22nd Annual Kaleidoscope | Juried Exhibition
Betty and Howard Taylor Main Gallery
October 4 – December 14, 2024
Kaleidoscope is an annual holiday show presented by the Alliance for the Visual Arts (AVA). This show is open to all members of AVA organizations: Akron Society of Artists (ASA), Artists of Rubber City (AoRC), Cuyahoga Valley Art Center (CVAC), Medina County Art League (MCAL), Ohio Collage Society (OSC), and Women’s Art League of Akron (WAL). This year’s exhibition is juried by Meg Stanton, Art Consultant & Curator.
Juror’s Statement
“I am honored to jury the Kaleidoscope exhibition. With over 130 submissions, selections were difficult and selecting prizes even harder! I was impressed by the breadth of talent in our region. Many different media were entered, and I incorporated as many as possible into the exhibition to honor its title. One definition of kaleidoscope, which I kept in mind when selecting the works, is the observation of beautiful forms. I have an eclectic eye and art appeals to me on several levels, including mastery of technique, craftsmanship, the significance of the message conveyed, and overall visual impact. It is hard to judge a show strictly through digital photographs, so I made a point of waiting to see the works in person before making final determinations for prizes. I hope you enjoy the show!” -Meg Stanton, Juror
Meg Harris Stanton studied art history at Old Trail School and continued through college (BA Smith College; MA John’s Hopkins University) and years of living abroad in London (1982-1988). After her return to Akron, she was named Director of the Evelyne Shaffer Gallery. She bought the gallery in 1994 and became Managing Director, changing the name to Harris Stanton Gallery in 1998. In 2014 she opened a second location in downtown Cleveland; although she recently closed her brick-and-mortar spaces, she continues to work as a freelance art consultant and curator. She is responsible for the assembly and installation of many corporate collections, regionally and nationally, including B.F. Goodrich’s corporate headquarters in Charlotte, NC. She worked with Summa Health on various art projects beginning in 2006 and in 2018 was named Curator. In the role, she assembled their Healing Arts Collection in the Gary and Pamela Williams Tower (2019) and the Juve Family Behavioral Health Pavilion (2023). Stanton has served as a member of the Akron Art Museum Board of Trustees and Accessions Committee; the Board and Advisory Board of Cleveland Institute of Art; and the Boards of Cleveland Arts Prize (where she was recently appointed Emeritus Trustee) and Ohio Ballet. She is also a member of the Print Club of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
Did you know?
Most of the artwork on display at Summit Artspace is for sale.
Click on the artwork images for pricing and more information about each piece.
If you would like to purchase any art, please visit a staff member or volunteer at the front desk, or email natalie@summitartspace.org.
1- Gwen Waight | brush it off | $2,500
Found object assemblage – AoRC
60”x46”x5”
Artist Statement: This piece uses Asian figurines and dust broom brushes to address the racial tensions and problems I faced growing up. I was often told to just ‘brush it off’ , ignore it, don’t let it bother you. And often that is just what I did. But to think that over the years that the words and treatment didn’t affect me or how I developed as a person would be a lie. These things stay with you and how you handle it and yourself is important.
Artist Bio: My studio is in Peninsula, Ohio in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. I have resided and worked in Ohio for 19 years. I received my degree from the University of Iowa in sculpture and worked in my dad’s ceramic studio for ten years. It was in my father’s studio that I learned my appreciation of three-dimensional space. It was also my dad’s non-sentimental nature of tossing/ burning all things deemed unnecessary clutter that rooted my deep need to covet and collect almost everything.The objects I lean towards seem to have lived and have a story to tell….some objects are complete memories and just as a writer will string words together to create a work I assemble objects to create my art. I love the fact that like words, smells and colors; objects hold meaning and memories. The wonderful thing is that sometimes the viewer has similar or completely different ones than my own. I feel that found object assemblage is just like painting in 3D or collaging. It is a better process because I don’t start with a blank canvas and I get to move my objects around without having to “paint” over a part. In my studio I will have three or four different pieces going at the same time. I start sometimes with an idea first and search for the objects that are going to express that idea or I start with an object or several objects that shout so loudly that they need to be together.
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2- Jim Jones | America | $5,108
Acrylic on canvas – ASA, CVAC
48″ x 24″
Artist Statement: “AMERICA” is a social commentary, triggered by the heartbreaking events in Uvalde, Texas in May of 2022. The bloodied victim in the foreground was portrayed by my (real-life) granddaughter, making this piece personally heartbreaking. The painting is evenly divided top to bottom to represent the social division that we now experience in America. The events portrayed out on the horizon suggest America’s possible future.
Artist Bio: Studied with Jack Richard 1975-1981
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3- Beth Prindle | The Muse | $800
Mixed media assemblage – AoR
34 x 11.25 x 5″
Artist Statement: An homage to the spirit of “The Muse”, the Divine wellspring from which artists receive their inspiration, represented by the hand reaching skyward. The crystal represents the Divine; the keyhole represents a portal to another state of being; i.e, the artistic process. Several artistic disciplines are represented: writing, painting, and printmaking.
Artist Bio: My assemblage art explores birth and death, rites of passage, social issues, and the personal histories of myself and others. I am also interested in the historical role of woman as homemaker, especially in the context of the American Western Migration. I primarily create in wood and metal materials collected from estate sales and flea markets. Often the components guide me as the piece evolves. Textures, colors, rhythms, shapes and found photographs make suggestions, while themes emerge through the juxtaposition of objects. My hope is that the observer will feel mystified, pulled in, and inexplicably intrigued as they free-associate with these collections of objects and attach personally meaningful stories to them, based on the collective unconscious, personal unconscious, and their own – and their family’s – history.
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4- Luanne Bole-Becker | Long Day’s Journey Into Night | $400
Assemblage – AoRC
30 x 30 x 15″
Artist Statement: Life rarely works out the way we plan. Hopes are dashed, temptations may overpower, tragedies can unfold. When I chose the marionette and vintage sewing cabinet as my inspiration for this assemblage, I knew I wanted to reflect a transition from innocence, hope, and unfettered potential to something significantly darker.
Artist Bio: “Magic from the Mundane”
My artwork is a lot like me: quirky, whimsical, a bit disjointed, and full of vintage pieces and parts!
I love storytelling through photography and assemblage, building magical worlds to explore. My work often includes:
– Surprises in terms of unexpected angles, perspectives, and eclectic details
– Vintage items that I’ve accumulated for the past 40 years
– Whimsical creations that entertain
– Glimpses of behind-the-scene stories that intrigue
– Immersive spaces that invite EXHIBITION GALLERIES, VENUES, AWARDS
Artists Archives of the Western Reserve Ashtabula Arts Center Bryn Du Mansion Carrington Arts Center for Artful Living Creative Space Avon Cuyahoga Valley Art Center Fusion Art Grey Cube Gallery The Jenks Building Lakeland Community College Light Space Time Gallery Photocentric/Waterloo Juried Arts Piqua Arts Council Public Square Huntington Building
Seven Brothers Distilling Co. Stella’s Art Gallery Summit Artspace Tricky Tortoise Brewing Co. Valley Art Center Westlake-Bay Village Rotary Art Festival Willoughby Artsfest Best of Show
Stella’s Art Gallery Nov 2023 July 2021 People’s Choice
Cuyahoga Valley Art Center Jan 2024 1st place
Stella’s Art Gallery Nov 2022 (assemblage) Apr 2022 (3-D) Nov 2021 Summit Artspace May 2020 2nd place
Stella’s Art Gallery Sept. 2022 (abstract) Aug 2022 (wildlife) April 2022 (2-D) Feb 2022 (photography) Apr 2021 (literature) Jan 2021 (3-D) 3rd place
Stella’s Art Gallery Oct 2021 (3-D) Feb 2021 (3-D) Nov 2020 (assemblage)
Fusion Art Feb 2021 (3-D)
Summit Artspace Aug 2020 Sept 2019
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5- Tom Baldwin | The Corn Shellers | NFS
Woodcarving – AoRC, CVAC
12 x 23 x 16″
Artist Statement: This particular idea for a carving project came about 7 years ago. It is a complex carving and I knew it would take some time to create it but could never find a pocket of time to make it. When Covid presented itself, the art show and competition world closed. I saw my opportunity to start it and finish. The piece is very “Americana” in style and involved an intense study of the amazing American Crow. One of my goals as an artist was to capture the true coloring of this birds iridescence and character. I also enjoy the relationship of feathers and rusty implement’s. The corn becomes the center of attention in this narrative to the Crow and the corn sheller machine as well.
