Findlay to showcase works 'Above the Timberline'

2/14/2018
BY ROBERTA GEDERT
BLADE STAFF WRITER
  • ATTL-Cover-final-1-jpg

    'Above the Timberline' by Gregory Manchess is the focus of an exhibit opening Feb. 26 at the University of Findlay's Lea Gallery.

  • The paintings and concepts behind the illustrations in the new book of a nationally recognized artist and author is the focus of an exhibition opening later this month at the University of Findlay’s Lea Gallery.

    Above the Timberline, featuring the work of Gregory Manchess, opens Feb. 26 in the gallery, which is in the Virginia B. Gardner Fine Arts Pavilion, next to the Mazza Museum of International Art from Picture Books. The show is curated by artist Dan Chudzinski, who is also curator of the Mazza.

    The exhibit includes 20 original oil paintings, concept sketches, props, and production materials Manchess created during the conception period of his new book of the same name.

    Manchess’ work has appeared in National Geographic, Time, the Atlantic, and the Smithsonian. His figure illustrations have appeared on U.S. Postal Service stamps, including the 2011 Mark Twain stamp and the 2013 March on Washington stamp, and he was chosen by the National Geographic Society for his work on an expedition about the discovery of a pirate ship, “Real Pirates: The Untold Story of the Whydah from Slave Ship to Pirate Ship.”

    He will attend an artist reception and painting demonstration from 6 to 9 p.m. March 15. The show will remain open through March 21.

    Released in October, Above the Timberline is a visual novel featuring more than 120 oil paintings. It is the story of a son who searches for his lost father, a renowned explorer who has been lost in the wild during the ice age.

    To see more of Manchess’ work, go to manchess.com.

    For more information on Lea Gallery, go to findlay.edu/liberal-arts/art/Lea-Gallery.

    ■ Two Michigan artists pose questions about understanding animals as more than accessories in an exhibition they are curating that opens Friday at River House Arts, 425 Jefferson Ave., in downtown Toledo.

    Thinking About Animals features the work of five artists, and is open through March 10.

    The show is inspired by the work of writer Ron Broglio and his book Surface Encounters: Thinking with Animals and Art, in which the work displayed is “focused on animals in a way that didn’t make them ‘other,’ and where the animal was more than an accessory.”

    The show features photographic tapestry work by Morgan Barrie, cast silver and natural material pieces by Jessica Tenbusch, video and sculpture from New York artist Julie Bahn, mixed media from Oregon artist Breanne Sherwood, and large-scale paintings by Pennsylvania artist Emily White.

    An opening reception is from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday. For more information, go to riverhousearts.com.

    ■ The Arts Commission of Greater Toledo is offering a fun, creative event for kids who are off school for Presidents Day.

    Creative Drop-ins with local artists will occur from 1 to 3 p.m., Monday, at the Kent, Lagrange, Locke, Main, and Mott libraries.

    The drop-ins are free, and artists will teach youths ages 10-18 some new visual art techniques. There will also be pop-up performances by local talent.

    For more information on the events, go to theartscommission.org/youth.

    ■ The Catawba Island Brewing Co., 2330 E. Harbor Rd., Port Clinton is starting live figure drawing sessions the first Monday of every month from 6 to 10 p.m.

    The first three hours will involve drawing a model in different poses, followed by creative discussion. Participants should bring their own drawing materials.

    The event is $25 and includes a glass of beer or wine. For more information, go to the brewery’s Facebook page and visit the Events tab, or call 419-960-7764.

    ■ 20 North Gallery is seeking submissions from local, emerging artists for an exhibition.

    ARToledo will feature three to five new artists in the Toledo area. The deadline to apply to be part of the show is March 31. The show will run July 13-Sept. 29. Applying artists must never have had featured work in a commercial gallery exhibition before this show.

    For more information, or to apply, go to 20northgallery.com/2018-artoledo.

    ■ Nina Cho, an artist and designer from Detroit, will be the next artist to participate in a GAPP residency at the Toledo Museum of Art’s Glass Pavilion.

    The Guest Artist Pavilion Project allows glass artists and those who work in other media to spend their time exploring glass work. Cho, who will be there Monday through Feb. 28, will give a free lecture about her work and experiences at 7 p.m. Feb. 23.

    Cho, who was born in the United States and raised in South Korea, studied woodworking and furniture design at Hong-Ik University, and obtained her master of fine arts in 3-D design from the Cranbrook Academy of Art.

    For more information about GAPP, go to toledomuseum.org/glass-pavilion/visiting-artists.

    Send news of art items at least two weeks in advance to rgedert@theblade.com or call 419-724-6075.