On Deck

Upcoming openings and events from around Northeast Ohio

Compiled by Jane Kaufman

THE SCULPTURE CENTER “Julie Schenkelberg: CURRANT” | Through Dec. 16

Large-scale installation artist Julie Schenkelberg is taking over the corner building of 12210 Euclid Avenue as both the fi rst artist to show in The Sculpture Center’s newly acquired space and its fi rst artist-in-residence. Titled “Currant,” Schenkelberg’s show and installation is a play on the word “current.” Currant also refers to the violet-colored berry which can provide assistance in fearful situations, especially when facing the self in being truly alone. Schenkelberg weaves imagery of her own history through an archaeological collection of castings of plants, religious symbols, abandoned buildings, family dishware and tombstones in Cleveland’s Lakeview Cemetery. Born and raised in Cleveland, Schenkelberg received a bachelor’s degree in art history from the College of Wooster and a master’s of fi ne arts at the School of Visual Arts in New York City. Also on view through Dec. 16 at The Sculpture Center is the exhibition “Sara Dittrich: In slowness there is fullness.”

The Sculpture Center is at 1834 E. 123rd St. in Cleveland. sculpturecenter.org

EMILY DAVIS GALLERY “Mark of Empowerment” | Through Dec. 20

The power of print has not only changed the course of history, but has revolutionized the way people engage with their imaginations. The exhibition “Mark of Empowerment” features 22 artists and honors the incredible legacies that inspire communities to stand up for their rights and freedoms. Curated by Roberto Torres Mata at the Emily Davis Gallery at the University of Akron, the exhibit is part of the 2022 Mid America Print Council Biennial Conference. It refl ects on how printmaking allows for speaking out through activism. Artists included in the exhibitions are: Marco Sánchez, Faisal Abdu’Allah, Barbara Justice, Adriana Barrios, Juana Estrada Hernández, Enrique Chagoya, Ernestro Yerena Montejano, John Hitchcock, Guerrilla Girls, Christie Tirado, Israel Campos, Kathryn Polk, Kill Joy, Monty Little, Dakota Mace, Ash Armenta, Derick Wycherly, Jennifer Mack, Elizabeth Jean Younce, Chema Skandal, Carlos Barberena and Emily Arthur.

In addition to regular hours, the gallery will be open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Dec. 7 and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 8 for the annual Myers School of Art Holiday Shop.

Emily Davis Gallery is at the Mary Schiller Myers School of Art’s Folk Hall at 150 E. Exchange St. in Akron. uakron.edu/art/galleries

“Currant” (2022) by Julie Schenkelberg. Mixed media, found furniture and objects, sailboat sail, fabric, plaster, acrylic paint and LED lights. Photo / Jacob Koestler

“Mujer Mariposa” (2022) by Christie Tirado. Linoleum print with watercolor, 18 x 18 inches. Photo courtesy of Emily Davis Gallery

KSU DOWNTOWN GALLERY “Now and Then: Seven Decades of Kent State Ceramics” | Through Jan. 14, 2023

The School of Art Collection and Galleries at Kent State University has a new exhibit, “Now and Then: Seven Decades of Kent State Ceramics,” featuring work from current and former faculty and notable alums. It includes a juried selection of ceramic works from an alumni call for entries juried by artists Matt Wedel and April D. Felipe. Artists included in the exhibition are: Miska Petersham, John Gill, Kirk Mangus, Eva Kwong, Peter Christian Johnson, Michelle Summers, Andrea Gill, Tom Bartel, Jennifer Ling Datchuk, John Balistreri, Laura Kukkee, David JP Hooker, Sam Hoffman, Laura Dirksen, Rhue Bruggeman, Craig Hartenberger, Tirzah Legg, David Kruk, Jennifer Masley, Cammi Climaco, Brian Sarama, Kirstin Willders and Gabriel John Poucher.

KSU Downtown Gallery is at 141 E. Main St. in Kent. kent.edu/galleries

Sculpture by John Gill. Photo courtesy of Kent State University.