Artist Bio: Tom Baldwin is an internationally award winning wildfowl carving artist. He recieved 2nd Best in the World at the 2017 Ward World Wildfowl Carving Championship, M & T Printing purchase award at the Canadian National Wildfowl Carving Championship, and has won back-to-back Best in Shows at the Wings and Water Festival, award of excellence at the 2014 Kaleidoscope Holiday show, 1st place at the 2015 Kaleidoscope Holiday show, top 5 runner up for the Akron Art Prize 5 years in a row and Best of Show at the 29th Annual Regional Juried Art Show at the Cuyahoga Valley Art Center. Tom also received the best sculpture award at the 70th Annual Ohio Exhibition at the Zanesville Museum of Art. Tom lives In Akron with his wife, Barbara, and their dog, Beanie.. You can see more of Tom’s work on his website: songofwood.com
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6- Tamara Jaeger | Guardian of the Spirit | $2,500
Discarded material collage – AoRC
26″x20″
Artist Statement: Having grown up taking frequent family walks in the parks and nature centers and with a menagerie of pets at home, I’ve always felt a strong connection to nature and animals. My work focuses on wildlife and nature, since I find them restoring and inspiring and I aim to share that experience with the viewer. In many ways, my art is about connection—to nature and to each other. As such, my art serves as a metaphor for community. In my collage pieces, I take tiny, individual fragments and combine them together to form something more meaningful. Like people in a community, individually each fragment may not seem important, but each one is an essential part of the finished piece. My current work incorporates materials that I find around my neighborhood, giving these materials new life as part of my artwork. The reuse of seemingly useless, discarded items represents the renewal and revitalization of community as well as the wider need for people to reconnect and reestablish a sense of community.
Artist Bio: Tamara Jaeger, originally from Michigan and currently based in Akron, Ohio, initially studied visual arts and anthropology at Albion College in Michigan, but later trained and worked as an archaeological conservator and as a chemical engineer, and completed a PhD in polymer engineering. Tamara has always found nature in general and animals in particular to be restorative and inspirational and this is reflected in most of her pieces. Her current work concentrates primarily on torn paper collage, linocut printmaking, oil painting, and 3D mixed media pieces. Tamara’s working style focuses on combining numerous small fragments into a larger whole, which can be seen most prominently in her torn paper and mixed-media collage pieces. These are created by gluing tiny fragments of catalogs and found objects to a substrate. This medium appeals to Tamara not only because of the intricate, detailed working process, but also in a conceptual way: useless items— the catalogs, plastic bags, and other pieces of ‘trash’—obtain a greater meaning and become something more than they were before. Through this process, the ephemeral becomes permanent; the worthless becomes valuable. In a way, this transformation can be seen as mirroring a person’s personal journey through life: each small experience builds on previous experiences, eventually resulting in the depth and richness of a fully-formed individual. Her website: www.tamarajaeger.com
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7- Andrea Schepis | Entangled | $1,200
Acrylic on canvas, floppy disks, woven together with reel to reel magnetic tape and discarded frame – AoRC, OCS
26 1/2” X 39”
Artist Statement: In this work, I sourced materials that would typically be discarded, aiming to prevent them from contributing to the growing environmental issues caused by plastics. I chose to depict a dead tree, surrounded by paintings of various pollinators on floppy disks destined for a landfill, inspired by the alarming decline in their populations and its impact on trees. The paintings are woven together with old reel-to-reel magnetic tape that was also being discarded. Through this piece, I hope to inspire viewers to reflect on their own environmental impact and consider how they might help to make local/national/global changes.
Artist Bio: Andrea Schepis spent 36 years as an art teacher serving several Stow/Munroe Falls Schools. She received her BFA from Kent State University and has done post graduate work at Kent State University, Cleveland Institute of Art, Ashland University and two Earth Expeditions through Miami University. These Earth Expeditions took her to Belize and Peru to study Forest and Marine Ecology, Entomology and Ornithology. After these life changing experiences Andrea began to depict species at risk of extinction and source materials for her work from discarded materials, including floppy discs, various packaging and plastics, to keep them from disposal, adding to known environmental issues. She hopes those that view her work will be moved to consider their own impact on our environment. When not in her studio, Andrea works as adjunct faculty in Kent State University’s Art Education Department supervising student teachers, as a gallery assistant for Akron Soul Train Gallery, as a ski instructor for Boston Mills/Brandywine Ski Resort/Vail and teaching art classes in Stow and Hudson. She loves to ski, garden, hike and travel.
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8- Carol Paquay | Hannah | NFS
Oil pastel – ASA
24 x 18″
Artist Statement: Hannah has such a sensitive and expressive face. She takes on a different character every time I have painted her.
Artist Bio: Working with the figure has always been the most meaningful and interesting to me.
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9- Gwen Waight | and it was all yellow | $600
Found object assemblage – AoRC
46”x26”x8”
Artist Statement: This piece uses a letter press drawer, yellow foil wrappers, organic materials , beach finds, toys, and old hardware to convey a sense of melancholy and whimsy one can feel while listening to a song. The song is Coldplay’s song Yellow. Though just like art my interpretation is unique to myself as it will be to each person .Yellow is such a sunny, happy color but there is also the sadness in it…when things age or sickness takes hold. The duality of being both tragically beautiful and terribly sad is at the heart of this work. Fond memories tinged with laughter and tears.
Artist Bio: My studio is in Peninsula, Ohio in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. I have resided and worked in Ohio for 19 years. I received my degree from the University of Iowa in sculpture and worked in my dad’s ceramic studio for ten years. It was in my father’s studio that I learned my appreciation of three-dimensional space. It was also my dad’s non-sentimental nature of tossing/ burning all things deemed unnecessary clutter that rooted my deep need to covet and collect almost everything. The objects I lean towards seem to have lived and have a story to tell….some objects are complete memories and just as a writer will string words together to create a work I assemble objects to create my art. I love the fact that like words, smells and colors; objects hold meaning and memories. The wonderful thing is that sometimes the viewer has similar or completely different ones than my own. I feel that found object assemblage is just like painting in 3D or collaging. It is a better process because I don’t start with a blank canvas and I get to move my objects around without having to “paint” over a part. In my studio I will have three or four different pieces going at the same time. I start sometimes with an idea first and search for the objects that are going to express that idea or I start with an object or several objects that shout so loudly that they need to be together.
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10- Laurie Musser | Savanna Sprawl | $775
Digital drawing on metallic paper – MCAL
16×30″
Artist Statement: Upon visiting to the Toledo Zoo I was mesmerized by the breathtaking beauty of this Cheetah. Using only white marks on a black ground my drawing creates contrast between the luminescent highlights and the deep shadows emphasized in her contours and muscular structure. Featuring the Cheetah in a resting pose creates a serene and contemplative mood allowing the viewer to engage with the animal’s quiet power captured in a single moment of stillness. *No part of this image is a photograph. Every stroke was made by my hand boasting over 283,150 strokes and 40hours then printed on museum quality fine art metallic paper.
Artist Bio: As a Wildlife artist, my creative journey is deeply rooted in the awe-inspiring beauty of the natural world. Using my own photography as the foundational reference, I immortalize these moments through digital drawings and paintings, blending technology with traditional artistry. Each piece is meticulously crafted by my hand using a stylus and an iPad, ensuring that every stroke reflects my passion for nature. I find my subjects in the everyday wonders around me. Local parks, zoos, and rescue centers serve as treasure troves of inspiration. Simple hikes through the woods, strolls through farms, and even the vibrant life in my own backyard offer an endless variety of species to observe and study.
The scenes that captivate me often hinge on the pose of the subject, the interplay of light and shadow, and the composition of elements within the frame. The textures of an animals coat, a birds feathers, and the intricate designs woven into the fabric of nature constantly inspire me. Years of experience with traditional drawing and painting have led me to embrace new mediums. I have made a consorted effort to retain the essence of hand-drawn art while exploring the possibilities incorporating digital technology. My work echoes the style of black-and-white scratch board, watercolor, pen and ink, pastels, and pencil. Even oil paints have found their place in my artistic repertoire. This seamless blend of traditional medium and innovation defines my artwork, making each piece a unique testament to the endless wonder of the natural world.
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11- Laurie Musser | Your Majesty | $775
Digital drawing on metallic paper – MCAL
16×30″
Artist Statement: YOUR MAJESTY is an intricate, monochromatic depiction of a white tailed stag focused primarily on its impressive antlers which span across the majority of the composition. Having this massive spread makes this one king of the wood. The deer’s ears are alert, and its gaze is directed forward, creating a sense of direct engagement with the viewer. The detailed line work contrasts sharply against the dark background, enhancing the texture of the animal’s coat and the ruggedness of its antlers. To come across one such as this would be a once in a lifetime experience. The piece is framed with a simple, yet elegant matting and wooden frame, overall presenting a strikingly realistic and commanding portrayal of the animal.
*No part of this image is a photograph. Every stroke was made by my hand boasting 31,600 strokes and printed on museum quality fine art metallic paper.
Artist Bio: As a Wildlife artist, my creative journey is deeply rooted in the awe-inspiring beauty of the natural world. Using my own photography as the foundational reference, I immortalize these moments through digital drawings and paintings, blending technology with traditional artistry. Each piece is meticulously crafted by my hand using a stylus and an iPad, ensuring that every stroke reflects my passion for nature. I find my subjects in the everyday wonders around me. Local parks, zoos, and rescue centers serve as treasure troves of inspiration. Simple hikes through the woods, strolls through farms, and even the vibrant life in my own backyard offer an endless variety of species to observe and study.
