The Cuyahoga Valley Art Center presents its Membership Exhibition, from April 30 – June 6, 2024. The exhibition, free for the public to explore, showcases the diverse talents of CVAC members, featuring an array of paintings, sculptures, ceramics, and works on paper. Gallery hours Mon-Tue 10-3, Wed 1-6, Thu-Fri 10-3, & Sat 10-2.
Visitors can play a crucial role in recognizing outstanding talent through the interactive People’s Choice selection process. To participate, visitors obtain a ballot at the gallery entrance, select their favorite artworks, and drop their completed ballot in a box for a chance to influence the recipient of this special recognition.
The People’s Choice Award winner will be revealed during the Membership Exhibition’s Artist Reception on Friday, May 24th, from 5:30 to 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.
Danielle M. Dieterich, M.A., Executive Director of CVAC, emphasizes the importance of community engagement in the arts: “The People’s Choice Selection adds an exciting and participatory element to the exhibition, allowing attendees to actively contribute to the recognition of outstanding art.”
Marketing Image Credit: Tom Jackson, Strolling on Broad, Oil Based Media
C. Arthur Croyle was raised in both Akron, Ohio, and in Dorfen, Germany where his grandparents lived. His German grandfather was an artist and designer and profoundly impacted Croyle’s career path. Croyle completed a BA and BFA with an emphasis in graphic design and illustration at the University of Akron and worked at an advertising agency, an art studio, and a publishing company before completing his MFA at Indiana University. He then began a 33-year career as a college faculty member, first at Miami University of Ohio, then at Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa. During his academic career, he transitioned from teaching graphic design and illustration in the fine arts where he taught painting and drawing. Croyle was the Director of the Biological and Pre-Medical Illustration Program at Iowa State and later served as Director of the Graduate Program in the Visual Arts and Culture Department. One of his career highlights was teaching four semesters in Rome and producing watercolors and drawing that recorded the beauty of the ‘Eternal City.’ His work in graphic design illustration, abstract and representational art has been exhibited regionally, nationally, and internationally. Currently, in retirement, Croyle is the Vice President of the Akron Society of Artists and is concentrating his creative efforts on representing life and subject matter in the greater Akron area.
For more information, visit: www.grouptengallery.com/cacroyle
PHOTOGRAPHIC MEDIA: PEOPLE’S CHOICE Kelly Matthews of Wauseon, OH Graffiti Tree $95 |
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WATER BASED MEDIA: PEOPLE’S CHOICE Mary Jo Worthington of Munroe Falls, OH Farm Country 3-D $250 |
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WATERCOLOR MEDIA: PEOPLE’S CHOICE Janet Baran of Medina, OH Gray Day in Ohio NFS |
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3-DIMENSIONAL MEDIA: PEOPLE’S CHOICE Tom Baldwin of Akron, OH Palm Frond Heron NFS |
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DRY MEDIA: PEOPLE’S CHOICE Olena Harpster of North Olmsted, OH Sunny Day $350 |
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MIXED MEDIA: PEOPLE’S CHOICE Teenia Geig of Seville, OH Egret II $350 |
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OIL BASED MEDIA: PEOPLE’S CHOICE Tom Jackson of Stow, OH Country Store on Main NFS |
Juror Awards:
WATERCOLOR MEDIA: BEST OF CATEGORY Donna Kensel Bargar of Strongsville, OH Study for Leaving Home $650 |
“It’s a piece which is fastidious and fun at the same time. There are so many small details that are handled in an artistic and personally expressive way. The composition is incredibly well organized, and the artist does not shy away from dramatic value contrasts. There is real mastery evident in this piece.” – Juror, C. Arthur Croyle |
