Details
Start Date
Tue, March 4, 2025 @ 10:00 AM
End Date
Thu, April 17, 2025 @ 3:00 PM
Location
The Cuyahoga Valley Art Center
Exhibit: Figurative Exhibition
Dates: March 4 – April 17, 2025
Location: Cuyahoga Valley Art Center – Main Gallery
Cuyahoga Valley Art Center Presents the Figurative Exhibition
March 4 – April 17, 2025
Experience the creative power of figures in art at CVAC’s Figurative Exhibition, a captivating display that explores the human, animal, and imagined forms through a variety of artistic mediums. This juried exhibition showcases a dynamic range of recent works, including paintings, sculptures, ceramics, and works on paper, all revolving around the theme of ‘Figurative.’ Admission is free, and we invite you to visit during gallery hours: Mon-Tue 10-3 pm, Wed 1-6 pm, Thu-Fri 10-3 pm, Sat 10-2 pm.
Visitors have the unique opportunity to view pieces that span both realistic and conceptual interpretations of the figure, offering an exciting, diverse exploration of this timeless theme. Adding to the excitement, our juror will determine the submissions on display and select the top works. During the exhibition, attendees can also vote for the People’s Choice Award, with the winner announced at the Artist Reception.
“We are thrilled to present the incredible skills within our practicing artist community,” says Danielle M. Dieterich M.A., Executive Director of CVAC. “This exhibition celebrates creativity and expression, and we are proud to share it with the public.”
Join us for the Figurative Exhibition’s Artist Reception on Friday, March 28th, from 5:30-7 pm. This celebratory event offers patrons the unique opportunity to mingle with the artists, enjoy refreshments and hors d’oeuvres, and even purchase art. Admission to the reception is free, making it an accessible and enjoyable experience for all art enthusiasts.
Special Guest: Meet Muralist Derek Brennan
As part of this special evening, we’re excited to welcome Derek Brennan, the artist behind CVAC’s upcoming ‘Pantone of the Cuyahoga River‘ mural project! Brennan, a renowned Cleveland-based muralist, has painted nearly 50 large-scale murals, with his work featured at MetroHealth, The Cleveland Museum of Art Community Arts Center, and Cleveland Public Auditorium. At the reception, guests will have the opportunity to meet Derek, ask questions about his creative process, and learn more about this exciting public art project coming to CVAC. The mural is made possible through the generous support of ArtsNow and the ArtsForward grant, reinforcing CVAC’s mission to make art accessible and engaging for the community.
Don’t miss this opportunity to immerse yourself in the vibrant world of figurative art at CVAC! We look forward to welcoming you to this extraordinary exhibition.
Marketing Image Credit: Linda Hutchinson, Midsommar 2, Oil-Based Media
JUROR: Carolyn E. Lewis
Juror’s Statement
I was very honored for the opportunity to be the juror for the 2025 Cuyahoga Valley Art Center’s Figurative Exhibition. Thank you to all the staff involved for your hard work on making this a very successful show. I’ve always liked the phrase “it’s not what you paint, but how you paint it.” Every artist has their own “signature” or style and I enjoyed them all. Besides looking for the usual, strong design, composition, values, color harmony, and good technical execution, I also looked for emotional content and the passion the artist conveyed. I wanted to feel the experience the artist had while creating it. Also, important to me was the artist showing their confidence in their work. Did they have a clear sense of what they were trying to communicate to the viewer? A big congratulations to all, for without your creativity, putting your heart and soul into your work, this wonderful exhibit wouldn’t happen.
All the best,
Carolyn E. Lewis, OPA
To learn more about Carolyn E. Lewis and for examples of her work, visit: www.lewisstudio.com
AWARDS:
| PEOPLE’S CHOICE Sherry Kazantzis New Franklin, OH Old Man and Dog Water Based Media $300 |
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| FIRST PLACE Jana Volkmer Hudson, OH Punk Rock Dry Media $550 |
“This painting has a strong composition, good technical execution, and emotional content. The lines and rhythm of the composition direct the eye to the face that is the focal point and central to the emotional success of the painting.”