The scenes that captivate me often hinge on the pose of the subject, the interplay of light and shadow, and the composition of elements within the frame. The textures of an animals coat, a birds feathers, and the intricate designs woven into the fabric of nature constantly inspire me. Years of experience with traditional drawing and painting have led me to embrace new mediums. I have made a consorted effort to retain the essence of hand-drawn art while exploring the possibilities incorporating digital technology. My work echoes the style of black-and-white scratch board, watercolor, pen and ink, pastels, and pencil. Even oil paints have found their place in my artistic repertoire. This seamless blend of traditional medium and innovation defines my artwork, making each piece a unique testament to the endless wonder of the natural world.
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12- Sharon Frank Mazgaj | Alpaca | $1,200
Watercolor paint – CVAC
20 x 16″
Artist Statement: On a trip to an Alpaca farm, I took many photographs of these interesting creatures. I loved their fluffy hide, and their big eyes. I was looking for a subject that I thought complimented “Frida the Amazing Cattle Dog”, and thought this particular Alpaca could be done in a similar style. I thought her gaze captured her friendly and inquisitive nature.
Artist Bio: I draw or paint things that I find interesting. I take my own reference photos. I tend to work on a series of similar subjects, and like to experiment with different subjects. I work in colored pencil, pastel, oil and watercolors. No matter what the medium, my work always seems to mitigate the same “look”. I am very representational, but I don’t consider my work as photo realistic, as I often enhance the image by changing things in the reference. I like to switch mediums so see just how far I can “push” them to achieve the desired effect. My work has been described as “whimsical”, and having a “sense of humor”, which definitely is a reflection of my personality. I routinely spend approximately a hundred (or more) hours, spread out over a few weeks to complete any particular piece. I have a BFA in Graphic Design and Certification to teach Visual Art from the University of Akron. I am a 15 year Signature Member of the Colored Pencil Society of America (CPSA). I’ve worked in advertising, packaging and design, and as an art teacher. I grew up on a farm, and thought of myself as an artist even as a young child. My husband and I raised three children, and we now have grandchildren. I am an animal lover, and collect antique or vintage items. I feel like all of my work and personal experiences have shaped my method and choices in creating my art.
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13- Sharon Frank Mazgaj | Frida the Amazing Cattle Dog | NFS
Watercolor paint – CVAC
20 x 16″
Artist Statement: I decided I wanted to paint a watercolor of my “velcro” dog Frida. I took many photos of her, but accidentally captured her sort of peeking into the frame when I bumped my camera. I decided to use watercolors because I can work both realistically and loosely in different areas. This sort of composition is unusual for me, but I liked it. She’s a very smart and active dog, always ready to move, so I think this really captures her personality.
Artist Bio: I draw or paint things that I find interesting. I take my own reference photos. I tend to work on a series of similar subjects, and like to experiment with different subjects. I work in colored pencil, pastel, oil and watercolors. No matter what the medium, my work always seems to mitigate the same “look”. I am very representational, but I don’t consider my work as photo realistic, as I often enhance the image by changing things in the reference. I like to switch mediums so see just how far I can “push” them to achieve the desired effect. My work has been described as “whimsical”, and having a “sense of humor”, which definitely is a reflection of my personality. I routinely spend approximately a hundred (or more) hours, spread out over a few weeks to complete any particular piece. I have a BFA in Graphic Design and Certification to teach Visual Art from the University of Akron. I am a 15 year Signature Member of the Colored Pencil Society of America (CPSA). I’ve worked in advertising, packaging and design, and as an art teacher. I grew up on a farm, and thought of myself as an artist even as a young child. My husband and I raised three children, and we now have grandchildren. I am an animal lover, and collect antique or vintage items. I feel like all of my work and personal experiences have shaped my method and choices in creating my art.
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14- Sally S. Heston | Marsh at Sunset | $500
Soft pastel – ASA, CVAC, MCAL, WAL
12” x 15” (image size). 18” x 22” (framed)
Artist Statement: This pastel painting demonstrates my love of the low country in South Carolina and the beauty of the light in a marsh at sunset. I love the softness and workability of the pastel medium and the beauty that comes from layering and controlling the blending of those layers. I love to draw and I often think of the similarity between working with soft pastels and other drawing media. It is a nice combination of drawing and painting for me and is very different from watercolor which is the medium I work with most of the time.
Artist Bio: Award winning artist, Sally Heston, works primarily in watercolor, pastel, and acrylics. Her work reflects her interest in a variety of subject matter including still life, landscape, florals, animals, and architectural structures. Her body of work includes a significant amount of commissioned fine art and graphic design work as well as paintings done for. She holds a BS degree in Art Education (cum laude) from Indiana University of PA (IUP) and a Masters degree in Art Education (with honors) from the University of Pittsburgh with a concentration in painting. She has studied with many artists, including Frank Webb, Judi Betts, Don Andrews, Albert Handell, Catherine Liu, Cheng Khee Chee, Mel Stabin and Frederick Graff. A signature member of the Ohio Watercolor Society, the Pennsylvania Watercolor Society, and the Whiskey Painters of America, she has been part of numerous group art exhibits and has won many awards for her work. She has served as a curator at the MD Garage Art Gallery in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park and has had several one-person exhibits and her work is included in private collections locally and throughout the United States and Europe. Her biography is included in Who’s Who in American Women. Her work is also included in the book, Splash 8: Watercolor Discoveries, published by North Light Books. Sally is a resident of Broadview Heights, OH, where she lives with her husband, Newton, and one small dog.
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15- James W. Leslie | Autumn Blaze | $850
Oil on canvas – ASA, CVAC
12″ x 24″
Artist Statement: Autumn has always been my favorite season. I love the earthy colors and the crisp cool air. All of the luscious colors of summer have past, and a sense of harvest evokes a subtle urgency of an end to summer.
Artist Bio: James W. Leslie’s desire to capture and express how nature makes him feel would become a life-long passion. Fueled by exposure to French Impressionism and American Landscape Painting at an early age, James began to express his desire to capture the rural places he has encountered through painting. Intrigued by color and light, he sets out to create two-dimensional works that capture fleeting moments of time. The Kaleidoscope of color within the element of trees, sky, mountains, and water creates a visual feast that brings him joy and satisfaction. He is drawn to the rich beauty found in the rural settings within the Cuyahoga Valley National Park and beyond, A beauty that still sparkles in his eyes from the days of his youth.
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16- Deanna Clucas | Sightseeing | $1,100
Watercolor paint on paper – CVAC, MCAL, WAL
16″ x 20″
Artist Statement: After a 10-day watercolor workshop in southern France 12 years ago, I finally got a chance to put all of my photos and sketches together. This was intended to create this painting using one of those medieval cities, Sarlat, bustling with tourists after a farmers market event that I call “Sightseeing”. This was an exciting painting as I was able to use just a portion of the city lit up in the sunlight with people from all of my sketches having a wonderful time. The couple in the foreground was an interesting subject to add as they were looking at something special, but we don’t know what!
Artist Bio: Deanna Clucas As a realistic to abstract watercolor and acrylic artist and instructor, Deanna Clucas has been painting since childhood and steadily since 1989 and shows and sells her work in 30+ juried shows a year. After studying with the Art Instruction School and while maintaining a full-time career with Myers Industries and raising her family as a single parent, she earned a degree in Commercial Art and Business Administration from the University of Akron. Taking ongoing watercolor and acrylic classes and workshops since 1989 from the area’s finest artists keeps her work fresh. Her award winning realistic and abstract paintings include colorful local landscapes, still life, people, pet and home commissions, some of which are included in private and corporate collections throughout the country. She is also an active member of Cuyahoga Valley Art Center, Hudson Society of Artists, Medina County Art League, Women’s Art League of Akron and the Whiskey Painters of America. She is also an associate member of the Ohio Watercolor Society and chairs the Kaleidoscope show for the Alliance for the Visual Arts-Akron.
As drawing should be the first step in the artistic adventure, Deanna has taught Drawing for the Novice at Cuyahoga Valley Art Center since 2015 and in her home studio.
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17- Jeanne Fashempour | Sunrise Peeking Through | $7,500
Encaustic mixed media: Bees wax, damar resin, pigment, pan pastels, gold leaf- CVAC
3’ x 4’
Artist Statement: This is the largest piece I have painted , with encaustic it is quite difficult to do large pieces. Because the wax has a tendency to cool on the brush quickly, you spend as much time heating the brush on the electric pallet as you do painting with the brush, but the results are amazing and worth the wait. It took a long time to paint this, and there was always the worry about over fusing, but again, even that can result in beautiful effects. I love working with this medium..
Artist Bio: I have been making art my entire life. I attended Cooper school of art, as well as the Cleveland Institute of art on scholarship. I have been an illustrator, designer, art teacher, and art Director and am now a fine artist in the Encaustic medium, encaustic painting is an ancient art medium, combining, beeswax and pigment with resin, that dates back to 300 A.D. and the colors of those original paintings are still as vivid as when they were painted due to the preservative quality of bees wax. My goal is to show the variations that can be obtained by using encaustic medium. It can look like an oil painting , or a watercolor either flat Surface and glossy Finish or highly textured. I work with the medium at about 225° using goat hair Japanese watercolor brushes in an impressionistic style. Always experimenting with different techniques.
