Nancy Hastings speaks with an event attendee. Josh Newhook | Collegian
Local author Nancy Hastings held a book signing to celebrate the opening of the newly-renovated Studio 42 last Saturday.
“What has meant the most to me is seeing the faces of the people who I have done stories about over the years,” she said. “I truly appreciate all the support.”
Hastings, a former Hillsdale Daily News reporter, featured her memoir “Mission Possible” at the event in Rough Draft.
The space was jam-packed for all four hours of the event, Hastings said, and she sold around 35 books.
“It’s been constant since 10 a.m.,” she said.
The event featured a host of different foods, from bacon-wrapped water chestnuts to Brazilian chocolate fudge balls. Artworks of Hillsdale President Connie Sexton offered drinks, including red and white wines. These refreshments came in part from a Hillsdale County Community Foundation grant awarded to Artworks and its sister organization, the Hillsdale Heritage Association, Sexton said.
This was the first event in the studio since it was redone with the help of the same grant, awarded in January, according to Artworks board member Heather Tritchka.
Artworks first occupied the space when Tritchka asked the owner of Rough Draft if she could carve a bear statue in the space in 2019. She later began opening the room for the public to view and watch her work. She said they wanted a place to show higher-quality pieces of art.
“We started bringing in some art things over time,” she said. “We are trying to make it an inviting space to show nice pieces of art.”
Artworks of Hillsdale, founded in the 1990s, underwent a leadership shift in 2020 and has grown dramatically since then, Tritchka said. The group now has more than 100 people involved.
“Artworks has become a very vibrant community,” she said.
Tritchka said they wanted to take the space in a new direction.
“We wanted to spruce it up a bit,” she said.
After receiving the grant last month, they made shelving, painted the space, and set up lights.
“Then we can buy some easels and backdrops,” Sexton said.
Artworks will display works of upcoming artists including Karen Mark, who specializes in watercolor, and David Youngman, who will be painting a mural of the town with a train coming to the station this fall.
John Castellese, who illustrated the cover of Hastings’ book, offered his art for sale during the book signing. He spoke about his artwork’s inspiration.
“I used to hunt, so I got a lot of it just being outdoors,” he said.
According to Castellese, he paints larger pieces on canvas and paints smaller pieces on hardwood panels to capture smaller details. Castellese said it takes 100 to 150 hours to paint the larger pieces.
“Some of the smaller ones take that long too,” he said.
Tritchka said Artworks is looking for a pottery or 3D artist to feature in the new shelf space.
“We would like to have some of the college artists as well, to mix college and community,” she said.
Ryan Sexton was visiting from Toledo and said he enjoyed the event.
“The art is amazing, and the food is great,” Ryan said.
Jane Chikkala, also visiting from Toledo, said she was impressed.
“I didn’t think this little town could have this big of an event,” Chikkala said. “The people are great.”
