Details
Start Date
Tue, June 9, 2026 @ 10:00 AM
End Date
Thu, July 23, 2026 @ 3:00 PM
Location
The Cuyahoga Valley Art Center
EXHIBIT: FLORAL & LANDSCAPE EXHIBITION
On Display: June 9- July 23, 2026
LOCATION: CUYAHOGA VALLEY ART CENTER – GALLERY
The Cuyahoga Valley Art Center proudly presents its Floral & Landscape Exhibition, a vibrant juried showcase celebrating the beauty of nature through the eyes of our practicing artist community. Featuring works in a wide array of mediums, this exhibition highlights lush florals, sweeping landscapes, tranquil seascapes, and dramatic skylines—ranging from realistic depictions to bold, abstract interpretations. Admission is free and open to the public.
Gallery Hours:
Mon–Tue 10–3 PM | Wed 3–8 PM | Thu–Fri 10–3 PM | Sat 10–2 PM
A juror has selected the exhibition’s featured works and chosen award recipients for First, Second, and Third Place, as well as Honorable Mentions. Visitors are also invited to participate in the People’s Choice Award by casting a vote for the artwork that resonates most deeply with them. The People’s Choice winner will be announced during the Artist Reception on Friday, July 10, from 5:30–7:00 PM.
This celebratory reception welcomes guests to meet the artists, enjoy refreshments and hors d’oeuvres, and purchase original artworks. Admission is free, and all are invited to join us in honoring the creativity, talent, and expressive interpretations that fill this beautiful exhibition.
Marketing Image Credit: Rob Crombie, Blossoms, Oil-Based Media
This year’s Floral & Landscape Exhibition is supported in part by Gallery of Framing, LLC
Gallery of Framing, LLC is located in the beautiful, quaint plaza, Merchants’ Square, across the street from Summit Mall at 139 Ghent Rd. in Fairlawn, Ohio 44333. They specialize in framing that not only accents the beauty of the artwork but, protects it as well. In addition to traditional frames, they also provide specialize in custom matting, fine hardwoods, and hand-colored French matting. For more valuable pieces, select preservation framing. The top-quality products and framing methods used in this technique are the same that museums use to frame the classics. At the Gallery of Framing, one can rest assured that their art will be framed by the most qualified professionals.
Follow this link to learn more: Gallery of Framing, LLC
Juror: Kaleigh Pisani is Curator of Collections and Registrar at the Canton Museum of Art, where she develops exhibitions, manages the museum’s permanent collection, and works closely with contemporary artists, collectors, and lenders. She has organized numerous exhibitions spanning a wide range of media and artistic practices and regularly evaluates artwork for exhibition, acquisition, and collection stewardship. Kaleigh holds a B.A. in Art History and an M.A. in Museum Studies from Kent State University. Her curatorial work is driven by a commitment to thoughtful scholarship, artistic excellence, and expanding opportunities for diverse artistic voices and perspectives.
Featured Artists:
| Kelsey Balnave of Akron, OH | Scott Lukens of Wadsworth, OH |
| Michael Barath of Canton, OH | Norman Mallard of Akron, OH |
| Jeanette Bill-Cole of Brecksville, OH | Tom Mayer of Mogadore, OH |
| Linda Brown of Hudson, OH | Sharon Frank Mazgaj of Uniontown, OH |
| Anita Burgess of Akron, OH | Dennis McCabe of Richfield, OH |
| Lou Camerato of Akron, OH | Susan McKay of Akron, OH |
| April Cameron of Akron, OH | Susan Mencini of Cuyahoga Falls, OH |
| Jessica Corrigan of Akron, OH | Macy Mills-Proctor of Cuyahoga Falls, OH |
| Robert Crombie of Twinsburg, OH | Noreen Molek of Columbia Station, OH |
| Kathryn Elias of Chippewa Lake, OH | Brad Nellis of Twinsburg, OH |
| Kelly Ellinger of Cuyahoga Falls, OH | Susan M. Nelson of Chagrin Falls, OH |
| George Erwin of New Franklin, OH | Sharon Newhouse of Akron, OH |
| Indi Farrakhan of Akron, OH | Jeff Newhouse of Akron, OH |
| Lynne Fruscella of Strongsville, OH | Robert Palinkas of Avon Lake, OH |
| Emily Gibbs of Cleveland, OH | Bob Pozarski of Akron, OH |
| Nancy Giermann of Akron, OH | Robert J. Putka of Cuyahoga Falls, OH |
