Weekend Of The Pooka – A Bit Of History
About two years ago, the Bedford Arts & Cultural Board and the Bedford Historical Society partnered with a group of interested citizens. Their goal? To honor Richard Sedlon and his legacy by sponsoring an arts experience for the entire family. Merging the Board’s MidSummer Wonderland event, a fine art show and the Historical Society’s Sedlon collection, Weekend Of The Pooka became the result.
The Pooka is a central figure in the later work of Bedford artist Richard Sedlon (1900-1992). Painter, lithographer, sculptor and poet, Sedlon spent his adult life in Bedford, living in the 1832 Hezekiah Dunham House across from the Square. Behind the house was a garden that blossomed with plants and whimsy. This hidden gem was home to the Pooka, gnome-like creatures who owed their existence to Sedlon’s imagination and brush. The garden also served as a gathering place for an avant-garde group of artists – including Sedlon – known as the Kokoon Arts Klub.
While the garden restoration is in the future, the Weekend Of The Pooka is in September. The event begins Friday with an evening of classical jazz performed by a quintet from the Cleveland Jazz Orchestra in the 1892 Old Church On The Square. An elegant champagne reception by Catered Elegance follows.
The event continues Saturday and Sunday with free hands-on art experiences on Bedford Commons. Children can participate in painting, music exploration, original crafts, creative writing, origami, puppet making and storytelling. Visitors can enjoy a day of performances featuring singers, dancers, instrumentalists and others on the Gazebo stage.
Celtic music on the hammered dulcimer, cool jazz, steel drums, Blue Grass banjo or interpretive dance offers a variety of choices. Gourmet food vendors Fahrenheit, Oh Babycakes and Catered Elegance will feature a full menu of culinary creations sure to please both kids and aspiring gourmands.
The weekend features an invitational art show by Northeast Ohio artists. Pottery, sculpture, painting and photography are among the work that will be featured and for sale. Other institutions, such as Young Audiences of Northeast Ohio, MetroParks, Music School Settlement, and The Cleveland Museum of Art will add flair to the festivities.
An original watercolor painting by artist Michael McEnroe also will be raffled with all proceeds benefitting the Sedlon garden restoration. Tickets are available for purchase at the Bedford Historical Museum prior to and on the weekend. The drawing will be held on Sunday at 4 pm. Winners need not be present to win.
Throughout Weekend of The Pooka, art abounds in Bedford! Come join the fun.
