At Open Door Art Studio, 2024 has already been a year filled with artistic exploration, engaging workshops, special guests, and remarkable volunteer contributions. Our vibrant exhibitions, insightful workshops, and enthusiastic community involvement have truly showcased the power of art and collaboration. Here’s a look at the highlights from our year so far:

Exhibition Season

Can You Feel It?

We launched our 2024 exhibition season on February 10th with the Can You Feel It? opening reception. This tactile exhibition invited visitors to experience art through touch, featuring a range of textures from fluffy and smooth to prickly and hard. The interactive nature of this show allowed everyone to break traditional gallery norms and engage with art in a hands-on way, making for an unforgettable opening.

B+W

From March 9th to April 5th, our gallery explored the power of monochrome in B+W. This exhibition celebrated the contrasts of black-and-white art, emphasizing the intricate dance between light and shadow. Visitors were treated to a compelling display that highlighted the timeless beauty found in the absence of color.

This Inspired That

April 13th through May 3rd brought a dynamic collaboration for This Inspired That. Featuring artists from Fresh A.I.R. Gallery, this exhibition showcased new works created in response to Open Door Art Studio’s pieces. The opening reception was a lively celebration of creativity and community, with a fantastic turnout from family, friends, and art enthusiasts.

Fresh A.I.R. Gallery (Artists in Recovery) is a project of Southeast Healthcare that exhibits the work of individuals affected by mental illness and/or substance use disorders. Through art, we educate the community and work to break down stigma by bringing focus to the artistic vision.

More Art Less Plastic

May’s exhibition, More Art Less Plastic, highlighted our commitment to environmental sustainability. Our artists repurposed plastics into meaningful artworks to raise awareness about plastic pollution. It was a powerful display of creativity meeting ecological responsibility.

Glow Up

From July 13th to August 2nd, we embraced the vibrant energy of the neon nineties with Glow Up. This exhibition featured artworks illuminated by blacklights, bringing the colors and spirit of 90s counterculture to life. The gallery was transformed with neon attire and LED lights, creating an immersive experience that celebrated the era’s creativity.

Altered Lenses

The Altered Lenses exhibition focuses on the art of photography. Featuring colored photography, experimental cyanotypes, and photographic transfers, this exhibition runs until October 4th. Don’t miss this exploration of photographic creativity and technique!

Workshops, visits, and volunteer groups

Printmaking Workshop

We were honored to host talented Cuban artists, Samuel Riera, Derbis Campos, and Manuel Verona, who led an engaging printmaking workshop as part of their U.S. tour. Filmed by WOSU Public Media, the workshop was a hit, providing our artists with new techniques and perspectives. Special thanks to Artway Inc. and WOSU for facilitating this international collaboration.

Photo and Print Workshop with Barb Vogel

Barb Vogel’s recent workshop was a standout event, especially for those gearing up for our Altered Lenses exhibition. Participants had the opportunity to immerse themselves in a photo walk and hands-on printmaking session, where they explored capturing and transforming textures through innovative techniques.

Barb’s expert guidance was instrumental in helping attendees unlock their creative potential. The results of the workshop were nothing short of impressive, showcasing the transformative power of her expertise and the creative talents of our participants. This workshop not only enhanced skills but also contributed to the rich visual experience of our Altered Lenses exhibition.

DODD and LSC Fellowship Visit

We recently had the pleasure of hosting fellows from the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities (DODD) as part of the 2024 LSC Fellowship Program seminar. The visit aimed to provide a comprehensive view of how DODD collaborates with our non-profit organization, which is dedicated to supporting individuals with disabilities.

During their time at our studio, the fellows gained valuable insights into our role as a non-profit and how we serve our community. The visit also facilitated meaningful interactions between the fellows and our artists, allowing for a deeper understanding of our work and its impact. This exchange enriched their perspective on the essential services we provide and underscored the importance of our mission.

We are grateful for the opportunity to showcase our efforts and connect with those who share our commitment to supporting individuals with disabilities.

Volunteers from AbbVie

We are deeply grateful for the support of AbbVie’s team, who made a significant impact through their help with cleaning, reorganization, and material repurposing. Their generosity also extended to donations of essential supplies, enhancing our studio’s operations.

