Ohio Designer Craftsmen

Fine art & craft, art exhibitions, education and more

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Charlotte Gordon


Ohio Designer Craftsmen’s Outstanding Achievement Award was presented to Charlotte Gordon, artistic director of the Southern Ohio Museum and Cultural Center, for advancing the field of fine craft, as well as engaging and educating the public about the field. She accepted her award during the openingreception of “Best of 2025,” Sunday, May 4, 2025.

In 2015, Gordon and husband Mark Chepp moved to Portsmouth to take on co-director positions at the Southern Ohio Museum, and “immediately fell in love with the area,” Gordon noted. Situated in the Appalachian region, “it’s unique. It has its own sense of aesthetics in visual arts and music.” As artistic director, Gordon is responsible for the temporary exhibitions that rotate through the museum, including the biennial “Cream of the Crop,” a juried show open to artists living within 85 miles of Portsmouth. “Our constituency includes Kentucky and West Virginia,” she explained. “A lot of these people didn’t consider themselves artists—they weren’t encouraged and validated. We have spent our time validating a lot of the local voices here and giving them as much support as we could.”

Gordon also oversees a permanent collection of over 25,000 objects, including silver, decorative arts, the late Dorothy Gill Barnes’ artwork, and numerous Native American artifacts that attracts visitors from all over the country. Programming includes summer camps for kids, adult art classes, a concert series, poetry readings, and a recent grant to start a film series.

Currently, Gordon and Chepp are leading a multimillion-dollar construction project at the museum. They’ve purchased the building next door and are in the process of renovating both it and the original building. This expansion will allow them to display more items from the permanent collection in one building while the other will focus on temporary exhibitions.

“I’m really proud of this project,” Gordon stated. “It will impact so many people. Admission will continue to be free, removing barriers to see and connect with art. We are growing a community base and facilitating conversations that wouldn’t happen otherwise. We realize the potential of this museum in making an impact on this small town.”

 

“Best of 2025” Exhibition Details

The Ohio Craft Museum
May 4–July 5, 2025

Visitor Hours: 

Monday–Friday, 10:00 am–5:00 pm
Saturday, 11:00 am–4:00 pm
Admission and parking are free.

Wayne Center for the Arts

August 28–October 23, 2025

About Ohio Designer Craftsmen & The Ohio Craft Museum

Established in 1963, Ohio Designer Craftsmen engages and enriches the community through high-quality exhibitions and education programs and supports and promotes the professional development of fine craft artists. The organization owns and operates the Ohio Craft Museum in the Grandview Heights area and has organized Winterfair in Columbus for nearly 50 years. Ongoing funding is provided by the Ohio Arts Council, Greater Columbus Arts Council and the Columbus Foundation.

 

Press Contact

Nichole Redinger
Marketing & Volunteer Coordinator
Ohio Designer Craftsmen
[email protected]

Mixed Media Pendants

About the Artist
Dot Lewallen is a retired clinical laboratory scientist who uses her years of looking into a microscope to inspire her work. She is a published jewelry designer, figurative doll artist, and mixed media dabbler.

 

FREE!
May 21, 2025
Noon–1:30 pm
Unleash your creativity in this fun, hands-on workshop where you’ll transform everyday items like tissue paper and decorative napkins into one-of-a-kind wearable art! Whether you’re crafting a personal statement piece or a thoughtful handmade gift, this class offers a relaxing and rewarding way to create something truly special.
No experience needed—just bring your imagination!
 
Lunch is not provided; feel free to bring a packed lunch.

SESSION FULL

 

DIY Denim

May 10, 2025
11:00 am–3:00 pm

We’ll bring out your creativity in this class! Bring an article of denim clothing–jacket, jeans, dress, or whatever you want to use as your canvas. Create a one-of-a-kind design using stencil printing, fabric applique, and stitching techniques. In this 4 hour class, we will use stencils to print designs on the clothing and embellish with pieces of fabric and learn different stitches to enhance our clothing with colored threads, beads and buttons.

Class fee includes all supplies.

