Coburn Gallery’s “Flash” exhibition running Aug. 29-Sept. 23

ASHLAND, Ohio – “Flash,” an exhibition featuring collage works by 11 artists from across the U.S., will be on display at Ashland University’s Coburn Gallery (331 College Ave.) from Aug. 29-Sept. 23, with an opening reception scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 1, from 4:30-6:30 p.m. The reception is free and open to the public.

“Flash” offers a broad range of analog techniques that include both 2D and 3D forms, as well as a diverse approach to the use of ephemera. “Collage techniques using overlays of paper and imagery can be dated back to 200 B.C. in China, but the term collage was coined from the French word coller, to glue, by Pablo Picasso and George Braque in the early 20th century,” explained Cynthia Petry, director of the Coburn Gallery.

Artists featured in the exhibition consist of Axelle Kieffer of Georgia, Rhonda Urdang of Arizona, Clare Murray Adams of Southington, Ohio, Nick DeFord of Tennessee, Diane Speight of Georgia, Robert Villamagna of West Virginia, Dan Barry of Texas, Colleen Monette of Washington, Larry Zdeb of Michigan, Gwyn Waight of Peninsula, Ohio and Bret Hines of Akron, Ohio.

There will be a series of activities offered by the gallery during the “Flash” exhibition, including an interactive collage station where patrons will be able to try their hand at creating their own artwork. On Sept. 17, from 10 a.m.-noon, an Art Saturdays event, “Cut & Paste,” will introduce the medium of collage to children aged 7-12. Pre-registration is required.

On Thursday, Oct. 6, there will be a “Collage Collaborative,” a collage and mixed media workshop, from 6-8 p.m. in room 346 of AU’s Center for the Arts. The event is part workshop, part hands-on art making and networking for adults that are interested in collage and mixed media techniques. Materials are provided, but attendees are also encouraged to bring collage and material items to share. It is free and open to the public, though pre-registration is required.

The Coburn Gallery is open from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays and noon-4 p.m. weekends. Gallery admission is free and open to the public. For more information about the exhibition, reception or upcoming activities, call 419-289-5652 or find the gallery on Facebook.

Ashland University is a mid-sized, private university conveniently located a short distance from Akron, Cleveland and Columbus, Ohio. Ashland University (www.ashland.edu) values the individual student and offers a unique educational experience that combines the challenge of strong applied academic programs with a faculty and staff who build nurturing relationships with their students.