Details

Start Date Tue, July 29, 2025 @ 10:00 AM
End Date Thu, September 4, 2025 @ 3:00 PM
Location The Cuyahoga Valley Art Center

EXHIBIT: 40th Annual Juried Exhibition

DATES: July 29 – September 4, 2025

LOCATION: CUYAHOGA VALLEY ART CENTER – MAIN GALLERY


Cuyahoga Valley Art Center (CVAC) is proud to present its 40th Annual Juried Exhibition, a prestigious celebration of local artistic excellence, on display from July 29 to September 4, 2025. This highly anticipated exhibit features the impressive skills of local artists across seven unique categories: Watercolor Media, Water-Based Media, Oil-Based Media, Dry Media, Mixed Media, 3-Dimensional Media, and Photographic Media. With over $1,000 in prizes available, this exhibition is a testament to the creativity and skill within our vibrant art community.

A juror selects standout works for display, awarding a $100 Best of Category prize and honorable mentions in each category to celebrate artistic excellence. In addition to the juror’s selections, we invite our visitors to participate in the People’s Choice Awards. Each visitor can cast their vote for the pieces that inspire or resonate with them, lending a democratic touch to the exhibition. Voting is free and runs throughout the exhibit, with People’s Choice winners announced at the Artists’ Reception.

Join us for a celebratory Artists Reception on August 22, 2025, from 5:30 – 7 pm, where we will announce the People’s Choice winners and honor all award recipients. This free event is open to the public and provides the perfect opportunity to meet the artists, enjoy refreshments, and perhaps even take home an inspiring piece of art

“We are thrilled to showcase the immense depth of skills the practicing visual artist community has to share with us,” says Danielle Dieterich, Executive Director of CVAC. “It’s a wonderful opportunity to celebrate so many local artists.”

Don’t miss this opportunity to experience captivating artwork and connect directly with the artists. The 40th Annual Juried Exhibition at CVAC is a tribute to the artistic excellence within our practicing artist community.


Ribbon Cutting Celebration – August 22, 2025 | Mural Unveiling

Celebrate the unveiling of Pantone of the Cuyahoga River on Friday, August 22 at 4:45 PM with a special Ribbon Cutting Ceremony, a reception to immediately follow in line with the Juried Exhibition Artist Reception from 5:00–7:00 PM. Join muralist Derek Brennan, CVAC staff, and community members as we mark the completion of this impactful public art project. Enjoy light refreshments, meet the artist, and view our concurrent exhibition in the gallery. This event is free and open to the public—come be part of this memorable moment in CVAC’s history!


Image Credit: Robert J. Putka, Perovskia, Hydrangea, and Penstemon, Water Based Media


Juror: Robert J. Putka

Robert J. Putka received a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Art Education from Kent State University in 1975, and taught art and theatre in the Stow and Munroe Falls School District for 46 years. Always an active artist in a wide range of media, he has since taken up the brush with a passion after retiring from teaching in 2021, painting landscapes, gardenscapes, and flowers earning him awards and honors in numerous juried shows in northeast Ohio and beyond. He is a member of Artists of the Rubber City, Akron Society of Artists, The Artists Archives of the Western Reserve, and the Second Sunday Artists Collective. His works are in a variety of private collections, as well as the Ford Hospitals Collection in Detroit.

JUROR STATEMENT 

I was deeply impressed with the depth and range of all the entries to this year’s CVAC annual juried show. Kudos to all of you who gave it their all and entered their work to be juried. None of you made it easy. The act of jurying is a completely humbling experience. The best and most desirable outcome for a show would be to allow everyone’s artistic voice to be heard and seen. But regrettably, I was pressed with limited display space, so hard decisions and limits needed to made. So, in that light, I hoped and worked to build a show that presents the widest range of artistic endeavors coupled with the very best of the best. Congratulations and love to all entrants on your vision, hard work, and courage as artists. – Juror, Robert Putka 


