Ashland University Coburn Gallery to Host February Art Exhibition

The Coburn Art Gallery at Ashland University will host an art exhibition featuring the senior theater project by Brittany Hartman of Strongsville, Ohio, as well as the artworks of members of the Ashland Community Arts League.

The exhibition will open on Friday, Feb. 17, and run through Feb. 28. The gallery has planned a reception on Friday, Feb. 17, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Admission is free and open to the public.

Brittany Hartman is a senior theater major at Ashland University and her project focuses on the book “The Inferno by Dante.” She has created hair and make-up designs for eight different characters using wigs, prosthetics and many other advanced make-up skills. Hartman then actualized all eight designs on different models and had photo shoots to take portraits of each design. The portraits, research, her original designs and actual make-up pieces will be on display in the Coburn Art Gallery.

Hartman will be speaking briefly about her project at 6 p.m. in the gallery on Feb. 17. This event will precede the play, “Enchanted April,” which is produced by the Ashland University Theatre Department. Hartman is in the production and is also designing the hair and make-up.

The exhibition also will feature the artworks of 19 members of the Ashland Community Arts League, which consists of serious artists who are intent on advancing their art careers. Many members have gallery representation throughout the state while others are still working toward this goal.

The Arts League consists of painters, pencil artists, mixed media artists, works in glass, ceramics and photography. Exhibiting members are Diane Kaye, Mary Jean Ferretti, Sharon Gerbasi, Terry Hartzell, Terri Meyer, Barbara Morejon, Betty Perry, Nancy Pierce, Christa Gast, Margaret Riley, Robin Roberts, Susan Shafer, Dani Sherburne, Anne Skillman, David Strub, Bob Walker, Barry Wheeler, Sally Tharp and Heidi Weller.

According to Cynthia Petry, director of the Coburn Gallery, the gallery is excited to serve as host to this local artist group and looks forward to the Ashland community supporting the visual arts at the Coburn Gallery.

The gallery is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 12 noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. For more information about the opening reception or the exhibition, call 419.289.5652 or visit us on Facebook.

Ashland University, ranked in the top 200 colleges and universities in U.S. News and World Report’s National Universities category for 2012, is a mid-sized, private university conveniently located a short distance from Akron, Cleveland and Columbus, Ohio. Ashland University (www.ashland.edu) values the individual student and offers a unique educational experience that combines the challenge of strong, applied academic programs with a faculty and staff who build nurturing relationships with their students.