T.J.
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Tj Aiken, of Coal Creek Colorado, winner of numerous national and regional awards, originally created 3-D drawings of interior vehicle layouts for Detroit automakers. Now his portraiture and sculpting works examine the automobile’s incredible impact on human society. His fanciful works appear blurred by speed and illustrate how the automobile has altered our lives for over 100 years. At the same time, he believes our dependence on cars is not sustainable. In fact, cars have begun their descent into history, a theme he pursues in 57 Descending. Here he looks back to 1911, when the automotive industry’s influence on America truly took off. That year, Duchamp painted his classic work, Nude Descending a staircase. Aiken considers boomers’ fascination with 1957 auto design the pinnacle , and sculpts the start of its descent in glass-fiber reinforced concrete panels. The panels have foam interiors, a process which Aiken developed for this work, which are mounted on a foldable steel armature.
(Photo courtesy of Andrew Beavis) |
Mark Chatterly
From Williamston, MI
Title: Wall Medium: Clay and Steel $ 18,000.00 Awarded: Second Place |
Mark Chatterley, of Williamston Michigan has an MFA from Michigan State University and is a nationally and internationally recognized artist. His hand formed figurative work is distinguished by his innovative use of clay and steel for hand- built life size figurative work reflecting his poignant visual subject matter. Wall was created using slabs of clay, no molds were used. The clay was high-fired with a crater glaze developed by the artist and fired in a walk-in kiln he built himself. His innovative developments allow him to make his signature larger than life figurative sculptures. His sculptures can be found in museums, outdoor exhibits, and galleries throughout the country and in permanent collections both nationally and internationally.
Artist Statement Wall was inspired by the attempt to create a barrier at the southern border of the U.S. The majority of us are immigrants. I am third generation. Immigrants make our country stronger. Diversifying our population brings the world home. I don't have an answer to our border problem, I just know that history shows walls don't work. There is always a way to get around them. There must be another solution. (Photo courtesy of Andrew Beavis) |
Jim
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Jim Gallucci of Greensboro, North Carolina earned both his BFA and MFA in Sculpture from Syracuse University. He is known for his artful large-scale arches and gates as well as whimsical benches. His work can be seen throughout the tri-state region through the Midwest Sculpture Initiative sculpture exhibits. Most of his work is commission work for public, corporate, and residential spaces around the country. In addition to his commissions and exhibits the artist was an exhibit designer for the North Carolina Zoological Park in Asheboro, North Carolina.
Artist Statement Art is the physical manifestation of an idea or event that calls forth an emotional response from the viewer. It speaks to us and evokes a chord deep within us. Good art challenges us, can make us feel righteous, move us, soothe us, heal us and bring us peace. |
Robert
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Robert Garcia, of Whitehouse Ohio earned his MFA from Ohio State University. Mr. Garcia retired after a 40 years of teaching art in the Toledo Public School System . Throughout his teaching career his paintings, murals, ceramic work, and sculptures have been exhibited in local and national exhibits including over 35 locations in the tri-state area through the Midwest Sculpture Initiative. His artwork has been recognized with numerous prestigious awards and recognitions and can be found in the permanent collection of the Toledo Museum of Art, Toledo Botanical Gardens, Schedel Gardens, The University of Toledo, three commissions for the Toledo Zoo and many other landmark locations in the local area and region as well as Spain.