– Juror, Carolyn E. Lewis |
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| SECOND PLACE Carol Klingel Lodi, OH A Place For Grief Oil Based Media $550 |
“This painting conveys a sense of mystery combined with great use of color harmony. It’s one that keeps your attention on what was behind the meaning of the title and this semi hidden figure.”
– Juror, Carolyn E. Lewis |
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| THIRD PLACE Jack Liberman Akron, OH Asian Woman Oil Based Media $1,600 |
“This painting has a classical look capturing a good composition and atmospheric background around the subject. He has great technical skill and wonderful brushwork.”
– Juror, Carolyn E. Lewis |
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| HONORABLE MENTION Brian Shellito Akron, OH Skeletal Study Oil Based Media $400 |
“This was a painting that really caught my attention with its bold composition and use of color. I like the way he had it just run off the canvas in certain areas and at the same time didn’t come across too busy by using a simple background with broad brush strokes.”
– Juror, Carolyn E. Lewis |
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| HONORABLE MENTION Tricia Kaman Chagrin Falls, OH Sleeping Mother Oil Based Media $1,500 |
“This artist conveys an impressionistic use of color and brushwork. She was very successful at combining all that was going on around the subject but still kept your focus on the figure.”
– Juror, Carolyn E. Lewis |
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Featured Artists:
| Lance Apple of Copley, OH
Dennis Balogh of Broadview Heights, OH Janet Baran of Medina, OH Kayla Billings of Akron, OH Anita Burgess of Akron, OH Lou Camerato of Akron, OH April Cameron of Akron, OH Jody Crow of Cuyahoga Falls, OH Laura Delaney of Stow, OH Patrick Dougherty of Akron, OH Mauricio Echeverri of Northfield, OH Ann Emmitt of Tallmadge, OH Wendy Freedman of Akron, OH Judy Gaiser of Kent, OH Debra Gangale of Youngstown, OH Leila Griffiths of Stow, OH Carol Hapanowicz of Sagamore Hills, OH Olena Harpster of North Olmsted, OH Mike Hart of Cuyahoga Falls, OH Jack Hickson of Barberton, OH Barbara Himes of Akron, OH Sue Holick-Bade of Parma, OH Mary Lou Holly of Kent, OH Mary Hoot of Cuyahoga Falls, OH Bryan Howdyshell of Akron, OH Linda Hutchinson of Kent, OH Jim Jones of Akron, OH Tricia Kaman of Chagrin Falls, OH Sherry Kazantzis of New Franklin, OH |
Carol Klemencic of Hudson, OH
Carol Klingel of Lodi, OH Therese Kramer of Medina, OH David Lesniewski of Copley, OH Jack Liberman of Akron, OH Marcia Mandala of Silver Lake, OH Kelly Matthews of Wauseon, OH Ruth Matthews of Wauseon, OH Tom Mayer of Mogadore, OH Alexandria McDonald of Cuyahoga Falls, OH Mo Mosyjowski of Akron, OH James Racchi of Strongsville, OH Brad Rice of Lodi, OH Haley Schott of Munroe Falls, OH Brian R. Shellito of Akron, OH Stephanie Sibits of Broadview Heights, OH William L. Smith of Stow, OH Marie Steele of Fairlawn, OH Carol J. Stevens of Medina, OH Katherine Stokes-Shafer of Strongsville, OH Jacqui Sukie of Akron, OH Patricia Tilk of Medina, OH Carol Tomasik of Norton, OH Nancy Rowe Trube of Macedonia, OH Jana Volkmer of Hudson, OH Keith Wisdom of Cuyahoga Falls, OH Pollock Youngpole of Akron, OH Johanna Yurak of Hudson, OH |
