The Ohio Arts Council's Riffe Gallery Presents ''Outside in Ohio: A Century of Unexpected Genius''
by Amy McKay
The Ohio Arts Council's Riffe Gallery will present Outside in Ohio: A Century of Unexpected Genius from July 26 - October 14, 2012.
Outside in Ohio was produced by the Southern Ohio Museum in Portsmouth, and guest curator Mark Chepp, retired director emeritus of the Springfield Museum of Art. The works in Outside in Ohio represent 100 years of creative expression by 18 Ohio artists who never studied art, never hung out in museums and never expected to become known as artists.
"Folk art and outsider art both happen outside the mainstream of the art world," said Chepp, "but folk art tends to develop within a group tradition, like Amish quilts, for example, while outsider artists spring up out of the blue working very much on their own."
Highlighting 20th and 21st century artwork in a variety of media, Outside in Ohio surveys the unconventional and distinct personal styles of some of Ohio's most unforeseen artists.
Join the Riffe Gallery for the free opening reception of Outside in Ohio: A Century of Unexpected Genius on Thursday, July 26 from 5 to 7 p.m. And on Friday, July 27, join Chepp and folk art experts Duff Lindsay and Adrian Swain for a free tour of the exhibition from 12 to 1 p.m.
On Sunday, September 23, 2012 from 2 to 4 p.m., join the Riffe Gallery for a free family workshop. Arts Educator Dayna Jalkanen will lead participants in a folk art project of choice--the creation of a personalized wooden welcome sign, or an apron for use during a favorite hobby. All supplies are provided. Children ages 6 to 17 are welcome to participate with an adult companion. Registration is required as space is limited. Please register online between July 26 and September 15 at www.riffegallery.org.
On Thursday, September 27, 2012 from 5:30-7 p.m., join the Riffe Gallery for a free poetry reading by National Award-winning Poet David Baker and an Open Mic session. For more information, and to register for Open Mic, visit www.riffegallery.org.
Artists in the show include (Ohio hometown noted): Ricky Barnes (Columbus), Ralph Bell (Columbus), Mary Borkowski (Sulphur Lick Springs), Russell (Smoky) Brown (Dayton), Ira Brukner (Yellow Springs), Henry Church (Chagrin Falls), Carole Estepp (Portsmouth), Harry George (Ben) Hartman (Springfield), William Hawkins (Columbus), Levent Isik (Columbus), Mary Frances Merrill (Flushing), Charles A. Owens (Columbus), Paul Patton (Rix Mills), Elijah Pierce (Columbus), Ernest (Popeye) Reed (Jackson), Anthony Joseph Salvatore (Youngstown), Chad Sines (Newark) and Mark Thomas (Chillicothe).
Outside in Ohio: A Century of Unexpected Genius is presented by the Riffe Gallery with media support from CD101, CityScene, Ohio Channel, Ohio Magazine, Time Warner Cable and WCBE 90.5 FM. The exhibition was originally produced by the Southern Ohio Museum in Portsmouth, Ohio.
Image credit: Levent Isik, Red Canyon Appaloosa, c. 1990s
About the Riffe Gallery:
The Ohio Arts Council's Riffe Gallery showcases the work of Ohio artists and curators, and collections from the region's museums and galleries. The gallery is located in the Vern Riffe Center for Government and the Arts at 77 S. High St., Columbus, Ohio. Admission is free. Gallery hours are Tuesday, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.; Wednesday and Friday, 10 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.; Thursday, 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.; and Saturday and Sunday, noon - 4 p.m. Closed Mondays and state holidays. Visit www.riffegallery.org or call 614/644-9624 for more information, or to schedule a group tour.
About the Ohio Arts Council:
The Ohio Arts Council is a state agency that funds and supports quality arts experiences to strengthen Ohio communities culturally, educationally and economically.
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