Granville's Art at 43023 hosts June 2023 reception for local artists

The June reception at Art at 43023 will be held Saturday, June 3, from 6-8 p.m. There will be live music by Ralph Leeseberg and refreshments. This event is open to the public.

Local painters Julie York and Benny Hershberger and jewelry designer Melissa Winters are featured as the guest artists for June.

Julie York is an English language arts teacher at the secondary level at Thomas Worthington High School. She is currently enrolled in a masters of art education program at Ohio State University. She hopes that she can bring more artistic expression to the classroom to ensure her students feel seen and heard as well as to help them become critically-engaged and creative citizens of the world.

York has enjoyed art since a young age, taking her first art class at a community recreation center when she was 10. After that, she took many art classes as a student at Granville High School and continued to dabble in artistic endeavors such as pottery, painting and other mediums from time to time during her 20s.

York got back into art more seriously about four years ago when she started taking classes at Bryn Du Art Center. She loves working with bright and bold colors, often embracing a fauvism in her work. York is drawn to faces in particular but also really enjoys southwest landscapes. Her favorite mediums are acrylic and oils though she is starting to enjoy mixed mediums and textures as well.

Benny Hershberger is an artist that primarily paints outdoors. He's been painting for about 12 years, but he always drew during his school years as a boy. He enjoys painting subjects that have a certain mood and atmosphere, and he attempts to depict that in his finished paintings. He loves painting landscapes, especially light and dark patterns. Hershberger's enjoys painting in the evenings in the countryside of central and eastern Ohio.

Artist Melissa Winters said "I have been a lifelong 'maker of things.' No day feels complete if I have not made something. The pieces I make come from my love of mixed media art. Many items found in my work are 'found' items or 'upcycled.' I spent many an hour with my Depression-Era Grandmother where repurposing was part of her everyday life. I still see this memory seep into many of my projects. Right now I find myself drawn to resin and all of the glass-like qualities it possesses. I love the idea of suspending thoughts and feelings inside the resin."

Additionally, the gallery holds the artistic works of 19 different artists. Many of these artists live in Granville. Mediums include jewelry; fiber art including scarves, napkins, towels and wall hangings; photographs; kiln-fired, blown, and stained glass; wood creations, metal art and sculptures, paintings; and pottery.

Besides the reception Saturday from 6-8 p.m. Gallery hours are Friday from 2-6 p.m., Saturday from 11 a.m.-6 p.m., and Sunday from noon-4 p.m. For appointments or information, call 740-348-6631.

Information submitted by Art at 43023.