Valley Art Center is pleased to present this important Retrospective Exhibition of over sixty works by Charles “Bud” Deihl, artist, painter, sculptor, educator, and long-time VAC instructor. From graduate school drawings in the 1960s to award-winning oil paintings of recent years, this exhibition tells the visual story of a lifelong artist and accomplished professional.

Bud describes his painting technique as modified realism or super realism, although often the subject matter is surrealism. In Bud’s words, “My paintings tell stories, but the stories are unclear, unfinished, obscure. The titles of the paintings…thus, the titles of the stories, sometimes offer some insight, but my hope is that viewers will be compelled to look at the paintings, accept that principals have been violated, and enjoy the experiment of the core idea.” As Ron Kroutel, professor emeritus at Ohio University explains, “You donʼt leave Charles “Bud” Deihlʼs paintings feeling hungry. They are a rich, satisfying feast on many levels. His mastery of technical skill and compositional structure are of the highest level. His playful and sometimes jarring use of subject matter whets the viewerʼs appetite for more, and there is more, a complex and subtle reference to art history from Johannes Vermeer to Vito Acconci.”

Bud’s masterfulness and attention to detail also flows into the classroom as an oil painting instructor at Valley Art Center, sharing his knowledge with the next generation of aspiring artists. “To say that we are honored to have Bud’s exemplary skills represented both in our gallery and in our classroom, is an understatement,” says Rebecca (Bec) Gruss, executive director. “We celebrate the distinction Bud brings to our center and our community.” The Retrospective Exhibition was co-curated by Mindy Tousley, executive director of Artists Archives of the Western Reserve, and George Kozmon, artist and curator. Bud also created the first sanctioned mural in Chagrin Falls on the exterior of VAC.

This exhibit will be on display from September 9 through October 19, with an opening reception from 6-8 pm on Friday, September 9.

In November, Valley Art Center presents our 51st Annual Juried Art Exhibition. Artists are invited to submit artwork to this prestigious annual exhibition, which is open for submissions through October 7. With over 400 submissions of artwork juried to approximately fifty works, this exhibition is a showstopper of talent. Cash prizes totaling $2500 will be awarded. The call to entry is open at ArtCall or valleyartcenter.org/calls-to-entry.

VALLEY ART CENTER
155 Bell StreetChagrin Falls, Ohio 44022valleyartcenter.org440.247.7507

EVENTS:

Charles “Bud” Deihl Retrospective Exhibition, September 9–October 19
Opening reception 6-8pm Friday, September 9

Annual Juried Exhibition invitation to submit work through October 7