In honor of Women’s History Month, The Gallery at Lakeland will present from WOMAN XVI…Created by women, of women and about women from Feb. 12 to March 31, on the first floor of the D-Building on Lakeland’s main campus, located at 7700 Clocktower Dr., Kirtland, Ohio, 44094.

Since 2008, The Gallery at Lakeland has presented this show to commemorate women’s achievements and contributions to the visual world of the arts. What started out as a small presentation by local and regional artists has grown impressively to a sizable exhibition that includes pieces from artists across the country. This year’s display is no exception, with 35 local and regional artists from Northeast and Central Ohio and Indiana showcasing a wide variety of media including oil and acrylic paintings, drawings, ceramics, textiles, sculpture, assemblage, jewelry, and mixed media.

“This year’s featured artist is Betty Skufca, who passed away at 93 years young,” says Mary Urbas, gallery coordinator and curator of the exhibition. “Betty was my shero and inspiration, as she painted daily until she died. I wanted to pay homage to her talent and sensitivities as a visual artist and poet. Betty and her work impacted artists in Northeast Ohio and beyond on so many levels. She called her technique ‘Dot-alism.’”

The first inner gallery space is dedicated to Skufca’s art, as Urbas selected artwork that creates a mini retrospective of her oil paintings on canvas and plexiglass. The collection also includes “She Watches You As You Go By,” Skufca’s last painting ever created.

A virtual guided tour of the exhibition, led by Mary Urbas, can be viewed at lakelandcc.edu/gallery. An artist reception is scheduled for Sunday, March 26, from 3:30 to 5 p.m. In addition, preceding the reception will be the 30^th annual Woman of Achievement Awards ceremony at 2 p.m. in the Dr. Wayne L. Rodehorst Performing Arts Center, hosted by Lakeland Community College’s Women’s Center.

ABOUT THE GALLERY AT LAKELAND

The Gallery at Lakeland presents several art exhibitions each year. Highlights include the annual from WOMAN… exhibition, which is the largest exhibition of female artists in the region; the May Show Juried Art Exhibition; and the crowd pleasing, pop culture related exhibition, “The Skull and Skeleton in Art.” These exhibitions support and advance recognition of Lakeland’s fine arts academic programs; diversity efforts at the college; community arts groups; and local, regional and national artists.

All gallery shows remain free and open to the public and are wheelchair accessible.

Children 14 years of age and younger should be under adult supervision.

Gallery Hours:

Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. | Saturday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. | Sunday, closed

For more information about shows, patrons can contact Mary Urbas, gallery coordinator at murbas@lakelandcc.edu or call 440.525.7029.

ABOUT LAKELAND COMMUNITY COLLEGE

For more than 50 years, Lakeland Community College has impacted thousands of lives through learning. Founded in 1967, Lakeland was the first college in Ohio created by a vote of the people. True to its mission, the college provides quality learning opportunities to nearly 8,000 credit students to meet the needs of the community at its campus in Kirtland and online.

Accredited by The Higher Learning Commission, Lakeland offers more than 140 associate degree and certificate programs that may lead to high-demand careers or transfer to four-year institutions. The college also provides access to bachelor’s, graduate and doctorate degrees along with certificates and endorsements, as well as lifelong learning opportunities, on campus through the Holden University Center of Lakeland, in partnership with 11 four-year institutions.

By: Charles Hegedus, Marketing & Communications Specialist