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18- John Sharp | Chippewa | $250
Acrylic paint – ASA
20″x24″
Artist Statement: This painting is an image from Chippewa Golf Course. I loved the horizontal lines the Golf Course creates and textures that form from fairways to roughs. The different grasses provide small hue changes that I tried to capture.
Artist Bio: I graduated from Akron U 1n 1972 with a Degree in Communication Graphics. After working as a Graphic Designer for a few years my Career took a left turn and I started a paper Recycling Company, River Valley Paper. 30 years later I sold the Company and began to paint again. I like to paint realism, but with an emotional content that allows me to utilize the colors I feel and shapes I see.
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19- George Erwin | Healing Notes | $875
Mixed medium acrylic, glitter – AoRC
72” H x 30”W x 1 1/2” D
Artist Statement: “Healing Notes” rendering is a contrast from Brice Mardens 1970’s collection called “Suicide Notes”. The positive energy of hope is the central message for a hurting and broken world today. Telling our personal journey in God’s healing ability is what we need for recovery. It’s not between me or you that is reflecting in “Healing Notes”, but the glory of God’s story.
Artist Bio: In 2023, I received the Collective Top Artists Award at the Land of Cleve with the Barberton Gallery of Fine Arts. At age 72 in 2017, Springfield Ohio, Spectrum Cable offered me my TV show called “The George Erwin Art Show”. By 2022 I showcased my first solo exhibition, “Paradigm Wanderings,” at the White Rabbit Galleries in Barberton, Ohio. My artistic journey began when I was 12 years old, winning an art contest earning $50. I continued to pursue my passion and received a scholarship from the Cooper Institute of Art in Cleveland Ohio 1964, and earned a Manufacturing degree from the University of Akron in 1989. My experience drawing sketches of damaged parts during my 31 year career at Babcock & Wilcox Co. in Barberton, Ohio was helpful in my career as an art instructor. In 2011, traveling to the Dominican Republic, I helped rebuild a village which inspired me to start Divine Expressions Studio in Clinton, Ohio. In 2014, I earned my first teaching certification in English as a Second Language (ESL) Teacher Training through the Mission to North America MNA, and later that year received a second teaching certificate as a Wilson Bickford Trained Teacher (WBTT). Starting in 2014, I volunteered for eight years teaching art workshops at CrossPoint Alliance Church in Akron, Ohio. In 2023 I developed my skills with the Le Galeriste team in Montreal, Canada by wearing one-of-a kind authentic Art Fashions.
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20- Susan Yingling | Cabernet | $200
Laser engraved photo on painted glass with collage – AoRC, OCS
8 X 10″ (framed 11″ X 14″)
Artist Statement: The city of Buenos Aires is filled with color and excitement and the outside of this Recoleta restaurant is no exception. I have included images of the finished piece, the collaged colors behind the engraved glass, and the engraved glass without color.
Artist Bio: Susan Yingling holds a BFA from Kent State University and taught visual art within the Akron Public Schools. She utilizes a laser engraver to “develop” her photographic images, engraving them onto painted glass and incorporating paint chip samples, colored pencil and/or collage materials to create the color behind the glass. She looks for spaces that will engage the viewer, inviting them to pause, reflect and recall their own special places. She works to enhance the images through strong contrast and flat applications of color behind the glass.
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21- Thomas Reiderman | Heliconia Mandala | $300
Digital photography composite – AoRC
18″ x 18″ framed
Artist Statement: This digital photo composite began as an image of a heliconia tropical plant taken at the Franklin Conservatory in Columbus, Ohio. It was manipulated through several steps to create the mandala image you now see.
Artist Bio: Mr. Reiderman has been an active member of the art world in Summit County since 2003. He has exhibited many times at the Summit Artspace, is associated with Artists of Rubber City, and has exhibited with them on many occasions, including two solo shows in their BOX gallery. He has also exhibited with the Valley Art Center in Chagrin Falls, Ohio. He has been accepted twice into the Butler (Youngstown) Mid-Year show, and won an honorable mention award in 2018.
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22- Josh Chefitz | Instafilm 3000 | NFS
Ink, gel, paint pens, acrylic and spray paint on cotton paper – AoRC
15″ x 12″
Artist Statement: I often start with these “grid doodles” from my childhood, and sometimes a skull sneaks in there. For this piece, there were six skulls. To me, they almost seemed like kids on the first day of school—their teeth could pass for braces—and they seemed happy, almost forced to be. I captured these moments in “Instafilm,” and that was that; the piece was finished. But then, as I often do, I found another way to create a face out of things.
Artist Bio: Josh Chefitz is a multimedia artist based in Cleveland, Ohio, who aims to create pieces where the closer you get, the more you discover. Chefitz cites the “grid doodles” from his childhood as his primary inspiration.
Using handmade paper, ink, gel, paint pens, acrylics, oil pastels, and spray paint, Chefitz reframes these doodles as a commentary on memories, exploring the dissonance between those that are authentic and those constructed to help us move forward.
Chefitz is also the driving force and creator of ActLocle, a web-based art hub that provides community and visibility for makers in Northeast Ohio. His work has been shown across the region.
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23- Keith Wisdom | Bahamian | $800
Mixed media – CVAC, OCS
18 x 11 1/2”
Artist Statement: I recently came across an image of a young Bahamian man amidst a peaceful crowd of political protesters, but he stood out. He seemed completely focused and determined to be heard…it is this essential quality that I sought to capture when I decided to make a record of his presence in the crowd that day.
Artist Bio: Keith Wisdom, a retired television producer and now a professional artist working in the mediums of colored pencil, acrylic and collage, was born on New Providence island in The Bahamas. Wisdom’s art is directly influenced by the creative essence, color and rhythms of modern Bahamian Junkanoo, which is the National Cultural Festival of The Bahamas. In a recent interview he noted that “it is the festival’s use of intense colors in its costuming and parading presentation that has deeply affected me and the art I produce”.
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24- Deborah French | collidescopic | $875
Printmaking – AoRC
36 x 24″
Artist Statement: As an enthusiast of papermaking and all things paper, I focus on repetitions, patterns, and color relationships when creating my prints. I love combining graphic shapes with vibrant, explosive colors. These elements form the foundation of my work. The patchwork panels I create become a visual tapestry, inviting viewers to explore and discover areas that resonate with their own interests in color, pattern, and shape.
Artist Bio: I have always been creating. But only in the last few years, found my true voice through my art. The epidemic changed everything and everyone. For me, I found solace in my studio – to be fearless in creating and taking risks with my work – exploring other mediums as well as my work with paper. After graduating from The University of Akron with a degree in Theatre Arts, in 1982, I enrolled at Glassell School of Art in Houston to learn the art of paper making. Then I moved to Chicago for a residency at Paper Press where I continued my papermaking education. I am now back in Canton, Ohio to be closer to family and The Morgan Conservatory in Cleveland, Ohio where i have taken classes and exhibited there in 2023.
Other recent exhibits include: 2024 “Paper Play” the Box gallery, Summit Artspace – Akron, Oh.
2024 “Winter Exhibit” Cuyahoga Valley Art Center – Cuyahoga Falls, Oh.
2024 “Small Format Exhibit” National Collage Society – Kansas City Library
2024 “13th May Show” The Gallery at Lakeland Community College – Kirkland, Oh.
2023 “Windows and Doors” Tall Grass Arts Association – Forest Park, Illinois 2023
2023 ” Small(ish) Show & Sale” Artists of Rubber City, Akron, Oh.
2022 “Seeds of Change” Medici Museum of Art – Warren, Oh.
Professional Affiliates: AORC Artists of Rubber City
OCS Ohio Collage society
House of Swing, Artists Cooperative, Chicago
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25- Marianne Hite | Evolving Series #1 | $1,500
Fused glass with silver foil and fired on paint – AoRC
18″ x 16″ x 1″
Artist Statement: Introducing inclusions of paint and foils into my creations often yields unexpected and fascinating results, which is a thrill of being a glass artist. My figurative pieces range from maquettes to life-size figures, and the hallmark of my work is the use of enameling techniques which I have carried into my glass work through the use of gold or silver foil and silver wire. When light is emitted or reflected through glass, it lends a certain quality to the piece that nothing else can duplicate. Moreover, the effects of heat, timing, and gravity ensure each piece its own identity. I find experimenting with such a distinct and elusive medium invigorating. Dabbling with intriguing materials sparks my interest and imagination, which keeps me motivated. I love making art because I can connect directly with others visually, and I hope my work evokes the same inspiration I feel while creating it.
