10 Year Anniversary Exhibition at the McConnell Arts Center

On January 16th the Peggy R McConnell Arts Center of Worthington (MAC) debuted its 10 Year Anniversary Exhibition. The exhibition is in honor of 10 years of visual arts at the MAC and will be displayed until March 22nd. Artists being featured include Worthington Schools’ art teachers Alan Spencer, Erin Johnson, Kim Covell Maurer, Julie Woodrow, and Sue M. Swihart. The exhibit displays a wide variety of work from paintings to fiber art to ceramics to found object assemblage.  

The exhibition is within the main gallery and corridor galleries. In the Geissbuhler Gallery the works of Michelle Geissbuhler, the former president of the MAC Board of Trustees and participant in approximately 55 classes held at the MAC, are featured. The exhibition also includes an interactive element where visitors can share their “My MAC Moment.” This area of the exhibit highlights the impact the MAC has had on the community over the past 10 years and how it will continue to be impactful. 

One artist being featured is Alan Spencer, Thomas Worthington’s ceramics teacher, who has been displaying his works at the MAC since 2014. When asked about how the MAC has impacted him over the years he said, “Without places like the MAC, it would be hard for people to see my work in person. They could maybe see a photo of the artwork online, but they would not get a feeling of how large the form is. Having a gallery space like the MAC allows more people in the community to see the artwork, up close and personal.

Partnerships with artists within the Worthington community and Columbus are what has allowed the MAC to continue to sustain and develop its program. Due to this, the exhibition is dedicated to those artists that spend their time producing works of art that have filled the MAC. The MAC gives everyone the opportunity to see artwork “up close and personal” as Spencer said. Furthermore, anyone is able to view the exhibits free of cost. Over the past decade, the Peggy R McConnell Arts Center has played a key role in exposing the Worthington community to art. 

 It is clear that their mission to “change lives and make memories through creative arts experiences” will continue to be fulfilled.