Accepted Submissions:
Accepted Submission List: 2025 Figurative Exhibit – Accepted Submissions – PDF
| Full Name | City, State | Title | Category | Price |
| Lance Apple | Copley, OH | Salud | Photographic Media | $100 |
| Dennis Balogh | Broadview Heights, OH | Crosswalk | Watercolor Media | $425 |
| Dennis Balogh | Broadview Heights, OH | Into the Water | Watercolor Media | $425 |
| Janet Baran | Medina, OH | My Great Aunt at Her Cottage | Dry Media | NFS |
| Kayla Billings | Akron, OH | Year of the Snake | Dry Media | $250 |
| Kayla Billings | Akron, OH | Big Stretch | Dry Media | $100 |
| Anita Burgess | Akron, OH | Party Animal | 3 Dimensional Media | NFS |
| Lou Camerato | Akron, OH | Tabernacle | 3 Dimensional Media | NFS |
| April Cameron | Akron, OH | Two Women | Water Based Media | $425 |
| April Cameron | Akron, OH | Londonderry | Water Based Media | $300 |
| Jody Crow | Cuyahoga Falls, OH | Keith | Oil Based Media | $150 |
| Laura Delaney | Stow, OH | The Silent Wound of a Complacent Bard | Mixed Media | $60 |
| Patrick Dougherty | Akron, OH | Girl in Orange | Mixed Media | $300 |
| Mauricio Echeverri | Northfield, OH | Sarah K | Oil Based Media | $600 |
| Ann Emmitt | Tallmadge, OH | The White Dress | Dry Media | $500 |
| Ann Emmitt | Tallmadge, OH | Emily | Dry Media | $500 |
| Wendy Freedman | Akron, OH | Wanda | 3 Dimensional Media | NFS |
| Wendy Freedman | Akron, OH | Sisterhood in Wonderland | Oil Based Media | NFS |
| Judy Gaiser | Kent, OH | Friday Model | Oil Based Media | $575 |
| Debra Gangale | Youngstown, OH | Presence | Oil Based Media | $1,750 |
| Debra Gangale | Youngstown, OH | Wonder | Oil Based Media | $750 |
| Leila Griffiths | Stow, OH | Oh Deer | 3 Dimensional Media | $800 |
| Carol Hapanowicz | Sagamore Hills, OH | Nude in Grey | Mixed Media | $195 |
| Olena Harpster | North Olmsted, OH | Girl in Sunlight | Dry Media | $500 |
| Olena Harpster | North Olmsted, OH | aDORable | Mixed Media | NFS |
| Mike Hart | Cuyahoga Falls, OH | Dovey | 3 Dimensional Media | NFS |
| Mike Hart | Cuyahoga Falls, OH | Twiggy | 3 Dimensional Media | NFS |
| Jack Hickson | Barberton, OH | Patience | Watercolor Media | NFS |
| Barbara Himes | Akron, OH | Friday Girl | Dry Media | $250 |
| Barbara Himes | Akron, OH | And So It Begins | Oil Based Media | $600 |
| Sue Holick-Bade | Parma, OH | Capturing Myself | Photographic Media | NFS |
| Sue Holick-Bade | Parma, OH | A Different Kind of Selfie | Photographic Media | $85 |
| Mary Lou Holly | Kent, OH | Keith | Dry Media | NFS |
| Mary Lou Holly | Kent, OH | Toad’s Adventure in the Lake District | Mixed Media | $400 |
| Mary Hoot | Cuyahoga Falls, OH | Lionfish | Oil Based Media | $500 |
| Bryan Howdyshell | Akron, OH | Hunting in Snow | Photographic Media | $60 |
| Linda Hutchinson | Kent, OH | Wednesday Night | Dry Media | $750 |
| Jim Jones | Akron, OH | Finial | Water Based Media | $1,780 |
| Jim Jones | Akron, OH | Kiss | Water Based Media | $1,116 |