Artist Bio: Marianne Hite, a native of Akron Ohio, was born in 1962. She started as an enamelist on metal but upon seeing a cover of a magazine with Dominick Labino’s glasswork she searched for a place she could study glass as well as enameling. While attending Kent State University, she was exposed to glass artists not only from America but from all over Europe as well. The glass program was under the direction of Professor Henry Halem. He was instrumental in providing the opportunity for the student’s exposure to a very rich and diverse array of world class talent. Marianne Hite received her B.F.A. from Kent State University in 1987. Since then she has operated her own studio where she resides in the City of Green. Her expressive style employs a variety of techniques such as fusing, enameling, sandblasting, laminating glass, mosaic and stained glass. She teaches small classes in her home studio and also teaches at the Peninsula Art Academy, where she was also chair of their board from 2017 to 2022.
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26- Kayla Billings | Eros and Psyche | $300
Ink – ASA, CVAC
24 x 26″
Artist Statement: This piece reimagines the kiss between Eros and Psyche. Drawing on the Japanese concept of mitate, which invites the viewer to see beyond conventional representations, and embraces the universal nature of love, regardless of form. “It is a difficult matter to keep love imprisoned.” -Apuleius, Cupid and Psyche and Other Tales from the Golden Ass
Artist Bio: Kayla draws inspiration from art history, particularly religious and mythological topics. Using pen and ink, her artistic style is influenced by the narratives found in graphic novels and the expressive simplicity of woodblock prints. Kayla aims to bridge the gap between ancient tales and contemporary expression. Through the use of bold lines, she creates visual narratives that invites viewers to immerse themselves in a world where the past and present converge.
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27- C. Arthur Croyle | Concourse B | NFS
Oil paint on canvas – ASA
24” x 36”
Artist Statement: Travelers waiting, distracted, detached…they sit together but are miles apart. Captured in a painting, they will never know…
Artist Bio: C.Arthur Croyle was raised in both Akron, Ohio, and Dorfen, Germany, where his grandparents lived. His German grandfather was an artist and designer and profoundly impacted Croyle’ career path. Croyle completed a BA and BFA with an emphasis in graphic design and illustration at the University of Akron and worked at an advertising agency, an art studio, and a publishing company before completing his MFA at Indiana University. He then began a 33 year career as a college faculty member, culminating in a 27 year stint at Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa. During his academic career, he transitioned from teaching graphic design and illustration into the fine arts where he taught painting and drawing. Croyle was Director of The Biological and Pre-Medical Illustration program at Iowa State and later served as Director of the Graduate Program in the Visual Arts Department. His work in design, illustration, abstract and representational art has been exhibited regionally, nationally, and Internationally. Croyle is an Emeritus member of the Akron Society of Artists.
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28- Dennis Balogh | John Lee Hooker | $550
Designers gouache and charcoal pencil – ASA, CVAC
26″ x 21″ framed
Artist Statement: I developed most of this painting during a demonstration for an illustration class at Kent State University. I was showing students my process of developing an opaque watercolor. I shared with students how I begin with transparent wash and gradually build my color and value areas by layering thin opaque gouache medium.
Artist Bio: Dennis Balogh Illustrator and painter. For better than 20 years Dennis’s illustrations were featured on the pages of the Akron Beacon Journal. His illustrations were part of the graphic presentation for the Pulitzer prize winning Beacon series on the Goodyear War. Prior to the Beacon, Dennis worked at the Cleveland Press and Columbus Dispatch. He left the Beacon in 2007 to pursue a career as a free lance illustrator. His illustrations appeared on the pages of magazines, catalogs and annual reports for clients such as Atlantic Magazine, St Louis Magazine, The Saturday Evening Post, Kiplinger Financial, Minimed, Baylor Line Magazine, Harvard Alumni Magazine and New York Stock Exchange Magazine, among others. Awards: Dennis’s illustration work was nationally recognized by The Society of Illustrators Illustration Annual, Print Magazine numerous times, The Society of Newspaper Design, National Headliner competition and the Creativity Annual, among others. Dennis retired two years ago from a second career of teaching illustration at Kent State University for 11 years. Currently he produces art work out of his home studio in Broadview Hts., Ohio. His interests are more fine art oriented now.
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29- Brad Rice | RBG | $400
Acrylic paint – CVAC, MCAL
24″ x 24″
Artist Statement: Creating biographical portraits of individuals who have greatly influenced and inspired me has been a significant experience, as these individuals have played an important role in shaping who I am today. Ruth Bader Ginsburg was an icon of civil rights as she championed equal rights for women until her dying day. I decided to use green as a prominent color and went with another secondary color orange to sculpt her face from the background, mixing the two for midtones. Blues and purples are mixed in for the darks.
Artist Bio: A resident of the Medina area, Brad lives in Lodi with his wife, Colleen. He developed his artistic talent early in life and honed his skills at the University of Akron, studying art and web design. His sunlit home studio has been the birthplace of many of his creations, and he juggles his artistic endeavors with his role as a graphics designer at Tooling U-SME.
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30- Judy Takacs | Three Fates Cut Ties | $8,000
Oil paint on canvas – ASA
48″ x 48″ round
Artist Statement: Three Fates Cut Ties is a tondo from my Goddess Project painting series where I reimagine the mythology of all the religions through a contemporary feminist lens. The Three Fates are characters who appear in Greek, Roman, Norse and Celtic Mythology. They are the controllers of life, death and destiny. According to the legends, when someone is born, whether divine or mortal, they are assigned a destiny by the laws of the universe. For mortals, this destiny spans their entire life with pre-ordained milestones symbolized by a single thread the Fates spin from their spindle. At different points it is thick or thin, strong or frayed. When it’s cut, the mortal’s life ends. The Three Fates are sisters, each with an assigned phase of life. In Greek Mythology the sisters are Atropos, who controls the past, Clotho, the present and Lachesis, the future. My uniquely indulgent and outspoken model has posed as each of the Three Fates. I have made them identical triplets for my modern, only slightly veiled political interpretation. The “thread” my Fates wrestle with, is the symbolic red necktie; a very long one reminiscent of that worn by a previous president and many members of his political party. My three kinder and gentler Fates do not wish harm upon anyone. They, along with the artist, do however, emphatically believe that we as a nation must cut ties with those who would trample on human rights and overthrow democracy.
Artist Bio: Saving the world, one painting at a time, her weapon of choice: the paint brush; Takács’ classically-inspired painterly figurative realism drives home messages of female empowerment, dispels misogynistic stereotypes and fights for reproductive freedom. Takács’ traveling portrait series, Chicks with Balls, portraying ordinary women with extraordinary courage, opened at the Zanesville Museum of Art in 2020, and launched her second book chronicling the Chicks with Balls project’s stories and paintings. Similarly, her current series, The Goddess Project, re-imagines the mythological characters from all religions through a feminist lens. These age-old legends have seeped into our culture and planted damaging female stereotypes…myths which her paintings and stories attempt to bust. Her third book, The Goddess Project: Paintings and Stories by Judy Takács launched at her Chagrin Arts solo exhibition; Goddess Project: Innocents in 2022, grew and traveled to the Ashtabula Arts Center in 2023 as Goddess Project: Warriors.
With the recent loss of reproductive rights in Ohio and the nation, Takács turned her focus to creating Pro Choice paintings, to show all over Ohio and augment her feminist activism. My Weapon of Choice: Judy Takács paints Reproductive Rights, is her most recent book; a historical account of how Ohio fought for and won back abortion rights with a citizen-initiated constitutional amendment. It is set against the backdrop of Takács’ art, editorial writing and activism.
Takács’ figurative work portrays women as powerful, courageous, resilient, and heroic. She truthfully depicts a living, breathing soul whose presence invites viewers to linger, connect and think.
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31- Bob Pozarski | Rain and Garden | $1,122
Leaded art glass with iron stand; fused and cast beveled glass; blown and spun glass – AoRC, CVAC
21″ wide, 27″ tall
Artist Statement: I love sun and rain on my gardens! Left out the sun on this one to concentrate on making a small version of my favorite theme to go on a pedestal. I blew my smallest glass rondels to make the flowers, with fused and spun and beveled glass in profusion. Cast glass and beveled glass raindrops slant down to wet everything. Just wanted to go overboard with fine glass detail and make something that makes you come in close and move side to side; Then back up to enjoy the optical effects of lenses, prisms, shiny stuff.
Artist Bio: Thick, short old hippie with green eyes and long grey hair. Graduated from KSU in 1975 and made stained glass and other glass art since then. Learned glass fusing, casting, beveling and glass blowing, now all these techniques end up in leaded art glass windows. Recently began teaching beginning and advanced glass blowing. Won 1st place, Second and “Best of Show” in my last three art festivals this summer. Time to retire!
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32- Janet Mikolajczyk | Recycle | $595
Cardboard carton, rusted bottle caps, dryer lint, plastic – AoRC, OCS
11″h, 18″w, 2″d
Artist Statement: The form of the artwork is composed of a found carton and rusted bottle caps. The viewer may find interest in these unlikely materials. The bottle caps have dryer lint sandwiched between. The color is brown with accent of orange. The use of the rusted bottle caps give meaning to the element of time. The contrast of the rust with the plastic adds meaning.
