Recycled inner tubes, sterling silver, pearls and computer pieces may seem unlikely mediums for creating fine art. A clay series depicting Aesop’s Fables and hand-made jewelry were just a few of the pieces on display in the Ohio Designer Craftsmen’s “Best of 2010” exhibition.
More than 100 works in clay, glass, metal, wood, fiber and mixed media by 80 artists are currently on display at the Ohio Craft Museum, demonstrating that even the most unlikely materials can be turned into a handcrafted piece of art.
Fifteen artists were honored with awards for excellence at the annual juried members’ competition presented by Ohio Designer Craftsmen, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting awareness and appreciation of fine craft.
The $1,000 top prize was awarded to Stephen Wolochowicz for his ceramic Red Balloon Inflation. The piece depicts a red balloon being inflated and is made entirely of clay with layered glazes.
Albertus Gorman has been synonymous with Kentucky’s art scene for more than 30 years and was selected as the juror for this exhibition. Gorman is also currently the director of studio arts for the Zoom Group, a program that provides services to individuals with mental and developmental disabilities who wish to further their visual arts skills.
The exhibition is open for submission to members only and features both established and emerging artists working in all craft media. Membership for students costs $20 annually and is open to all individuals interested in fine craft.
“We have several student entries, and we also have an Emerging Artists exhibit coming up in July that features all students and young artists,” museum registrar Leigh Evans said.
“We also offer a discounted fee for students to join the (Ohio Designer Craftsmen), so it can be a lot easier for them to get their work out there.”
More than 300 works were submitted for consideration by Gorman, who narrowed the field down to just more than 100 for the “Best of 2010” exhibition.
Artists had the choice to indicate the price to purchase each piece, and ranged from not for sale to $100 to $35,000.
“I decided to choose the works that I perceived as the strongest in terms of form, content and mastery of materials,” Gorman said in a statement about the selection process.
Columbus ceramics artist Kaname Takada received the Watkins Printing Poster Award for Excellence for his patterned bowl, which is featured on the exhibition poster as a result.
Chris Lewallen’s robot made of vacuum tubes, polymer clay and old radio pieces, titled Mr. Transister, displays the versatility of some of the mixed media crafts on display.
The exhibition will be on display at the Ohio Craft Museum on Fifth Avenue until June 20. It will then move to Owens Community College in August and ArtSpace in Lima, Ohio, in November.