Featured Artists: PDF Accepted List

Memphis Bailey of Green, OH Carol Klingel of Wadsworth, OH
Tom Baldwin of Akron, OH Clara Krohn of Akron, OH
Dennis Balogh of Broadview Heights, OH Susan Lash of Chagrin Falls, OH
Janet Baran of Medina, OH James W. Leslie of Akron, OH
Donna Kensel Bargar of Strongsville, OH Carolyn E. Lewis of Cuyahoga Falls, OH
Margaret Berrodin of Akron, OH Jack Liberman of Akron, OH
John Blazy of Parma, OH Kelly Matthews of Wauseon, OH
Justin Brewbaker of Clinton, OH Ruth Matthews of Wauseon, OH
Linda Brown of Hudson, OH Alexandria McDonald of Cuyahoga Falls, OH
Anita Burgess of Akron, OH Leo Miller of Ravenna, OH
Debrah Butler of Kent, OH Noreen Molek of Columbia Station, OH
Lou Camerato of Akron, OH Bonnie J. Morris of Uniontown, OH
April Cameron of Akron, OH Mo Mosyjowski of Akron, OH
M.H. Phillip Chiang M.D. of Chesterland, OH Jeff Newhouse of Akron, OH
Pat Coffland of Kent, OH Marina Neyman of Solon, OH
Therese Cook of Malvern, OH Robert Nicoll of North Canton, OH
Rob Crombie of Twinsburg, OH Robert Palinkas of Avon Lake, OH
Jody Crow of Cuyahoga Falls, OH Joel Rogers of Hudson, OH
Renata Deluca of Akron, OH Marcus Schafer of Lyndhurst, OH
Jeanne L. Fashempour of Medina, OH Julie Sheil of University Heights, OH
Darryl Finney of Cuyahoga Falls, OH William Smith of Stow, OH
Kathleen Fleming of Moreland Hills, OH Craig Staufer of Medina, OH
Wendy Freedman of Bath, OH Marie Steele of Fairlawn, OH
Annie Fry of Akron, OH Carol J. Stevens of Medina, OH
Brandon Gleisinger of Cuyahoga Falls, OH Denny Stoiber of Silver Lake, OH
Robert Goldthwaite of Kent, OH Michael A. Taylor of Clinton, OH
Care Hanson of Stow, OH Nancy Rowe Trube of Macedonia, OH
Olena Harpster of North Olmsted, OH Jana Volkmer of Hudson, OH
Audrey Heller of Massillon, OH Gwen Waight of Peninsula, OH
Wendy Hess of Akron, OH Mary White of Akron, OH
Sally S. Heston of Broadview Heights, OH Ricky L. Williams of Medina, OH
Barbara Himes of Akron, OH Helen Wilson of Akron, OH
Bryan Howdyshell of Akron, OH Steven Windham of New Franklin, OH
Kevin Paul Hudak of Kent, OH Keith Wisdom of Cuyahoga Falls, OH
Yvonne Jackson of Canton, OH Kellie Wolke of Cuyahoga Falls, OH
Tricia Kaman of Chagrin Falls, OH Mary Jo Worthington of Munroe Falls, OH
Nora Keenan of Cleveland, OH Pollock Youngpole of Akron, OH
Rosanne Keillor of Ravenna, OH Deb Zemanek of Akron, OH