| Care Hanson of Stow, OH | Joel Rogers of Hudson, OH |
| Olena Harpster of North Olmstead, OH | John Sharp of Akron, OH |
| Jan Hasselbusch of Middleburg Hts., OH | Sheryl Sheatzley of Stow, OH |
| Wendy Hess of Akron, OH | Brian R. Shellito of Akron, OH |
| Mary Louise Holly of Kent, OH | Jacqui Sukie of Akron, OH |
| Linda Hutchinson of Kent, OH | Linda L. Terry of Ravenna, OH |
| Jackie Jeromin of Chagrin Falls, OH | Donerae Testa of Seville, OH |
| Jim Jones of Akron, OH | Richard Ulanowski of Stow, OH |
| Nick Kapas of Akron, OH | Dale Warren of New Franklin, OH |
| Carol Klingel of Wadsworth, OH | Mary White of Akron, OH |
| Leah Kolesar of Cuyahoga Falls, OH | Mary Jo Worthington of Munroe Falls, OH |
| James W. Leslie of Akron, OH | Pollock Youngpole of Akron, OH |
| Leda Lisk of Cuyahoga Falls, OH | Joelle Diane Zellman of Fairlawn, OH |
| Alexis Lower of Cuyahoga Falls, OH | Deb Zemanek of Akron, OH |
Juror Awards:
| HONORABLE MENTION
Kelsey Balnave |
 “This colored pencil piece stands out as a highly deserving honorable mention because it reinterprets the traditional themes of florals and landscapes. It captures an intimate, aerial look at the water with the inclusion of dangling feet above it, suggesting human impact on the natural environment. The intricate linework adeptly captures the layers of the water, with bubbles, reflections, and floating sticks on top, and leaves and rocks below. The shoes, socks, and jeans of the anonymous people dangling their legs above the water are captured with startling realism. The immense patience required to layer and blend colored pencils to create such a complex scene speaks to the talent of the artist and earns its place as an honorable mention.”
– Juror, Kaleigh Pisani-Paige |
| HONORABLE MENTION
Susan M. Nelson |
 “This oil painting perfectly captures the classic spirit of a floral and landscape exhibition, balancing an impressionistic depiction of nature with the cozy homes that are almost consumed by it. The winding path through the flowers leads the viewer’s eye deeper into the landscape. The thick, visible brushstrokes give the scene physical dimension and movement, including all the areas of dappled light so loved by the Impressionist painters. And like them, this work gives us an impression of a scene — one that is vibrant, welcoming, and skillfully employed.”
– Juror, Kaleigh Pisani-Paige
|
| THIRD PLACE
Kathryn Elias |
 “Third place was awarded to this landscape of wildflowers for its skilled use of a layered multi-medium approach. Through a combination of watercolor, pastel, and ink, the artist captured the beauty of the wildflowers with a bold, illustrative style. Rather than utilizing the traditional, distant landscape view with a foreground, middle ground, and background, the artist used a modern perspective where the viewer is inside of the garden and immersed in it, shrunk down right alongside the flowers. The resulting composition feels less like a depiction of a garden and more like an immersive experience inside of it. The high contrast of deep, near-black shadows alongside the colorful foliage make the flowers pop with high drama and simulates intense sunlight, a sophisticated use of negative space to allow the intense flowers some breathing room. This work is impactful, assertive, and unapologetic, earning its spot as third place.”
– Juror, Kaleigh Pisani-Paige |
| SECOND PLACE
Dale Warren |
 “Second place was awarded to this nighttime waterscape for its skill in depicting light, mood, and narrative. There’s a technical proficiency in the reflections on the water’s surface and on the large boat’s sails that isn’t easy to accomplish, especially with the reflections coming from multiple sources. The atmosphere and mood are amplified, with a skillful balance of cool blues and warm oranges and yellows. The large boat towering over the water and extending into the sky makes the work feel cinematic, immersing the viewer. The small rowboat in the foreground pulls us into the scene and has us creating our own story about what will happen next. The painting succeeds in transporting the viewer by combining strong craftsmanship with an imaginative sense of wonder.”
