MANSFIELD, Ohio – Artistry and craftsmanship will be showcased an intriguing variety of disciplines for two shows on display through Oct. 25 at the Mansfield Art Center. Ohio Designer Craftsmen’s “The Best of 2015” will be featured in the main gallery. Meanwhile, Ashland artist Barbara Morejon will exhibit her imaginative fiber art in the downstairs gallery in an exhibition entitled “Finding Expression in Tangled Fibers.”
Mansfield Art Center is the third and final venue for “The Best of 2015” show, which also was displayed in Columbus and Portsmouth. More than 50 contributors are exhibiting nearly 100 works of art representing an incredible range of disciplines. That includes fine woodwork, fabrics, jewelry, porcelain, glass, ceramics and a variety of metals.
One of the jurors for the exhibition, Beth Ann Gerstein executive director of the American Museum of Ceramic Art, described the process of selecting artwork for the show:
“One of the most rewarding but also challenging tasks asked of any arts professional is to jury a show. There is no official rulebook and the process is highly subjective. Each of us comes equipped with his or her own artistic knowledge and experiences. I went into this selection process with the purpose of choosing the ‘best’ artwork from a diverse group of applicants. I ‘judge’ each artwork based on my understanding of composition, materials, craftsmanship, creativity, techniques and styles. I look for artists who have their own vision, master a technique, tell an interesting narrative, push the boundaries and/or take a risk.”
Morejon, whose fiber sculptures are on display in the downstairs gallery, received an Ohio Arts Council Individual Excellence Award for 2015.
In describing the artistic process, Morejon said, “Felting is a versatile art that allows the artist great latitude in approaching a subject. It is both experiential and experimental in nature; my hands and my soul explore the fiber’s inherent qualities, finding expression in tangled fibers.”
The Mansfield Art Center is free and open to the public Tuesday through Sunday from 11a.m. to 5 p.m.
