Our biggest fundraiser, Dining for the Arts is an annual series of dinners, brunches, wine tastings, and more, celebrating creativity, community, and cuisine, hosted by supporters of the Ashtabula Arts Center from all over Ashtabula County. Hosts organize and hold events, guests make their reservations for those events through the Arts Center, and all proceeds support the Arts Center’s programming. The Dining for the Arts season is typically launched with a cocktail party at the Arts Center in May, at which guests can view that year’s scheduled events, including complete menus, and sign up. Dining for the Arts events are held throughout late spring, summer, and fall. Dining for the Arts also includes carry-out events from local restaurants and wineries.
Sunday, June 22, 3-6 p.m.
1033 E. 6th Street, Ashtabula, OH
Hosts
Sarah Brower & T. Gallo,
Julie Meola
SOLD OUT
Saturday, July 26, 6:30 p.m.
Straw Hat lawn, Ashtabula Arts Center
2928 W 13th Street, Ashtabula, OH
Host
Robinlyn Vogel
Enjoy a delicious French-inspired picnic while being serenaded at the Broadway Classics Concert on the Lawn. Please bring lawn chairs if desired. Attendees will receive a reusable picnic kit including insulated bag, picnic blanket, cutting board, bread knife, cheese knife, silverware, cloth napkin, reusable drink bottle, metal straw, champagne flute, and tea cup.
Menu
Cheese Board featuring an assortment of delectable cheeses, fig preserves, honey, olives, pecans, seasonal fresh fruit, homemade Fleur de Sel Langues du Chat crackers, charcuterie rose
Crab Salad- or Chickpea Salad-Filled Lemon and Parsley
Gougeres (please request crab or vegetarian option with the Arts Center at (440) 964-3396)
Duxelles and Gruyere Tarts
French Potato and Green Bean Salad served over fresh greens with lemon shallot vinaigrette
Fresh-Baked Baguette with lemon artichoke white bean spread
Apricot Almond Tart, Mocha Pots de Creme
Champagne, Lavender-Infused Lemonade, Bottled Evian,
Chamomile Tisane
$125 per person
Saturday, July 26, 7 p.m.
2663 Walnut Boulevard, Ashtabula, OH
Host
Marjorie Fuller
Enjoy food from the cookbook Italian Coastal by Amber Guiness.
Menu
Assorted Appetizers
Entree
turkey lasagna, tossed salad, bread basket
Dessert
Italian lemon creme cake
Beverages
Red & White Wine
Limoncello
Sparkling Water
Guests, please note that this is an outdoor event and may need to be rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Evenings by the lake can get chilly, even during the summer, so we suggest dressing in layers or bringing a light jacket.
$75 per person
Saturday, August 16, 6 p.m.
4600 Lake Road West, Ashtabula, OH
Hosts
John DeCato & Lori Herpen DeCato,
Natalie DeCato & Antonio Massucci,
Lisa DeCato Jammal & Nick Jammal
Laura Jones Hockaday & Jim Hockaday
Friday, September 26, 5:15 p.m.
Ashtabula Arts Center
2928 W. 13th Street, Ashtabula, OH
Hosts
Jeannie Jyurovat & Chris Panzone
Enjoy dinner and casual parlor games before
the performance in 13th Street Theatre.
Cocktails: 5:15 p.m.
First course: 6 p.m.
show begins: 7:30 p.m.
Menu
charcuterie graze cocktail hour
chopped Mediterranean salad with lemon tahini dressing
grilled steak with garlic butter
penne in vodka sauce and grated parmesan
sauteed broccolini
pumpkin cheesecake
salted caramel apple pie cheesecake
assorted beer, wine, soft drinks
coffee and tea with dessert
$90 per person with show ticket
$75 per person dinner only
Wednesday, October 1, 6 p.m.
Rennick Meat Market
1104 Bridge Street, Ashtabula, OH
Menu
First Course
Zakaski Platter: smoked meats, farmers’ cheese, pickles,
European-style bread; paired with sparkling Saperavi
Second Course
Barszcz Czerwony: red borscht served with cabbage
and mushroom dumplings; paired with Estate Barrel
Fermented Chardonnay
Third Course
Pierogi: sweet cabbage, potato and cheese,
and bacon and sauerkraut
Fourth Course
Kotlet Schabowy: breaded pork chop served with traditional sides (family style): beet and horseradish relish, whole potatoes with sauteed onions, sweet cabbage, cucumbers with sour cream; paired with Sonny
Fifth Course
Tort Orzechowy: walnut cake; paired with a trio of dessert wines: Sladica, Concord Ice Wine, Vidal Blanc Ice Wine
Rennick is able to accomodate vegetarians. If you need
a vegetarian option, please notify Rennick at (440) 964-6328.
$150 per person
Sunday, October 12, 6 p.m.
Bascule Bridge Grille
1006 Bridge St, Ashtabula, OH
Menu
Classic French cuisine paired with Chef John Sanger’s culinary imagination. This dinner will feature top-quality ingredients sourced locally whenever possible. Expect prime beef, fresh seafood, duck, chicken, and an indulgent sweet. This dinner will consist of five courses paired with either wine or mocktails. The exact menu and wine pairings will be revealed at the event.
Please contact Bascule at (440) 964-0301 after making your reservation through the Arts Center, to let them know
if you want wine or mocktails.
$150 per person
Sunday, October 19, 2-5 p.m.
2510 Stratford Road, Cleveland Heights, OH
Hosts
Gary Burlin & Harold Bemis
Enjoy an afternoon of decadent desserts in the restored century home of Gary & Harold. View some of their art collections, and meet artist Patrick Funke, who in 2025 painted the mural that adorns the ceiling of their home.
The tour ends in their 5000 square-foot showroom specializing in greeting cards, gift wrap, stationery, pens, stamping & scrapbooking essentials, and art supplies. All items are priced 20-50% off regular retail, and a portion of any sales made during the event will be donated to the Ashtabula Arts Center.
$60 per person
Saturday, October 25, 5 p.m.
Ashtabula Arts Center
2928 W. 13th Street, Ashtabula, OH
Hosts
Alex Asteinza & Bailey Seacrist,
Andre LaSalle & Clover Robinson
Menu
Entremeses/Appetizers
Croquetas de Jamón/ham croquettes
Tostones Rellenos/plantains filled with shrimp & chorizo
Empanaditas/mini beef empanadas
Medianoches/Cuban sandwiches on sweet rolls
Frutas Tropicales/tropical fruits
Tragos/Cocktails
Old Cuban
Mojito
Strawberry Daquiri
Guava Mimosa
Platos Principales/Main Course
Lechón Asado/roast pork with garlic-citrus marinade
Ropa Vieja/braised beef
Pollo al Achiote/achiote-marinated grilled chicken
Accompañamientos/Side Dishes
Moros/black beans & white rice
Maduros/fried sweet plantains
Yuca con Mojo/cassava with garlic-citrus sauce
Ensalada Cubana/Cuban salad
Postres/Desserts
Tres Leches/Three-Milk Cake
Pastelitos de Guyaba/guava-filled pastries
$125 per person (includes ticket to the 7:30 p.m.
performance of Guys and Dolls)
Sunday, November 30, 6-9 p.m.
Briquettes Smokehouse
405 Morton Drive, Ashtabula, OH
Menu
Course 1: hors d’ouvres & social hour
beer selection by Cloven Hoof
Course 2: smoke-roasted salmon with rice & veggies
beer selection by Cloven Hoof
Course 3: beef brisket with hash & cabbage
beer selection by Cloven Hoof
Dessert: cake pops (1 per person)
$85 per person
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