Fountain of Wishes is created from 3/16th inch rolled steel, hand cut with a plasma torch and finished with an original design painted by the artist. As the name implies, Fountain of Wishes is an interactive piece and invites viewers to go beyond the visual delight of the vibrant painting and enter the work as a visceral experience. Artist Statement Conveying an artistic idea may lead me to sculpture or to painting. It may often be a combination of the two. My idea may be expressed in either abstract or representational imagery. The patina or treatment of the surface of a sculpture is important and the purpose for me is to enhance the form in order to engage the viewer as much as possible to relate to it in positive and meaningful ways. (Photo courtesy of Andrew Beavis) |
James
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Moravian Star is made of welded and polished stainless steel, cut into a series of isosceles triangles with reinforcing weldments to maintain the structural integrity. Years of working large construction as an Ironworker taught Mr. Havens a lot about the behaviors of metal and given him respect for the dangers that working with it poses. Creating large geometric shapes in an unforgiving medium has garnered the artist a place in many permanent collections in our local area as well as throughout the tri-state region and beyond, which includes a Gandhi bust in India. His public sculptures have been newsworthy in the Toledo area. Locations include: Hospice of N.W. Ohio in Perrysburg, Westgate Plaza, Susan B. Komen Northwest Ohio, Veterans Memorial in Gibsonburg, Center for Public Service Center in Gibsonburg to name a few.
Artist Statement The look of the Moravian Star appealed to me when I first saw it reproduced in a book, and even more when I learned it’s story. Making the star from stainless steel was a challenge and a salute to a German, Moravian mathematics teacher who taught his students to make geometric shapes from cut-out paper. The resulting Moravian Star became iconic world-wide, a true intersection of science and art. Geometry and nature have been two enduring interests that I have worked to reconcile in sculpture. Nature itself has no straight lines, thus I see Mathematics as our attempt to comprehend, organize, and manage the world. That must be why symmetry is pleasing to our human eye and soul. Here I use geometry to achieve it, together with organic elements- the swirls on the Moravian Star’s surface. (Photo courtesy of Andrew Beavis) |
Greg
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Gregory Mendez, of Decatur Indiana exhibits his work across the country from Florida to South Dakota and throughout the tri-state region. He creates works of art out of stock steel. The artist has distinguished himself by building his sculptures through an “additive process”. Using different types of stock steel round rods, and flat bars, he welds one piece at a time into layers then bends gauge steel over them. The piece -by- piece layering process continues until the stock material has lost its original form and is sculpted into something else.
Artist Statement: My sculptures depict figures in motion that are classical in form and modern through technique. The figures consist of welded layers of steel that represent the elements of art. The viewer has the option to simply identify the imagery or to seek out a deeper narrative within the layers. (Photo courtesy of Andrew Beavis) |
Ben
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Ben Pierce, of Girardeau, Missouri is a Navy Veteran and earned a BFA from Southwest Missouri State University. Ben likes to challenge himself artistically, and working with steel settles the physical challenge. Creating work with high impact using minimal elements presents his creative challenge. His work has been seen in galleries, exhibits and in permanent collections across the country.
Focus is part of the “Balance Series”. The series is based on the artist limiting himself to two straight lines and a circle. The series presented creative challenges and discoveries. One in particular is how the center oculus space creates a window for the viewer to look through. The artist wants the viewer to stop looking down at their phone and to look at their surroundings. |
Charles
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Charles Pilkey of Mint Hill, North Carolina is a former geologist who is an accomplished artist, writer, and illustrator. His sculptures are in public collections in Korea, Japan, Turkey, Italy, as well as across America. The artist describes himself as a wandering spirit whose life path meanders through 52 countries and all seven continents.
Caprice, as the title implies is whimsical work made of simple geometric shapes assembled in a playful fashion much like building blocks assembled by a child. Pilkey shows his playfulness by artfully placing pieces in precarious positions creating a visual balancing act. Artist Statement Art offers both temporary escape from the world and a means to protest the world’s injustice. I’m interested in both of these functions. (Photo courtesy of Andrew Beavis) |
Pam Reithmeier
From Monclova, OH
Title: Whimsey Medium: Painted Steel $ 4,000.00 |
Pamela Reithmeier of Monclova Ohio was born and raised in Toledo Ohio. She has a Masters Degree in Special Education from The University of Toledo and has retired after teaching for 34 years. She started sculpting in 2002 and has been recognized with numerous awards and commissions for her artwork. Her sculptures have been on display in galleries, juried shows, and private collections throughout Ohio, Michigan, Tennessee, Indiana, Illinois, and Florida.
