Each year, the residents of Ashtabula county and beyond will gather at the Conneaut Arts Center to view the monsters that lurk in the watery inspirations of Lake Erie artists.
Now is the time to get creative and start thinking about what indeed would the Lake Erie Monster look like. We have prizes for Lake Erie Monster creations in two categories for multiple age groups, so get creative. Here are the categories:
- Three-dimension entries include Sculptures and carvings
- Two-dimension entries include paintings and drawings
Contest Rules
· Up to 2 submissions per person.
· Entries must be family friendly.
· Monsters must be created in advance and entered in the exhibit
by June 30th at the Conneaut Arts Center, 1025 Buffalo St.
· Votes for People’s Choice Award opens July 7th and must be cast before
1pm at the festival on the 2nd.
· Winners will be announced at the festival on the 2nd.
The Show began in 2020 as an outdoor gallery inspired by the need to social distance and the need to get outside and experience the art of living. Thirteen monsters were on display while community members drove and walked by to see the monsters and talk with the artists who created them.
In 2021, the Lake Erie Monster Show became an interactive experience for all ages, including food, music, contests, raffles, and art activities.
In 2022, the Festival grew even bigger with local authors, vendors, face painting, story telling, and even a visit from the famous Lake Erie Monster herself!
In 2023, we expanded our gallery, added more vendors, hosted food trucks, and was even visited by Mermaid Merlissa!
In 2024, the festival was the biggest yet! We added more free, family-fun activities, cooking classes, a huge interactive art installation, Movie Makers (a short film written and directed by Bob Lebzelter about the Lake Erie Monster), a visit from Pirate Tray and Mermaid Merlissa, live entertainment, and much, much more!
In our sixth year of LEM, we are again calling for artists to create monsters to bring to the show in 2025. Other activities at the show may include:
- Paint a Monster with Painter
- “Be the Monster” Photo Op
- Interactive Art Installation
- Inflatable slides and activities for all ages
- Beach glass jewelry and home decor
- Face Painting
- Concessions
- Story Telling
- Dance performances
- Music!
Businesses, show your support for creativity, imagination, and community art at the Lake Erie Monster Show!
- Sign up as a vendor!
- Be a sponsor!
- Donate a prize or a gift certificate for the artists! (Contact us to arrange a drop-off or pick-up)
- Enter your own Lake Erie Monster for the community art exhibit
See you at the Lake Erie Monster Festival on August 2nd, 2025!