In celebration of Women’s History Month, Athena Art Society has been invited to exhibit again at the Ohio Statehouse.  For this challenge exhibition, entitled “Connections,” 27 Athena members have chosen to honor the organization’s roots and 110-year relationship with the Toledo Museum of Art.  (Click “Older Posts” below to see previous web site text for historical account).  The participating artists created in visual form the inspiration and influence this venerable institution has had on their artistic careers and lives.  Included are 29 pieces of 2-dimensional artwork on the ground floor of the Ohio Statehouse.  Fourteen of the artists’ pieces are displayed in the banner above.  The show will run March 3 to March 28, 2014.

The statehouse in Columbus is Ohio’s legislative building and was completed in 1861 although its chambers were occupied and used earlier (1857).  Its design was initiated through a competition.  There were seven architects of the building and one of the most notable was Ohio-born Nathan B. Kelley who lived and worked most of his life in Columbus.  He used a great deal of ornament and detail on the building’s interior to make it feel imposing and impressive.