She is currently president of the Toledo Area Sculptures Guild and teaches an Art Welding class at Owens Community College. Artist Statement: Whimsey was inspired by all the Dr. Seuss books and Eric Carle’s The Hungry, Hungry Caterpillar I read to my class over 34 years. I wanted to make something fun and uplifting and Whimsey it was. I hope people enjoy viewing Whimsey as much as I did creating her. (Photo courtesy of Andrew Beavis) |
John
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John Sauve' of Brighton Michigan is the artist and creator behind the phenomenon called The Man in the City Project. At this point in time there are over 100 Man in the City sculptures on rooftops across Detroit, in Windsor Canada, Michigan, Illinois, and they were exhibited on the landmark High Line in New York City as well as Govenor's Island in New York City. Perrysburg is proud to have two Man in the City Sculptures on display. One is 43 inches on a rooftop in downtown Perrysburg, the other is a 10 foot sculpture located in a pocket park. In keeping with the artist's goal to encourage people to look up, and look around to see their surroundings as they look for the sculptures we have placed in Perrysburg.
Artist Statement "To activate the skyline, and encourage people to look around. In the process of looking and finding, one re-assesses one's own position in the world and becomes aware of one's scale within the very fabric of the city. Man in the City" is as much about the sculpture as it is about the people and the locations involved in the project. (Photo courtesy of Andrew Beavis) |
Mike
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Mike Sohikian, of Genoa Ohio is a retired ironworker. His distinguished 34-year career as a structural iron worker earned him the nickname “Iron Mike” for his legendary capabilities in the field. As a full-time sculptor, he still approaches his artwork as an ironworker but advances with the artful eye of a fine artist. Both skill sets intersect when he uses the tools of his trade to bend, cut and shape steel by hand, and creating one-of- a-kind expressive figurative work. His paintings and sculptures have been published in feature articles and numerous art publications. Most noteworthy is inclusion in The Sculpture Reference (illustrated) by Arthur Williams and four Schiffer Publishing Collectors Editions. He has been recognized with numerous awards, featured in magazine articles and on area news reports. His paintings and sculptures can be found in over 500 art collections nationwide and in juried sculpture exhibits across the tri-state region.
Mike Sohikian is a veteran of the Vietnam war. This award-winning sculpture has been in over 20 exhibits since its creation. It pays tribute to the veterans who fought in the Vietnam War and symbolizes the lingering effects of war on the veteran. Artist Statement: The Veteran represents the labors of war, and a war veterans need to continue their fight to rectify their place in society every day of their lives. Autumnus is Mike Sohikian’s newest creation and is debuting in the Perrysburg Sculpture Walk. The name Autumnus is Latin for “Fall” or “Autumn”. All the leaves that form the body and head ornamentation are hand cut individually out of steel and welded piece by piece. Artist Statement: When the leaves of autumn begin to swirl, she is poised to take flight and join in their dance. (Photo courtesy of Andrew Beavis) |
Ken Thompson
From Adrian, MI
Title: Illustrated Facts of Global Warming Medium: Fabricated Steel $ 11,500.00 Awarded: Honorable Mention 
Title: Duality 2
Medium: Cast Aluminum $ 10,000.00 |
Ken Thompson of Adrian Michigan holds an Honorary Doctorate of Fine Arts from Siena Heights University, a Master of Liberal Studies in Sculpture from the University of Toledo and a Bachelor of Fine Arts in painting and printmaking from Siena Heights College (University), Adrian, Michigan.