Awards: PDF List of Award Winners

WATERCOLOR MEDIA    
HONORABLE MENTION
Keith Wisdom
Cuyahoga Falls, OH
Ancestor
Watercolor Media
$1,000
Ancestor is truly a visual delight, filled with luscious jewel-like color and glittering detail, balanced by the solid and intense blue ground. Keith Wisdom gives the viewer a treat with that quick outward glance of the subject pulling the viewer’s eye immediately into that beautiful face.” – Juror, Robert Putka
HONORABLE MENTION
Denny Stoiber
Silver Lake, OH
Warm Enough for Ice Cream
Watercolor Media
$250
Warm Enough for Ice Cream is a treat for the eyes and warm summer days. Carefully but briefly rendered in watercolor, this charming painting speaks to the viewer of the fleeting nature of summer, the joys of painting, and the momentary relief that an ice cream cone bring on a hot summer day with friends and family.” – Juror, Robert Putka
BEST OF CATEGORY
Bonnie J. Morris
Uniontown, OH
Rocks
Watercolor Media
$150
“As a child, or even as an adult, did you ever spend hours on end exploring the world directly under your feet?  In Bonnie Morris’s watercolor Rocks, the artist presents an environment filled with nature’s refuse; pebbles, twigs and leaves, true gems in the eye of a gifted artist. Here we have a lovely composition that allows the viewer’s eye to wander through the painting to discover the beautifully rendered textures, subtle colors and gentle time worn forms.” – Juror, Robert Putka
WATER-BASED MEDIA    
HONORABLE MENTION
Dennis Balogh
Broadview Heights, OH
John Lee Hooker
Water-Based Media
$750
“In Dennis Balogh’s beautifully sensitive and personal portrait, John Lee Hooker, the artist uses his paint loosely and sparingly with such a brevity that belies a masterful hand and control. In this portrait, Balogh remarkably allows the viewer to truly know this man’s humanity, history, and personality.” – Juror, Robert Putka
HONORABLE MENTION
Mary Jo Worthington
Munroe Falls, OH
Textured Waterscape – Bugs
Water-Based Media
$400
“With the use of cool and inviting color, Mary Jo Worthington draws the viewer in without haste, to delight with underlying subtle textures, random patterns and rhythms maximizing movement through the piece. Textured Waterscape-Bugs is an upbeat, and immediate fresh take on the genre of waterscape.” – Juror, Robert Putka
BEST OF CATEGORY
Janet Baran
Medina, OH
Unraveling the Chaos
Water-Based Media
NFS
“Here we see a painting full of contradictions: spare and lavish, subtle and audacious, spiritual and indulgent, all working together begging the viewer to create their own narrative. I was particularly attracted to the layering of pattern on pattern both subtle and bold to set the stage for a story yet to unfold.” – Juror, Robert Putka
PHOTOGRAPHIC MEDIA    
HONORABLE MENTION
Kellie Wolke
Cuyahoga Falls, OH
Coaster, Canfield Fair
Photographic Media
$60
Coaster, Canfield Fair, takes the viewer on quite a ride, with all the ups, downs, turns, and thrills captured in this photo by the eye of Kellie Wolke. The composition, repetition, and movement keeping the viewer screaming for more.” – Juror, Robert Putka
HONORABLE MENTION
Bryan Howdyshell
Akron, OH
Lonely Commute
Photographic Media
$80
“Not only is this photo a beautifully balanced composition with a broad range of values, repetitive elements, and great textures and patterns, but Lonely Commute by Brian Howdyshell tells that time worn story of this human condition of loneliness and anonymity in our modern cell phone world.” – Juror, Robert Putka
BEST OF CATEGORY
Robert Palinkas
Avon Lake, OH
Two
Photographic Media
$375
“Beautifully composed, this photograph balances texture, color, form and shape. Despite the flatness of the focal point, there remains a depth that beckons the viewer to be an urban explorer to wander within the confines of the space. The eye of the artist found beauty in industrial decay, speaking to the impermanence of our manmade world around us.” – Juror, Robert Putka
OIL-BASED MEDIA    
HONORABLE MENTION
Margaret Berrodin
Akron, OH
Sebastian
Oil-Based Media
$1,000
Sebastian, by Margaret Berrodin, presents us with a fresh, bold, raw, in-your-face portrait of a young man just pulling himself out of the water. Kudos for a powerful well well-painted and well-composed piece.” – Juror, Robert Putka
HONORABLE MENTION
Carolyn E. Lewis
Cuyahoga Falls, OH
Morning Has Broken
Oil-Based Media
$900
“Carolyn Lewis has somehow pulled off a sleight of hand in her painting, Morning has Broken, presenting her impeccable painting skills by allowing the contrast of cool against warm to exist so sublimely in one painting. A tour de force.” – Juror, Robert Putka
BEST OF CATEGORY
Mary White
Akron, OH
Cuyahoga Sunrise
Oil-Based Media
$125
“Like a tiny jewel discovered in a small box, this oil painting, is loaded with an intensity and atmosphere that draws the eye in to be marveled. The viewer has discovered a secret and spiritual shrine dedicated to luscious, subtle colors, both dark and mysterious, and warm and bright. Truly a little gem that packs a powerful punch.” – Juror, Robert Putka
MIXED MEDIA    
HONORABLE MENTION
Alexandria McDonald
Cuyahoga Falls, OH
Epsilon
Mixed Media
NFS
“In the collage Epsilon, Alexandria McDonald creates a surreal dreamlike space from cleverly pieced and well placed elements. Full of fantastic details, this work creates a beginning, a spark (one definition of the title), that will keep the viewer returning to unravel the piece’s mysteries, or to weave stories of their own.”

