The Cultural Arts Division, at home at the City of Mentor’s Wildwood Cultural Center, offers many programs, courses, and special events throughout the year to support and encourage the development of cultural arts in our community.

The Cultural Arts  Division also supports many clubs and organizations including the Basketry Guild, Bridge Club, Garden Club, Quilters Guild and the Wildwood Singers. The Cultural Center is also the meeting place for the Creative Artists Association .

To help support cultural arts in the Mentor community, Wildwood Cultural Center offers a membership program, offering special discounts and promotions.

Courses in art, drawing, painting, cooking, writing, music, language and more are offered throughout the year. Classes are available for children and adults.

Mentor’s Community Arts Commission assists Cultural Arts through fundraising.

The Cultural Arts Division also coordinates many special events throughout the year.  Event information is updated here regularly.

WinterWeave 2010
February 26-28
Wildwood Cultural Center
WinterWeave is an annual event drawing weavers from around the country and Canada to Wildwood Cultural Center for three dayds of classes, seminars, basketry and more. The event is hosted by the Wildwood Basketry Guild. The public is welcome to visit. Please call Wildwood Cultural Center at (440) 974-5735 for additional information.

Wildwood Garden Club Annual Summer Plant & Flower Sale
Sunday, May 22,  11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Wildwood Cultural Center
Offering a great selection of outdoor plants and flowers at reasonable prices, the Wildwood Garden Club hosts this sale from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. at Wildwood Cultural Center. All proceeds benefit the Wildwood Garden Club. The plant sale is held rain or shine.

Summer Concerts in the Park
Tuesdays,  June – July, 7 p.m.
Civic Amphitheater
Come out and enjoy an evening of FREE music at Civic Center Park featuring bands performing a variety of music! The concert schedule will be posted on line beginning in May.  Corporate sponsorship opportunities are available.  Call (440) 974-5735 for details.

Wildwood Fine Arts & Crafts Festival
Sunday, June 27,  – 10:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Wildwood Cultural Center
This show, held on the lawn of the beautiful Wildwood estate, has developed into an artistic event unique to our area. It draws upon the work of artists in Lake County and Northeast Ohio and represents a variety of juried artists and craftsmen. Visits can visit the artists and purchase original works of art including paintings, carvings, textiles, metal work, jewelry, glass and more, at reasonable prices. $2 donation requested at the door. Click here for the 2010 Wildwood Fine Arts & Crafts Festival Artists Application. Please call (440) 974-5735 for additional information.

Old Village Market
Fridays, July 30 through August 20,  4 – 8 p.m.
James A Garfield National Historic Site
Mentor’s Old Village Market is a market with a festival atmosphere, attracting more than 3,000 visitors annually. It includes fresh farm produce grown locally, homemade refreshments, juried arts & crafts, children’s activities, music, strolling performers and old-fashioned fun and games. Admission and parking are free. Call Wildwood Cultural Center at (440) 974-5735 for more information. Vendors applications will be available in mid-March.

Mentor Cruise-In
Saturday, September 11,  2 – 8 p.m.
Mentor Municipal Center & Civic Center Park
It’s one of the largest cruise-in’s in Northeast Ohio, attracting thousands of spectators and hundreds of classic cars. Come and see your favorite old cars, listen to good music and buy refreshments from a variety of food vendors. For car owners, there are door prizes, trophies and dash plaques.  Call Wildwood at (440) 974-5735 for more information.

Porcelain Treasures Show
Sunday, October 10,  11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Wildwood Cultural Center
If you enjoy fine china and hand-painted porcelain, you’ll love taking a visit the Porcelain Treasures Show. Members of the Erie Shores Porcelain Artists Guild create, display and sell hand-painted one-of-a-kind porcelain during the show. Call Wildwood at (440) 974-5735 for more information.

Wildwood Quilt Guild’s Annual Quilt Show
First Sunday in November,  10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Mentor Senior Center
Held at the Mentor Senior Center the first Sunday of November, visitors to the show can see and bid on award-winning quilts made by the talented members of the Wildwood Quilt Guild. Shop for small quilted items made by our members in our “Gifts Sew Special area.” Area quilt shops are also available for your shopping convenience. Call (440) 974-5735 for more information. $2 donation requested at the door.

Wildwood Holiday Display & Craft Show
Sunday, December 5 – 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Wildwood Cultural Center
Many wonderful holiday items are offered for sale including wreaths and swags, gingerbread, live greenery, baked goods, ornaments, stockings and much much more. More than 25 vendors fill the Wildwood Cultural Center including the Wildwood Garden Club who will be selling live arrangements. The Wildwood Singers perform holiday carols throughout the afternoon. Vendor applications are available in mid-August.

For information on other special events offered by the City of Mentor, click here.