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Escape the traditional with new landscape show

The Fairfield Community Arts Center will debut an exhibit March 19 contrasting various styles of landscape painting. Shown here are, from left,

Contributed photo The Fairfield Community Arts Center will debut an exhibit March 19 contrasting various styles of landscape painting. Shown here are, from left, "Desertification" by Cate Geiger, "Future" by David Fife, and "Untitled" by Leah Kandel. All are Miami University art students.

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By Eric Robinette, Staff Writer Updated 5:08 PM Friday, March 12, 2010

FAIRFIELD — There’s more to landscapes than just land.

That’s what a new exhibit, opening next Friday, March 19, at the Fairfield Community Arts Center, aims to show.

Featuring work by several Miami University art students, “Landscape: Perspectives Old and New” contrasts the traditional landscapes that look like nature scenes, with a contemporary approach done in more abstract styles.

The exhibit began with Glenn Julian, a 70-year-old emeritus professor of physics at Miami University. After retiring in 2003, he began taking art classes at Miami with professor Tracy Featherstone.

He soon found his traditional approach differed from that of the younger students.

“The students would do contemporary things, and I would watercolor paintings that would fit in with my background ... I wondered ‘Who decides what’s good art?’” Julian said.

The question posed, Featherstone gave Julian a challenge.

“She said ‘Why don’t you put a show together on landscapes and get the students to contribute?’ I would be old and they would be new,” he said.

Featherstone served as the curator. The works range from realistic to dreamscapes and political perspectives.

“It (the show) is unique in that it’s investigating what’s happening now,” said Featherstone, who thinks that by its very nature, the exhibit will appeal to a wide range of people.

“It shows how art can be one thing, recognizable as traditional, but it’s baby-stepping into showing how it can be less traditional,” Featherstone said.

A total of 14 artists are expected to participate in the exhibit. How many pieces it will contain has not yet been determined. The exhibit’s opening reception is scheduled from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, March 19, and hangs through May 1 at the Fairfield Community Arts Center, 411 Wessel Drive.

Contact this reporter at (513) 705-2836 or erobinette@coxohio.com.