CROSSCURRENTS 2009 OPEN AT STIFEL FINE ARTS CENTER; WINNING ARTISTS ANNOUNCED

WHEELING, W.Va. (February 17, 2009)- - One of the area’s most prestigious juried art exhibitions, Oglebay Institute’s Crosscurrents 2009 opens February 26 at the Stifel Fine Arts Center and is on display through April 3.

Attracting some of the finest artwork from the tri-state region, Crosscurrents is in its 30th year. Seventy-three works from 84 artists were selected for the multi-media exhibition, which is on display in the Hart Galleries of the Stifel and can be viewed free of charge.

Each year artists, who reside within an 80-mile radius of Wheeling, submit hundreds of works and vie for a chance to exhibit in this show. Jurors choose the works for the exhibit and award cash prizes to winning artists. This year’s juror was Alison Helm, art department chairperson at West Virginia University.

“I would like to extend a congratulations to all those that stepped forward to participate in the exhibition. The overall quality of work was very strong,” Helm said in her juror’s statement.

She also explained the criteria used to select the works. The criteria includes: attention to one’s craft; expression of independent thought; the degree to which the work goes beyond the expected; meaningful, original and creative subject matter and the ability of the artist to spark the imagination.

“Artists are trained to see the world and communicate in unique ways,” she said. “These observations transcend our world and are wordless carriers of emotions. Those works of art help us contemplate the human condition by bringing forth meaningful messages to our spirits.”

Winners for Crosscurrents 2009 are: John Hubbard, $350 first place for “May Showers”; Paula Siebieda, $300 second place for “Upper View of Station Square”; Greg Siegwart, $250 third place for “Reluctance of Memory.” Those receiving honorable mention ribbons for this year’s exhibition are: Bianca Benson, George Carey, Beth Hestick, Kami Kinnison, Suzanne Polinski, Leland Riley, Robert Sako and April Waltz.

United National Bank partnered with Oglebay Institute to present the 2008-2009 season of art exhibitions at the Stifel and is proud to take an active role in support of art in the Upper Ohio Valley.

Crosscurrents 2009 can be seen free of charge from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday –Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays through April 3. Many of the works on display can be purchased.

Located at 1330 National Road in Wheeling, Oglebay Institute’s Stifel Fine Arts Center is conveniently located just off exit 2B of 1-70. Also a teaching facility, the Stifel welcomes students of all ages to its ongoing classes in art, dance, fitness, cooking and more.

For more information call 304.242.7700 or visit on the web at www.oionline.com.

Part of the Helen B. Gaither Exhibition Season, Crosscurrents Exhibition was also made possible through the generous support of the members of the Institute as well as with financial assistance from the West Virginia Division of Culture and History and the National Endowment for the Arts, with approval from the West Virginia Commission on the Arts.

Programs, activities and services of Oglebay Institute are provided equally without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex or disability.