Ohio Artists Showcase Talents at Ohio State Fair Fine Arts Exhibition July 26, 2017 16 Artists Receive Ohio Arts Council Awards COLUMBUS, Ohio – July 26, 2017 From pig races to paintings, the Ohio State Fair has something for everyone. While the fair’s ever-popular selection of food vendors sell creative confections that tantalize the taste buds, an extensive exhibition at the Cox Fine Arts Center aims to be a feast for the eyes. Featuring 373 works by more than 280 Ohio artists, the Ohio State Fair Fine Arts Exhibition is an annual tradition that is considered the largest juried art show in Ohio. The exhibition incorporates work in a variety of mediums that is created by artists in both professional and amateur categories. The 2017 exhibition includes work that is representative of 48 Ohio counties. The opening of the exhibition was celebrated with an awards ceremony on July 25, when 64 artist awards were announced. This year, more than $22,000 in exhibition awards were distributed to artists in categories such as “Best of Show,” “Juror’s Choice,” and awards funded by the Ohio Arts Council and other local arts organizations. A full list of Ohio Arts Council award winners follows: A FIBER PERSPECTIVE AWARDS Ohio Arts Council Award – Professional Division ($500) Barbara Morejon, Ashland County Coat of Masks, Felted Wool Beth Schillig, Franklin County ORBITING OVALS, Fiber Ohio Arts Council Award – Amateur Division ($500) Terry Simon, Stark County Woolen Wonders, Mixed – Wool on Cotton OHIO ARTS COUNCIL AWARDS Ohio Arts Council Awards – Professional Division ($300) Char Norman, Franklin County Naked Truth III, Fiber Joan Tallan, Franklin County Women’s Right to Vote, Linocut Michael Hric, Franklin County Placid, Blown Glass Hiroshi Hayakawa, Franklin County Bronzini, Graphite and Watercolor on Paper Amanda Cook, Franklin County Lisska Bar, Oil on Panel Carrie Kunkle, Tuscarawas County Queenie, Earthenware New Artist Award – Professional Division ($250) Ria Waugh, Franklin County Amish Laundry, Photography Special Art Purchase – Professional Division Lisa Di Giacomo, Franklin County Snowmass Rodeo, Photography Jim Oberst, Licking County Quiet Afternoon, Watercolor Ohio Arts Council Award – Amateur Division ($250) Robert Kent, Licking County Boy on Unicycle, Bronze Eric Burden, Franklin County Kentish View 20171, Oil on Canvas New Artist Award – Amateur Division ($250) James Theodore, Cuyahoga County Confluence, Acrylic on Canvas Special Art Purchase – Amateur Division Bradley Paskievitch, Franklin County Mansfield Prison 1, Photography In addition to the exhibition, other arts-related activities scheduled for the fair include a chalk art competition held during the first weekend of the fair, as well as plein air painting during the second weekend. A new all-Ohio arts gift shop will also be housed at the Cox Fine Arts Center during the duration of the fair. For more information about the Ohio State Fair, visit ohiostatefair.com. ABOUT THE OHIO ARTS COUNCIL The Ohio Arts Council is a state agency that funds and supports quality arts experiences to strengthen Ohio communities culturally, educationally, and economically. Connect with the OAC on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, or visit our website at oac.ohio.gov. ### Photos: Ohio State Fair Fine Arts Exhibition opening reception; Barbara Morejon; Hiroshi Hayakawa; James Theodore Article by Amanda Etchison, Communications Strategist