MANSFIELD – “Scary Toys, Beasts, Bugs & Jugs,” a painting and pottery exhibition starting in January in the upper gallery of the Mansfield Art Center, leads off an impressive showcase of talented artists during the art center’s 2019 series.
Art Center Executive Director George Whitten announced his 2019 exhibition series this week. From an international artist specializing in quilts and fiber art to the prestigious Ohio Watercolor Society Show, the art center will host a variety of rich and creative experiences for the public to enjoy.
All shows are open to the public and admission is free, and this happens due to the art center’s generous exhibition sponsors, Whitten said.
A special show in 2019 will feature Ohio quilt and fiber artist Nancy Crow. She has an international reputation and will bring art from her show in Great Britain directly to the Mansfield Art Center’s main gallery next summer. Also on the marquee with Crow, the art center’s lower gallery will feature world renowned painter and sculptor Wadsworth Aikens Jarrell, who earned his reputation during the Black Power movement of the 1960s and 1970s, Whitten said.
During her January/February show in the lower gallery, California university professor Karen Hampton, a textile, multi-media artist, will illustrate her own family history and stories that tell of the African American experience, Whitten said. During her show in Mansfield, entitled “The Light of Freedom,” Hampton will present historical imagery of her family’s journey toward freedom and the abolitionist period of American history.
Hampton’s art will be featured during February’s Black History Month with a series of art classes for children and gallery tours, Whitten said.
In August, four Columbus artists presenting the community with a myriad of talents will offer an exhibition entitled “Lines and Edges”, including painting, photography, sculpture, and mixed media art that relate to the show’s title.
Two of the public’s favorite art center exhibitions will be back in 2019, including the Ohio Regional High School Exhibition starting in March that highlights our area’s young talent with winning art going to the Ohio Governor’s Show. Another favorite is the May Show, a juried competition featuring more than 75 professional Ohio artists, starting in May.
The art center’s 2019 series will conclude starting in November with the 50th annual Holiday Fair, featuring Ohio-made fine arts and fine crafts in the art center’s main and first-floor galleries and in the renovated Gallery Shop.
The art center’s 2019 exhibition schedule:
Jan. 19-Feb. 24, “Scary Toys, Beasts, Bugs & Jugs”, by painter Chrissy Donahue and painter-sculptor Richard Donahue, plus “The Light of Freedom” by Karen Hampton, whose artful stories tell of the African American experience. Sponsored by Taylor Metal Products Co.
March 16-April 24, Ohio Regional High School Exhibition and Mansfield K-8 Student Art Show. Sponsored by Charles P. Hahn, Cleveland Financial Group.
May 4-June 2, 74th annual May Show featuring more than 75 artists from throughout Ohio. Sponsored by Mechanics Bank.
June 22-July 21, Quilts by international artist Nancy Crow, plus painter/sculptor Wadsworth Aikens Jarrell. Sponsored by Ohio Health Mansfield and Shelby Hospitals.
Aug. 10-Sept. 8, “Lines and Edges” by Columbus artists Sue Cavanaugh, Elsie Sanchez, Barbara Vogel, and Leah Wong. Sponsored by Richland Source and Mind Body Align.
Sept. 28-Oct. 27, Ohio Watercolor Society Show, the first museum show of a statewide tour. Sponsored by Cypress Hill Winery and Hudson and Essex.
Nov. 23-Dec. 29, 50 th Annual Holiday Fair, a special celebration of fine art and fine craft on sale in both galleries and in the Gallery Shop. Sponsored by Richland Bank with Mark and Zoi Romanchuk. Adena Corp. will sponsor the Holiday Fair’s preview party.
ABOUT THE MANSFIELD ART CENTER
The mission of the Mansfield Art Center (MAC), a non-profit organization, is to make visual art relevant to the lives of all in north central Ohio. To accomplish this, The MAC brings visual art to all of us through exhibitions, programming, classes, workshops, and creative experiences; provides educational outreach through programs, lectures, tours, and school services, and provides support and services to artists.
The MAC’s emphasis on member programming has changed over the past several years, as it has moved from a member-centric art center to one that encourages non-members and community members, in general, to embrace art, recognizing its changing role and impact on our area’s youth and economic development.
Thus, this new inclusive emphasis has encouraged thousands to create, visit, and become influenced today by the MAC.
The art center is currently conducting its first major capital campaign, called Art Rising, to raise nearly $2.7 million in funding for a new education wing, pavilion for events and rentals, and renovations to the nearly 50-year old building. The campaign is going well and will conclude at the end of December. The art center will announce campaign results in January.
