Elementally Bare will be on display at the Markay Gallery from January 16 to March 7, 2020. It is composed of work from the artists Joseph G. Hamilton and Dana Elise Boggs.
Joseph G. Hamilton:
Joseph is a lifelong resident of Ohio, residing currently in the south-east corner of the state. Joe’s upbringing by a compulsive, eclectic, stay at home mother and obsessive blue-collar father has instilled creativity and attention to details in his work ethic. Influenced by his mother’s vast art text library, professional artist friends, and National Geographic Magazines strewn about the childhoods home, Joe has developed a fascination with the diversity of the human form. He is a six-year veteran of The U.S. Navy, serving as a combat medic, hospital corpsman, and x-ray technician. Four years on board and aircraft carrier traveling the Atlantic Ocean, enlightened his view of many cultures and peoples. Working comfortably in multiple mediums and extensive media, Joe focuses most of his attention on 3D Design and sculptural forms. Exhibition artistry, outdoor sculpture, and part time educator are Joseph’s focus as a professional in the diverse world of art.
Artist’s statement
Elementally Bare is an exploration of the human form and condition. In my series, Bodies Modified, cultural beauty and acceptance is represented by one’s willingness to modify their body in extreme ways. Most of these practices are still observed today in cultures around the world. My ever-evolving body of work, Disturbed Perfection, reflects the flawed nature of such a perfect creation…us.
Dana Elise Boggs:
Dana Elise Boggs is a life-long resident of Ohio and the single mother of two beautiful, grown daughters. Dana’s childhood was influenced by her artist mother and grandmother, Her mother was always involved un something creative, from making costumes for Halloween or a school play, baking and decorating cakes, and painting with her delicate stroke. Dana’s grandmother owned a fabrics and craft store where she offered classes in sewing, craft making, and painting.
Dana works in a variety of media, which begun with baking and elaborately decorating cakes. With a subtle minimalistic and abstract approach, she creates work in which fascination with the clarity of content and an uncompromising attitude towards conceptual and minimal art can be found. Dana works in several mediums, but her focus is 3D design and sculpture.
Artist’s Statement
Elementally Bare is an exploration of the human form and condition. My work represents life’s everyday pressures and liberties. Whether it be the idea of being pushed down or rising above, the relationship between the two is indisputable.
This contest is free to enter! Cash prizes will be awarded. This amateur photography contest is open to youth ages 10-17 and adults ages 18 and up.
Pictures must have been taken in Jackson or Vinton Counties to be entered in this contest.
There will be cash awards in both Youth and Adult divisions. First Prize is $100; Second Prize: $75 ; Third Prize: $50;
$50 award to the Overall People’s Choice.
The Picture Perfect Exhibit can be viewed from July 1 to July 30, 2021 at the Markay Cultural Arts Center, located at 269 E. Main Street in Jackson.
This is a project of Vinton County National Bank Financial Family, with the cooperation of The Southern Hills Arts Council
Deadline to enter: June 25
Download the Entry Form Here: Entry Form
Entry forms may also be picked up in person at the Markay Gallery at 269 E. Main St. in Jackson during our operating hours which are Wednesday through Friday, 12-5.
Contest Rules:
1. Photographer must be an amateur, i.e. Has not received money for photography services in the past year.
2. Photo must have been taken after March 1, 2021.
3. Each entry must be 8″x10″ and on glossy or matte photo paper
4. Entries may be submitted to the Vinton County National Bank, 112 West Main St., McArthur or the Jackson Banking Center, 920 Veterans Dr, Suite E, Jackson or the Markay Cultural Arts Center, 269 E. Main St., Jackson by 5 p.m., June 25th.
5. All entries become the property of the Markay during the course of the contest, and will be released to participants on August 2nd, 2021.
6. Photos featuring an identifiable person must be accompanied by a signed release from that person or guardian.
7. Employees of the Vinton County National Bank Financial Family are not eligible to participate.
8. Photos can be artistically enhanced. Photos can be of any subject matter, however, no nude photos, nor untactful subjects will be permitted in the contest.