– Juror, Robert Putka

HONORABLE MENTION
Helen Wilson
Akron, OH
On the Edge of Spring V
Mixed Media
$500
“Presented with such perfectly blended three dimensional elements in tandem with flat medium in this marvelous piece by artist Helen Wilson, On the Edge of Spring, V, taunts the viewer to question what is painted or three-dimensional applied materials.”

– Juror, Robert Putka

BEST OF CATEGORY
Care Hanson
Stow, OH
Just Peachy
Mixed Media
$225
Just Peachy, by Carolyn Hanson, evokes thoughts of the importance, silent power and stoicism of women in our culture. This collage pulls the viewer in with delicate filigree, finery and floral flourishes, often tied to the feminine aspect, with a soft and gentle hand, bringing the viewer to address the deeper issues about what it means to be a woman in our society. For me, “just peachy” is my response to the question, “how are you?” when it’s best to say that, than let them know how you really feel.” – Juror, Robert Putka
DRY MEDIA    
HONORABLE MENTION
Clara Krohn
Akron, OH
Falling
Dry Media
NFS
“The drawing, Falling is a masterpiece of incredible craftsmanship, composition, detail and color. This work by Clara Krohn will not disappoint the viewer, presenting a sparkling treasure trove for the eye to explore.” – Juror, Robert Putka
HONORABLE MENTION
Anita Burgess
Akron, OH
Gentle Guardians
Dry Media
NFS
“Rendered in a very direct, bold and gritty manner but yet still portraying the subjects in a gentle and sweet depiction.  Anita Burgess presents the drawing Gentle Guardians of two dogs at rest. Stylistically simple, the viewer is drawn into this poignant portrait of man’s best friend.” – Juror, Robert Putka
BEST OF CATEGORY
Noreen Molek
Columbia Station, OH
Dog And Cat in My Garden
Dry Media
$300
“This thoroughly enchanting piece may be on a smaller scale, but takes the viewer on a marvelously merry chase in a very big way, in, through, out and back in again like a trip into Alice’s Wonderland. This piece proves that art can be fun in a serious manner (and seriously fun), beautifully rendered, and continue to satisfy with a promise to present something new and delightful with each and every visit for years to come.” – Juror, Robert Putka
3-DIMENSIONAL MEDIA    
HONORABLE MENTION
Wendy Freedman
Bath, OH
A Bird on the Brain
3-Dimensional Media
NFS
A Bird on the Brain, is a charming ceramic sculpture somewhat reminiscent of the famous Margaret Keane paintings of big-eyed children. Created by Wendy Freeman, this piece is lovingly sculpted and beautifully glazed, and chock full of great detail. Meant to be experienced in the round, the viewer is in for a thought -provoking and humorous surprise.” – Juror, Robert Putka
HONORABLE MENTION
Marcus Schafer
Lyndhurst, Oh
The Temple
3-Dimensional Media
$250
“Congratulations to Marcus Schafer for his beautiful, masterfully crafted piece titled The Temple. His work displays impeccable craftsmanship, wonderful sense of composition and design, textures, rhythms and patterns.” – Juror, Robert Putka
BEST OF CATEGORY
Gwen Waight
Peninsula, Oh
Bird is the Word
3-Dimensional Media
$380
“This assemblage by is beautifully composed and balanced with lush textural elements and imagery. Constructed of found objects, vintage trims and ephemera, this elegant piece presents the viewer with little clues and hints throughout the piece, provoking a journey of discovery with questions and possible meaning and answers on so many levels.” – Juror, Robert Putka

