MANSFIELD — Paintings, sculptures and striking photography command the spotlight at Mansfield Art Center as the 81st Annual May Show returns for another vibrant season.

The opening reception with awards and recognitions took place April 26. The exhibition remains open to the public through May 31 in the Elizabeth T. Black and Foundation Galleries at 700 Marion Ave.

The exhibition features contemporary work in all mediums by artists from across Ohio, continuing a tradition that has shaped the region’s arts calendar for more than eight decades.

Nearly 600 submissions highlight statewide talent

George Whitten, executive director of the Mansfield Art Center, said the show has grown into one of the state’s most respected competitive exhibitions.

“The May Show has evolved into one of the state’s most competitive and well-received exhibitions, drawing strong participation and enthusiastic attendance each year,” Whitten said.

“We are deeply grateful to our sponsors whose generosity makes this event possible,” Whitten said.

Each year, the show gives both emerging and established artists a platform to share new ideas, fresh perspectives and evolving creative styles with the community.

The exhibition also highlights the depth and diversity of Ohio’s arts scene while creating a space where artists and audiences can connect.

He credited both the quality of the artwork and steady community support for the event’s continued success.

This year’s exhibition drew nearly 600 submissions, giving juror Wendy Earle the challenge of narrowing the field into a cohesive final collection.

Earle, a curator at the Akron Art Museum, said the selection process proved both exciting and demanding.

“Jurying the 81st Annual May Show for the Mansfield Art Center was delightful, yet daunting,” Earle said.

She said the final exhibition captures the talent and viewpoints of artists throughout the region.

Earle praised the wide range of media represented in the show, including drawing, painting, printmaking, textiles and fabric and sculptures created through a variety of methods and materials.

“The installation of this exhibition is a testament to the hard work of the staff at Mansfield Art Center, and how thoughtful they are in working with this beautiful architectural space,” Earle said.

Award winners include:

The Fred “Fritz” Culler Award for Best of Show went to Bradley Wallace for Venus: 1K Views.

Mechanics Bank Awards of Excellence went to Luanne Bole-Becker for I Dream In Shades Of Tungsten And Rust and Barbara Morejon for Paper Come To Life.

The Whitten Studios Award went to Franco Ruffini for Reliquary for the Honey Bee.

The Sid Yellen Award for Photography went to Amanda Kiplinger for Rising Steam.

The Jeff McBride & Maura Teynor Emerging Artist Award went to Katerina Prykhodko for Узори Дому (Patterns of Home).

The Margaret Twitchell Swank Award for Painting went to Samantha Schneider for Indirect Warning.

The Thomas Gene Zaugg Award for Watercolor went to Gina T. Judy for Ballet-Series VII: All Dressed.

The Susan B. Smith Award for Fiber went to Frauke Palmer for Resilience Woven.

The Prints and The Pulper™ Handmade Paper / Print Award went to Nicholas Hill for Homage to Hiroshige: Tokyo Rain.

Honorable Mentions

Honorable mentions went to Judi Krew for The Dangerous Deconstruction of Existential Identi, Mark Bush for Through, Beth Prindle for Sanitarium, Susan Hood for Boomer: Larry’s Studio, Abby Hostettler for In the Eye of the Beholder, Gwen Waight for women’s work, Chloe McEldowney for To Romaine, Julie Martin for The Woods Are Lovely Dark And Deep, Tim Gorka for Courtship Dance and Wayne Savage for The Spirit Home of Ruthie Bissman/Brooks Was Here.

(Photos from the Mansfield Art Center’s 81st Annual May Show. Images provided by Mansfield Art Center.)