When we think of art, it’s easy to think of a painting hanging in a museum, or a large sculpture in a park. But art comes in many forms, and to close out 2021, a year in which art has meant so much more, Heights Arts is celebrating many art forms in its fall exhibitions, poetry reading, and Holiday Store.

Opening August 17 and running through October 17, Heights Arts will highlight print media in the Printers Select exhibition. Curated by Liz Maugans, the show features art from six artists new to Heights Arts. These artists were tasked with bringing in a special second artist for the exhibition—someone who made a significant impact on their lives and studies. The participating artists and their partners are Hanna Manocchio and Sampson the Artist; J. Leigh Garcia and Nina Battaglia; Orlando Caraballo and Ed Lugo; Anna Tararova and Amirah Cunningham; Shadi Ayoub and Bob Kelemen; and Omid Shekari and Kristina Paabus.

The print medium has expanded over the years and continues to evolve by combining with other forms like painting, mixed media, and even sculptural work to convey artists’ complex stories. “The polarities, interventions, technical processes and intersections that exist in print media; the commercial and fine art, political and protest his/herstories; the abstract, representational and unique prints; all fuel the energy of this deliberately delicious round up of artists in their etchings, lithographs, Risographs, screen prints, monotypes, and letterpress/relief prints,” says Maugans.

Artist Anna Tararova uses print media to make sense of the gray, disconnected areas of life. “There is an urgent need for humanity to reconnect with nature in order to experience a harmonious and peaceful existence. I have been searching for a way to express this idea through my artwork and found it in papermaking,” she explains. “Paper made from plants and recycled materials could be a sustainable solution to many ecological and economic problems the world is facing today. Using fiber that was sourced locally also contributes to my work conceptually by creating a connection between subject and place.”

The Printers Select exhibition runs in the Heights Arts gallery alongside the Spotlight Showcase featuring the work of print artist Nicole Schneider. Her work explores control and perfectionism through the lens of her familial relationships with other women, and how these relationships have influenced her relationship with motherhood.

Visitors can view the exhibitions in person at Heights Arts’ Lee Road gallery and participate in the accompanying Ekphrastacy – Artists Talk and Poets Respond series on September 23.

In November and December, Heights Arts will present its twentieth popular annual Holiday Store, featuring art and craft from over 100 local artists. The Holiday Store will include functional and decorative items in paper (cards and prints), glass (vases and glasses), ceramics (vases, platters, trays, mugs), fiber (scarves, bags, blankets, pillows), metal (lamps and utensils) and wood (cutting boards, utensils, coasters); photography; paintings; and many other beautiful items from the creative community.

Artists who wish to sell their work in the Holiday Store and patrons who would like to purchase items can find more information at HeightsArts.org.

PRINTERS SELECT | AUGUST 20–OCTOBER 17

SPOTLIGHT: NICOLE SCHNEIDER | AUGUST 20–OCTOBER 17

EKPHRASTACY: ARTISTS TALK, POETS RESPOND TO PRINTERS SELECT | SEPTEMBER 23

HOLIDAY STORE | NOVEMBER 5–DECEMBER 31
Open 7 days a week starting December 1.

HEIGHTS ARTS
2175 Lee Road
Cleveland Heights, Ohio 44118
heightsarts.org
216.371.3457