– Juror, Kaleigh Pisani-Paige |
| FIRST PLACE
Carol Klingel |
 “First place was awarded to this work for its success in transforming an everyday, familiar object into something ethereal. With a close-up perspective that fills the entire frame, the artist embraces the flaws and imperfections of this cabbage while giving it a monumental presence. The style seen here and fresh perspective on a familiar object recalls the iconic magnified flowers of Georgia O’Keeffe, yet remains original with its dreamlike whimsy. Particularly eye-catching is the artist’s adept handling of light in layers of blue, violet, and green, which create the sense of a radiating glow. The artist skillfully blends realism and abstraction, creating an emotional impact that makes the painting memorable.”
– Juror, Kaleigh Pisani-Paige |
Accepted Submissions: (PDF Accepted Submissions)
| NAME | CITY, STATE | TITLE | MEDIA | PRICE |
| Kelsey Balnave | Akron, OH | Blue Space | Dry Media | NFS |
| Michael Barath | Canton, OH | Sippo | Photographic Media | $325 |
| Jeanette Bill-Cole | Brecksville, OH | Begonias #1 | Watercolor Media | NFS |
| Linda Brown | Hudson, OH | Autumn Hydrangea | Watercolor Media | $150 |
| Anita Burgess | Akron, OH | God’s Eye | Photographic Media | $100 |
| Lou Camerato | Akron, OH | Desert Mirage | 3-Dimensional Media | NFS |
| April Cameron | Akron, OH | Up the Allegheny | Water Based Media | NFS |
| Jessica Corrigan | Akron, OH | Deep Green Summer | Watercolor Media | $1,150 |
| Robert Crombie | Twinsburg, OH | Backlit Blossoms | Oil Based Media | $1,450 |
| Kathryn Elias | Chippewa Lake, OH | Pansies | Water Based Media | $2,000 |
| Kathryn Elias | Chippewa Lake, OH | Wild Flowers | Mixed Media | $700 |
| Kelly Ellinger | Cuyahoga Falls, OH | Sunrise on Kendall Lake | Dry Media | $300 |
| Kelly Ellinger | Cuyahoga Falls, OH | Sapphire Dawn | Dry Media | $400 |
| George Erwin | New Franklin, OH | Iris Maze | Water Based Media | $190 |
| Indi Farrakhan | Akron, OH | Plantasia (Robot 1) | Mixed Media | NFS |
| Lynne Fruscella | Strongsville, OH | Gardenview | Dry Based Media | $200 |
| Emily Gibbs | Cleveland, OH | Knives Create Pedals | 3-Dimensional Media | $50 |
| Nancy Giermann | Akron, OH | A Long Way to Go | Watercolor Media | NFS |
| Care Hanson | Stow, OH | Step Out of the Comfort Zone | Water Based Media | $400 |
| Olena Harpster | North Olmstead, OH | From the Paint of a Favorite Master | Dry Media | $500 |
| Jan Hasselbusch | Middleburg Hts, OH | Backroads and Daydreams | Mixed Media | NFS |
| Wendy Hess | Akron, OH | Coming in Hot (Bee & Lobelia) | Photographic Media | $30 |
| Mary Louise Holly | Kent, OH | Exploring Nature’s Sandscape (Oceanside, CA) | Photographic Media | $260 |
| Mary Louise Holly | Kent, OH | Peace inside the Mountain (Lake District) | Photographic Media | $220 |
| Linda Hutchinson | Kent, OH | Tulip Pair | Watercolor Media | $335 |
| Linda Hutchinson | Kent, OH | Zinnia Pair | Watercolor Media | $335 |
| Jackie Jeromin | Chagrin Falls, OH | Supreme Sultan of Willott | Oil Based Media | $250 |
| Jim Jones | Akron, OH | Deborah | Water Based Media | $2,300 |
| Jim Jones | Akron, OH | Bill | Water Based Media | $1,284 |
| Nick Kapas | Akron, OH | Roses Among Ruins | Photographic Media | $400 |
| Carol Klingel | Wadsworth, OH | Holy Work | Oil Based Media | $775 |
| Carol Klingel | Wadsworth, OH | One Way to Pray | Oil Based Media | $975 |
| Leah Kolesar | Cuyahoga Falls, OH | Portland Rose | 3-Dimensional Media | $600 |
