GREENVILLE – The Anna Bier Art Gallery invites the public to visit the new temporary painting exhibition, Growing up in Greenville created by Chi Spark (Desirea Crumrine). The exhibit will be on display on Fridays from July 31st to August 14th from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. An artist’s reception will be held on Thursday, July 30th from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. in the gallery, located inside St. Clair Memorial Hall. Light refreshments will be provided and the artist will be present to greet visitors.
Through thoughtful consideration, Spark handpicked moments captured by photos from loved ones or by the eyes of a growing person to create her pieces. Misty memories, artistic choices, stories of loved ones, and photos of who Spark used to be and is becoming have all influenced her works. This series of paintings highlights untold stories of love, laughter, and pain using acrylic and watercolor paint, stickers, wax seals, and much more.
Some of the themes represented include family, friends, her first cat, and time spent with grandparents. One surprise stained glass mosaic will also be on display and was created during their time as a senior at Greenville High School with the help of the now-retired Mrs. Huffman.
Spark is a fine arts major and social practice minor junior at Columbus College of Art and Design who was born and raised in Greenville, Ohio. This summer, she is working as an intern at Darke County Center for the Arts and Anna Bier Gallery. During this time, she reminisced on the time spent growing up and the people who influenced and changed them as a person. Several pieces in her show are in honor of grandparents who have passed and will continue to inspire her artistic journey.
Spark is often working on learning new mediums and finding the next source of “oohhs and aahhs” for themselves and their friends. In addition to painting, she enjoys experimenting with metalsmithing jewelry, traditional printmaking, fiber art, oil painting, and much more. She often displays at pop-up shops or booths with hand-painted wooden animals, joy jars, earrings, and magnets, often in collaboration with gem/diamond paintings created by their mother, Angel Crumrine. You can find some of Spark’s pieces at the Main Street Greenville Artisan Stroll on August 7th from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
For further information or to purchase a piece, contact the artist at chisparksofjoy@gmail.com or follow them on Instagram @sparks_of_joy. Cash, check and digital payments are all accepted and can also take place during the gallery hours.
For more information about the Anna Bier Gallery, visit darkecountyarts.org