Accepted Submissions: PDF Accepted Submission List

Full Name CITY, STATE Title Medium  Price
Memphis Bailey Green, OH Eastern Meadowlark 3-D Media  NFS
Tom Baldwin Akron, OH Thermal Search 3-D Media  NFS
Lou Camerato Akron, OH Resurrection 3-D Media  NFS
Darryl Finney Cuyahoga Falls, OH Failsafe 3-D Media  NFS
Wendy Freedman Bath, OH A Bird on the Brain 3-D Media  NFS
Audrey Heller Massillon, OH Sunlit Shelter 3-D Media  $300
Rosanne Keillor Ravenna, OH Mr. Poppy 3-D Media  $250
Rosanne Keillor Ravenna, OH Mrs. Poppy 3-D Media  $250
Leo Miller Ravenna, OH Black Ibis 3-D Media  $350
Jeff Newhouse Akron, OH Multi-color Vase 3-D Media  NFS
Jeff Newhouse Akron, OH Celadon Jar 3-D Media  NFS
Marcus Schafer Lyndhurst, OH Dark Star 3-D Media  $300
Marcus Schafer Lyndhurst, OH The Temple 3-D Media  $250
Gwen Waight Peninsula, OH Bird is the Word 3-D Media  $380
Deb Zemanek Akron, OH Barred Owl 3-D Media  NFS
Donna Kensel Bargar Strongsville, OH Rhododendrons Dry Media  $275
Anita Burgess Akron, OH Gentle Guardians Dry Media  NFS
Debrah Butler Kent, OH Nest with Grape Leaves Dry Media  $450
Annie Fry Akron, OH Marrakesh, Morocco Dry Media  $200
Olena Harpster North Olmsted, OH Forest Nymph Dry Media  $300
Clara Krohn Akron, OH Falling Dry Media  NFS
Ruth Matthews Wauseon, OH Field of Flowers Dry Media  $400
Noreen Molek Columbia Station, OH Dog and Cat in My Garden Dry Media  $300
Michael A. Taylor Clinton, OH Donna #181 Dry Media  NFS
John Blazy Parma, OH Red Burl Sea at Chameleon Mountain Mixed Media  $2,900
Therese Cook Malvern, OH Passages Mixed Media  $1,200
Jeanne L. Fashempour Medina, OH Garden Blooms Series Mixed Media  $695
Brandon Gleisinger Cuyahoga Falls, OH Number 2 Fries Mixed Media  NFS
Care Hanson Stow, OH Just Peachy Mixed Media  $225
Yvonne Jackson Canton, OH CVAC Mixed Media  $400
Alexandria McDonald Cuyahoga Falls, OH Epsilon Mixed Media  NFS
Julie Sheil University Hts., OH Changes Come Mixed Media  $350
Helen Wilson Akron, OH On the Edge of Spring V Mixed Media  $ 500
Pollock Youngpole Akron, OH A Day Fishing Mixed Media  NFS
Dennis Balogh Broadview Hts., OH Untitled Oil-Based Media  $525
Margaret Berrodin Akron, OH Sebastian Oil-Based Media  $1,000
Rob Crombie Twinsburg, OH Favorite Time of Day Oil-Based Media  $1,400
Jody Crow Cuyahoga Falls, OH Cousins at the Beach Oil-Based Media  $756
Renata Deluca Akron, OH Le Gondolieri Oil-Based Media  $250
Barbara Himes Akron, OH Hiding Oil-Based Media  $350
Kevin Paul Hudak Kent, OH In the Pink… In the Valley Oil-Based Media  $500
Tricia Kaman Chagrin Falls, OH Nikki Lopresti Oil-Based Media  $1,800
Carol Klingel Wadsworth, OH Prospero’s Bouquet Oil-Based Media  $675
James W. Leslie Akron, OH Sun-Lite Break Oil-Based Media  $825
Carolyn E. Lewis Cuyahoga Falls, OH Morning Has Broken Oil-Based Media  $900
Jack Liberman Akron, OH Italian Tastes Oil-Based Media  $3,800
Jack Liberman Akron, OH Winnie Oil-Based Media  $800