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WATERCOLOR MEDIA: Honorable Mention Jack Hickson of Barberton, OH 6:56 AM, Pawley’s Island $595 |
“The subject and setting have been done a thousand times by watercolorists, but there is a drama and a sure hand reflected in this scene. It reaches out to the viewer from across the room.” – Juror, C. Arthur Croyle |
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WATERCOLOR MEDIA: Honorable Mention Ricky L. Williams of Medina, OH Beached $700 |
“There is a real tonal touch evident in this work. There is also a sense of subject history and the handling of the medium seems perfect for the subject. While the colors seem restrained at first glance, this work is full of subtle nuances.” – Juror, C. Arthur Croyle |
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WATER-BASED MEDIA: BEST OF CATEGORY Jim Jones of Akron, OH Marybeth $1,076 |
“This simple portrait of a young girl is masterfully handled. The end result and colors are just radiant. The technique, while painstaking, yields the desired visual and emotional effect.” – Juror, C. Arthur Croyle |
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WATER–BASED MEDIA: Honorable Mention April Cameron of Akron, OH Still Life with Hair Dryer and Plastic Fruit $725 |
“It is quite rare to find a still-life where the objects become so totally animated. The expression and technique bring this array of art supplies and materials to life. The bold use of color particularly animates this composition.” – Juror, C. Arthur Croyle |
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OIL-BASED MEDIA: BEST OF CATEGORY Carol Klingel of Lodi, OH She Dreams of Flying $550 |
“Gravity-defying, whimsical composition that takes many liberties with the medium, typically associated with a heavier touch and application. The composition defies the typical weightyness that is present in so many oil works. The depictions of nature in this painting are particularly impressive.” – Juror, C. Arthur Croyle |
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OIL BASED MEDIA: Honorable Mention Rob Crombie of Twinsburg, OH Brust Park Pond $1,250 |
“This simple, natural setting radiates energy and an atmospheric bearing. Each stroke is considered, yet applied with a deft touch. Every part of this reflects that energetic force.” – Juror, C. Arthur Croyle |
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OIL BASED MEDIA: Honorable Mention Tom Jackson of Stow, OH Country Store on Main NFS |
“This intense painting almost makes the viewer’s eyes hurt. You seek refuge from the brightness and clarity in the shadows and the details therein. What a relief! What a joy!” – Juror, C. Arthur Croyle |
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DRY MEDIA: BEST OF CATEGORY Debrah Butler of Kent, OH Time is of the Essence $1,500 |
“Butler’s carefully constructed composition encompasses a wide range of emotions and symbolism. While her narrative leans on death, there is also a celebratory aspect to this. The drawing is just superb.” – Juror, C. Arthur Croyle |
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DRY MEDIA: Honorable Mention Sally Heston of Broadview Heights, OH Marsh at Sunset $500 |
“This serene, natural scene is completely resolved. From sky to water, and everything in between, all of the elements support one another. A masterful work which demonstrates how to handle a landscape and the medium.” – Juror, C. Arthur Croyle |
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MIXED MEDIA: BEST OF CATEGORY Keith Wisdom of Cuyahoga Falls, OH Bliss $800 |
“All of the triangular elements push the viewer’s eye to a face that is expressing contemplative emotion. A powerful composition that integrates a variety of organic and inorganic shapes. The use of vivid color helps solidify the overall composition.” – Juror, C. Arthur Croyle |
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MIXED MEDIA: Honorable Mention Barbara Himes of Akron, OH Outside the Lines $550 |