Register here

Best of 2025

L to R: Children of the Forest by Mary Ann Tipple, Fly Reel of Limoges Part 2 by Lucas Pointon, Breaking Through by Gregg Smith

(Columbus, OH)—The Ohio Craft Museum is pleased to present the “Best of 2025,” a juried exhibition showcasing contemporary fine craft by 65 artists, on view May 4–July 5. Juror Michele Tuegel, founding executive director of Florida Craftsmen, Inc., selected 81 works in clay, glass, metal, wood, fiber and mixed media from nearly 400 entries. Sixteen artists received awards of excellence (see attached) in Ohio Designer Craftsmen’s annual members competition.

L to R: Float Series II by JeeEun Lee, True Color Light Path by Benjamin Johnson,
Ingredients For Dinner-Pane E Pomodoro by Bruna D’Alessandro

“I was delighted and privileged to see extraordinary and unpredictable beauty, an abundance of narrative work and storytelling, delicious surface treatments, many expressions of our human condition, fantasy, humor and articulate design aesthetics.” Tuegel said. “Work that characteristically and authentically came from your own minds, hearts and hands was foremost in my mind. And craftsmanship is paramount. A good jeweler friend once shared this with me, which resonates today: ‘Craftsmanship is like good grammar, because it helps artists express themselves in an articulate way.’ Mastering this vocabulary is crucial to content in art, and craftsmanship is how you say it.”

The exhibition opens with a Sunday, May 4, reception from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm at the Ohio Craft Museum. Award recipients will be recognized at 3:00 pm. At that time, the Ohio Designer Craftsmen Outstanding Achievement Award will be presented xx, who has enriched their community through fine craft.

Exhibition Details

The Ohio Craft Museum

May 4–July 5, 2025

Visitor Hours:

Monday–Friday, 10:00 am–5:00 pm
Saturday, 11:00 am–4:00 pm
Admission and parking are free.

 

Wayne Center for the Arts
August 28–October 23, 2025

 

About Ohio Designer Craftsmen & The Ohio Craft Museum

Established in 1963, Ohio Designer Craftsmen engages and enriches the community through high-quality exhibitions and education programs and supports and promotes the professional development of fine craft artists. The organization owns and operates the Ohio Craft Museum in the Grandview Heights area and has organized Winterfair in Columbus for nearly 50 years. Ongoing funding is provided by the Ohio Arts Council, Greater Columbus Arts Council and the Columbus Foundation.

 

 

Press Contact

Nichole Redinger
Marketing & Volunteer Coordinator
Ohio Designer Craftsmen
[email protected]

 

Best of 2025

May 4–July 5
The Ohio Craft Museum

August 28–October 23
Wayne Center for the Arts

The Ohio Craft Museum is pleased to present the “Best of 2025,” a juried exhibition showcasing contemporary fine craft by 65 artists, on view May 4–July 5. Juror Michele Tuegel, founding executive director of Florida Craftsmen, Inc., selected 81 works in clay, glass, metal, wood, fiber and mixed media from nearly 400 entries. Sixteen artists received awards of excellence (see
attached) in Ohio Designer Craftsmen’s annual members competition.
After closing July 5, the exhibit will travel to Wooster, OH, where it will be on show at Wayne Center for the Arts August 28-October 23, 2025

To View Best of 2025 click here

 

2025 AWARD WINNERS

Outstanding Achievement Award Winner
Charlotte Gordon


$2000 Challenge Award for Excellence
Belonging/Sense, JeeEun Lee, Alexandria KY


$2000 Yassenoff Family Award for Excellence & Watkins Printing Poster Award
Tumor Schappel, Juliellen Byrne, Groveport OH


Director Emeritus Betty Talbott Award for Excellence
BLONDOUS, Kathleen McConaughy, Rocky River OH


Ruth Lantz Award for Excellence in Fiber
The Age of Barnacles, Amy Beeler, Oregon OH


Brian Lonsway Memorial Award for Humor in Craft
Rabbit, Christopher St. John, Clarksville IN


Labino Memorial Award for Excellence in Glass
True Color Light Path, Benjamin Johnson, Chesterland OH


