“Emerging Artists” Exhibition at CCAC

Summerfair Cincinnati presents its annual Emerging Artists exhibition featuring works by junior and senior art students from Greater Cincinnati colleges at the Clifton Cultural Arts Center (CCAC), 2728 Short Vine St. The exhibition opens Friday, Feb. 9 with a reception and awards ceremony from 6 to 8 p.m. at the CCAC’s gallery. 

The Emerging Artists exhibition is an important part of Summerfair’s mission to support young artists in the region through awards, scholarships, and exhibitions. These young artists represent the next generation of artists to emerge on the local art scene. They are nominated by their professors, juried by Summerfair, and are given the opportunity to exhibit their work among their peers.

“There isn’t a class to teach students how to be a part of an exhibition,” says Jayne Utter, Summerfair’s managing director. “We help these young artists learn how to communicate with directors, prepare their works, and attend an opening reception. Getting out into the world is so important at this stage of their careers.”

CCAC is a thriving, collaborative, regional arts center for children, families, adults, and seniors. Later this year, the CCCA will open the first purpose-built community arts center in the city, featuring 18,000 square feet of classroom, gallery, and performance space as well as a green rooftop terrace.

“CCAC is an incubator of art and artists, and we provide a low-barrier entry point to excellent art opportunities,” says Leslie Mooney, CCAC’s executive director. “It’s a natural fit for Summerfair’s Emerging Artists exhibition to take place here. Supporting young artists who will grow and continue to provide fantastic art in our region is key to CCAC’s work as an inclusive community arts center.”

The artists in this year’s exhibition represent seven area schools and feature works in a variety of media.

“I love meeting the students,” says Utter. “They are the best from their school and it’s easy to see why. The art they present is so creative and so well done.”

The artists, representing the following schools, are

• Art Academy of Cincinnati:

  Tommy Ballard, Rory Torstensson, Samara White

• Miami University:

  Claire Farrow, Hannah Litt, Lana Traum, Sam Weible

• Mount St. Joseph University:

  Alex Albrecht, Karlee Banfeld, Emma Garner

• Northern Kentucky University:

  Grady Gartland, Anna Ndoye, Hannah Wentzel

• Thomas More College:

  Juliette Duke 

• University of Cincinnati | DAPP:

  Esra Kanisicak, Fiona Schade, Kara Yeomans

• Xavier University:

  Bree Gayman, Molly Gressele, Nick Namyar

“I love the Emerging Artists exhibition because the work is incredibly diverse and also fantastically creative,” says Mooney. “Over the years, there have been some beautiful pieces, some that pushed boundaries, many that provoked thought and emotion. It’s everything you’d want in a student art show.”

The Emerging Artists Exhibition continues through Feb. 23. Clifton Cultural Arts Center is at 2728 Short Vine St. After the opening, the Emerging Artists exhibition will be open by appointment. Call (513) 497-2860 for hours.