HOW TO GO
What: Tomorrow’s Artist Today exhibit
When: Saturday, Feb. 21 through Thursday, March 26. Hours are Monday, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.; Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, 9 a.m. – 9 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. – noon (if classes are in session.) Closed Friday and Sunday (except for special events). An opening reception will be held on Saturday, Feb. 21 from 4 to 6 p.m.
Where: Exhibition Hall, Middletown Arts Center, 130 N. Verity Parkway, Middletown
Admission: Free. Open to the public.
More info: Contact the Middletown Arts Center at www.middletownartscenter.com or call (513) 424-2417.
MIDDLETOWN — The Middletown Arts Center will feature its annual youth exhibition, “Tomorrow’s Artist Today,” Saturday, Feb. 21 through Thursday, March 26. The opening reception will be held Saturday, Feb. 21 from 4 to 6 p.m.
This is the 10th year for the exhibition, which was birthed out of one of MAC’s studio painting classes.
“This is a pretty dynamic show. It’s amazing the artwork that comes from this age level,” said Patt Belisle, executive director of the Middletown Arts Center. “Many of them hope to pursue art as a career. This gives them the opportunity to learn about how to be involved professionally, by being a part of a juried and judged show.”
The exhibition features two-dimensional artwork. Artists ages 13-18 within a 50-mile radius of Middletown participate in the exhibition and feature work that is done in oils, acrylics, water media, pastels, mixed media (a combination of mediums) and photography. There are also pencil drawings in color, graphite and charcoal.
“Every year, there is something new. There’s always something different, so we never know what to expect,” Belisle said. “A lot of them are school projects that the students participate in, or that they are asked to do. Last year, we had a lot of collages. The year before, we had a number of self-portraits.”
The competition draws young adults from more than a dozen area schools. Participants from West Chester, Springboro, Trenton, Edgewood, Hamilton, Middletown, Waynesville, and other surrounding communities have previously showcased their work. The exhibition also open to homeschooled students. Typically, up to 100 pieces of art are represented in the exhibit. Participating youth have an opportunity to compete for cash awards and ribbons within each medium.
“We our promoting our youth. They could be an artist down the road, but we are promoting them today. That’s how we got the name, ‘Tomorrow’s Artist Today,’ ” said Kim Minor, MAC’s assistant director.
At the same time, a second exhibition will be highlighted throughout February the Lobby Gallery, featuring three-dimensional, steel artwork from local sculptor Andrew Scorti, 42, of Middletown.
“Basically, it’s made from steel scraps, old furniture, fence posting, really anything used around the house that’s metal. What I do is create things from it. I turn scrap into art,” Scorti said.
Scorti, who is also a full-time ink technician for a Cincinnati company, caught the attention of MAC officials after a successful demonstration and sale at the inaugural Middletown Arts Festival, which was held in the fall of 2014.
I’ve been doing this for five years, he said, my wife and I took about 30 pieces down there, and we sold every single piece.
“It was a lot of fun and a great experience,” Scorti said.
He said people can enjoy his artwork inside or out. They can place it inside on a wall, outdoors on the side of their house or they may hang it from trees.
“The sculptures are flexible. You can put them just about anywhere,” Scorti said. “It’s also something that is original. There aren’t a lot of artists that are doing this kind art, locally.”
A few of his most popular pieces include fish, dogs, cats and hearts. About 17 pieces will be on display. Scorti's work can be found on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ScortiCreativeSteel.
“I like to call it ‘complexity through simplicity.’ I use basic tooling and I think my art is very raw. This is some of my up-to-date, best work,” Scorti said.
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