Notable Past Exhibits

Creative Resistance: The Art of Protest

Craftivism, the intersection of craft and activism, brings a slower, more reflective approach to protest. It seeks to show that while bold action and loud voices have their place, change can also come through quiet, intentional acts. The exhibit featured art done in traditional craft forms. Featuring work by Rachel Ivy Clarke, Tamara Harper, Erin Bauchan-Caprara, Emily Herbster, Elysha Ozanian, and Amber Elliot.

Mental Health America of Northeast Indiana’s Art of Hope

Mental Health America of Northeast Indiana’s Art of Hope is an art exhibit highlighting local artists and sharing inspiring stories about recovery, healing, and hope. Art of Hope features local artists of all ages, skills, and backgrounds who use the creative process as a tool for mental and emotional well-being. The show is held annually each November in the Gallery.

The Art of Hilarie Couture

Hilarie Couture of Fort Wayne, IN, is an award-winning artist, working primarily as a direct painter. Hilarie works with oils, pastels, colored pencils, and charcoal to create rich and dramatic portraits that truly capture a moment in time. Her work combines meanings, contrasts, subject matter, thick and thin paint, hard and soft edges, paint with pastel, gold leaf, and other unconventional materials. 

Ocean of Influences: The Art of Sayaka Ganz and Gbenga Adeku

Sayaka Ganz of Fort Wayne, IN, is a Japanese sculptor. She was born in Yokohama, Japan and grew up living in Japan, Brazil, and Hong Kong. Sayaka identifies a strong Japanese influence in her work. Using reclaimed metal and plastic objects, Sayaka’s recent sculptures depict animals in motion with rich colors and energy. She describes her style as “3D impressionism”, creating an illusion of form using plastic objects as brush strokes that become visible upon observation from close proximity. 

Gbenga Adeku of Osun State, Nigeria, grew up an apprentice at his father’s Olokun art gallery and studio, mastering traditional printmaking and painting, and eventually training in sculpture and graphic art. He is an award winning upcycle artist and is currently on apprenticeship with Sayaka Ganz in Fort Wayne.

Room for Hope:  Art of Palestine

This exhibit was sponsored by The Bethlehem Lutheran Christmas Church in Palestine and the Bright Stars of Bethlehem organization as part of an initiative to bring art, culture and education to Christians and Muslims and to empower people in a context of continuing conflict.  Many of the works expressed messages of hope for the future rather than concentrating on the current oppression. The reception featured a food sampler from the Middle East catered by Sudha Abbasi  and a lecture by Dr Michael Spath, Director of the Indiana Center for Middle East Peace.