How to Go:
What: “Oils and Metals” by Meredith Cope, Cassandra Cope and 3D art by Martha Cowden
Where: DSPS High Street Gallery, 48 High St., Dayton
When: Nov. 7-9
Artists’ Reception: 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 7
Hours: 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 8-9
More Info: 937-228-4532
Web: www.daytondsps.org
Vibrant oil paintings, fashionable accessories, and a unique combination of fiber and clay will be featured by three Dayton artists this month at the 48 High Street Gallery in Dayton.
The Dayton Society of Painters and Sculptors exhibit will present the works of Meredith Cope, her daughter Cassandra Cope, and guest artist Martha Cowden.
“We at DSPS are looking forward to hosting Meredith, Cassandra and Martha at the 48 High Street Gallery,” said DSPS director Lisa Johnson. “We are lucky to have such talented artists to kick off the holiday season.”
M. Cope will present 35 oil paintings, with the beauty of nature and koi fish as the major subject. There is much movement and energy to these compositions, with an “understated incandescence that is both contemporary and classic.” The elements of wind and fish swimming in ponds are prominent features in her works.
In addition, M. Cope will be signing copies of her new book, “The Gift of Koi,” at Barnes & Noble just north of the Dayton Mall on Saturday, Nov. 8. The eventwill begin with a short artist talk at noon, with book signings up to 2 p.m. The book features an “Underwater Journey” told through paintings, prose, and poetry. It is also available through barnesandnoble.com, amazon.com, meredithcope.com, or balboapress.com.
“I truly think the poetry and narrative that accompany the paintings brings to life the depth of message that I think the artwork has to share with people,” said M. Cope. “Form and beauty are one aspect of what art has to offer, but if it also is relatable conceptually and speaks to the heart, then it brings a richer experience to the viewer.”
This past year, M. Cope’s work has been shown at the “Elements of Expression” exhibit in New York, and featured in the Lisbon International Contemporary Exhibition in Lisbon, Portugal. She’s also represented in galleries located in Charleston, Seattle, and Hawaii. Locally, she’s earned solo shows at Dayton Visual Arts Center, Rosewood Gallery, and Glen Helen, among others. She has a bachelor of fine arts degree and master of education degree from Phillips University in Enid, Oklahoma.
Her daughter Cassandra is showing 80 jewelry works. She has been studying techniques for wire wrapping, ‘chainmaille,’ and metal working over the past five years. The artist has designed signature pieces and shown them at local art festivals such as the Miamisburg Spring Fling and Art on the Commons.
"My jewelry is born of the innate calling to reflect the ever-changing essence of the elements of fire, air, earth, and water in shapes, patterns and textures found in nature," said C. Cope, whose work can be seen at www.atouchofaether.etsy.com.
The mother-daughter connection at this show is important to the elder Cope.
“We do enjoy the love of form and beauty and share an expression and appreciation for the creative spirit that is at the heart of our work,” said M. Cope. “It’s just great to share a closeness and symbiosis over things that matter.”
Cowden is an honors graduate of Sinclair Community College, with an associate degree in fine arts. She marries the mediums of clay and fiber in her vessels, and will be presenting about six of them at the show.
“My work combines hand-built pottery with fiber coiling, a Native American basketry technique,” said Cowden. “I believe texture and shape are important parts of my work and help me achieve a variety of effects.”
The Opening Reception on First Friday will include Starbucks coffee and hors d’oeuvres.
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