Artist Bio: Kent State University, Kent, Ohio M.A. in Art History
B.A in Studio Art, Barat College, Lake Forest, Illinois J. Mikolajczyk worked for fifteen years at Cleveland State University teaching Art History. She shows her work locally and in Maryland. She belongs to the National Collage Society and the Ohio Collage Society
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33- Carol Klingel | Ancestors | $750
Collage on photo print on metal – ASA, AoRC, CVAC, MCAL
14″ x 11″
Artist Statement: My photo of a piece of the floor on the 3rd floor of Summit Artspace, which holds the deep history of many who have gone before, evoked a feeling of both deep space and microcosm. Photos of my mother and her college classmates were collaged into the deep space to remind us that what exists now was touched by past lives, even as we now use the space in an entirely different way. Life and time go on and on, and we are a small piece of that continuum.
Artist Bio: 1969 BS Art Ed -Kent State University; 1991 MS Education- University of Akron; 1970-2004 Art Teacher; Member AoRC, ASA, Artists of Group Ten, CVAC, Medina County Art League, PerSisters; many group and solo shows, including awards at the Butler Midyear Show, Kaleidoscope People’s Choice Award, Fresh Art, and Medina Aquarius Show.
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34- Judy Hohl | Inquisitive | $1,500
Pastel – MCAL
12″ x 16″ unframed 22 1/2″ x 26 1/2 ” framed
Artist Statement: I was looking through my camera lens studying the movement of light on the waters of Lake Fernan, in Idaho, when the face of a Canada goose floated into the scene. I lowered the camera and saw a beautiful bird who was curious about what I was doing. So close, but clearly not afraid. I snapped a few shots and after seeing that I was no threat, the bird turned and swam on. An overcast sky, a silent encounter of beauty, and an appreciative artist, who said “thank you” as I watched the silent departure. I good day.
Artist Bio: I have always been drawn to nature and wildlife. Domestic wildlife is also an option which has brought me many requests for portraits of their beloved fur kids, and/or children. My mediums are oil and pastels, and I prefer pastels because of their light capturing quality. My art education is mostly workshop teaching on one particular skill at a time, such as portraiture. Since then, I have been in many art shows, such as the Art-A-Fair in Laguna Beach, Calif. I was there for 10 years, and met many wonderful artists. I enjoyed other workshops with Linda Besse and Lee Kromshroeder, a fabulous wildlife artist. Being an artist is a most unusual career, and is so many times subject to public opinion. I am mostly at home with the outdoors and their inhabitants, most of them anyway. To capture a special moment with a most fabulous (to me) sky, full of beautiful clouds over-shadowing a beautiful landscape, peaceful, perhaps with a deer or elk, and maybe a lake (reflections of trees?), gives me a kind of peace and comfort for the moment. Beauty is still here even though it still seems to get lost for awhile among the daily happenings of the world and those who have a different reality. I hope to be painting for for quite awhile, even though I am no spring chicken. There are a lot of reference photos for me to get through, like that soaring eagle who’s sketch on canvas keeps staring at me.
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35- Tricia Kaman | Isla in White | $4,300
Oil paint – ASA, CVAC
36″ x 36″
Artist Statement: The act of painting portraits, as well as landscapes and still lifes, creates a portal into a place of inner peace. Whether I’m painting in plein air, or painting portraits in my studio, I have an attachment to my subject. Information is gathered by using an “unspoken dialogue” and sensitive observations from the subject. I paint directly from life, not from a photograph, responding to this experience through the use of composition, light, form, texture, color and space.
Artist Bio: Tricia Kaman has been painting traditional figurative works for over 50 years. She started drawing portraits at Cedar Point Amusement Park and perfected “working from life” on pastel sketches and silhouettes of guests; later in 1971 becoming the Founder & President of Kaman’s Art Shoppes where she trained well over 1,000 portrait artists. She attended Cleveland’s Cooper School of Art, Cleveland Institute of Art, and the Art Students League, New York. Tricia studied under Nelson Shanks at Studio Incamminati, Philadelphia. Her work has been exhibited in nationally and internationally and has garnered numerous awards, including the Ohio Arts Council’s 2023 “Individual Artist Governor’s Award” and the Cincinnati Art Design Consultants’ 2021 “Realist Artist of the Year Award”. Her paintings have been featured in a variety of publications, and one of her figurative grisailles, “Study from Behind,” was acquired by the Museum of Northeast Ohio Art for their permanent collection. The Tricia Kaman Studio/Gallery is located within the Murray Hill Schoolhouse in Cleveland’s Historic Little Italy. It is here that she continues her artistic journey and hosts workshops for aspiring artists in the area.
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36- Karen Briggs Ng | Knockout Orange | $1,950
Acrylic paint on canvas – MCAL
36″ H x 36″ W
Artist Statement: It’s not just another pretty posie that you can glance at and dismiss as ‘nice’. I want you to see the amazing vibrant complex work of nature that I see in my garden. Strong afternoon light accentuates the 3-dimensional qualities of petals that we usually overlook, in addition to the fine delicacies of their structure. Yet, this flower presents itself as strong and bold and joyful, with depth not readily apparent without a second look. My source is a Knockout Rose bush in my front garden. An avid gardener and photographer, I am frequently am drawn in by the play of light on nature. I tend to ‘push’ size, focus, and color in my paintings to make the viewer see the magic that I see. My goal is not to be exactly photo accurate, but to convey the overall impact that I feel from my chosen subject. I started from many digital photos (selected, cropped and edited), picked canvas proportions and size, then ,finally (having several hours of brainwork already invested in the image), start sketching/blocking with brush and thin paint… gradually building up several subtle layers of glazes to achieve the final result.
Artist Bio: Newly relocated to the Cleveland area. Former painting Instructor in oils and acrylics at Middletown Art Center (Middletown ,OH), signature member of the Cincinnati Art Club. Exhibited in the Cincinnati/Dayton area since 2003. Earlier work was all in oils, but more recent work has shifted to acrylics, taking advantage of its quick drying to apply multiple layers of glazes without delay. Nature, both landscape, and in close focus, is a favorite subject. The light on or through translucent flower petals, or leaves; hazy atmospheric distances across a landscape; the sparkle, movement, or depth of water; the bustle of urban life; a child’s look of total concentration; all inspire me. Long an avid photographer and gardener, photos are both inspiration and reference for paintings… and the Light, always the Light. I want to capture a moment that make me take pause and say ‘wow, look at that’. I want you to see what I see, so I ‘push’ size, color, and/or focus of my subject to make sure you ‘get it’. Stylistically, realistic impressionism with occasional elements of abstraction… and, really, I just like messing about with paint and disappearing into the zen process.
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37- Brad Rice | Aretha, Queen of Soul | $500
Acrylic paint – CVAC, MCAL
32″ x 32″
Artist Statement: Creating biographical portraits of individuals who have greatly influenced and inspired me has been a significant experience, as these individuals have played an important role in shaping who I am today. Aretha Franklin was an exceptional singer and an icon of civil rights as she led the way for many women of color to follow in her footsteps. I experiment with palettes by loading up a palette with colors opposite the color wheel first, then deciding if I need nexus colors to ease transitions. For Aretha I worked primarily in the secondary doublet of purple and orange. The third color of the triad, green, was used to provide interest in the midtones of the painting. I wanted to exude the excitement and energy Aretha provided in her music.
Artist Bio: A resident of the Medina area, Brad lives in Lodi with his wife, Colleen. He developed his artistic talent early in life and honed his skills at the University of Akron, studying art and web design. His sunlit home studio has been the birthplace of many of his creations, and he juggles his artistic endeavors with his role as a graphics designer at Tooling U-SME.
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38- Mary Mosyjowski | Three Amigos | $1,200
Oil on canvas – ASA, CVAC
16×20″
Artist Statement: Through the loose brushstrokes and vibrant colors of the impressionistic style, I aim to capture the gentle grace and tranquil presence of these animals huddled together. This work reflects my enduring love for the beauty of the countryside and my desire to evoke a sense of peace and harmony in the viewer.
Artist Bio: Mary “Mo” Mosyjowski does not limit her artwork to just one medium. Instead, she boldly experiments with different combinations of mediums creating works that are unique and transcendent. Mosyjowski’s many years of experience in watercolor, acrylic, collage, oil, batik, and Gelli Plate printing, to name a few, led her to maintain a successful teaching career. Mosyjowski has been teaching private lessons and workshops since 2006, covering subjects such as alcohol inks, Pysanka, altered books, and paper-making. Mosyjowski is also a signature member of the Akron Society of Artists and the Group Ten Gallery. She has won numerous awards across the region for their artwork, most notably winning the People’s Choice Award during the annual Kaleidoscope exhibition at Summit ArtSpace for an altered book of self-portraits. Among other things, Mosyjowski’s eclectic personality can be traced back to their childhood, where she grew up having a pet chicken named Whitey.
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39- Tricia Kaman | Covid Still Life | $1,500
Oil paint – ASA, CVAC
20″ x 16″
Artist Statement: The act of painting portraits, as well as landscapes and still lifes, creates a portal into a place of inner peace. Whether I’m painting in plein air, or painting portraits in my studio, I have an attachment to my subject. Information is gathered by using an “unspoken dialogue” and sensitive observations from the subject. I paint directly from life, not from a photograph, responding to this experience through the use of composition, light, form, texture, color and space.
