Culture

The curators of DACO’s “Artists of the Winding Road A-Z,” Michael Seiler and David Mitzel. (WOUB Public Media/Emily Votaw)

‘Artists of the Winding Road’ at DACO Jan. 20 – April 15

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What does it mean to be an Appalachian artist?

This is one of the primary questions explored by the Decorative Arts Center of Ohio’s first exhibition of 2018, entitled Artists of the Winding Road A-Z. The exhibition features the work of 12 regional artists, displaying talents as varied as oil painting to ceramics, and was co-curated by David Mitzel and Michael Seiler. WOUB’s Emily Votaw gathered the two into WOUB’s studio B earlier this month to discuss the new exhibition, as well as the cultural revitalization of Zanesville, a work that they are both heavily involved in.

David Mitzel, one of the distinguished 2018 recipients of the Ohio Arts Council Governor’s Awards, is also the founder of Appalachian Hills of Ohio Territory, the Zanesville Prize for Contemporary Ceramics, the All-Ohio Contemporary Ceramics Competition and Show, and the Arts Council of Muskingum County.

Michael Seiler is a Zanesville-based artist who moved to the area from Toledo, OH some 38 years ago. He is a trained artist who has taught secondary school level and at Muskingum University and Zane State College. He and his wife Kathleen are heavily involved in their community, and Michael hosted and curated the 2014 and 2017 Zanesville Prize for Contemporary Ceramics.

Take a look at some photos of the exhibition below, taken by WOUB’s Emily Votaw.

(WOUB Public Media/Emily Votaw)
(WOUB Public Media/Emily Votaw)
(WOUB Public Media/Emily Votaw)
(WOUB Public Media/Emily Votaw)
(WOUB Public Media/Emily Votaw)

Events affiliated with the Artists of the Winding Road A-Z

How to Read Art: Sunday, February 11, 2 p.m. ($8/$5 members with reservations, $10 at the door)

Michael Seiler will lead a conversation on to learn how to properly interpret art.

Stitched: Fabric Collage Class: Sunday, February 25, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. ($25/$23 member)

Join artist Susan Nash in finding new life for the fabric scraps in your life.

Live Portrait Painting with Yan Sun: Sunday, March 11, 2 p.m. ($8/$5 members with reservations/$10 at the door)

A VIP guest will sit for a portrait executed by internationally renowned Muskingum University professor Yan Sun. Sun will share his process and life experiences as he paints.

Artist of the New Appalachia:  Sunday, March 18, 2 p.m. ($8/$5 members with reservations/$10 at the door)

Panel discussion with exhibition artists John Taylor-Lehman, Linda Gall, Paul Emory, and moderated by Michael Seiler.

Children’s Found Object Sculpture Class: Sunday, March 18, 2 p.m. ($25/$22 member)

Create a sculpture using found objects with artist Michelle Stizlein.

Poets of the Appalachia Region:  Sunday, April 8, 2 p.m. ($8/$5 members with reservations/$10 at the door)

The Ohio Poetry Association is sponsoring an afternoon at DACo in celebration of National Poetry Month. 12 poets with their own roots in Appalachia will read original poems written in response to the artwork found in the exhibition.