“An expressive painting where the artist gives the viewers just enough imagery to guide them in understanding this painting. The use of the media and color is sophisticated and subtle. People will see this piece differently. There is much breathing room in this painting.” – Juror, C. Arthur Croyle |
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3–DIMENSIONAL MEDIA: BEST OF CATEGORY Leo Miller of Ravenna, OH Heavy Water Plant Growth $350 |
“What’s not to love about this piece? The forms are numerous and playful; there is an inherent zaniness to this; and yet Miller pulled this all together in a cohesive and satisfying way.” – Juror, C. Arthur Croyle |
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3–DIMENSIONAL MEDIA: Honorable Mention Lou Camerato of Akron, OH Found $375 |
“A thoughtful, intriguing work, full of symbolism that can be elusive to the viewer. You need to dig and spend some time in front of this piece. Different interpretations will abound. A restrained, but subtle use of color throughout and so carefully constructed.” – Juror, C. Arthur Croyle |
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PHOTOGRAPHIC MEDIA: BEST OF CATEGORY Pollock Youngpole of Akron, OH Oppressed $250 |
“Youngpole’s manipulations of his photo imagery are imaginative and creative, yet he arrives at a powerful image. His techniques are largely hidden from the viewer. We don’t know how he got there, but there is a sensitivity to all parts of his final piece.” – Juror, C. Arthur Croyle |
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PHOTOGRAPHIC MEDIA: Honorable Mention Wendy Hess of Akron, OH Randyland Redux $50 |
“Wendy’s straight-ahead photo captures a vibrant and playful disarray of carnival elements. It is almost an abstraction captured in a single frame. There are many details for the thoughtful viewer to discover.” – Juror, C. Arthur Croyle |
2024 Member Exhibition Accepted Submissions
Full Name | City, State | Title | Medium | Price |
Tom Baldwin | Akron, OH | Palm Frond Heron | 3-Dimensional Media | NFS |
Lou Camerato | Akron, OH | The Arms Race | 3-Dimensional Media | $350 |
Lou Camerato | Akron, OH | Found | 3-Dimensional Media | $375 |
Beth Lindenberger | Akron, OH | Salt Fired Plate | 3-Dimensional Media | $135 |
Beth Lindenberger | Akron, OH | Leaf Bowl | 3-Dimensional Media | $85 |
Leo Miller | Ravenna, OH | Heavy Water Plant Growth | 3-Dimensional Media | $350 |
Barbara Murray | Hudson, OH | Animals | 3-Dimensional Media | NFS |
Barbara Murray | Hudson, OH | Leaves | 3-Dimensional Media | NFS |
Jeff Newhouse | Akron, OH | Chloros | 3-Dimensional Media | $110 |
Leta Urycki | Tallmadge, OH | Tree Swallow on Cattail | 3-Dimensional Media | NFS |
Deb Zemanek | Akron, OH | Black Skimmer | 3-Dimensional Media | NFS |
Kayla Billings | Akron, OH | Embrace Rhyton | Dry Media | $100 |
Debrah Butler | Kent, OH | Time is of the Essence | Dry Media | $1,500 |
Debrah Butler | Kent, OH | Josiah | Dry Media | $650 |
Olena Harpster | North Olmsted, OH | In the Morning | Dry Media | $115 |
Olena Harpster | North Olmsted, OH | Sunny Day | Dry Media | $350 |
Sally Heston | Broadview Heights, OH | Marsh at Sunset | Dry Media | $500 |
Betty Siska | Broadview Heights, OH | The Airport Van | Dry Media | $375 |
Betty Siska | Broadview Heights, OH | Nightfall | Dry Media | $425 |
Anita Burgess | Akron, OH | Morning Cup of Tea | Mixed Media | $150 |
Anita Burgess | Akron, OH | Riverfront | Mixed Media | $125 |
Teenia Geig | Seville, OH | Egret II | Mixed Media | $350 |
Barbara Himes | Akron, OH | Outside the Lines | Mixed Media | $550 |
Yvonne Jackson | Canton, OH | Sunshine Mandala | Mixed Media | $575 |
Pat Newhauser | Hinckley, OH | It Came from Far East | Mixed Media | $550 |
Keith Wisdom | Cuyahoga Falls, OH | Bliss | Mixed Media | $800 |
Rob Crombie | Twinsburg, OH | Brust Park Pond | Oil Based Media | $1,250 |
Rob Crombie | Twinsburg, OH | Country Place | Oil Based Media | $950 |