TRANSFORMER STATION “19 Winters / 7 Springs” | Through Feb. 5, 2023

Transformer Station presents “19 Winters / 7 Springs,” a solo exhibition by Gregory Halpern. Halpern, a native of Buffalo, N.Y., and resident of Rochester, has photographed his home county over the past 20 years in between numerous other books and projects. This midcareer survey is the largest museum show for the photographer to date. An ode to the social landscape of this corner of post-industrial America, the work expands upon Halpern’s distinctive documentary style rooted in both the real and the sublime. The exhibition at the art museum in Cleveland’s Ohio City Hingetown district will present a range of 50 color prints in varying sizes, along with a series of new free-standing sculptures drawn from the Buffalo landscape.

Transformer Station is at 1460 W. 29th St. in Cleveland. transformerstation.org

“Untitled” (2022) by Gregory Halpern from “19 Winters / 7 Springs.” © Gregory Halpern

“Asunder” (2018) by Shauna Fahley. Ceramics, paint, 6.5 x 4 x 4.5 feet. Photo courtesy of the artist.

KINK CONTEMPORARY “Desire Paths” | Jan. 6 – Feb. 5, 2023

The solo exhibition “Desire Paths” represents Avery Mags Duff’s personal exploration of the erotic, described by Audre Lorde as “a measure between the beginnings of our sense of self and the chaos of our strongest feelings.” In this body of work, the artist uses imagery from their travels and explorations as a metaphor for how the erotic is woven through their life. Duff grew up in Akron and has been making art their whole life. They are a graduate of the University of Akron with bachelor’s degrees in painting and Spanish. Duff is also active in urban farming, fermentation, foraging and experimental music.

An opening reception will be held from 5-9 p.m. Jan. 5 and a closing reception will be held from noon to 4 p.m. Feb. 5.

KINK Contemporary is at 15515 Waterloo Road in Cleveland. kinkcontemporary.com

“Mast Year: American Persimmon” (2022) by Avery Mags Duff. Black walnut ink, watercolor, pastel and colored pencil on paper, 11 x 15 inches. Photo / Em Poor

CANTON MUSEUM OF ART “Thinking with Animals” | Nov. 25 – March 5, 2023

Animals provide a universally understood way to examine ideas that may be diffi cult to discuss or understand in any other form. Creatures have been used as symbols, archetypes and to speak to the human relationship with nature. With a diverse representation in terms of gender, culture, background and career stages, the more than 50 artists in Canton Museum of Art’s “Thinking with Animals” exhibition used slip casting, paper clay, solid building, hollow building, wheel throwing and mixed media to create pieces. Exhibiting artists include Molly Allen, Crista Ames, Pavel Amromin, Rebekah Bogard, Kelsey Bowen, Ariel Bowman, Hannah Lee Cameron, Beth Cavener, Mya Cluff, Linda Cordell, Sarah Davey, Alanna DeRocchi, Natasha Dikareva, Shelsea Dodd, Morel Doucet, Lukas Easton, Shauna Fahley, Alessandro Gallo, Julia Galloway, Steven Godfrey, Donald Guidoboni, Richard W. James, Ben Jordan, GV Kelly, Gunyoung Kim, Bethany Krull, Ben Lambert, Malia Landis, Calvin Ma, Kate MacDowell, Gustavo Martinez, Kelly McLaughlin, Peter Morgan, Nathan Murray, Emily Nickel, Sharon Norwood, Susan O’Byrne, Kyungmin Park, Adelaide Paul, Lindsay Pichaske, Taylor Robenalt, George Rodriguez, Erika Sanada, Sara Torgison, Jason Walker, Stephanie Wilhelm, Travis Winters, Russell Wrankle and Wesley Wright.

An opening reception with the artists will be held from 5-7 p.m. Dec. 2, to coincide with Downtown Canton’s First Friday. The museum will offer free admission that day as well.

The Canton Museum of Art is at 1001 Market Ave. N. in Canton. cantonart.org

Publisher’s note: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, museums and galleries may change how exhibitions are able to be seen. Visit their websites for updated information regarding exhibition protocols prior to visiting.