WHEELING, W.Va. (June 25, 2020)- A staple of Oglebay Institute’s art exhibition season, Crosscurrents is now on display at OI’s Stifel Fine Arts Center in Wheeling. Now in its 41st year, this annual exhibition attracts some of the finest artwork from the tri-state region.
The multi-media exhibition features more than 90 pieces from dozens of artists. View it free of charge through August 22.
Each year artists from the tri-state area and beyond submit hundreds of works and vie for a chance to exhibit in this show. An independent guest juror selects the works for inclusion in the exhibit and judges the works to determine the top three pieces as well as honorable mentions.
Crosscurrents 2020 Winners
Gerald Van Scyoc took first place for his painting “The Threshold.”
Aaron Apitzsch received second place for his photograph “Pittsburgh Alley.”
Susan Phillips won third place for her clay piece “Split Second.”
Two artists received honorable mentions: Herb Weaver for his ceramic work “The Lure of Fortune” and Amanda Reckline for her collage paper painting “Blue Dream.”
“For the past 41 years, Crosscurrents has served as one of the top shows in the region. It is an honor to be selected and even more special to place in the top three,” said Stifel Center director Rick Morgan. “Congratulations to all the artists featured in Crosscurrents 2020.”
About the Juror
Rhonda J. Smith, a practicing printmaking artist and retired professor of art, served as juror for Crosscurrents 2020.
Smith served as chair of the department of contemporary art and theater at Shepherd University for 30 years and as coordinator of the bachelor’s degree in fine art for the painting program for five years and for the printmaking program for 26 years. She recently retired from Shepherd University but continues to teach African Art and Printmaking as a member of the master faculty.
Smith received her bachelor’s degree in fine art from Eastern Kentucky University and her master’s degree in fine art from the University of North Texas. Her work has been exhibited regionally and nationally.
Her criteria included two major areas: concept (the idea, message, meaning or feelings perpetrated by interaction with the work) and form, which includes skill in execution as well as the broad notion of composition and design.
“I believe, in general, art should engage the eye and the mind. The best art pulls the viewer toward it because something about it–the size, the color, the subject, something–demands that you step closer or look longer. For me, work that suggests a narrative is the most compelling. Works that allow the viewer to wonder, ponder, or move beyond the obvious are the works I am most drawn toward, to investigate more fully,” Smith said. “Artists who demonstrate a facility with the media, whose art is created skillfully seemingly without effort, secures my admiration every time. The most difficult thing in the world is to make something look easy, effortless.”
See the Exhibit and Purchase Work
You can view Crosscurrents 2020 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday –Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays through August 22. Evening hours are dependent on classes and special events. Patrons must practice social distancing and wearing a mask is strongly encouraged when visiting the gallery. Admission is free. United Bank sponsored Crosscurrents along with the entire 2019-20 art exhibition season.
Call 304-242-7700 for more information.
You can purchase works from the show at the Stifel Center or on online at oionline.com/artworksales
Located at 1330 National Road in Wheeling, Oglebay Institute’s Stifel Fine Arts Center is conveniently located just off exit 2B of 1-70.
About the Stifel Fine Arts Center
Housed in the historic Edemar Mansion, the Stifel Fine Arts Center is a public arts center with galleries, classrooms and performance space. Artists, emerging artists, art lovers, students, educators and families gather here–connecting and engaging in creative pursuits.
Crosscurrents 2020 is part of the Helen B. Gaither Exhibition season. Generous support of the members of the Institute as well as with financial assistance from the West Virginia Department of Arts, Culture and History and the National Endowment for the Arts, with approval from the West Virginia Commission on the Arts, make this exhibition possible.