Painted Flowers, Ink Scenes, And Sculptural Souls

Last night I visited two art openings celebrating three Columbus artists. It was (yet) another reminder of how fortunate we are to live in such an accessible city. Wholly Craft, one of the most beguiling places in all the land, introduced its new art space called “the wall gallery” yesterday. The Clintonville shop of handcrafted treasures will feature different art shows each month that will be curated by Stephanie Rond. “I’m still bitter I didn’t get ‘most artistic’ in high school” is the first show, and the first solo exhibit by CCAD student Carolyn Slebodnik. In addition to the 20 paintings that she created specially for the gallery, she designed one of the store’s front windows. All artists who exhibit with the wall gallery will be given complete freedom to design the 3D window space. “The paintings in this show are all about me longing for the future,” Carolyn said. “The flowers represent spring and hope.” Her pieces will be on display through April 5.

At Lindsay Gallery, two Columbus artists who explore the human condition through very different materials celebrated with an opening reception called BIG. Amidst the bustle of a Short North Friday night, the gallery was filled with admirers of Alissa Sorenson’s silk and stainless steel knitted masterpieces and Morris Jackson’s impossibly detailed Rapidograph pen and ink drawings. The works of both artists were positioned as small in scale but monstrous in soul, which was indeed accurate. This was the second time I got to experience Alissa’s work, which is thought provoking and dazzlingly intricate. It's easy to lose yourself in Morris’ scenes of longing and bewilderment; each piece is its own remarkably complex universe. DJ Citizen Dorian S. was his usual painfully groovy self and added rhythm to the evening with the likes of Joe Jackson’s Steppin’ Out.