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It’s a hat thang

Ron Shelton

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Ron is standing in front of one of his room tapestries and two of his hats: “Polka” and “Sunrise”. Ron wears one of his leather men’s hats.

“Hats are my thang” says artist/designer, Ron Shelton. “I have been making hats now, for six years. You know, when you find a good thing, you stick with.” Well, that is partly true for this native of Columbus: Ron not only makes hats, but he wears a lot of hats as well.

Ron started his creative journey in Fine Art. Though trained in Cinematography, receiving a B.A. from The Ohio State University, Ron found his true niche in Sculpture. He spent many years working and exhibiting in primarily ceramics and leather; he calls himself a mixed media artist.

“One day I was making one of my leather wraps, which is worn over pants or skirts, and some how it shape-shifted into a hat. That was the day I was bitten by the hat bug, and have been making hats ever since,” Ron says.

Ron participated in a month long hat celebration in Columbus, “Hey Columbus, what’s on your head?” This was a high profile event, receiving national attention which attracted Doni Wasson, Cleveland Milliner and instructor at Virginia Marti and New York hat designer Anthony Maxwell; both becoming friend and mentor to Ron.

Since in Cleveland, Ron has gotten his hats in the fore front of Cleveland’s who’s who’s in hats. He was featured several times in Cleveland Plain Dealer; was a guest on Dee Perry’s radio talk show “Around noon” and was on Kickin it with Kenny Fox morning special for his participation in The Cleveland Fashion show, “Unclothed”. He first exhibited his hats at Eye Candy Gallery in Tremont.

“My head was spinning in August of 2004, I was featured in print, TV and radio, all in one month; I thought I had arrived.” Ron say’s.

Ron is now a member of Cleveland’s Millinery Arts Coalition, which does shows throughout Northeast Ohio. Ron, along with Eight Cleveland Milliners, took part in The Cleveland Playhouses’ “Crowns” play.

Ron’s hats have evolved from his first line of hats. Coming from a background of Fine Art, Ron’s initial line was very Avant-Garde and sculptural. He is still looking for that market for his “art hats”.

“Living in the Mid West does have its draw backs; aside of its brutal East Cleveland winters, people here just don’t get the idea of wearing art on there heads,” Ron claims. “I had to put the brakes on and go back to the drawing room to tone down my aesthetic ideology, toning it down for a slightly conservative audience.”

Ron will explore opportunities in larger cities, including a European market, where his “art hats” will get a better audience. Ron is now working mid-west marketable hats for men.

Two years ago, Ron’s mother gave him a sewing machine. He first used his machine to sew in gross grain ribbons in his hats. Now he is making window treatments, shower curtains and hand bags. He has upgraded his machine to an industrial and is now sewing crazy.

In addition to his visual creativity, Ron has also dabbled in the Literary Arts. He has written two unpublished novels and several plays. One of his play’s Water is We has won several awards, one from Cleveland Karamu House, 1997 ArenaFest.

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	*Cleveland Style* Great designs from local minds E. 9th St., Cleveland, OH 44114 216-771-0900
A.R.T. Home About ART Issue 6 Inside Happenings Artists Subscribe Now Contact Us Advertise	It’s a hat thang Ron Shelton
Local Art. Local Magazine. Local Talent. Subscribe NOW! Local Artists! Where are you? Submit your work TODAY	Ron is standing in front of one of his room tapestries and two of his hats: “Polka” and “Sunrise”. Ron wears one of his leather men’s hats. “Hats are my thang” says artist/designer, Ron Shelton. “I have been making hats now, for six years. You know, when you find a good thing, you stick with.” Well, that is partly true for this native of Columbus: Ron not only makes hats, but he wears a lot of hats as well. Ron started his creative journey in Fine Art. Though trained in Cinematography, receiving a B.A. from The Ohio State University, Ron found his true niche in Sculpture. He spent many years working and exhibiting in primarily ceramics and leather; he calls himself a mixed media artist. “One day I was making one of my leather wraps, which is worn over pants or skirts, and some how it shape-shifted into a hat. That was the day I was bitten by the hat bug, and have been making hats ever since,” Ron says. Ron participated in a month long hat celebration in Columbus, “Hey Columbus, what’s on your head?” This was a high profile event, receiving national attention which attracted Doni Wasson, Cleveland Milliner and instructor at Virginia Marti and New York hat designer Anthony Maxwell; both becoming friend and mentor to Ron. Since in Cleveland, Ron has gotten his hats in the fore front of Cleveland’s who’s who’s in hats. He was featured several times in Cleveland Plain Dealer; was a guest on Dee Perry’s radio talk show “Around noon” and was on Kickin it with Kenny Fox morning special for his participation in The Cleveland Fashion show, “Unclothed”. He first exhibited his hats at Eye Candy Gallery in Tremont. “My head was spinning in August of 2004, I was featured in print, TV and radio, all in one month; I thought I had arrived.” Ron say’s. Ron is now a member of Cleveland’s Millinery Arts Coalition, which does shows throughout Northeast Ohio. Ron, along with Eight Cleveland Milliners, took part in The Cleveland Playhouses’ “Crowns” play. Ron’s hats have evolved from his first line of hats. Coming from a background of Fine Art, Ron’s initial line was very Avant-Garde and sculptural. He is still looking for that market for his “art hats”. “Living in the Mid West does have its draw backs; aside of its brutal East Cleveland winters, people here just don’t get the idea of wearing art on there heads,” Ron claims. “I had to put the brakes on and go back to the drawing room to tone down my aesthetic ideology, toning it down for a slightly conservative audience.” Ron will explore opportunities in larger cities, including a European market, where his “art hats” will get a better audience. Ron is now working mid-west marketable hats for men. Two years ago, Ron’s mother gave him a sewing machine. He first used his machine to sew in gross grain ribbons in his hats. Now he is making window treatments, shower curtains and hand bags. He has upgraded his machine to an industrial and is now sewing crazy. In addition to his visual creativity, Ron has also dabbled in the Literary Arts. He has written two unpublished novels and several plays. One of his play’s Water is We has won several awards, one from Cleveland Karamu House, 1997 ArenaFest.