, musicians, entrepreneurs, lecturers, curators, and board members. DeSantis feels that this group is an outstanding resource for any organization, school or business in need of creative outlet or service.

  This Year’s Lake Erie Building Holiday Open Studio includes work from over 20 resident artists including: Ann Brown, Gina DeSantis, Robert Durr, Michael Hudecek, Peter Jennings, Karen Jewell-Kett, Phyllis Kohring Fannin, Chad Hansen, Marc Konys, Chrissy Lapossy, Level Design, Christine Mason, Michelle Mowery, M.C. Nagel, Mary Beth Norton, Nadine Norton, Shannon Okey, Steve Ollay, Ann Onusko, Arabella Proffer-Vendetta, Dan Pruitt, Kari Sanford & Kate Tobin.

Visiting artists include: Elizabeth Emery, Frank’n stuff, Mallorie Freeman, Erika Kleinhart, Kylee Koszela, Deborah Pinter, Sandy Millman, Alicia Nagel, Suzanne Sebold, Second Saturday Artists, Ruth Sholtis-Furyes, Small Screen Designs, Nancy Spotts, Udella Spotts, Bart Virtunski & Cheryl Weinstein.

The Holiday Open Studio is the best opportunity to view the works of professional artists in the intimate venue of their studios. This is also a chance for artists to network, meet the art-going public and speak to them about their work, get and give input or to simply catch up with friends and colleagues. Everyone is welcome. Children, too. Guests will have the opportunity to do a bit of Holiday shopping and enjoy live music from Casual Encounters & Mark Kleinhaut. An After Party is planned at the Grafton St. Pub. located at 13603 Madison Ave, Lakewood. For more information go to screwfactoryartists.com

Holiday Open Studio

Lake Erie Building

13000 Athens Lakewood

Saturday, November 7th

3pm-9pm