Marjorie Dettling | Akron, OH | Magenta Mosaic | Oil Based Media | $425 |
Judy Gaiser | Kent, OH | The Great Tat Escape | Oil Based Media | $800 |
Barbara Himes | Akron, OH | Ohhh… | Oil Based Media | $450 |
Tom Jackson | Stow, OH | Country Store on Main | Oil Based Media | NFS |
Judy Adam Jones | Richfield, OH | The Front Room | Oil Based Media | $425 |
Tricia Kaman | Chagrin Falls, OH | Selena’s Glance | Oil Based Media | NFS |
Carol Klingel | Lodi, OH | She Dreams of Flying | Oil Based Media | $550 |
Carol Klingel | Lodi, OH | Old Florida | Oil Based Media | $400 |
James W. Leslie | Akron, OH | Silent Be The Fallen | Oil Based Media | $775 |
Jan Magdinec | Broadview Heights, OH | Feeling Alive in Death Valley | Oil Based Media | NFS |
Marie Steele | Fairlawn, OH | Dreamy Sunset | Oil Based Media | $425 |
Jim Buckus | Munroe Falls, OH | Surrealistic Silver Lake | Photographic Media | $150 |
Abigail Christian | Cuyahoga Falls, OH | Pura Vida | Photographic Media | $125 |
Wendy Hess | Akron, OH | Randyland Redux | Photographic Media | $50 |
Kelly Matthews | Wauseon, OH | Graffiti Tree | Photographic Media | $95 |
Jeff Newhouse | Akron, OH | Duality | Photographic Media | $125 |
Jacqui Sukie | Akron, OH | Persistence of Bubbles | Photographic Media | $140 |
Pollock Youngpole | Akron, OH | Oppressed | Photographic Media | $250 |
Pollock Youngpole | Akron, OH | Old Grey Only In The Way | Photographic Media | $250 |
Janet Baran | Medina, OH | Summer of Life | Water Based Media | NFS |
April Cameron | Akron, OH | Still Life with Hair Dryer and Plastic Fruit | Water Based Media | $725 |
April Cameron | Akron, OH | Garden Goose | Water Based Media | $600 |
Deanna R. Clucas | Stow, OH | The Ledges | Water Based Media | $375 |
Kathleen Harrington | Hudson, OH | Ginny’s Roses | Water Based Media | $300 |
Zirka Hayes | Portage Lakes, OH | Hot Summer Night In | Water Based Media | $130 |
Diana J. Heinbuch | Akron, OH | Lucky | Water Based Media | $250 |
Mary Lou Holly | Kent, OH | Wild Summer Iris | Water Based Media | $400 |
Barbara Johns | Medina, OH | Winter Landscape | Water Based Media | $200 |
Jim Jones | Akron, OH | Marybeth | Water Based Media | $1,076 |
Jim Jones | Akron, OH | Devin | Water Based Media | $820 |
S. Kaz | New Franklin, OH | Another Path | Water Based Media | $140 |
S. Kaz | New Franklin, OH | An Eagle Family | Water Based Media | $250 |
Joe Locala | Wadsworth, OH | Remnants 2 | Water Based Media | $325 |
Ruth Matthews | Wauseon, OH | Inevitable | Water Based Media | $275 |
Roy Mowls | Munroe Falls, OH | Reflection of Meyers Lake | Water Based Media | $600 |
Julie Sheil | University Heights, OH | Happy Hour | Water Based Media | $275 |
William Smith | Stow, OH | Conflagration | Water Based Media | $350 |
Keith Wisdom | Cuyahoga Falls, OH | Protest | Water Based Media | $900 |
Mary Jo Worthington | Munroe Falls, OH | Farm Country 3-D | Water Based Media | $250 |
Janet Baran | Medina, OH | Gray Day in Ohio | Watercolor Media | NFS |
Donna Kensel Bargar | Strongsville, OH | Study for Leaving Home | Watercolor Media | $650 |
Donna Kensel Bargar | Strongsville, OH | Blue Sky | Watercolor Media | NFS |
Jennifer K. Cuthbertson | Bedford, OH | The Feve – Oberlin, OH | Watercolor Media | $350 |
Jennifer K. Cuthbertson | Bedford, OH | Flurry’s Café – Cuyahoga Falls, OH | Watercolor Media | $350 |
Bill Dowey | Stow, OH | Tranquility | Watercolor Media | $70 |
Sally Heston | Broadview Heights, OH | Lighthouse Point | Watercolor Media | $550 |
Jack Hickson | Barberton, OH | 6:56 AM, Pawley’s Island | Watercolor Media | $595 |
Jack Hickson | Barberton, OH | Seaview | Watercolor Media | $595 |
Tom Mayer | Mogadore, OH | Eagle Lake, Maine | Watercolor Media | $300 |
Tom Mayer | Mogadore, OH | Acadia Sunset | Watercolor Media | $200 |
Lisa O’Rourke | Akron, OH | Cabbages & Things | Watercolor Media | NFS |
Mary Ann Valvoda | Macedonia, OH | Farmhouse | Watercolor Media | NFS |
Ricky L. Williams | Medina, OH | Beached | Watercolor Media | $700 |