| Leah Kolesar | Cuyahoga Falls, OH | Niagara Falls | 3-Dimensional Media | $600 |
| James W. Leslie | Akron, OH | Sundance Morning | Oil Based Media | $1,100 |
| James W. Leslie | Akron, OH | Good Day Tuesday | Oil Based Media | $1,100 |
| Leda Lisk | Cuyahoga Falls, OH | Globe Thistle Over Sunlit Ground | Watercolor Media | $950 |
| Alexis Lower | Cuyahoga Falls, OH | Upper Falls | Photographic Media | $300 |
| Scott Lukens | Wadsworth, OH | Spring | Watercolor Media | $175 |
| Scott Lukens | Wadsworth, OH | Garden Path | Watercolor Media | $150 |
| Norman Mallard | Akron, OH | Beautiful Universe | Mixed Media | $250 |
| Tom Mayer | Mogadore, OH | Luminous | Watercolor Media | $250 |
| Sharon Frank Mazgaj | Uniontown, OH | Peonies in Mason Jar | Watercolor Media | $325 |
| Dennis McCabe | Richfield, OH | Howl at the Moon | Water Based Media | $380 |
| Susan McKay | Akron, OH | Surprise! Spring | Oil Based Media | $800 |
| Susan Mencini | Cuyahoga Falls, OH | Always Winter, Never Christmas | Water Based Media | $500 |
| Macy Mills-Proctor | Cuyahoga Falls, OH | Yellow Hibiscus | Dry Media | NFS |
| Macy Mills-Proctor | Cuyahoga Falls, OH | Pink and Purple Phlox | Dry Media | NFS |
| Noreen Molek | Columbia Station, OH | We are Going to the Moon | Dry Media | $250 |
| Brad Nellis | Twinsburg, OH | Brandywine Falls – Raging | Photographic Media | $149 |
| Brad Nellis | Twinsburg, OH | Summer Morning at Quarry Rock | Photographic Media | $149 |
| Susan M. Nelson | Chagrin Falls, OH | Village from the Hill | Oil Based Media | $400 |
| Sharon Newhouse | Akron, OH | The Calm I Need | Water Based Media | $125 |
| Jeff Newhouse | Akron, OH | Red Cedar Grand Canyon | Photographic Media | $175 |
| Robert Palinkas | Avon Lake, OH | Dunguaire Castle | Photographic Media | $250 |
| Bob Pozarski | Akron, OH | Waiting for Dahlias | 3-Dimensional Media | $750 |
| Bob Pozarski | Akron, OH | Grapevine Vase | 3-Dimensional Media | $225 |
| Robert J. Putka | Cuyahoga Falls, OH | A Garden Portrait: Hibiscus and Baby’s Breath | Water Based Media | $1,495 |
| Joel Rogers | Hudson, OH | Tiger Lilly | Water Based Media | $650 |
| John Sharp | Akron, OH | Autumn #4 | Water Based Media | $150 |
| John Sharp | Akron, OH | Autumn #5 | Water Based Media | $125 |
| Sheryl Sheatzley | Stow, OH | Sleeping Bear Dunes | Water Based Media | NFS |
| Brian R. Shellito | Akron, OH | Kelleys Island Dock | Oil Based Media | $300 |
| Jacqui Sukie | Akron, OH | Nocturne Du Bloom | Photographic Media | $135 |
| Linda L. Terry | Ravenna, OH | Great Blue Heron in Flight | Dry Media | $300 |
| Donerae Testa | Seville, OH | In the Forest I Dreamed | Water Based Media | $200 |
| Richard Ulanowski | Stow, OH | Sunrise Thru a Tree at Cade’s Cove | Photographic Media | $400 |
| Richard Ulanowski | Stow, OH | Sunset at the Shoreline at Acadia National Park | Photographic Media | $400 |
| Dale Warren | New Franklin, OH | Tall Ship Exiting Harbor on Moonlit Night | Water Based Media | $800 |
| Mary White | Akron, OH | Passion Entwined | Oil Based Media | $2,700 |
| Mary Jo Worthington | Munroe Falls, OH | Sailboat Seascape | Water Based Media | $250 |
| Pollock Youngpole | Akron, OH | Autumn Spring | Photographic Media | NFS |
| Joelle Diane Zellman | Fairlawn, OH | Ethogram: Override | Photographic Media | $700 |
| Joelle Diane Zellman | Fairlawn, OH | Hand Inside U (Pink) | Photographic Media | $350 |
| Deb Zemanek | Akron, OH | Cooper the Hawk | 3-Dimensional Media | NFS |
| Deb Zemanek | Akron, OH | Drowsy and Party Screech | 3-Dimensional Media | NFS |