The ARTery Gallery at Front Street invites you to come see our New ”RUSTIC” Members Exhibition on display through October, a collection of rural, country scenes, objects, activities, people and landscapes. We would like to introduce our Gallery’s Highlighted Artist of the Month, David Zawisa, an exceptional painter and sculptor as well as our Visiting Artist for October, Leah Mendenhall, also a very talented local painter.
David Zawisa’s earliest recollection of creating art was at the age of 2 while drawing murals on his parents walls. The artist said “Without a care in the world, using crayon as my medium of choice, I learned then that art can evoke strong emotions, and that art is not permanent. So, I’ve been on a life-long quest to make my art timeless. I now work with oil-based paint, metal and wood as these materials seem to have lasting qualities. I may still use crayon, but I will never again admit to it.”
In his teens the artist painted murals on vans with an airbrush while working for Juan Parker in Columbus Ohio who was a very nationally known airbrush artist. Zawisa says his genre is eclectic because he is not bound to one type of work or a set style. The artist paints and creates whatever comes to mind that sparks his interest or imagination, so the sky is the limit!
He is both a unique and talented Painter as well as Sculptor at the ARTery Gallery at Front Street in Downtown Dayton, OH. Zawisa has studied and taken a variety of painting classes at the Cranbrook Art Center in Michigan, Middletown Art Center in Middletown, OH, and at the Rosewood Art Center in Kettering, OH. He enjoys creating 2-D paintings in oils on canvas but has been known to paint on a variety of materials including copper to create a unique relief with his paint colors replicating the look of patina.
David Zawisa’s “Perceptual Motion”
Zawisa gained sculpture experience through the creative process itself, figuring things out as he went along, visualizing ideas and then discovering logistical ways to bring his projects into reality whether it be a 2-D or 3-D piece. He is a creative, natural innovator and problem solver in life, so sculpting seemed a natural outlet for his special gifts, abilities, and insatiable imagination. Years ago, Zawisa was commissioned to draw some military aircraft by John Navitsky who was the US government military liaison, and he suggested Zawisa re-create a small re-sculpture of the well-known Vietnam Memorial statue of the three soldiers facing the Vietnam Memorial Wall in Washington D.C. The original artist approved it, as well as the US government, so David created his very first sculpture and the artist gained a lot of confidence in his sculptural abilities.
The fascinating piece of art pictured with this article by David Zawisa is entitled “Perceptual Motion”. It is an 11” x 15” framed Pen & Ink original drawing. The perpetual motion effect is more perceptible when seen in person, and it is currently hanging at The ARTery Gallery at Front Street. While you are there be sure to look for a moving metal sculpture he named “Sputnik” after the Russia satellite which has been sold, but is still currently hanging in the ARTery. Zawisa is currently working on Sputnik II which will not only include movement, but it will also include lights on the end of each of the metal antennas.
Come Meet Zawisa in person, our ARTery Artist of the month for October as well as our Guest Artist, Leah Mendenhall, and check out their current work on 3rd Sunday from 11am to 4pm.
The ARTery Gallery at Front Street currently has 16 member artists and artisans, and hosts a variety of work from Jewelry and Ceramics to Textile art, Printmaking, Sculpture, Painting, Photography, and Digital Art. The ARTery Gallery is located in the Front Street Bldg, Door B-C, 3rd Floor, and OPEN EVERY 1st Friday from 5-9pm, and also 3rd Sunday from 11am-4pm. Come join in the fun, rich in art, entertainment, and community. There will be lots of art studios open including the ARTery Gallery, Individual and Group exhibitions, live music, Outdoor vendors and food available via local food trucks in the parking lot.
*Current ARTery Artists include: Alison Bour, Amy O’Hearn, Ashley Simons, Rosalie Campbell, Bob Farley, Carol Farley, Jim Hayes, Kelly Ingerson, Bonnie Kuntz, Sarah Maxwell, Melanie Morrett, Ryan Taylor, Jo Anne Vincent, Leonard Williams, and David Zawisa.
