Fri 6/13 @ 7pm
This Friday, Doubting Thomas’ invitation-only group exhibition Ultra Mega Art! highlights the best and brightest emerging artists from Cleveland State’s Art Department. CSU’s Art Department is two years into a brand-new chapter in their legacy. With the opening of their new Arts Campus and The Galleries at Cleveland State in Downtown’s Theatre District, the future is looking very bright at the corner of Euclid Avenue and E. 13th Street.
The Galleries at Cleveland State recently hosted the student-organized Student Show and Merit Scholar Exhibition — the second in their beautiful new space next to PlayhouseSquare on Euclid Avenue. The shows featured nearly 100 works by dozens of students in photography, drawing, painting, sculpture, ceramics, printmaking, graphic design, video and more.
During the exhibitions’ run, Doubting Thomas’ owner Theresa Boyd and Ultra Mega Art!’s organizer, Shepherd Weita, quietly visited the gallery and personally selected their favorites. A total of 9 emerging students were invited to participate in a group exhibition at Doubting Thomas for this month’s Tremont Art Walk.
“We are so excited to see this show come together,” says Weita. “It shines with the freshness of new talent and demonstrates the increasing influence of Cleveland State University’s Art Department on our local art community.”
Ultra Mega Art! features the work of Dunya Abrahim, Oni Allen, Christina Casal, Elisabeth Dare, Wade Gagich, Jaco Jucutan, Ben Rodriguez, Omid Tavakoli and Liz Trenholme.
Classes wrapped up a month ago, but these students are still working hard. Wade Gagich, winner of Best of Show in this year’s Student Show (and an honorable mention in this year’s Waterloo Arts Members Show), is set to take over as President of CSU’s Student Organization of Fine Art from Omid Tavakoli (who took over for me after I graduated last spring). Tavakoli’s cohesive Merit Scholarship Exhibition was a big hit with local collectors – including CSU President Ronald Berkman, who bought one of his large Dress Series photos.
Jaco Jucutan graduated this spring. While he may not have a degree in art, he was one of the most talented students I met during my time at CSU. Jucutan is a multi-talented artist – working in both two and three dimensions. Ben Rodriguez’s paintings and drawings have a surreal, psychological effect that extends past the limitations of pure representation.
Dunya Abrahim is one of the only Printmaking majors to graduate from CSU in recent years. You could count the number of Printmaking majors during my time at CSU on one hand. The program is undoubtedly the most difficult in the department. Don’t miss this chance to see one of the “survivors.” For many of these students, it will be their first exhibition off-campus.
In the name of full-disclosure, I graduated from CSU in the spring of 2013 with a degree in Studio Art (Painting). I consider a number of these talented students to be friends. Over the past 5 years, I’ve witnessed firsthand what CSU’s art students are capable of. I strongly encourage you all to attend Friday’s opening reception and see for yourself.
Josh Usmani is a 27 year old local artist, curator and writer. Since 2008, his work has been featured in over 50 local and regional exhibitions.
Cleveland, OH 44113