EXHIBITIONS AT BZTAT STUDIOS
In addition to being the place where artist BZTAT creates and displays her own artwork, BZTAT Studios also exhibits artwork by other Northeast Ohio artists. Wall art, sculpture, jewelry, wearable art and other art gifts are regular features in rotating exhibits. BZTAT curates invitational exhibits and, on occasion, invites others to curate as well.
Current, future, and past exhibits at BZTAT Studios are listed below.
CURRENT EXHIBITIONS
“Midsummer Monster Mayhem” – 6/22/2024 – 8/23/24
Lurking in the imagination of every artistic soul is a place of darkness where scary things animate and force their way into the artist’s consciousness. Some artists willfully engage with their mind’s monsters in creative works; others typically eschew them for more pleasant ideas and images.
And sometimes a group of artists engage in artistic mayhem together, allowing their minds’ monsters to spill out across the canvas and sculptor’s atelier in a collective, creative flurry. Such is the case with “Midsummer Monster Mayhem”, an art exhibit that will debut at BZTAT Studios inside Canton Creator Space on June 22, 2024.
Artists such as Erin Mulligan, Erika Katherine and David Sherrill are no strangers to creating artworks that feature dark and mysterious creatures emerging from the subconscious. They each have new works in the show. Artist and curator for the exhibit Vicki Boatright, known as BZTAT, acknowledges that her work typically avoids darker content. Even so, she decided to embark on new creative challenges for the exhibit. “While monsters aren’t typically the focus of my artwork, I couldn’t resist the opportunity to be inspired by my artist friends more adept with the genre. And not all monsters are dark and scary.” Other featured artists taking on the creative challenge include: David Dingwell, David McDowell, Keeli Serri, Iszy Rucker, Brenda Case, Heather Dunlap and Lizzie Conrad.
There will be an opening reception for the art exhibit on Saturday, June 22, 2024 from 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM. A film loop of classic monster films will play throughout the opening event courtesy of The CUT Cinema. The exhibit will be on display through August 23, 2024, and will be open for viewing during Monster Fest (June 28-29) at the DoubleTree by Hilton hotel, which is just four blocks away. Monster fans can stop in on June 28-29th between 12pm and 7pm to create their own Make-It-Take-It Monster!
Scott Simler Retrospective Art Exhibit 7/13/24 – 8/3/24
A retrospective art exhibit of paintings and other works by artist Scott Simler will be on view from July 13 – August 3, 2024 at BZTAT Studios. The exhibition features a collection of artworks on loan from various collectors spanning the lifetime of the beloved artist who succumbed to cancer in April of 2024. Scott was a prolific artist who created for years in the studios of Just Imagine by TWi and more recently at BZTAT Studios. Join us as we celebrate his career creating imaginative artworks that charmed visitors to the Canton Arts District for many years.
UPCOMING EXHIBITIONS
Stay Tuned! New exhibits will be announced soon!
PAST EXHIBITIONS
“Celestial – Exploring Cosmic Curiosities in Art” – 3/30/24 – 5/24/24 In celebration of the April 8, 2024 Solar Eclipse, this art exhibit takes a wide-ranging look at human curiosity into the vastness of the sky and its mysteries beyond our reach. “Celestial – Exploring Cosmic Curiosities in Art” is an invitational exhibit featuring several Stark County artists who have expressed their fascination with cosmic phenomena through various artistic media and forms. Whether through spiritual or secular perspectives, abstract or concrete expressions, 2D or 3D artworks, whimsical or serious-minded interpretations, scientific or irrational visions, visitors are sure to encounter a rich tapestry of creative responses to the mysteries of the cosmos. Each artwork explores the unique wonderment of an artist reflecting upon their understanding of the sun, the moon, stars, planets, galaxies, etc. As you ponder the amazing solar event that includes Stark County in it’s ” Path of Totality” on April 8, enjoy this thought-provoking and visually stunning celebration of human inquiry and creativity in the face of the cosmic unknown.
Opening Reception: Saturday, March 30, 2024, 5:30PM – 8:30PM
“Celestial Independent Film Festival” April 6, 2024 6PM – 9PM – An exploration of the mysteries of the cosmos through the lens of independent filmmakers.
“Out of the Back Room” – 1/5/24 – 3/9/24 Have you ever wondered what lurks behind the door to an artist’s back room? If the “Out of the Back Room” art exhibit is any indication, there is tremendous depth and diversity of work hiding behind the scenes in local artists’ studios. For this unique exhibit, several local artists have dusted off and shared their favorite pieces of art that they have been keeping out of public view for one reason or another. The exhibit is filled with artworks that are both old and new, representing the best that Stark County has to offer.
“Holiday Art Extravaganza!” 11/18/23 – 1/3/24 Kick off the holidays, and enjoy the grand opening of BZTAT Studios’ new location at the all new Canton Creator Space, with a gallery full of holiday and winter themed artworks. This exhibit of local art and gift items created by local artists is featured in the BZTAT Studios Gallery that meanders throughout Canton Creator Space, a new, collaborative workplace for artists and creative entrepreneurs. Artists featured include: David Dingwell, Jo Westfall, Sara Caplinger, Sarah Shumaker, Scott Simler, Keeli Serri, Sally Priscilla Lytle, Dyanne Williams, Orenda Meraky, and Laura Hollis.
Join us for a reception to celebrate the Grand Opening with music by “Rock, Salt and Nails”, refreshments and lively conversation on November 18, 2023! Come see our new space on the Southside of downtown Canton and experience an all new arts venue!
“Create the Possibilities Fiber Art Invitational Exhibit” 6/2/23 – 7/21/23 In conjunction with an outdoor “Yarn Explosion” installation, BZTAT Studios is hosting a gallery exhibition of fiber art featuring several local artists. The exhibit of fine art utilizing various fibers and textiles is curated by local artist Stephen Tornero. Artists represented in the exhibition include: Priscilla Roggenkamp, Clare Murray Adams, Stephen Tornero, Jo Westfall, Brenda Case, Nyki Fetterman, Greg Hatch, Laura Hollis, Keeli Serri, Libby Doss, and BZTAT.
The 2023 “Create the Possibilities Yarn Explosion” outdoor public art installation is a display of colorful yarn that graces light poles, posts, rails and a 3 story building along Court Ave and Sixth Street in downtown Canton, OH. The exhibit created by local volunteer artists is truly “explosive” with color, with giant “paint splats” made of yarn spilling out of a paint bucket and onto the surroundings. Other artistic elements are included as well.
An Opening Reception will be held June 2, 2023 from 5-9 PM.
“Abstract is Real” 3/3/23 – 5/27/23 Ten of Northeast Ohio’s most exciting artists have been selected to exhibit their artwork in a new group invitational art exhibit at BZTAT Studios entitled “Abstract is Real”. Explore various dimensions of reality and abstraction in this ensemble of abstract artworks created by BZTAT and other local artists from the Canton, OH area.
The exhibit features paintings, drawings, photographs and sculptures created by some of the best artists in the region. Artists featured include: Aimee Lambes, Sally Priscilla Lytle, Dave Kuntzman, Sarah Winther Shumaker, Christopher Triner, David Dingwell, Stephen Tornero, Emily Ritchey Vigil, and Chris Wurst, and BZTAT.