Artist Bio: Tricia Kaman has been painting traditional figurative works for over 50 years. She started drawing portraits at Cedar Point Amusement Park and perfected “working from life” on pastel sketches and silhouettes of guests; later in 1971 becoming the Founder & President of Kaman’s Art Shoppes where she trained well over 1,000 portrait artists. She attended Cleveland’s Cooper School of Art, Cleveland Institute of Art, and the Art Students League, New York. Tricia studied under Nelson Shanks at Studio Incamminati, Philadelphia. Her work has been exhibited in nationally and internationally and has garnered numerous awards, including the Ohio Arts Council’s 2023 “Individual Artist Governor’s Award” and the Cincinnati Art Design Consultants’ 2021 “Realist Artist of the Year Award”. Her paintings have been featured in a variety of publications, and one of her figurative grisailles, “Study from Behind,” was acquired by the Museum of Northeast Ohio Art for their permanent collection. The Tricia Kaman Studio/Gallery is located within the Murray Hill Schoolhouse in Cleveland’s Historic Little Italy. It is here that she continues her artistic journey and hosts workshops for aspiring artists in the area.
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40- Mary White | The Metamorphosis of Sophia | $2,000
Oil on cradled birch – ASA
24×24″
Artist Statement: In designing the portrait of my neice, Sophia, I wanted to capture her essence as she is experiencing this age of transformation, from youth to adulthood. I have obesrved, with fascination, as she experiments with her look, her style, the visage she chooses to show the world and the private face she shows to a select few. In addition to the visual changes there has been an evolution in her personality, gaining maturity, grace, and a well-rounded character. In choosing the theme of “metamorphosis”, my first thought was to have her enveloped in a vortex of butterflies, but that image didnt seem to fit her personality. I settled on dragonflies because they also have a fascinating transformation life cycle yet they seem a bit more mysterious and exotic than butterflies. I chose a color pallette of cooler tones for the face and clothing in the foreground of the painting to contrast with the warmer, twilight rays of the background. I kept the detail to a minimum in the background so that the face would remail the most important element of the painting. Working from dark to light, thin to thick, I build up luminous layers of paint, keeping the brush strokes subtle and refined for a realistic, yet painterly look.
Artist Bio: Mary White is a resident of Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio. Her home and studio are located on the edge of the scenic Cuyahoga Valley National Park, where she often paints en plein air. She studied fine art painting at the University of Akron. She also studied oil painting with notable artist, Jack Richard, at his school of art. Mary is proficient with several mediums; watercolor, pastel, color pencil, and drawing, but her medium of choice is oil paint. Mary’s style can be described as realism. Her painting process starts with a foundation of accurate drawing and continues with the building up of layers of color. In her landscapes, she likes to capture the interaction between light and shadow. Her portraits and figurative works are laced with subtle narrative. When painting a still life, she chooses objects that are personally meaningful to her and aesthetically interesting. Mary has participated in local Plein Air competitions for over 12 years, winning several awards, including Best of Show. Her artwork has been published in International Artist Magazine and also, one of her paintings is published on the cover of the book, The Gate Lodge, published by Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens. Recently, two of her paintings were purchased to be part of the permanent art collection at the John S. Knight house in Akron Ohio. Mary has accepted several portrait commissions, as well as pet painting commissions. Mary is a signature member of the Akron Society of Artists, where she also serves on the board.
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41- Mary White | Suburban Farmer- Brother of the Artist | $2,000
Oil on cradled birch – ASA
24×24″
Artist Statement: In this painting of my brother, Matt, I placed him in his garden amid the tangle of ripening cherry tomato plants, employing a whimsical pose that reflects his quirky sense of humor. Matt has a passion for growing all kinds of vegetables, fruits and flowers, covering all areas of his yard that were previously lawn. He has been a champion in his community for the recent movement to replace environmentally negative grass lawns with sustainable produce crops and flowers. He has coordinated with other gardeners in his community for produce swaps and sharing. His garden is lush and vibrant and reflects the enthusiasm he puts into all aspects of his life. It was my goal to capture some of that vibrance in my painting. My paintings develop from an initial detailed drawing on toned substrate, in this case cradled birch panel. After blocking in the large abstract shapes with a thin wash of Umber, I slowly build layers of color working from dark to light, keeping my brushstrokes refined and subtle, to result in a realistic, luminous final product.
Artist Bio: Mary White is a resident of Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio. Her home and studio are located on the edge of the scenic Cuyahoga Valley National Park, where she often paints en plein air. She studied fine art painting at the University of Akron. She also studied oil painting with notable artist, Jack Richard, at his school of art. Mary is proficient with several mediums; watercolor, pastel, color pencil, and drawing, but her medium of choice is oil paint. Mary’s style can be described as realism. Her painting process starts with a foundation of accurate drawing and continues with the building up of layers of color. In her landscapes, she likes to capture the interaction between light and shadow. Her portraits and figurative works are laced with subtle narrative. When painting a still life, she chooses objects that are personally meaningful to her and aesthetically interesting. Mary has participated in local Plein Air competitions for over 12 years, winning several awards, including Best of Show. Her artwork has been published in International Artist Magazine and also, one of her paintings is published on the cover of the book, The Gate Lodge, published by Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens. Recently, two of her paintings were purchased to be part of the permanent art collection at the John S. Knight house in Akron Ohio. Mary has accepted several portrait commissions, as well as pet painting commissions. Mary is a signature member of the Akron Society of Artists, where she also serves on the board.
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42- Beth Prindle | KILLS Offensive Feminine Odor | 1,200
Mixed media assemblage – AoRC
30 x 27 x 4D”
Artist Statement: Last December I learned that my grandmother had died of “lady cancer” from the use of J&J baby powder.
I recalled seeing feminine hygiene product ads as a teenager that essentially taught young girls that our vaginas were smelly. Further research unearthed even more damning ads from the 1950s. Did you know women were encouraged to douche with Lysol? Code words such as “removes mucus” suggests that they were used as abortifacients as well. The early 20th century medical journal fragment in the left lower box suggests an ointment of carbolic acid, sugar of lead, and laudanum “for itching”.
Artist Bio: My assemblage art explores birth and death, rites of passage, social issues, and the personal histories of myself and others. I am also interested in the historical role of woman as homemaker, especially in the context of the American Western Migration. I primarily create in wood and metal materials collected from estate sales and flea markets. Often the components guide me as the piece evolves. Textures, colors, rhythms, shapes and found photographs make suggestions, while themes emerge through the juxtaposition of objects. My hope is that the observer will feel mystified, pulled in, and inexplicably intrigued as they free-associate with these collections of objects and attach personally meaningful stories to them, based on the collective unconscious, personal unconscious, and their own – and their family’s – history.
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43- Jim Jones | Marriage | $10,868
Acrylic on canvas – ASA, CVAC
72″ x 36″
Artist Statement: “MARRIAGE” is a double nude portrait of a devoted couple that has been married more than half a century and still genuinely in love. The piece is quite large and sprinkled with veiled symbolism that will only be revealed in person. Since our couple in this painting has more years behind them than forthcoming, we lovingly send this piece to the future in their stead. I surely hope my work has done them justice and that it ultimately arrives at that destination.
Artist Bio: Studied with Jack Richard 1975-1981
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44- Keith Wisdom | Hawaii | $800
Acrylic – CVAC, OCS
24 x 18”
Artist Statement: My wife bought this image back to me from her visit to Hawaii and I was immediately drawn to it’s quiet beauty and simply had to capture how it made me feel.
Artist Bio: Keith Wisdom, a retired television producer and now a professional artist working in the mediums of colored pencil, acrylic and collage, was born on New Providence island in The Bahamas. Wisdom’s art is directly influenced by the creative essence, color and rhythms of modern Bahamian Junkanoo, which is the National Cultural Festival of The Bahamas. In a recent interview he noted that “it is the festival’s use of intense colors in its costuming and parading presentation that has deeply affected me and the art I produce”.
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45- Diane Genetti | Peek-A-Boo Cappadocia Style | $300
Photography – WAL
20″x30″
Artist Statement: At dawn, the contrast of the orange hot air balloon against the dark unique land forms in Cappadocia was startling. This is a highly selective image as 150 balloons were flying at this time. We have ballooned in Africa and Australia, but this fairyland landscape was thrilling.
Artist Bio: Diane Genetti and her husband Ralph moved to Akron from the East Coast 55 years ago. Diane was able to “retire” from social work and be at home to raise their two daughters and one son. She has been involved in the community as an officer in CEAA, the Revere School district and at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church where she served 2 terms on the Vestry and was Junior Warden twice. Diane is an active member of the Endowment Committee and the Quiet Committee there. Also, she is a past president of the Revere High School PTA, Chapter AU P.E.O., and WAL. In the mid 1990’s, while her three children were in college out of state, Diane returned to college. This time she pursued her dreams and received a degree in studio arts from the University of Akron. Her passions are photography, ceramics, and travel. Travel experiences are reflected in much of her work. She and Ralph have been to all 7 continents more than once, 85 countries, and all 50 states together. Diane has had her work shown at Summit Art Space, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, The Emily Davis Gallery, Bath Church, and the First Congregational Church of Akron, The Godard Gallery and the Hudson Fine Art and Framing. To date she has had three solo shows.