Sue Cavanaugh Memorial Award for Excellence
Ghost Dog, James Mellick, Milford Center OH


Award for Excellence in Metals
See-Saw Sally, Emily Joyce, Newbury OH


Phyllis Blair Clark Functional Ceramics Workshop Award for Excellence
Teapot, Alison Lowery, Dayton OH


Ed Honton Memorial Award for Excellence
Pierced Wall Cabinet, Mike Weber, Pickerington OH


Barbara Robinson Award for Excellence in Traditional Craft
Spring Pysanka, Heather Moore, Columbus OH

ODC Director’s Award for Excellence
Dia de los Muertos, Romina Barera Enciso, Columbus OH


ODC Board of Trustees Emerging Craftsman Award
Strata II—Under Heaven & Over Hell, Christopher Liu, Kent OH


Brooke Hannan Memorial Emerging Craftsman Scholarship Award
Jade-Lynn Lewis, Morgantown WV


The $1000 Artist Scholarship Award
Romina Barera Enciso, Columbus OH

 

Ohio Designer Craftsmen Artist Travels to Nepal with U.S. Arts Envoy Program

February 27, 2025
Media Contact:
Nichole Redinger, Marketing Coordinator
Ohio Designer Craftsmen/Ohio Craft Museum
[email protected]
614-486-4402

Ohio Designer Craftsmen Artist Travels to Nepal with U.S. Arts Envoy Program

Columbus, Ohio—Ceramics artist/Ohio Designer Craftsmen member Mark Nafziger and his wife Joyce Nafziger were invited to participate in a week-long cultural exchange workshop in Bhaktapur, Nepal, November 2024, through the Arts Envoy program.

Arts Envoy is a cultural exchange program within the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs that connects U.S. artists with international audiences for an exchange of skills and knowledge. Mark, owner of Brush Creek Pottery located within Sauder Village in Archbold, Ohio, was one of the first potters to be invited to participate in the program.

The workshop took place in Bhaktapur, one of three main cities within the Kathmandu Valley. There, Mark and Joyce were introduced to their students, a group of local female artisans. “I did a little demonstrating. They did a lot of questioning. I was questioning them, it was a back and forth,” Mark said.  “They just jumped right in and started working.”

Mark took away a new appreciation for the resources and supplies accessible to him as an American potter. “I was really impacted by the fact that as potters, you feel an immediate connection with the struggles across cultures and across the world,” Mark said. “We all deal with the same issues in just the process itself: the firing, trying to figure out problems that arise, dealing with the materials themselves. But in comparison with Nepal, if something changes with my materials, I have resources to adapt to those changes to where I can continue doing my work with no problem. They don’t have access to the materials at all.”

The program ended with an exhibition of the work the women had created throughout the week. Mark, Joyce and the students also attended a reception at the U.S. Ambassador to Nepal’s residence. The pair spoke at Kathmandu University’s Department of Arts and Design, and were interviewed by the national press.

Photos courtesy of U.S. Embassy Kathmandu, Nepal

Ohio Craft Museum Named Official Location on America 250-Ohio Creativity Trail News

New experiential driving trail features 100+ attractions showcasing Ohio’s significant contributions to American history in six creative arts fields Columbus, Ohio—The Ohio Craft Museum is pleased to partner with the America 250-Ohio Commission to be an official stop on its new Ohio Creativity Trail. This experiential driving trail of 108 sites across the state showcases Ohio’s artists, writers, musicians and other creatives who
have made significant contributions to artistic expression. One of six planned trails for America 250-Ohio’s Trails & Tales program, Ohio Creativity Trail sites are grouped into six categories: On the Page, Music, Visual Arts, Glass & Pottery, Folk & Traditional Art, and Carousels.
The Ohio Craft Museum engages and enriches the community through high-quality exhibitions and education programs for children, adults and artists. Visitors to the Ohio Craft Museum can view exhibitions of contemporary fine craft, including ceramics, glass, metal, fiber and wood, as well as selections from the museum’s permanent collection. Gift shops offer handcrafted work by over 125 artists. Admission and parking are free.
“We are honored to be part of the Ohio Creativity Trail,” museum director Kim Nagorski said. “The Ohio Craft Museum has a long tradition of showcasing exceptional work by contemporary fine craft artists from across the country and the world. We are excited for trail visitors to experience the artistry and creativity of these artists for themselves.”
“It’s no secret that Ohioans leave their mark on the world,” said Todd Kleismit, Executive Director, America 250-Ohio. “In partnership with the Ohio Craft Museum, we’re showcasing their great work, as well as other talented artists across Ohio to generate excitement for our state’s significant contributions to the cultural fabric of America. We look forward to celebrating with the Ohio Craft Museum throughout 2025 and 2026.” To learn more about the America 250- Ohio Trails & Tales Program, visit https://america250-ohio.org/trails-and-tales/.

