Coburn Gallery’s next exhibition, “Of Two (or more) Minds,” to open Nov. 9

ASHLAND, Ohio – The Coburn Gallery and Ashland University Department of Art + Design will be hosting “Of Two (or more) Minds,” a mixed media exhibition by Cleveland artist Barbara Martin, from Thursday, Nov. 9, through Friday, Dec. 15. The exhibition kicks off with an opening reception on Thursday, Nov. 9, from 4:30-6:30 p.m. This event is free and open to the public.

“Of Two (or more) Minds” pulls from Martin’s diverse studio, which includes mixed media collage and assemblage and a series of realistic scratchboard portraits of birds. Her work often “expresses personal struggles with politics, life, death, religion and a host of other concerns … (and) creating something tangible helps her come to grips with the complex world we live in,” noted Cynthia Petry, director of the Coburn Gallery.

Martin spent 15 years as a graphic designer in New York City and Dayton, Ohio, then changed careers and became a teacher. She used her design background in the classroom while teaching students with special needs and elementary art. After a successful teaching career, she now works full-time in her studio in northeast Ohio.

Martin’s award-winning art has been exhibited in numerous galleries throughout Ohio and is found in collections across the United States. She holds a bachelor’s degree in fine arts and a master’s degree in education.

The Coburn Gallery is open from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays and noon-4 p.m. on weekends (it will be closed during the university’s Thanksgiving break from Nov. 22-26). Gallery admission is free and open to the public. For more information about the exhibition, call 419-289-5652 or visit the gallery’s Facebook page.

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.