Tommy Frank of Bowling Green won best of show honors for is sculpture, "Mission Accomplished: Here’s
to Reconstruction" at the Northwest Ohio Community Art Exhibition at Bowling Green State
University.
Frank’s piece includes three luster-glazed, bullet-shaped stoneware mugs displayed in felt and encased in
a wooden box with a glass top. Each mug is imprinted with symbols commonly referred to in construction.
"The basis of the piece came from a conversation among friends about the job market, construction
and the war," Frank explained. "The bullet shape came from a movie in which golden guns and
bullets were used to commemorate an achievement, and I chose the mug form as a way to say ‘Cheers,
here’s to reconstruction.’"
First place in the two-dimensional art division went to Amy Bullano of Maumee for her political print,
"American Gas Can," while Thomas Verner of Waterville earned the top 3-D award for his
distinctive metal ring, "Ring for Two." Christina Reynolds of Napoleon received the Best Young
Artist award for her glasswork.
The People’s Choice Award, selected by popular vote during the opening reception, went to Ronald Gosses
of Bowling Green for his three-part series, "Journey into Dementia-Yesterday, Today, and
Tomorrow."
Hiroshi Hayakawa, an associate professor at the Columbus College of Art and Design, chose the award
winners, which he said "are not only aesthetically pleasing but also intellectually
stimulating." Their creators are among roughly 75 Northwest Ohio residents exhibiting more than 200
pieces of art in the show.
Those winning honorable mentions were: Amber LeFever and Daniel Mauk, both of Bowling Green; West Vayo,
Perrysburg; and John Cramer, Alisha Jones, Michael Adams and Kristen Renda, all of Toledo.
The exhibition in the Dorothy Uber Bryan Gallery of BGSU’s Fine Arts Center continues today from 1 to 8
p.m. and Saturday 1 to 4 p.m.
Ronald Gosses’ "Journey into Dementia-Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow", middle, was the People’s
Choice Winner for the Northwest Ohio Community Art Exhibition at Bowling Green State University. 7/30/09
(Photos: J.D. Pooley/Sentinel-Tribune)