| Tricia Kaman | Chagrin Falls, OH | Isla in Red Ao Dai | Oil Based Media | $3,200 |
| Tricia Kaman | Chagrin Falls, OH | Sleeping Mother | Oil Based Media | $1,500 |
| Sherry Kazantzis | New Franklin, OH | Old Man and Dog | Water Based Media | $300 |
| Carol Klemencic | Hudson, OH | Grumpy Face Puppy | Oil Based Media | NFS |
| Carol Klingel | Lodi, OH | A Place For Grief | Oil Based Media | $550 |
| Therese Kramer | Medina, OH | Needs a Home | Water Based Media | $350 |
| Therese Kramer | Medina, OH | Found a Home | Water Based Media | $350 |
| David Lesniewski | Copley, OH | Ferris Von Dent | 3 Dimensional Media | NFS |
| David Lesniewski | Copley, OH | Fe-Can-Opic | 3 Dimensional Media | NFS |
| Jack Liberman | Akron, OH | Hand of Famous Model | Dry Media | NFS |
| Jack Liberman | Akron, OH | Asian Woman | Oil Based Media | $1,600 |
| Marcia Mandala | Silver Lake, OH | Elizabeth | Dry Media | $150 |
| Kelly Matthews | Wauseon, OH | Rainbow Reflection | Photographic Media | $150 |
| Kelly Matthews | Wauseon, OH | Of the Corn | Photographic Media | $150 |
| Ruth Matthews | Wauseon, OH | The Moment After | Dry Media | $900 |
| Ruth Matthews | Wauseon, OH | Woman in Fur | Oil Based Media | $400 |
| Tom Mayer | Mogadore, OH | Ecuadorian Shaman | Watercolor Media | $500 |
| Alexandria McDonald | Cuyahoga Falls, OH | In the Cabinet | Mixed Media | NFS |
| Mo Mosyjowski | Akron, OH | Icarus | Mixed Media | NFS |
| James Racchi | Strongsville, OH | Stadium of Statues, Athlete | Watercolor Media | $680 |
| Brad Rice | Lodi, OH | Black Elk | Water Based Media | $5,000 |
| Haley Schott | Munroe Falls, OH | Tangent | Dry Media | $375 |
| Haley Schott | Munroe Falls, OH | Oblique | Watercolor Media | $375 |
| Brian R. Shellito | Akron, OH | Skeletal Study | Oil Based Media | $400 |
| Stephanie Sibits | Broadview Heights, OH | Down Came a Black Bird | Water Based Media | $325 |
| William L. Smith | Stow, OH | Old Sage | Dry Media | $120 |
| Marie Steele | Fairlawn, OH | Contemplation | Oil Based Media | NFS |
| Marie Steele | Fairlawn, OH | Untitled | Dry Media | NFS |
| Carol J. Stevens | Medina, OH | Queen Tut | Watercolor Media | NFS |
| Carol J. Stevens | Medina, OH | Scheherazade | Watercolor Media | $1,000 |
| Katherine Stokes-Shafer | Strongsville, OH | Reflections | Mixed Media | $350 |
| Jacqui Sukie | Akron, OH | Friends Who Let Me Take Their Picture | Photographic Media | $145 |
| Patricia Tilk | Medina, OH | Susie | Dry Media | $624 |
| Carol Tomasik | Norton, OH | Smitten | Dry Media | $1,350 |
| Carol Tomasik | Norton, OH | Metro Sauvage | 3 Dimensional Media | $525 |
| Nancy Rowe Trube | Macedonia, OH | Facetime | Oil Based Media | NFS |
| Jana Volkmer | Hudson, OH | Assessing the Reviews | Oil Based Media | NFS |
| Jana Volkmer | Hudson, OH | Punk Rock | Dry Media | $550 |
| Keith Wisdom | Cuyahoga Falls, OH | Flint | Mixed Media | $1,000 |
| Pollock Youngpole | Akron, OH | Eye | Photographic Media | NFS |
| Pollock Youngpole | Akron, OH | Threshold of Connection | Water Based Media | NFS |
| Johanna Yurak | Hudson, OH | José | Watercolor Media | NFS |