9. Failure to follow these rules will result in a disqualified entry.
The Apple Country Quilt Show opened on Friday, July 14 at and runs until August 20, at the Markay Cultural Arts Center. Several quilts are on display.
The Apple Country Quilt Show opens on Friday, July 14 at 7 p.m. and runs until August 20 at the Markay Cultural Arts Center. Several quilts are on display. The Markay Gallery is open Wednesday to Friday noon to 5 p.m. and on Saturday and Sunday from 1 to 3 p.m. The Markay Cultural Arts Center is located at 269 E. Main St., in Jackson.
Those having quilts on display are:
The Markay Gallery is open Wednesday to Friday noon to 5 p.m. and on Saturday and Sunday from 1 to 3 p.m. The Markay Cultural Arts Center is located at 269 E. Main St., in Jackson.
The Markay Cultural Arts Center is maintained by the Southern Hills Arts Council, a not-for-profit organization.
For more on the Markay, visit www.markayjackson.org or www.southernhillsartscouncil.org.
The youth taking the Musical Theatre Workshop will be showcasing their 10-minute musicals that they have written their musicals as well as composed lyrics to tell their stories.
The musical shorts will be showcased June 22 at 7 p.m. at the Markay Cultural Arts Center. The event is free to the public.
The three-week workshop began June 5. The first week was led by Pippin Parker, a professional writer and director. Parker has written extensively for animated television series including The Tick and Pocoyo (Kineo Diamante Award, Venice Film Festival) as well as for interactive and new media. He is the older brother of actress, Sarah Jessica Parker.
The next two weeks focused on composing scripts, music and staging. Those sessions were under the direction of Minda Hager and Greg Miller of The University of Rio Grande.
This workshop is funded by the Imagine Arts Endowment/University of Rio Grande with a partnership with the Southern Hills Arts Council.
The following students will be taking part in the showcase:
• Bethany Armstrong, is a 16-year-old from Jackson. She is the daughter of Chris and Laura Armstrong. Bethany attends Oak Hill High School. Her past acting and musical experiences include portraying a munchkin in the Wizard of Oz, a Dalmatian in 101 Dalmatians, a harem girl in Aladdin, and a servant in Taming of the Shrew.
“I wanted to take this workshop because I feel like the workshop would help boost my confidence,” Bethany said as to why she participated in the workshop.
Bethany’s musical, “Growing Payne’s”, is about four sisters that slowly grow up and move their separate ways. “I wrote this musical because I feel that I have the same relationship with my family,” Bethany said.
• Savannah Crisp is the 17 year-old daughter of Crystal and Matt Crisp. She attends Jackson High School, and classes at Ohio University.
Her past acting and musical experience includes parts in Annie, The Jungle Book, Into the Woods and Emma!.
Savannah said she took the workshop, “to improve my acting skills and have new experiences.”
“The Girl in the Closet” is about a missing key and a fight and it seems there is no way out. “On the first day, someone said something about getting locked out of a closet snf it spiraled from there,” Savannah said of her inspiration for the musical.
• Marah Hager, is a 19-year-old from Rio Grande. She is the daughter of Kevin and Minda Hager . She graduated from River Valley High School. Marah is currently attending the University of Rio Grande. Marah’s past acting and musical experience includes parts in Steel Magnolias as Shelby; Emma in Emma! A Pop Musical; a girl in Hide the Horses; a ghost in a Christmas with a Welsh Accent; Small Town, Big Dreams; a waitress in That was Bob; Katherine in The Taming of the Shrew, as well as a part in The Twelfth Night.
“I was interested in participating in this workshop in the hopes of expanding my performance capabilities to support future acting challenges and pursuits. It has been a very creative adventure,” Marah said.
