The world’s best Etch-A-Sketch artist and father of five, George Vlosich III can be seen just as often coaching on the sidelines of one of his kid’s Westlake sports teams as he can be featured on TV or at a celebrity event in town.
“We love sports. We love art. We try to stay active as a family, but I love watching the kids compete, and I love being able to be a part of their activities as much as I can,” says Vlosich, 44, who says family is at the heart of his personal and professional life.
Vlosich is co-owner of GV Art + Design with his brother, Greg, and father, George Jr. This trio is the creative force behind some of the most well-known, Cleveland-centric sports apparel, original artwork and design. The endeavor has given them the opportunity to work with some of the biggest names in sports, entertainment and pop culture. Their work has always resonated with fans and made headlines in both local and national media.
Vlosich has etched some of the world’s greatest athletes and celebrities, including LeBron James, Michael Jordan, The Beatles, Michael Jackson and Will Smith. He’s had the opportunity to meet some of these athletes and celebrities during his career. He’s been to the White House and appeared on countless TV shows including Jimmy Kimmel, Oprah, 20/20, David Letterman and many, many others.
“I started doing (Etch-A-Sketch) when I was 10 years old, and it just was another extension of my art talents,” he says. “But where I’ve taken it, no one’s really thought possible.”
He says his family — Kelley, 43, and kids George IV, 18, Brian, 15, Robert, 12, Claire, 10 and Anna, 6, — moved to Westlake about eight years ago to gain more space for their growing family.
“My wife and I grew up in Lakewood, but finding a house that was big enough for five kids we gravitated toward Westlake,” he says, adding that his younger kids attend St. Bernadette School and his older boys now go to St. Edwards High School. “Everything’s kind of close by. You’ve got great shopping, great food, great schools. .”
Vlosich has coached many teams through CYO at St. Bernadette’s, Westlake basketball and Westlake Travel baseball. “I’m involved more with the kids in the community in Westlake than with businesses,” he says.
When he’s not on the sidelines shouting words of encouragement, Vlosich is busy overseeing GV Art’s bustling locations in Avon, Kent, Willoughby and its flagship store in Lakewood that first opened in 2010 after outgrowing their workspace in their parents’ house.
From their first shirt campaign “Cleveland That I Love,” the Vlosichs have used their talents to build a pop culture brand that has grown every year it has been in business.
“We’re very appreciative and very grateful for the opportunities to be able to do that,” he says.