The Ohio Craft Museum is owned and operated by Ohio Designer Craftsmen, a nonprofit organization that engages and enriches the community through high-quality exhibitions and education programs and supports/promotes the professional development of craft artists. The organization has organized Columbus Winterfair for nearly 50 years. Ongoing funding is provided by the Ohio Arts Council, Greater Columbus Arts Council and the Columbus Foundation. For more information, visit www.ohiocraft.org.


About America 250-Ohio

In 2026, the United States will celebrate its semiquincentennial, which is the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Each state has been encouraged to create a celebration and commemoration of this anniversary to reflect the unique character and contributions of each state to the nation over the past 250 years. Ohio is fully embracing this opportunity. The Ohio Commission for the Semiquincentennial (aka America 250-Ohio Commission or AM250-OH) was created by the Ohio legislature and launched on March 1, 2022. The charge of the AM250- OH Commission is to “…to plan, encourage, develop, and coordinate the commemoration of the two hundred fiftieth anniversary of the founding of the United States and the impact of Ohioans
on the nation’s past, present, and future.” — Ohio Revised Code (149.309). More information can be found at America250-Ohio.org.

 

Ohio Designer Craftsmen Awards 31 Artist Grants

Columbus, OH—Ohio Designer Craftsmen is pleased to announce the Winter 2025 recipients of itsQuick Grants for Artists program. Started in July 2024 to support member artists’ professional development, this initiative will provide up to $500 each to about 60 artists every year. Grants can be used to upgrade equipment, purchase materials, take a workshop, and more.
“Our new Quick Grants program continues Ohio Designer Craftsmen’s rich legacy of supporting the development of artists in Ohio and beyond,” said ODC Executive Director Kim Nagorski. “We are delighted to assist them in their professional and creative growth.” The recipients of this round of Quick Grants for Artists span a variety of disciplines, showcasing the diversity of talent in our artistic community. Many have exhibited at the Ohio Craft Museum or have participated in Winterfair.

 

Winter 2025 Quick Grant Recipients:

Judy Hoberg – Ceramics
Susan Mentrak – Ceramics
Russell Stephanchick – Mixed Media
Rick Braveheart – Photography
Anne Havel – Enamel
Philip Sarsany – Fiber Arts
Shelley Baird – Mixed Media
Dawn Hatzidakis – Jewelry
Lorie Dorpinghaus – Fiber Arts
Heidi Clous – Jewelry
Michelle Ishida – Printmaking/Letterpress
Sandra Aska – Ceramics
Amy Beeler – Fiber Arts/Jewelry
Laura Donnelly – Ceramics
Teresa Speakman – Ceramics
Beth Himsworth – Glass

 

 

Char Norman – Fiber Arts
Lawrence Goldsmith – Glass
Molly Todd – Fiber Arts
Barbara Whipkey – Ceramics/Painting/Drawing
Elaine Coifman – Leathercraft
Anne Schauer – Glass
Neil Donovan – Wood
Christopher St. John – Ceramics
Rebecca Stansbury – Ceramics
Kristin Morris – Mixed Media
Marjorie Mitcham – Mixed Media
Amy Noffsinger – Mixed Media
Brigit Kowalczyk – Fiber Arts
Shreya Patel – Ceramics
Emily Joyce – Metal, Enameling