Marah’s musical, “Our Place” is a about the complicated avenue of miscommunication and faulty perspective, with an optimistic ending. “I wanted to explore the concept of perception and the realization that no one is exactly as you perceive them to be,” Marah explained about the inspiration to write, “Our Place”.
• Evelyn Harley, is the 13-year-old daughter of Megan Malone and Jeremy Harley. She is a student at Sts. Peter and Paul School. Her past acting and musical experience include portraying parts in The Sound of Music, The Little Mermaid, The Lion King Jr., Song of Myself, and Christmas with a Welsh Accent.
Evelyn said she participated in the workshop, ”because it looked cool and I want to work on my acting.”
For this production, Eveyln has a part in “Growing Payne’s” and “Together Forever”, a musical about two girls getting their hands glued together.
• Miriam Harley is the 15-year-old daughter of Megan Malone and Jeremy Harley. She attends Jackson High School. Her past acting and musical experiences include Ursula in Little Mermaid, Jr.,; Emma in Schoolhouse Scholars; Mother Abbess in Sound of Music Jr.; Peach in James and the Giant Peach; as well as parts in Addams Family, Song of Myself and Childs Christmas in Wales.
“I took the workshop to improve my acting ability and to have a fun time writing a musical with friends,” Miriam said.
“Just Trust Me” is about two people who learn that not everyone is trustworthy. “Real life experiences,” is what Miriam said inspired her musical.
• Kylee Hendershott is the 15-year-old daughter of Melissa and Steve Hendershott of Wellston. She attends Wellston High School. Her past acting and musical experience includes: Alice in Wonderland Jr.; At the Bandstand as Evelyn Finklestein; Gretl Von Trapp in The Sound of Music; Sebastian in The Little Mermaid Jr. “I wanted to take this workshop because I had never thought of actually creating a musical of my own and was excited to try it our as well as gaining more acting and musical experience,” Kylee explained.“How We Remember” is about an elderly couple that has been together for almost 70 years. One day, as they are enjoying the park, they notice two little girls and are moved to tell the story of how they met, however, they run into problems remembering exactly how it happened. “A while back I heard the song, “I Remember it Well” from Gigi and I always thought it was a cute and funny idea. I wanted a musical light and funny and not too serious,” Kylee said of her inspiration.
• Lillian Sizemore is the 15-year-old daughter of Katie and Phil Sizemore of Wellston. She attends Wellston High School. Her acting and musical experience include school plays and university short films. Some of her roles have included Ariel in the Little Mermaid Jr., The March Hare in Alice in Wonderland Jr., and Harriet in Emma!.
“I took the workshop to gain experience and to get to do the thing I love with the great people who always are in the workshops,” Lillian said.
“Nonromantic Getaway” is about a man and a woman who get stuck on an island freshly broken up. This gives them time to think about their feelings and moving forward. “I thought it would be fun to have a musical with a kind of unexpected way it goes. I wanted to stray away from the usual falling in love business,” Lillian said of her musical.
• Derek McCarty, is an 17-year-old Oak Hill High School student. He is the son of Roy and Tammy McCarty of Oak Hill. His past acting and musical experience include portraying a Baker in The Beauty and the Beast; the Mayor in the Wizard of Oz; Mike T.V. in Willy Wonka; Prince Eric in The Little Mermaid; Scar in The Lion King; the Genie in Aladdin, and in Small Town, Big Dreams.
“I took the workshop to improve my writing and acting capabilities,” Derek said.
Derek wrote “Brother Mine”. The musical is about two brothers who are left on their own with no money, so the older brother teaches the younger one some questionable methods of making some money. “ I have always been interested in thieves and their motivation for theft,” He said of what inspired “Brother Mine”.
• Zack McGowan, the 16-year-old son of Zack McGowan and Stephanie Cottrell, attends Jackson High School. His past acting and musical experience includes You can’t take it with you, The Little Mermaid as Prince Eric; James and the Giant Peach as James and Lucas Bieneke in Addams Family.
“I took this workshop to improve my acting skills and to become a better musician under a time limit,” Zack said of what prompted him to attend the workshop.
