Here you are reading about the last art show winners of 2024. Wow, it seems like time speeds up as soon as the leaves begin to change. Merry Christmas! Here’s some good news. The days are getting longer, and spring is a mere 83 days away! But while we patiently wait, get out and enjoy the snow-covered landscapes, capture those beautiful images, and ski — or sketch — yourself to spring. I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas and will make 2025 an epic year. What do you do when your family is visiting, kids are home from school, and celebrating has run its course? Try a local getaway. Cleveland has museums for every interest: the Crawford Auto-Aviation Museum: the Cleveland History Center, home of the Western Reserve Historical Society: the Great Lakes Science Center: the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame: and the Cleveland Museum of Natural History. Cleveland Museum of Natural History completes massive ‘transformation’ Did I not mention art? We have the Cleveland Museum of Art; the Museum of Contemporary Art Cleveland, aka moCa Cleveland; The Sculpture Center; and many more. Just Google local museums and enjoy the surprises. Speaking of surprises, here's one I did not expect to find in Cleveland: The Buckland Museum of Witchcraft & Magick, claiming to be the “first and only museum in the United States that celebrates Witchcraft & Magickal culture.” It was created from the collections of Raymond Buckland, author of more than 60 books on the subject. FYI: Salem museums are more focused on the history of the Witch Trials. On to those promised winners’ lists. Stella’s Art Gallery Stella’s Art Gallery, 38033 Euclid Ave., Willoughby, is a destination anytime, but the holidays make it a real gift hunter’s treasure chest. If you have Christmas money burning a hole in your pocket and are looking for something memorable to purchase, here’s your place. The annual Makers’ Market features expanded shopping in the exhibit gallery — in addition to the three floors of regular studio/gallery space — which will be open through Jan. 4. You will find jewelry, pottery, painting, woodworking, wearable, packable and, of course, photography, paintings, prints and, yes, even more. Also, the show “Peace on Earth and Good Will to All” will be up through Jan. 4. Here are the winners: Juniper Mainelis, Best in Show; Christine Siarka, first place; Carol Agnew, second place; Patricia Meyer, third place; and Deborah Steytler and Joseph John, honorable mentions. "Peace All Around" by Christine Siarka earned first place in “Peace on Earth and Good Will to All," an art show at Stella's Art Gallery in Willoughby. (Courtesy of Stella's Art Gallery) The deadline to enter the “Black and White” show is just around the corner. It is open to all mediums but can include only black, white and all shades of gray, including the frame. This will be on display in the main gallery/event center. Here is a second call for artists! The new show in the Annex Gallery will be the perfect complement to the “Black and White” show. The “ROYGBIV Show” offers a vibrant contrast, because “ROYGBIV” revolves around the colors of the rainbow Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo and Violet. Artists must create three pieces of monochromatic artwork on a 10-inch square, with each square being a different color. The subject matter is artists choice, just remember to keep it monotone. Color evokes an emotional response, like a bull charging a red cape, a yellow sunflower or a blue lagoon. Color can be so intense you feel it. I once had a bedroom so purple the air FELT purple. Please note that because of the gallery’s presentation of this show, all entries must be unframed and wired on the back, ready to hang. Artwork will be accepted from 11:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Jan. 2 and 3,and from 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Jan. 4. This is a juried show with cash prizes. Complete entry details and the theme of 2025 shows are at stellaartgallery.com or call 440-266-9111. Artisans’ Corner Gallery The Artisans’ Corner Gallery, 11110-6 Kinsman Road, Newbury Township, is another fun place to trade your Christmas cash for art. The 3200-square-foot gallery allows a spacious layout filled with a variety of work, including, but not limited to, custom picture framing, paintings, handmade jewelry, pottery, photography and woodworking. The current show, “Inside the Box,” required artists to create a piece that would fit inside a 10-by-10-inch box. Judges Mary Urbas and Monica Glasscock awarded the following: Reinhold Friebertshauser, first place and $500; Susan Kraus, second place and $300; Barbara Enoch, third place and $200; Kat Ansel, Roberta Salo, and Thresa Yondo, honorable mention and $50 each. Most of the show pieces are for sale. Artisans' is normally open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday. However, it will remain closed for the holidays through Jan. 3. For more information, call 440-739-4128 or visit artisanscornergallery.com. Cleveland Museum of Art Here is my museum pick. The world-renowned Cleveland Museum of Art, 11150 East Blvd., is hosting the ticketed exhibition “Picasso and Paper” through March 8. This show highlights the work of Spanish painter Pablo Picasso (1881–1973) and was organized by CMA and the Royal Academy of Arts, London, in partnership with the Musée national Picasso-Paris. Cleveland Museum of Art’s massive ‘Picasso and Paper’ more than name suggests Nearly 300 works spanning Picasso’s career and his relentless exploration of paper, with pieces ranging from collages of cut-and-pasted papers to sculptures from pieces of torn and burnt paper, manipulated photographs, drawings in virtually all available media and prints in an array of techniques included. Group tours in Spanish are offered on Saturdays at 1:35 p.m. These also require a ticket. Private tours for groups of 10 or more are available by contacting [email protected] or by calling 216-707-2752. “Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.” -- Pablo Picasso Call 216-421-7350 or visit clevelandart.org for more information.