"Growing Pains: Life's Journey"
2006-07-27 until 2006-09-13
Riffe Gallery
Columbus, OH, USA United States of America

The Ohio Art Council’s Riffe Gallery explores the life experiences that shape us with Growing Pains an exhibition opening July 27 and on view through October 15, 2006. Growing Pains features artwork by Ohio artists working in a wide range of media and exploring the many markers in life’s journey—from family dynamics to that place we call home. “There is no guidebook, no way to plan, and no absolute path. Childhood, adolescence, career, marriage, children, aging—it’s anyone’s guess what is the best way to navigate these universals,” said curator Bellamy Printz. “In this exhibition, we explore the voyage from infancy onward: growing up, parenting and growing old. The viewer is invited to dig below the surface, to remember, or consider a different time, different life choices.”

As the experiences that frame us are varied so are the ways in which artists can explore these themes. Growing Pains brings together many artistic disciplines from Janis Mars Wunderlich’s witty sculptures to mixed-media works by Michael Arrigo. Each artist seizes different influential experiences to explore. Bridgette Murphy Milligan revisits her childhood home in her mixed media paintings. Paige Williams’ abstract latex paintings explore her role as a new mother and look at the lexicon of new imagery that has entered her life; while Eliana Calle-Saari’s woodcut prints are rich with her exploration of cultural identity and the cross generational ties between mothers and daughters.

Curated by Bellamy Printz, Growing Pains includes work by the following Ohio artists: Michael Arrigo (Toledo), Eliana Calle-Saari (Gahanna), Benjy Davies (Albany), Marcella Hackbardt (Mount Vernon), Brooke Inman (Cleveland), Liz Maugans (Bay Village), Bridget Murphy Milligan (West Salem), Robert “Boomer” Moore (New Marshfield), Migiwa Orimo (Yellow Springs), Nathaniel Parsons (Cleveland Heights), Christina Pereyma (Troy), Lynn Whitney (Waterville), Paige Williams (Cincinnati) and Janis Mars Wunderlich (Columbus).

Growing Pains opens July 27 with a reception from 6- 8 p.m. There is an exhibition tour led by the curator on July 28, noon – 1 p.m. The gallery will host a family workshop, Make Your Own Sculpture, 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, September 23, during which children will meet artist Janis Mars Wunderlich and learn hand-building techniques using nontoxic clay (registration is required as space is limited; register by e-mailing riffegallry@oac.state.oh.us or phoning 614/728-2239). Growing Pains is on view in the Riffe Gallery July 27 – October 15. Gallery admission and events are free and open to the public.

The Riffe Gallery is located on the first floor of the Vern Riffe Center for Government and the Arts, on the corner of State and High streets, downtown Columbus, Ohio.

Related Links:

Indepth Arts Resources for the State of Ohio

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