• Kendra Perry, just graduated from Jackson High School, She plans to attend Long Island University in the Fall. She is the 18-year-old daughter of John Perry and Michelle Sanborn. Her past acting and musical experience include Jackson High School’s productions of Annie, The Jungle Book, Into the Woods, You Can’t Take It With You, The Little Mermaid, James and the Giant Peach and the Adam’s Family. She also was part of the RTG Theatre Guild production of Emma! A Pop Musical.
“I am attending college for musical theatre and this summer I wanted to get as much experience as I could. I’ve never tried writing a show, and so that was really exciting,” Kendra explained as to what she attended the workshop.
“Misunderstandings”, focuses on a mother and son talking in their kitchen. The son, Alex, wants to tell his Mother that he is gay, but doesn’t know how. He wants to be accepted and they struggle with understanding each other. “I wanted to convey the message of acceptance and with the recent events and the celebration of Pride month, I thought this would be a great way to do it,” Kendra said of the inspiration to create her musical, “Misunderstandings”.
• Emily Polcyn is the 16-year-old daughter of Anthony and Carol Polcyn. She attends Jackson High School. Her past acting and musical experiences includes Alice Beineke in The Addams Family; Aunt Spiker in James and the Giant Peach; Jetsam in The Little Mermaid; and Gay Wellington in You Can’t Take It With You. “After leaving high school, I want to pursue performance and writing. This workshop gives me the ability to cohesively apply both of these interests.
“Independence Day” is about the struggle of a couple, Madelyn and Max Baldwin, to reconcile their relationship after Max returns home after serving five in the war. “I wanted to express the effort required to keep a relationship working, despite conflict and that “true love finds a way’,” Emily said of the inspiration behind her musical.
• Kaltra Woltz of Coalton, is the 13-year-old daughter of Rudin Woltz and Tom Woltz. She attends Sts. Peter and Paul School. Her past acting and musical experiences include parts in The Sound of Music, The Little Mermaid, and The Lion King Jr.
“I participated in the workshop because it sounded like something I would like,” Kaltra said.
“Together Forever” is about two girls who get their hands glued together.” It kind of just came to me,” Kaltra said of the inspiration behind, “Together Forever”.
Also participating in the workshop are Savannah Crisp, Zack McGowan and Lily Sizemore.
Alyssa Russell of Mason, West Virginia has been assisting the youth composing the music for their musicals, but she said that many of the youth already had an idea of a melody. She is a music teacher at Ashton Elementary in Mason, who also teaches voice and piano. She is serving as the accompanist for the musicals.
JACKSON— After an almost seven-years of fundraising, the Markay Star Campaign is coming to completion. One of the last pieces was raising the needed funds for the last star before the installation of bronze sidewalk stars could occur.
The stars will greet those entering the Markay Cultural Arts Center, located at 269 E. Main Street, Jackson.
The installation project was put out to bid in late April, and awarded to Stockmeister Enterprises. Stockmeister crews have been on site clearing out the previous sidewalk to make way for 12 bronze stars to be installed. Masterworks Plaques of Brooklyn, New York cast the 12 bronze stars.
On May 23, new concrete was poured and finished. The bronze star plaques will be permanently installed on May 24. The plaques will remain covered however, and will not be unveiled to the public, until Sunday, May 28 at 2 p.m., where an unveiling ceremony will take place.
A crew from Stockmeister Enterprises are pictured pouring concrete where the bronze stars will be installed in front of the Markay Cultural Arts Center Tuesday. The unveiling of the bronze stars will be Sunday, May 28 at 2 p.m. The public is invited to attend.
“The Southern Hills Arts Council is eager for the public to see the completion of this project,” said Jennifer Hughes, Director of Operations. “Without these generous donors, and those who helped fund the God Star, we still may have been in the renovation phase of the Markay,” Hughes said. “It was these funds that helped to complete the final phase of the 20-year renovation of the Markay Cultural Arts Center and finally open the theater for performances,” she added.
