Now you See It
“Ohio Now: State of Nature”
Opening Friday, May 2, 7 to 9 p.m.
Contemporary Arts Center
44 E. Sixth St.
www.cincycac.org
The opening reception features free admission to the galleries with a cash bar, complimentary small bites by Herban Vegans (while supplies last), and desserts for purchase by Cookiefection, with a performance by Uno Lady, a “one woman ghost choir” based in Cleveland.
Participating artists in the exhibition are
Catherine Clements (Bowling Green)
Avery Mags Duff (Akron),
Myles Dunigan (Oberlin)
Tina Gutierrez (Cincinnati)
Brian Harnetty (Columbus)
Desert Kitchen Collective: Glenna Jennings, Jalisa Robinson & Friends (Dayton)
Keith Lemley (Ravenna), Celeste Malvar-Stewart (Columbus)
Lori Nix & Kathleen Gerber (Cleveland)
Elena Osterwalder (Columbus)
Praxis Fiber Workshop (Cleveland)
John Sabraw (Athens)
Charmaine Spencer (Cleveland)
Supermrin (Cincinnati)
Amy Youngs (Columbus)
With the group exhibition “Ohio Now: State of Nature,” the Contemporary Arts Center (CAC), in partnership with Museum of Contemporary Art Cleveland (moCa), brings together artists from across the state who are creating daring works that focus on sustainability, agriculture, and the circular economy.
“This exhibition has been a great example of CAC’s mission to be a lab for understanding ourselves, others, and the world around us through the creation and experience of all contemporary art forms,” said Christina Vassallo, CAC’s Alice and Harris Weston Executive Director. “We are thrilled to have designed ‘Ohio Now’ with moCa, as a recurring exhibition series that will explore the breadth of artistic talent across this state.”
Through diverse materials and perspectives, these artists reflect on humanity’s relationship with the environment, incorporating found elements like waterway pollutants, plant-based dyes, and grass clippings, while others investigate topics ranging from climate change conspiracies to natural history and arthropods.
“Ohio Now: State of Nature” features works by 15 artists, duos, or groups focused on the relationships within complex ecosystems, with art that across multiple media and disciplines that examines and hopes to shift our impact on the environment. Many draw directly from personal experiences as farmers, grocery workers, or environmental observes. Comprised of works spanning painting, sculpture, printmaking, photography, installation, and community-based practice, this exhibition highlights the urgency of environmental issues while inviting dialogue and response.
“Ohio is the seventh most populous state in our country – we have rural areas, we have densely populated urban communities like Cincinnati and Cleveland, we have suburban communities – and there are artists living and making work in every type of community across the state. This exhibition represents a sampling of the innovative and diverse practices across Ohio,” said Theresa Bembnister, CAC Curator. “CAC and moCa are uniquely positioned – geographically and as two premier contemporary arts institutions – to develop and present an exhibition that can think local while reflecting on national and global realities.”
This exhibition is organized in partnership with moCa Cleveland.
“An institutional partnership like this – formed between the premier contemporary art organizations in the northern- and southern-most cities in Ohio – illustrates our commitment to supporting regional perspectives and engaging audiences with the evolving landscape of creative practices in their communities,” says Vassallo.
The presentation of “Ohio Now: State of Nature” at CAC is supported by Lucinda Barnes, Fort Washington Investment Advisors, Bruce Lazarus & Phil Weintraub, Barbara K. Myers, P&G, and The Harry T. Wilks Family Foundation.