Ohio Artists Showcase Talents at Ohio State Fair Fine Arts Exhibition

16 Artists Receive Ohio Arts Council Awards

COLUMBUS, Ohio – July 26, 2017 

From pig races to paintings, the Ohio State Fair has something for everyone. While the fair’s ever-popular selection of food vendors sell creative confections that tantalize the taste buds, an extensive exhibition at the Cox Fine Arts Center aims to be a feast for the eyes.

Featuring 373 works by more than 280 Ohio artists, the Ohio State Fair Fine Arts Exhibition is an annual tradition that is considered the largest juried art show in Ohio. The exhibition incorporates work in a variety of mediums that is created by artists in both professional and amateur categories. The 2017 exhibition includes work that is representative of 48 Ohio counties.

The opening of the exhibition was celebrated with an awards ceremony on July 25, when 64 artist awards were announced.  This year, more than $22,000 in exhibition awards were distributed to artists in categories such as “Best of Show,” “Juror’s Choice,” and awards funded by the Ohio Arts Council and other local arts organizations.

A full list of Ohio Arts Council award winners follows:

A FIBER PERSPECTIVE AWARDS

  • Ohio Arts Council Award – Professional Division ($500)
    Barbara Morejon, Ashland County
    Coat of Masks, Felted Wool

    Beth Schillig, Franklin County
    ORBITING OVALS, Fiber

  • Ohio Arts Council Award – Amateur Division ($500)
    Terry Simon, Stark County
    Woolen Wonders, Mixed – Wool on Cotton

OHIO ARTS COUNCIL AWARDS

  • Ohio Arts Council Awards – Professional Division ($300)
    Char Norman, Franklin County
    Naked Truth III, Fiber

    Joan Tallan, Franklin County

    Women’s Right to Vote, Linocut

    Michael Hric, Franklin County
    Placid, Blown Glass

    Hiroshi Hayakawa, Franklin County
    Bronzini, Graphite and Watercolor on Paper

    Amanda Cook, Franklin County
    Lisska Bar, Oil on Panel

    Carrie Kunkle, Tuscarawas County
    Queenie, Earthenware

  • New Artist Award – Professional Division ($250)
    Ria Waugh, Franklin County
    Amish Laundry, Photography
  • Special Art Purchase – Professional Division
    Lisa Di Giacomo, Franklin County
    Snowmass Rodeo, Photography

    Jim Oberst, Licking County
    Quiet Afternoon, Watercolor

  • Ohio Arts Council Award – Amateur Division ($250)
    Robert Kent, Licking County
    Boy on Unicycle, Bronze

    Eric Burden, Franklin County

    Kentish View 20171, Oil on Canvas

  • New Artist Award – Amateur Division ($250)
    James Theodore, Franklin County
    Confluence, Acrylic on Canvas
  • Special Art Purchase – Amateur Division
    Bradley Paskievitch, Franklin County
    Mansfield Prison 1, Photography

In addition to the exhibition, other arts-related activities scheduled for the fair include a chalk art competition held during the first weekend of the fair, as well as plein air painting during the second weekend. A new all-Ohio arts gift shop will also be housed at the Cox Fine Arts Center during the duration of the fair.

For more information about the Ohio State Fair, visit ohiostatefair.com.

ABOUT THE OHIO ARTS COUNCIL 
The Ohio Arts Council is a state agency that funds and supports quality arts experiences to strengthen Ohio communities culturally, educationally, and economically. Connect with OAC on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, or visit our website at oac.ohio.gov.