Art League Show Opens in Pump House Center for the Arts

The opening for the 23rd annual show by the Chillicothe Art League was last night at the Pump House, and Kevin Coleman was there.

Coordinator Betsy Parker says about 37 artists within 75 miles of Chillicothe have 72 pieces in the show.

Keri Dodds won best of show with her painting that uses India ink instead of watercolors. She says they are less forgiving and require more planning, but cause more spontaneity.

"Brave Girl" is a piercing image of a woman and a bird. Keri says her friend served as a model, but the painting is about herself going through hard times...but looking wide-eyed into future.

She said she kept noticing dead crows, so she used the dead bird of death to symbolize a new beginning and putting the past behind her.

Keri lives in Waverly, and is the art teacher for Kindergarten through 6th grade at Western Elementary.

Most works in the show are for sale, and all will be on display through the end of the month...including the annual "Earth Gathering" April 23rd.

Kevin Coleman covers local culture and government