“We appreciate the steadfast support that Nea Henry and the late Bernadine Stockmeister gave to the star campaign, along with Lee Hamilton for helping to kick off the campaign and former Southern Hills Arts Council Executive Director Barbara Summers. Their work in gaining donors and promoting the Markay helped lead us to this finished project,” Hughes explained. “I think Bernadine would be very pleased with this accomplishment,” Hughes added.
Southern Hills Arts Council (SHAC) works to enhance the quality of life in the region by encouraging and stimulating the practice and appreciation of the arts. The Markay Cultural Arts Center, which is operated by SHAC, is an engaging environment offering a wide range of artistic experiences and quality performances. The Markay, a 1930 Art Deco movie house is owned by the City of Jackson, and leased by SHAC for $1 per year with the proviso that SHAC renovate, maintain, and operate. The Markay also houses an art gallery that showcases area artists. SHAC is actively seeking funding to transform their dated meeting room into an arts classroom, where students of all ages can come to practice and appreciate the arts.
On May 19, Ohio Valley Bank unveiled its new Markay Cultural Arts Center debit card design as part of its Community First debit card program. The Markay MasterCard® debit card is now available at all Ohio Valley Bank locations, including the Milton Banking Company Division locations.
The Markay will receive five dollars for every OVB customer that chooses to upgrade to the new card design. This debit card is the twenty-fourth local design released by Ohio Valley Bank in an effort to make a positive impact on its communities.
“We are excited to be partnering with OVB. This partnership will allow us to continue in our mission to be a vehicle for experiencing the arts in our area,” said Jennifer Hughes, Director of Operations, Southern Hills Arts Council.
The card design features a theatre stage with brilliant red curtains and the Markay’s unique, marquee-style logo. A repeating overlay of the Southern Hills Arts Council logo is the finishing touch. Through the Community First debit card program, bank account holders may upgrade the look of their debit card to one designed for their favorite local school or charity. The upgrade is available for a ten dollar fee with half donated back to the school or charity.
Designs are also available for the Jackson County Apple Festival, Jackson High School, Wellston High School, and Jackson County Friends of 4-H. Bank staff are currently working to add more local designs to the mix. Officials from schools or local charities wishing to participate in the program should email communityfirst@ovbc.com. More information on the cards and a look at the currently available designs can be found at www.ovbc.com/communitycards.
Ohio Valley Bank, established in 1872 operates 19 offices in Ohio and West Virginia. The Bank’s parent company, Ohio Valley Banc Corp., also owns Loan Central, a consumer finance company specializing in tax services. Common stock for Ohio Valley Banc Corp. is traded on The NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol OVBC
Are you an aspiring artist, or someone who wants to find out a little more about visual arts? Have you wanted to learn the fundamentals of drawing, or lean about painting or watercolors? The Southern Hills Arts Council is offering a four-session course so you can dabble in the arts.
This course will reacquaint you to art. Perfect for those who are craving a creative outlet, or just want to see if they have a raw, untapped talent, or if they just want to find an alternate activity that gets them out of the house and away from the adulting responsibilities of yard work and laundry.
Several art mediums will be discussed and practiced. Students will leave each class with an art project they created. Learn the fundamentals of drawing by working with pencils, charcoal and pastels. Paint on canvas and learn about acrylic, and oil paints, watercolor, brush techniques, and finding inspiration. Work from still life set ups and photographs. Focus on the basics, build skills, and learn how to see as an artist, while working from your own photos, a personal still life, and more.
Classes will be held May 13, May 20, June 3 and June 10, from 9 a.m. to noon. Bob Eisnaugle will be teaching about the fundamentals of drawing on May 13. Paul Brown will be teaching about pastels on May 20. Paul Brown will be teaching about Acrylics on June 3. Kit Dailey will be teaching about Watercolor on June 10.