Volunteers from Clearsulting

Our ongoing partnership with Clearsulting volunteers has been incredibly rewarding. Their consistent support helps us build lasting relationships and strengthens our community.

More Noteworthy Moments

Artist Curated Exhibition: Mix-n-Match

Did you know that Open Door Art Studio & Gallery has artist-curated mini-exhibitions that partner with every largescale exhibition they host? The Expressions Gallery gives Open Door artists the chance to work from exhibition concept to execution! Starting on February 9th, the featured Expressions exhibition was MIX-n-MATCH, curated by artist Chris Parks!

Here’s what Chris had to say about his curatorial process: “A robot, a one-eyed wolf, a non-objective painting, a village, a spaceship… all these things seem to have no common thread, but they do. These are just some of the artists that inspire me. I included work from artists that are visually impaired, partly because I wanted to continue on the theme of Can You Feel It? I have selected artists that inspire me because they never let their disability get in the way. They inspire me to continue my own artwork. I have some talented artist friends at Open Door and they continue making matter what. This is a good program for artists and it’s a good creative outlet. We have a lot of talented people here and I like to see what everyone is working on. Like I was saying, I selected some with texture and some that I thought were really awesome pieces. I selected this body of work to display with visual textures, I have even included some of my own work in the exhibition. It makes me inspired, and it got my creative ideas flowing.”

Wallace Peck Docuseries Pre-Screening Event

On March 12th, Silfies Media and OADSP hosted a pre-screening of their docuseries featuring Wallace Peck at our gallery. The evening was a celebration of Wallace’s remarkable journey and a testament to the power of storytelling through art.

Robert’s Ceramics Journey

At Open Door Art Studio, we are dedicated to helping our artists explore their passions and develop new skills that can lead to additional income and job opportunities. One inspiring example of this is Robert’s journey into the world of ceramics.

Robert has been diligently honing his craft, focusing on the “Pinch Pot Technique” to create beautifully crafted clay cups. His dedication to learning and mastering this technique is not just a personal achievement but also a step towards a broader goal: becoming a ceramics teacher.

Starting with a personalized one-on-one session at our ODAS location, Robert has quickly advanced his skills and is now ready to share his knowledge with others. He has begun leading larger classes at our 400 W Rich studio space, where he’s teaching groups from the CAC and beyond. His progression from student to instructor exemplifies our commitment to nurturing talent and providing valuable opportunities for growth within our artistic community.

Robert’s journey is a testament to the supportive environment at Open Door Art Studio, where creativity and skill development go hand in hand, paving the way for new and exciting career paths.

Unveiling the DODD Mural and Public Arts Project

Open Door Art Studio was proudly commissioned by the Department of Developmental Disabilities (DODD) to bring a vibrant new mural to life in their office space. Featuring the collaborative work of artists Jackie Montgomery, Jessica Richards, and Sharese Spencer, the mural, titled Endless Possibilities, combines three acrylic-on-canvas pieces into a stunning digital composite.

The concept behind Endless Possibilities explores the parallels between artists and explorers. Just as explorers immerse themselves in new environments to uncover uncharted territories, artists delve into their surroundings to interpret and convey unique perspectives. Their creative process is akin to an expedition, where each artwork becomes a personal discovery and a contribution to the world.

Jackie Montgomery, Jessica Richards, and Sharese Spencer embody this spirit of exploration. Their mural invites viewers into a world of bright, luminous colors and dynamic landscapes, including cityscapes, rolling plains, and radiant skies. Through this visual journey, the artists encourage us to embrace the unknown, highlighting that it holds endless possibilities rather than something to be feared.

As we continue to celebrate creativity and community, we invite you to stay connected and engaged with Open Door Art Studio. Your support, whether through attending exhibitions, participating in workshops, or volunteering, helps us to thrive and make a meaningful impact. We look forward to sharing more artistic adventures with you throughout the year!

Don’t miss your chance to see the final exhibitions of the 2024 season!

A big thank you to our generous sponsor, First Financial Bank, for making this exhibition season possible!