Ohio First Lady Karen Kasich Announces New Program to Celebrate Ohio Artists at the Governor's Residence
by Elizabeth Weinstein
Ohio First Lady Karen W. Kasich has announced the launch of "Spotlight: Featured Artists at the Ohio Governor's Residence," a new program celebrating the work of Ohio artists. In partnership with the Ohio Arts Council, this program will feature three works of one selected Ohio artist each quarter, beginning Wednesday, September 25, from 1-2:30 p.m. at the Ohio Governor's Residence and Heritage Garden, in Bexley.
"The goal of this program is to promote the wealth of talented artists in our state," said Mrs. Kasich. "It's our hope that people will visit the Governors Residence not only for the historical significance of the building itself, but also for the fine examples of Ohio arts and crafts on display here."
The inaugural "Spotlight" artist is Columbus resident Wallace Peck, a participant at Open Door Art Studio in Grandview. Open Door Art Studio is a creative space and gallery dedicated to providing art education and art services to individuals with physical and developmental disabilities.
Peck, who is known for paintings that often incorporate figures, was a featured artist at the 2012 Greater Columbus Arts Festival and had a solo exhibition at the Lindsay Gallery in Columbus' Short North Arts District this past summer.
(614) Magazine described Peck's paintings as embodying "an otherworldly playfulness, which comes naturally for the prolific Peck," and noted that he "spreads the ink around the canvas so voraciously, it's as if he's racing against time to document his vision before it dissolves from memory."
Free tours of the Governor's Residence and Gardens (including artwork) can be arranged by calling 614/644-7644.
For more information about "Spotlight: Featured Artists at the Ohio Governor's Residence," please contact Elizabeth Weinstein at elizabeth.weinstein@oac.state.oh.us or 614/728-4463, or Holly Davis at Holly.Davis@governor.ohio.gov or 614/420-6946.
Artists interested in submitting work for consideration in future exhibitions should contact OAC individual artist program director Ken Emerick at ken.emerick@oac.state.oh.us or 614/728-4421 for further details. To be eligible for the program the artist cannot be a student enrolled in a degree granting program and must be living and working in Ohio.
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.
About the Open Door Art Studio:
The Open Door Art Studio is dedicated to overcoming limitations and giving individuals with disabilities the opportunity to discover their own expressive freedom, and is a division of Columbus Center for Human Services, Inc (CCHS).
Image information: "Ohio's First Family" by Wallace Peck, acrylic on canvas, 2013
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