COSHOCTON — The Johnson-Humrickhouse Museum’s exhibition of contemporary art quilts, “Pushing the Surface,” will be open to the public on May 18. The exhibition of 26 works is a dance of color, beauty, ingenuity, and story.
The Johnson-Humrickhouse Museum is open Tuesday to Sunday, from noon to 4 p.m., with extended hours starting during Memorial Day Weekend.
The museum is located at 300 N. Whitewoman Street, in Historic Roscoe Village, Coshocton.
Although most of the exhibit’s works share the basic structural characteristics of a quilt—joining at least two layers of fiber with stitching—they break from tradition in their design methods. Surfaces may be pieced and patched as one finds in a traditional quilt, but they may also be painted, dyed, laser printed, appliquéd or fused.
The techniques are as varied as the subject matter, which is as varied as the effects. In the end, the artists create a truly new statement that speaks to mind and spirit like all great art is meant to do.
Participating artists are from across the United States, as well as from Canada, Japan, and Israel. Many are internationally known, having their quilts featured in books, periodicals, and traveling exhibitions.
Visitors will see a variety of works, such as New Mexico artist Betty Busby’s “Crescendo.” Her piece shimmers with hand beading, bright colors, and rattail cording. “Crescendo” has a vibrancy and complexity that is mesmerizing.
A piece that really “pushes the surface” is “Waterfall,” made by Jennifer Landau, a quilt artist from California. Unlike traditional quilts, “Waterfall” is fairly small and stands upright. It rests on an acrylic platform, so the viewer can see the waterfall transforms into a cave wall as they walk around the piece.
“Pushing the Surface” presents an array of distinct and fascinating art quilts.
This is the 11th year Johnson-Humrickhouse Museum has presented this biennial exhibit sponsored by the Mary F. Taylor Family. The Ohio Arts Council also helped fund this event with state tax dollars to encourage economic growth, educational excellence, and cultural enrichment for all Ohioans.
In addition to this special exhibit, the museum’s permanent collections are displayed in three galleries: Historic Ohio, American Indian, and Asian. A temporary photography display can also be viewed in a fifth gallery.
A restored canal-era town sited along the former Ohio and Erie Canal, Roscoe Village offers many attractions. Costumed interpreters lead tours through the restored buildings, and numerous shops are situated within the village.
For more information, contact JHM, at 740-622-8710; by email, at [email protected]; or visit the website, www.jhmuseum.org.