All Art classes offered by the Southern Hills Arts Council
in the Markay Cultural Arts Center’s classroom, 271 E. Main Street, Jackson.
Class size is limited to eight.
Course fees are $130 and includes most materials you will need to take the course, except for the Fundamentals of Drawing Kit, which must be purchased for $25. The Kit includes:12 Graphite from H to B, Ultra Soft Woodless 6B and 3 Charcoal Pencils, Graphite Sticks, White Vinyl and Kneaded Erasers, Double Hole and Regular Sharpeners, as well as a Knife, Blending Stumps, Sandpaper Pointer and Pencil Extender, meet all your artistic needs. 16 sheets of 5.7″X7.9” (A5) sketch paper, great for use with pencils and suitable for charcoal. The kit includes a wide variety of pencils, charcoals, graphite, charcoal sticks and much more in soft, medium and hard grades for shading and drawing larger areas. The sketching drawing kit comes with a carrying zipper case to store and preserve your supplies. Southern Hills Arts Council members receive a $15 discount on the course.
Must reserve your spot by May 10.
This course may be canceled or rescheduled if class size requirement is not met.
To sign up for a class, call SHAC at 740-286.6355 or email jhughes@markayjackson.org
Southern Hills Arts Council is a 501c3 not for profit organization whose mission is be a vehicle for the community to experience the arts.
The 2017 Evening with the Arts – “Mad for the Markay” – will be held Saturday, May 20, 2017 at the Jackson Area YMCA beginning at 7p.m.
Entertainment will be provided by “The Menus,” a Cincinnati-based rock ’n’ roll cover band. They will play your favorites from artists such as John Mellencamp, The Doors, Rolling Stones, Bruce Springsteen, and The Beetles, along with some weird and wacky antics to keep the crowd rolling.
Included with your ticket is delicious food and desserts catered by The Wounded Goose and a gourmet coffee bar provided by The Spot on Main. A cash bar will be available featuring craft beer selections from Sixth Sense Brewing Company, as well as a variety of wines. A live art auction, a silent auction, and the traditional “Match Pack” and AL Terry Jewelry Chest will round out the evening.
“This year we have a “Mad Hatter / Alice in Wonderland” theme,” said Debra Shumate, 2017 Evening With the Arts Committee Chair. “We hope the community will come out and have a great time, while raising funds to continue the wonderful programming of the Southern Hills Arts Council and the Markay Cultural Arts Center. I have a great planning committee this year who are working hard to make sure everyone who attends has a fabulous time! We are keeping traditional favorites like the art auction, match pack, and the AL Terry Jewelry Chest, while introducing new entertainment and more variety in food and drinks.”
The Menus
Tickets are $30/person advance purchase, $40/person at the door, or $275 for a reserved table of 8. Tickets can be purchased at the Walnut Hills Neighborhood Box Office located inside the Markay (open Wednesdays through Fridays 12-5 p.m.), by calling 740.577.3841, or online at http://markaytickets.org .
Thank you to our Red Queen Sponsors – The LOCAL Gallery, Holzer Health System, and AL Terry Jewelers, as well as all of our other sponsors and donors. For more information about the 2017 Evening with the Arts or the Southern Hills Arts Council, please visit http://www.southernhillsartscouncil.org .
To Whom It May Concern:
Southern Hills Arts Council/Markay Cultural Arts Center will be accepting bid proposals for the referenced “Markay Sidewalk Star Installation.” Bids must be received by no later than 04/25/2017 at 4:00 PM. Bids received after this date and/or time will not be accepted and will be returned unopened to the sender.
The purpose of this project is to install bronze stars and make repairs to drainage and sidewalk.
Key components of this project include:
If you are interested in submitting a bid, it should be delivered to the name and address listed below in a sealed envelope labeled as follows:
Southern Hills Arts Council/Markay
Bid Submission Attn: Jennifer Hughes
271 E.Main St.
Jackson, Ohio 45640
To receive the full bid package, interested bidders MUST schedule a site visit by contacting Mrs. Jennifer Hughes at 740-286-6355. Visits will be scheduled between 04/17/2017 and 04/25/2017 at The Markay Cultural Arts Center, 269 East Main Street, Ohio 45640.
