Release Date: September 13,2021
Curated Courthouse Unveils Faces and Feelings
Portraiture and Abstracts of three regional artists
(Summit County, Ohio) – The Curated Courthouse unveils its latest exhibit to remind us of the beauty of faces and uplifting feelings through the works of three Northeast Ohio artists in a new exhibit at the Summit County Courthouse. The show, Faces and Feelings, features the photography of Laura Ruth Bidwell and the paintings of Max Markwald, and Care Hanson in an exhibit that runs September 15 thru December 8.
“One of the things we realized we missed most during this pandemic was the faces of those we interact with every day,” said Lisa Mansfield, Community Outreach Specialist for Summit County Probate Court. “Whether it was due to isolation or masks we hadn’t really seen each other in a very long time. These artists capture the joy of our feelings in seeing faces.”
Curated Courthouse is a collaboration between Summit County Probate Court and Curated Storefront. This partnership provides inspiration and gives respite through art, from diverse local artists, to employees and often unwilling visitors in the stressful environment within the historic Summit County Courthouse.
Laura Ruth Bidwell, an Akron born artist, graduated from The University of Akron with a BFA. in painting. She is currently a photographer, book maker, and collage artist living in Cleveland. She operates the Transformer Station and Bidwell Foundation with her husband Fred Bidwell. These photographs are on loan from partner Curated Storefront.
Max Markwald graduated from The University of Akron, Myers School of Art, in the fall of 2016. He has had 15 solo shows in the Northeast Ohio region, including exhibitions at Bay Arts, Akron Soul Train, and Massillon Museum. Max focuses on large-format oil paintings and is using his work to highlight queer voices.
Care Hanson is a visual artist who graduated with BFA from Bowling Green University. Her works include acrylic on canvas, mixed media work on recycled cardboard, and nature mandalas.
“Art also opens doors of communication and connection with people far beyond my community bubble,” shared Care. “In the months of Covid 19 and quarantine, those doors have been life affirming.”
The Summit County Courthouse is open to the public 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and is located at 209 S High St, Akron, OH 44308. Masks are required to enter the building.
Knight Foundation is a national foundation with strong local roots. Knight invests in journalism, in the arts, and in the success of cities where brothers John S. and James L. Knight once published newspapers. Their goal is to foster informed and engaged communities, which they believe are essential for a healthy democracy. For more, visit KF.org.
For questions about Curated Courthouse, contact Lisa Mansfield at lmansfield@summitohioprobate.