“Paintings and Drawings by John Carlson” will be on display in the Arts Center’s main gallery from August 3rd through the 30th. Joining him will be Beverly Gipson O’Reilly with an exhibit entitled “Three Dimensional Art.”

Carlson studied graphics at Cooper School of Art in Cleveland. He has won numerous Best of Show and Honorable Mentions and presently has a piece on display at Baycrafter’s Gallery Floral Juried Show. During the month of July, his work will be on display at the Pentagon Gallery in Cleveland Heights. Carlson resides in Bay Village where he is currently working on a series called “The Black & White Paintings.”

O’Reilly graduated from Edinboro University with a BFA in drawing. This led to work as an illustrator, graphic designer and art director in advertising. Living in rural Ashtabula County has inspired the use of varied materials in her art. Sticks, cattail reeds and feathers along with woven and wrapped colored threads are layered over a strong graphic background to create 3-D pieces.

A special art exhibit will be held from August 4th - 29th in the Arts Center’s upper gallery. This exhibit, by AAC art student, Nicie Reynolds, will feature many of Nicie’s recent works. Thirty year old Nicie was born with Cerebral Palsy and she has very limited use of her hands and arms however this has never stopped her from enjoying her passion for art.

Nicie works most often in pen. She also draws with pencil and has done some painting.

“Ever since I was a little girl,” says her sister Lametrea, “I’ve known Nicie to love art. Most recently, she made T-shirts for all of the girls in our family by first carving a stamp and then printing the designs onto the shirts.”

Nicie began taking private art instruction from visual arts coordinator Meeghan Humphrey last summer. Last month, Meeghan obtained a head stick for Nicie which tightens around her forehead. The device holds a pencil or whatever tool Nicie wishes to use and allows her to manipulate the tool with her head.