LAKEWOOD, Ohio — Beck Center for the Arts Music & Visual Arts Education Associate Director and Gallery Coordinator Melinda Placko has had her eye on local artist Charlie Reed for a while.
That’s why she recently decided to give the young Cleveland artist an exhibition appearing now through July 18 in the Meldrum W. Berkey Courtyard Gallery.
“Charlie Reed is an up-and-coming artist that’s been very serious about art making throughout his years,” she said.
“I came upon his artwork at the Hildebrandt Artist Collective where he was having an exhibition. I was very impressed by his drawings on paper. I felt his abstract themes were a perfect fit for the Beck Center, and I’m really happy to show his work.”
Born in Cleveland and raised in rural Medina, the recent University of Akron graduate is displaying 16 pieces, ranging from small drawings to large-scale works.
Placko said Reed is influenced by marine life and mythology.
“He’s very interested in different stories and narratives that are related to the deep sea,” she said. “Think about Leviathan or Moby Dick. So from these bits of inspiration, he’s creating abstract images that are very alluring.
“All of this is a wonderful pairing to other experiences at Beck Center where you can find yourself wandering through the galleries and just taking in the art.”
Speaking of which, another current exhibition has become a Beck Center tradition with the artistic work of its visual arts faculty and staff displayed on campus.
This year’s faculty visual arts exhibition is now up through Aug. 16 in the Hoffman – Stach Gallery.
“We have nearly 50 pieces of art hanging on the walls by area accomplished artists who also happened to teach or work for Beck Center,” she said.
“We’re an art center, so the majority of people who are employed here actually are some form of artist — visual artists, dancers, theater artists, musicians. This visual art exhibition allows us to celebrate this community.”
The display perfectly epitomizes the Beck Center’s spirit and message.
“Artist is important,” she said.
“It enriches our lives.”
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