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46- Karen Briggs Ng | DUN1 | NFS
Acrylic paint on canvas – MCAL
48″H x 30″W (canvas) , 49.5″ H x 31.5″ W (Framed)
Artist Statement: 6 of us went to play tennis, and there was only 1 court available. My daughter and I sat on a bench, waiting, and played with my camera. Later, this photo of her feet kept drawing me back. I loved the color blocking and graphic design of this unusual composition. I probably painted this 5 years later, and decided it just HAD to be done big… the way your feet fill your field of vision when you’re sitting and staring down at them in this way. It’s an introspective kind of pose to take. In addition to the colorful graphic appeal, I hope that introspection element comes across if one contemplates the painting.
Artist Bio: Newly relocated to the Cleveland area. Former painting Instructor in oils and acrylics at Middletown Art Center (Middletown ,OH), signature member of the Cincinnati Art Club. Exhibited in the Cincinnati/Dayton area since 2003. Earlier work was all in oils, but more recent work has shifted to acrylics, taking advantage of its quick drying to apply multiple layers of glazes without delay. Nature, both landscape, and in close focus, is a favorite subject. The light on or through translucent flower petals, or leaves; hazy atmospheric distances across a landscape; the sparkle, movement, or depth of water; the bustle of urban life; a child’s look of total concentration; all inspire me. Long an avid photographer and gardener, photos are both inspiration and reference for paintings… and the Light, always the Light. I want to capture a moment that make me take pause and say ‘wow, look at that’. I want you to see what I see, so I ‘push’ size, color, and/or focus of my subject to make sure you ‘get it’. Stylistically, realistic impressionism with occasional elements of abstraction… and, really, I just like messing about with paint and disappearing into the zen process.
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47- Andrea Schepis | Our Hands Are Responsible | $600
Plastic doll parts, silica gel beads, plastic bread clips and acrylic on plastic base – AoRC, OCS
3 1/2”x 7 1/4”x 3 1/2’
Artist Statement: In this work, I have repurposed materials that would typically be discarded, aiming to prevent them from contributing to the growing environmental crisis caused by plastics. I chose to depict an area of dead and bleached coral reef—a representation of the devastation I witnessed during my Earth Expedition in Belize. The alarming extent of coral bleaching highlights the fragility of these diverse marine ecosystems, which are crucial to ocean habitats and marine life. Through this piece, I hope to inspire viewers to reflect on their own environmental impact and consider the broader consequences of our actions on the natural world.
Artist Bio: Andrea Schepis spent 36 years as an art teacher serving several Stow/Munroe Falls Schools. She received her BFA from Kent State University and has done post graduate work at Kent State University, Cleveland Institute of Art, Ashland University and two Earth Expeditions through Miami University. These Earth Expeditions took her to Belize and Peru to study Forest and Marine Ecology, Entomology and Ornithology. After these life changing experiences Andrea began to depict species at risk of extinction and source materials for her work from discarded materials, including floppy discs, various packaging and plastics, to keep them from disposal, adding to known environmental issues. She hopes those that view her work will be moved to consider their own impact on our environment. When not in her studio, Andrea works as adjunct faculty in Kent State University’s Art Education Department supervising student teachers, as a gallery assistant for Akron Soul Train Gallery, as a ski instructor for Boston Mills/Brandywine Ski Resort/Vail and teaching art classes in Stow and Hudson. She loves to ski, garden, hike and travel.
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48- Carol J. Stevens | Tipping Point | $950
Watercolor paint on Yupo – ASA, CVAC, MCAL
20″ x 26″
Artist Statement: Tipping point is an experiment in using balance and cantilever for composition, creating tension and question. I often discover my mindscape as I paint intuitively. This painting is reflecting the political landscape today.
Artist Bio: Highlights: Signature Memberships from: National Watercolor Society (NWS), Ohio Watercolor Society (OWS), Kentucky Watercolor Society (KWS) Board Trustee of Ohio Watercolor Society for three terms Education: BS in Art Education from Bowling Green State University Additional classes from the Cleveland Institute of Art and Cleveland State University 30 years of workshops and seminars with professional artists and mentors Teaching Experience: K-8 in Lorain City Schools Various adult classes and workshops Ohio and Florida Mentor the annual “Art and Creativity Retreat” at Sandscrest in Wheeling, WV Selected Awards and Exhibitions 2019-2024:Aqueous 2023 USA, “ Watercolor Ohio”2024 Marilyn H. Phillis Award, 2022 Sarah Kass Award, KWS: “Aqueous 2023,2021 USA” “Aqueous 2020 USA, Cheap Joe’s Art, Silver Brush Award OWS: “Watercolor Ohio 2021”, CAC- Don Getz Award “Watercolor Ohio 2020” “Watercolor Ohio 2019”, Ohio Watercolor Society/ Blick Award Summit Artspace: “Fresh” “Kaleidoscope 2020, 2021 “Femcentric” Valley Art Center (Chagrin Falls) “50th Annual Juried Exhibit” Phyllis Lloyd Award, The Butler Institute of Art “83rd National Midyear”, Honorable Mention
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49- Barbara Himes | Here Comes the Bride | $850
Acrylic and oil paint – ASA, CVAC
40”x30”
Artist Statement: I’m a mixed media artist focused primarily on the human figure. With this painting I used an old canvas that already had a buildup of paint texture. I liked the rough texture with the feminine subject. It is unexpected, and somewhat contradictory. Life and certainly marriage can be that way!
Artist Bio: Although I’ve painted most of my adult life, at times my art has taken a backseat to raising a family and earning a regular paycheck. Now I have the luxury of painting much more regularly. I’ve had the privilege of studying with nationally recognized artists and with learned professors at the University of Akron. I’ve exhibited in Summit Artspace shows, with the Akron Society of Artists , as a guest contributor with Group Ten, in the Butler Midyear Show and with the PerSisters, a group of women who exhibit annually at the Medina Library.
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50- Carol Klingel | We Are Stardust | $400
Oil on canvas – ASA, AoRC, CVAC, MCAL
18″ x 18″
Artist Statement: The aging body is a reminder that we all come from and return to the stuff that makes up everything.
Artist Bio: 1969 BS Art Ed -Kent State University; 1991 MS Education- University of Akron; 1970-2004 Art Teacher; Member AoRC, ASA, Artists of Group Ten, CVAC, Medina County Art League, PerSisters; many group and solo shows, including awards at the Butler Midyear Show, Kaleidoscope People’s Choice Award, Fresh Art, and Medina Aquarius Show.
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51- Patricia Tilk | Dreams | $980
Graphite – MCAL
40.5 x 32″
Artist Statement: I like to draw faces in graphite.
Artist Bio: I love graphite. I love faces. It is that simple. That is what I draw.
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52- Kayla Billings | Celestial Bodies | $350
Ink – ASA, CVAC
26 x 23″
Artist Statement: “Celestial Bodies” is an exploration of the intimate connection between the feminine form and the cosmos. Rendered solely in black ink, women entwine with the stars, their forms merge with celestial patterns.
Artist Bio: Kayla draws inspiration from art history, particularly religious and mythological topics. Using pen and ink, her artistic style is influenced by the narratives found in graphic novels and the expressive simplicity of woodblock prints. Kayla aims to bridge the gap between ancient tales and contemporary expression. Through the use of bold lines, she creates visual narratives that invites viewers to immerse themselves in a world where the past and present converge.
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53- Diane Genetti | Wend the Winding Way to the Well | $300
Photography – WAL
20″x 30″
Artist Statement: The repeating and downward spiral of the steps caught my attention. The jagged white line of the stair edges is a surprise and its echo in the center helps to brighten the image as it descends into the depths. In the railing, the silver twisted spindles or balusters add contrast and texture as you travel down, down, down.
Artist Bio: Diane Genetti and her husband Ralph moved to Akron from the East Coast 55 years ago. Diane was able to “retire” from social work and be at home to raise their two daughters and one son. She has been involved in the community as an officer in CEAA, the Revere School district and at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church where she served 2 terms on the Vestry and was Junior Warden twice. Diane is an active member of the Endowment Committee and the Quiet Committee there. Also, she is a past president of the Revere High School PTA, Chapter AU P.E.O., and WAL. In the mid 1990’s, while her three children were in college out of state, Diane returned to college. This time she pursued her dreams and received a degree in studio arts from the University of Akron. Her passions are photography, ceramics, and travel. Travel experiences are reflected in much of her work. She and Ralph have been to all 7 continents more than once, 85 countries, and all 50 states together. Diane has had her work shown at Summit Art Space, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, The Emily Davis Gallery, Bath Church, and the First Congregational Church of Akron, The Godard Gallery and the Hudson Fine Art and Framing. To date she has had three solo shows.
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