A reception for Bowling Green artist Robert Mazur was held Sunday at Schedel Arboretum and Gardens in Elmore. Mazur, who was an instructor at Bowling Green State University for 33 years, greeted approximately 60 friends and colleagues at the wine and cheese event to kick off his 150th exhibit, Contrasts.

Rod Noble, director of Schedel Gardens, said that his organization was thrilled to play host to the exhibit.

“Bob Mazur is the most amazing abstract painter whose works you will have the pleasure of viewing. In Contrasts, Bob's typical use of bright bold color in conveying his interpretation of both landscapes and seascapes is spot on,” he said.

In Contrasts, Mazur said he combined seascapes with landscapes in an effort to emphasize each other's color strengths. He has done just that, according to Pat and Marilyn McAlear for whom Schedel's McAlear Gallery is named. Mazur's works are quite large, some more than 4 feet by 6 feet, and the abstracts just jump out at you, the McAlears said.

Mazur has won numerous awards for his artwork and his teaching, including being twice honored with the Dorothy Uber Bryan award for outstanding service to the BGSU school of art and its students.

Contrasts will be on display through October in the Brown Welcome Center at Schedel Gardens, 19255 West Portage River South Rd., Elmore.

Information: 419-862-3182 or www.schedel-gardens.org.

WINE AND FOOD FEST

Also at Schedel, the inaugural Gardens, Wine and Food Fest took place late last month and was considered a great success.

More than 130 people attended the upbeat garden party, which featured products and music by Aficianado Wine & Cigar Shop, Event Professionals, and the Roger Schupp Jazz Quartet.

Mark your calendars for other events in support of the Elmore arboretum, including a party starting at 6 tonight in the courtyard adjacent to the Navy Bistro at the Docks and the Hidden Garden Party at Schedel on Sept. 12.

First Published August 19, 2010, 11:54 a.m.