Heights Arts reopens gallery with two new shows

Boxer, by Clotilde Jiménez. [courtesy the artist]

After being closed most of the summer for renovations, Heights Arts marks its gallery reopening with a grand public reception on Friday, Sept. 4, 6–9 p.m. for two new exhibitions: Emergent 2015 and Spotlight: Brenda Fuchs.

The first installation of what will be an annual show, Emergent 2015, showcases the finest “local produce” of Northeast Ohio colleges and universities.

“The idea behind the exhibition is to feature artists who graduated from area art programs in recent years and are now producing significant work. In this way, Heights Arts seeks to shine a light on the considerable strengths of studio art programs in this area,” noted Greg Donley, Heights Arts board president and gallery committee chair.

During recent decades, Northeast Ohio has produced a steady stream of accomplished visual artists trained at institutions that include the Cleveland Institute of Art, Kent State University, Cleveland State University, the University of Akron, Oberlin College, and other fine studio art programs.

Painting, mixed media, prints, sculpture, site-specific installations, and works in fiber and glass by rising artists Joanne Arnett, Jerry Birchfield, Abbey Blake, Robert Coby, Matthew Gallagher, Clotilde Jiménez, Joshua Maxwell, Bridget McGuire, Joseph Minek, Nicholas Skowron, and Shawn Watrous will be on view through Oct. 17.

An artist talk and reading of original poems by local writers—created in response to the exhibition—is scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 1 at 7 p.m.

In addition to Emergent 2015, a new spotlight gallery will be unveiled, with the inaugural installation featuring abstract and figurative paintings by noted Cleveland artist and former Murray Hill gallery owner Brenda Fuchs (1939–2011).

The exhibition gallery is named in honor of the Jean, Harry and Brenda Fuchs Family Foundation, whose gift funded the gallery improvements.

“The renovated space enables us to expand our programming, hold performances in the gallery, and to better define who we are and what we do,” explained Rachel Bernstein, Heights Arts executive director.

New programming is scheduled for the month of September, with “Honoring Cleveland Heights Poet Laureates” on Thursday, Sept. 17, stART Street Art collaboration and Music Hop on Sept. 19, and a silk painting demonstration by Susan Skove on Sept. 26. For more information on upcoming arts events, visit www.heightsarts.org or call 216-371-3457.

Mary Ryan

Mary Ryan is on staff at Heights Arts, a nonprofit community arts organization.

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Volume 8, Issue 9, Posted 2:23 PM, 08.31.2015