Bids must be must be typed or printed and then signed in ink.
All bids received by the deadline date and time shall be reviewed by Jennifer Hughes. All bids must include all requested work items, conform to the Project Standards/Specifications and be responsive, accurate, and cost reasonable. SHAC/Markay will select the contractor to perform all construction work required and the contract will be executed between SHAC/Markay and the winning contractor.
You are reminded to bid only on those items designated. In the event the owner should request additional work or deletion of any work from the write-up while you are inspecting the property, or should you feel additional work is required, list those items with costs on a separate piece of paper or letterhead stationery. All additional items will be considered separately from the base bid and consideration of any changes will be negotiated with the owner after the bid opening. A refundable secured bid bond in the amount of $25,000 will be required to obtain a full bid package during the scheduled visit. Upon the satisfactory return of the full bid package, in good condition, and no later than 04/25/17, will be refunded within 30 day(s) after return of the full bid package.
Southern Hills Arts Council/Markay has the right to reject any and all bids at their sole discretion. Should you have any questions or concerns about any of the items on the work write-up, please contact Jennifer Hughes for clarification prior to bidding. You are reminded that your bid should be inclusive of all taxes, fees and permits.
Upon selection of the winning contractor, SHAC/Markay will send a Bid Award Notice to the selected contractor. The Bid Award Notice will advise the selected contractor of the date, time and location of the pre-construction conference that must take place before any work can begin. Upon satisfactory completion of the pre-construction conference, SHACl/Markay will issue a “Notice to Proceed,” which must be executed by the selected contractor as well.
Emalea Rupe
Emalea Rupe’s works of art will be on display at the Markay Cultural Arts Center beginning Friday, April 21.
Rupe explains that art begins with a thought, an image in the mind, as well as our perception of the world around us. “Being a quiet person, interaction with others has never come easy. This exhibit is in part a creative view of what it feels like to be me, as I share ideas through painting, photography, and ceramics,” the artist added about her show.
“Every aspect of our personality makes us who we are, whether it be a part of ourselves we share with the world or struggles we carry within. For some, outward interactions come easy, for others it does not. You re-think and over-think everything,” Rupe said. “With eyes closed you may become disconnected and somewhat invisible as others look your way but never really see,” she added.
From Apple Grove, West Virginia, Rupe completed her Associates degree in Fine Art in 2013 and a Bachelor’s in Fine Arts, with a minor in Photography from the University of Rio Grande in 2016. She was introduced to art at a young age and decided to make it a career. She enjoys working on commission portraits and is currently taking on larger projects for local businesses in Rio Grande.
Her works have been displayed in various shows, including several student shows at the Greer Museum at URG, French Art Colony, the Markay Cultural Arts Center Gallery, 409 Gallery, Point Pleasant River Museum, Marshall University, Huntington Museum of Art, Southern Ohio Museum and the Parkersburg Arts Center. She has also been involved in three Provost’s Academic Excellence Initiative projects and did a collaborated painting of the Welsh mural in Rio Grande, as well as a mural in Rio Grande Memorial Park. Recently, her drawing of Ann Griffiths was added to a poster displayed at a Baptist Church in South Wales.
Meet Emalea Rupe on Friday, April 21 at 7 p.m. during the opening reception where she will discuss her inspiration and art practices. The opening reception is free and open to the community. Her work will remain on display until May 28.
The Markay Cultural Arts Center is located at 269 E. Main Street, Jackson. The Gallery is open Wednesday through Friday from noon to 5 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 1 to 3 p.m.
The Markay Cultural Arts Center is a project of the Southern Hills Arts Council, a non-profit organization whose mission is to be a vehicle for the community to experience the arts.
For more on the Markay Cultural Arts Center visit www.markayjackson.org.