The Ohio Arts Council’s Riffe Gallery presents Natural Expressions: A Student Curated Exhibition, on display July 25 – October 19, 2019. Focused on artwork inspired by and concerned with nature, this exhibition is curated by four high school students with guidance by Erin Shapiro, curator of the Springfield Museum of Art. Student curators include Mikayla Anderson, Kaia Armstrong, Sydney Chabot, and Jayden Nanthavong. 

Featured artists include Julia Christensen (Oberlin), Jean Koeller (New Carlisle), David LaPalombara (Athens), R. Douglas McLarty (Xenia), Taryn McMahon (Ravenna), Emily Hanako Momohara (Cincinnati), Char Norman (Columbus), Jolene Powell (Marietta), Gregory Spaid (Gambier), Emily Sullivan Smith (Kettering), Barry Underwood (Cleveland Heights), and Roscoe Wilson (Hamilton).

This exhibition features a variety of events and programming, all of which are free and open to the public. The opening reception will take place Thursday, July 25, 5 - 7 p.m. Attendees will get a first look at the OAC Riffe Gallery's newest exhibition while mingling with artists, enthusiasts, and more. Live music will be provided by Derek DiCenzo. 

The following day, Erin Shapiro will join the exhibition's four student curators to give guests a tour of the works in the show from noon - 1 p.m.

Three artist talks will take place throughout the run of the show, all taking place noon - 1 p.m. Gregory Spaid will present on Tuesday, July 30, Jolene Powell will speak Wednesday, August 7, and David LaPalombara will give a presentation on Wednesday, September 25. 

If guests are interested in a hands-on art making workshop, they should register for R. Douglas McLarty's Drop-In Workshop on Tuesday, August 20 from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. 

For guests of all ages, Emily Sullivan Smith will be leading a Friends and Family workshop on Saturday, September 14 from 1 - 3 p.m. This event can be enjoyed by children and adults alike!

Interested in strengthening your creative writing skills? Be sure to register for our Creative Writing Workshop with Susann Moeller on Thursday, October 10, 5:30 - 8 p.m. In this workshop, participants will intertwine themes of nature and their environment into personal writings. 

Natural Expressions: A Student Curated Exhibition will be on display at the OAC Riffe Gallery July 25 – October 19, 2019. Admission to the gallery and all events is free and open to the public. For more information, visit riffegallery.org or call 614-644-9624. The gallery is open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Saturday from 11 a.m.  to 4 p.m.
 

ABOUT THE RIFFE GALLERY
The Ohio Arts Council’s Riffe Gallery showcases the work of Ohio's artists and the collections of the state's museums and galleries. The Riffe Gallery is located in the Vern Riffe Center for Government and the Arts, across from the Statehouse on High Street in Downtown Columbus. Like the Riffe Gallery on Facebook and follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

ABOUT THE OHIO ARTS COUNCIL
The Ohio Arts Council is a state agency that funds and supports quality arts experiences to strengthen Ohio communities culturally, educationally, and economically. Connect with the OAC on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, or visit our website at oac.ohio.gov.

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