75 Annual May Show

August 16 – September 13

Main Gallery

The 75th Annual May Show, is a jurried exhibition showcasing the talent of Ohio artists in a variety of media.  Guest Juror, Dr. Andy Hudson, is a retired OSU medical educator, an established artist/maker, glass blower, and a renowned art collector. He selected 121 pieces from 76 artists to form this striking exhibition.

The Best of Show award was given to artist Randy Bennett of Rudolph, Ohio for his body of work, consisting of four mixed media pieces. The show’s sponsor, Mechanics Bank , provided Awards of Excellence to Ron Abrams, Martha Fort, Chris Misencik-Bunn and Laura Barhardt Corle. Sarah Torgison received the Whitten Studio Award for Ceramics. Cathy Huber received the Sid Yellen Award for Photography. The Margaret Twitchell Swank Award for Painting was received by Judith Smith Miller. Susan B. Smith Award for Fiber was received by Barbara Nell Morejon. Three Blick Art Material Awards for Innovation were received by MP Marion, Steven Stemple and Janet L. Marsano. Honorable Mentions were awarded to Peggy Stover, George Whitten, Susan Shafer, Robin Roberts, Mary Holobaugh and Benjamin Johnson.

Juror’s Statement:

I was extremely pleased and honored to be asked to jury the Mansfield Art Center 75th Annual May Show.  As an artist, collector and docent at three contemporary art galleries in Columbus I was eager to see the entries.  I was not disappointed.  The breadth and depth of the entries was overwhelming.  Central Ohio should be pleased with the quantity and quality of work represented.  I spent hours reviewing and selecting works, eventually selecting more pieces than would reasonably fit in the MAC gallery and had the difficult task of jurying out pieces I had originally considered for inclusion.  Even more difficult was the selection of the many award recipients.  After selecting all the cash awards I felt the need to award seven honorable mentions.  Every participant is a winner.

In these times of a world pandemic it’s reassuring to know that Covid 19 can’t stop the creation of wonderful contemporary art and the May Show entries are ample proof of the fact.  In a time when nothing seems normal, while jurying with masks on and maintaining social distance all day, it’s good to know that art persists.  The creativity and vision of the artists represented here should reassure us all that the spirit of originality and imagination cannot be quashed even by endemic adversity.

After working with the Center staff all day we finally visualized what the show would look like.  I’m sure you will agree with us that it is an excellent exhibition.  The staff at the MAC made my task easy and enjoyable.  I thoroughly enjoyed working with MAC Executive Director, George Whitten, Jerry Francl, Operations Director, Noah Shenck, Glass Chair and Instructor and Lucas Hargis, Gallery Sales staff.  Thank you to the staff, my friend Tom Wagner for his support and all the artists who submitted works.

Stay safe,

Andy Hudson

Sponsored by:

 

Transformations

August 16 – September 13

Foundation Gallery

Cancer has many faces. Those many faces are currently being shown in the Foundation Gallery of the Mansfield Art Center. This exhibition honors the cancer journey and is a voice for many in all different stages of the disease. Each piece of art is an expression of the cancer patient created by using radiation masks and unused chemotherapy bags.

These are masks that have been sanitized and used in the artist/patient’s treatment. Under the guidance of Dawn Freeman,MA, Art Therapist, the masks are created into works of art, each one unique to the creator, with a story describing the feelings that went into the mask.According to Dawn Freeman, “Studies re-affirm the efficacy of art therapy in the cancer care setting. Art assists in alleviating symptoms associated with cancer and it’s treatments as well as marked overall improvement in well-being.”

Freeman notes that this program was started in 2013 through the Mansfield and Sandusky Cleveland Clinic locations. The value of art therapy, if done for at least two hours a week has been proven to promote and empower healing.