Coshocton Crossroads exhibit opens in Roscoe Village
COSHOCTON – Art, history and culture were blended together to make the exhibit, Coshocton Crossroads: Living Traditions in the Heart of Ohio.
The multi-site exhibit in Roscoe Village features the work of six local artists and explains to viewers how their crafts were influenced by living in Coshocton County.
“I’m honored to be part of it,” said Todd Malenke, who has sculptures on display.
Malenke was once a blacksmith at Roscoe Village.
“I like working with metal because when it’s red hot it’s very malleable,” he said. “You get instant results, but if you don’t like it you can change it.”
Also on display are Doug Anderson’s, fired glasswork; Megan Lightell’s, paintings; Whitewoman Pottery’s, ceramics; Mary-Louise Newell’s, quilts; and Donna Sadler’s, wool appliqué. Examples of their work can be found now through Sunday, Jan. 5, in the lobby of the Johnson-Humrickhouse Museum, the Visitor Center of Historic Roscoe Village, Commonwealth Americana, Roscoe General Store, The Village Pantry and River Ridge Leather. A free visitor guide with walking map accompanies the exhibit.
“I’m pleased to be part of the group offering this,” said Patti Malenke from the Johnson-Humrickhouse Museum. “This is an opportunity to bring culture and art together.”
She is a big believer that artists are influenced by their surroundings.
“You can tell Megan’s paintings are not done by someone who lives out west or in New York,” Patti said. “They are a response to the beauty of the area.”
Coshocton Crossroads: Living Traditions in the Heart of Ohio, is presented by the Johnson-Humrickhouse Museum and curated by Robert Colby, PhD.
“Art speaks and can tell a lot about people, places and the past,” he said.
Funding for the exhibit was provided by the Ohio Humanities Council, Ohio Heritage Bank, MFM Building Products, Corp., SanCasT and Clow Water Systems Company.
Pat Williamsen, executive director of the Ohio Humanities Council, was excited to be able to help with the exhibit.
“When Rob came to us we knew it was a good fit for our tourism initiative,” she said. “We want to help communities think about how they can share their stories with visitors. This is a really great project and I think it’s going to be a model for others.”
To learn more about the exhibit and the artists featured in it, visit www.coshoctoncrossroads.com.
“It’s very original and some of the mediums are not something I would think to work with,” said Julie Heil, who viewed the exhibit during a special opening on Sept. 19.
Todd encourages people to take the time and come view the work of the artists.
“I hope people walk away from this with an awareness and appreciation of the artists and fine crafts people right here in their own community,” he said.
josie@coshoctoncountybeacon.com
Category: Arts & Entertainment, Multimedia, Photo Galleries