Mo Mosyjowski Akron, OH Hands Up Circa 3000 BC Oil-Based Media  $1,200
Robert Nicoll North Canton, OH Leo Oil-Based Media  NFS
Craig Staufer Medina, OH In the House Oil-Based Media  $1,900
Marie Steele Fairlawn, OH Reaching for the Sky Oil-Based Media  NFS
Carol J. Stevens Medina, OH Colonel Mustard Oil-Based Media  NFS
Nancy Rowe Trube Macedonia, OH The Garden Welcoming Oil-Based Media  NFS
Jana Volkmer Hudson, OH Watcha’ Doin – Nothing Oil-Based Media  NFS
Mary White Akron, OH Clementines Oil-Based Media  $800
Mary White Akron, OH Cuyahoga Sunrise Oil-Based Media  $125
Justin Brewbaker Clinton, OH Lowell, Arizona Photographic Media  $60
Kathleen Fleming Moreland Hills, OH After the Crossing Photographic Media  $75
Wendy Hess Akron, OH Taughannock River Rock Photographic Media  $40
Bryan Howdyshell Akron, OH Lonely Commute Photographic Media  $80
Susan Lash Chagrin Falls, OH Blue Moon Photographic Media  $375
Kelly Matthews Wauseon, OH Who’s There? Photographic Media  $150
Marina Neyman Solon, OH Radishes for Sale Photographic Media  $300
Marina Neyman Solon, OH Shy Delight Photographic Media  $350
Robert Palinkas Avon Lake, OH Two Photographic Media  $375
Kellie Wolke Cuyahoga Falls, OH Coaster, Canfield Fair Photographic Media  $60
Dennis Balogh Broadview Heights, OH John Lee Hooker Water-Based Media  $750
Janet Baran Medina, OH Unraveling the Chaos Water-Based Media  NFS
April Cameron Akron, OH Just Add Water Water-Based Media  $600
Robert Goldthwaite Kent, OH Wind Sight Water-Based Media  $500
Robert Goldthwaite Kent, OH AI Man or Machine Water-Based Media  $500
Care Hanson Stow, OH Whispers Water-Based Media  $375
Barbara Himes Akron, OH Don’t Break the Ice Water-Based Media  $400
Nora Keenan Cleveland, OH The Branches Between Water-Based Media  $1,500
Carol Klingel Wadsworth, OH Aprés Water-Based Media  $675
Joel Rogers Hudson, OH Stormy Weather Water-Based Media  $1,250
William Smith Stow, OH October Water-Based Media  NFS
Steven Windham New Franklin, OH The City Water-Based Media  $100
Mary Jo Worthington Munroe Falls, OH Textured Waterscape – Bugs Water-Based Media  $400
Memphis Bailey Green, OH River Meditations Watercolor Media  NFS
Linda Brown Hudson, OH Ohio Schoolhouse Watercolor Media  $250
Linda Brown Hudson, OH Spider Meadow Watercolor Media  $250
M.H. Phillip Chiang M.D. Chesterland, OH The Garden Entrance Watercolor Media  $375
Pat Coffland Kent, OH Tranquility Watercolor Media  $200
Sally S. Heston Broadview Hts., OH X-Rated Technician Watercolor Media  $500
Bonnie J. Morris Uniontown, OH Rocks Watercolor Media  $150
Denny Stoiber Silver Lake, OH Warm Enough for Ice Cream Watercolor Media  $250
Ricky L. Williams Medina, OH Wreath in the Door 1 Watercolor Media  $900
Ricky L. Williams Medina, OH Kipton Silos Watercolor Media  $350
Keith Wisdom Cuyahoga Falls, OH Ancestor Watercolor Media  $1,000

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