Owens art exhibit focuses on poverty

The art exhibit "Hiding in Plain Sight … Poverty" is on display at Owens Community College through April 2. The art ties in with the book "Heartland: A Memoir of Working Hard and Being Broke in the Richest Country on Earth" by Sarah Smarsh, which was selected as the college's "Big Read book." Smarsh's memoir, about growing up in Kansas in the 1980s and '90s, focuses on the class divide in our country and the myths about people thought to be less because they earn less, according to Owens. Art is on display in the library of Owens' Findlay campus as well as in the Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery on Owens' Toledo campus. Both exhibits are open by appointment only. "The exhibit creates a visual learning experience that addresses the issue of poverty in northwest Ohio," Owens' website states. "Poverty appears in many different forms and we want to bring awareness, start conversations and assist in the movement to end poverty through art and the talented artists in our community." Shelby Stoots, gallery curator at the Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery, said when she was approached about creating the exhibit, she thought it would be a good way to engage not just students, faculty and staff, but the community as a whole. She reached out to artists throughout northwest Ohio, and tried to get both campuses involved. Members of the Findlay Art League, students from Bowling Green State University and artists from Toledo are among those represented. Stoots said the idea was not just to create an exhibit with a theme similar to the book, but to raise awareness of poverty here in northwest Ohio — and to inform people on how to take action to end poverty. Some of the artists have themselves been impoverished, and their artwork reflects their experience, Stoots said. Others drew upon the book in creating their art. Stoots said that, while Smarsh is from Kansas, she grew up on a farm and there are many similarities to northwest Ohio. Stoots said people may not want to believe that there is much poverty in northwest Ohio, but it affects people every day, even if "people don't want to talk about it." And, she said, there are ways we can help. She added that everyone, at some point in their life, has needed help from others. "We have to help each other," she said. Information on the college's website shares information on how to help organizations near the two campuses, including City Mission of Findlay. More information is at https://www.owens.edu/fpa/cfpa/terhune/ Of the exhibit, Stoots said, "it is not a happy subject," but visitors will still enjoy the beauty of the art. For Stoots, it has been exciting to see "the incredible talent" in the area. She said she has been involved with national exhibits, but every time she works with local artists, "it just blows me out of the water." She added that some of the works on display locally "could be in a museum in France." In addition to the Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery and Owens' two campus libraries, partner organizations include the Findlay-Hancock County Public Library, Toledo Lucas County Public Libraries and Way Public Library. To schedule an appointment to view the exhibit, email gallery@owens.edu or call 567-661-7956.