The major focus of his work has been on large-scale public sculpture with a long list of public works in the Toledo area. He has completed well over 70 large-scale public sculptures as well as 29 solo exhibits with many awards to his credit. Mr. Thompson founded the Midwest Sculpture Initiative in 2003 and has been responsible for over 115 outdoor sculpture exhibits in the Midwest. The impact of his initiative has advanced the arts for hundreds of sculptors and communities beyond calculation. His has proven the arts provide an economic impact when communities invest in the arts. The Illustrated Facts of Global Warming: Atlantic Avenue Tumble was inspired by watching coverage of Hurricane Sandy hit New Jersey and the artist’s association with the game Monopoly. Artist Statement: There are many who have stuck their heads in the sand, while saying ‘the earth has a history of climate change’, which is true. However, with previous climate changes there was no industrialized man and his inventions to hasten it along. The polar caps are melting. The levels of the oceans are rising. The summers are hotter. The winters are warmer. The earth now has the ability to spawn ‘super-storms’. Through our own ignorance and neglect, we have brought about our own demise. We caused it, now what can we do to fix it? Think about it. In the meantime, these are The Illustrated Facts of Global Warming. Duality 2 is composed of a two visually stimulating stacked columns. The artist has included the original wood column composed of individually cut and stacked wooden pieces created to cast the companion column made of aluminum. The companion pieces are positioned in opposing directions which adds the illusion of movement as well as a contrast of material with the warmth of wood and coolness of the aluminum. The wooden column is for exhibit only, however the cast aluminum column is for sale. (Photos courtesy of Andrew Beavis)
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Allen
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Allen Williams shares his inspiration for Isabel Cabanillas de la Torres :
Isabel Cabanillas de la Torre was a women's rights activist and artist. She was killed in Ciudad Juarez in an act of "femicide", the killing of a women or girl because of her gender. She left behind a four-year-old son. "We [women] are so precarious", said one of Isabel's friends, "we have nothing but our art and ourselves." Isabel's art was bright, happy, and festive, a mood I sought to reflect in my sculpture. Those who knew her said that her art mirrored her character. My sculpture is a tribute to her. Artist Statement: I was drawn to Isabel's story because she wanted to make the world a better place through her activism and her art. Eyes are a constant theme in her art, so I have included them in my tribute to her. Observers are invited to think about their own eyes----What do they see?---as well as the eyes of others which are watching them. (Photo courtesy of Andrew Beavis) |
Glenn Zweygardt
From Alfred Station, NY
Title: Foo Dog Column Medium: Raw Steel, Painted Steel, Cast Bronze, Cast Glass $ 18,000.00 Awarded: Honorable Mention |
The inspiration for sculptor Glenn Zwyegardt’s Foo Dog Column was working with a Chinese artist in Wuhan who took rubbings of Taoist temple carvings and utilized them in his own bas-relief wood carvings. The American returned to New York and made molds of his friend’s work and cast them in bronze, and later in glass. The red and amber industrial and commercial glass Zwyegardt utilizes in this work were developed by Corning Glass and Fenton Glass. This sculptor became a pioneer in combining glass casting with metal casting, earning him a Chancellor’s Award from SUNY New York. His research showed that glass could be cast into copper, bronze and stainless steel forms, successfully annealed without cracking or shattering, and then joined with other materials, as he has beautifully done in this piece.
(Photo courtesy of Andrew Beavis) |
Artist: Mike Sohikian
From Genoa, OH Title: Zebra and Herders Medium: Recycled Steel and Concrete Both $ 9,500.00 
Artist: Pam Reithmeier
From Monclova, OH Title: Fowl Language Medium: Steel $3000.00 |
Zebra and Herders is currently on loan from the artist and available for purchase.
Fowl Language is currently on loan from the artist and available for purchase.
This fun sculpture is a visual pun. The steel speech bubble contains two lines of birds. Pam admits she loves to watch viewers expressions when they read the title after viewing the work. |
Perrysburg Convention and Visitors Bureau
Ohio CAT
Angel 101 |
City of Perrysburg
Big Daddy Graphics
Kuhlman Corporation |
Perrysburg Messenger Journal
Perrysburg Printing
image 360 Perrysburg |
