Wright State University alum Micah Zavacky has returned to campus with his latest exhibition, "Walking through Stone", now on display at the Robert and Elaine Stein Gallery through March 15. Alongside his artwork, Zavacky gave a lecture reflecting on his creative journey, inspirations, and the importance of community in his artistic career.
Robert and Elaine Stein Gallery
The Robert and Elaine Stein Gallery is in the Creative Arts Center at WSU. It was founded in the 1970s and named after the couple who donated the art for the gallery to open.
There is a permanent collection of over 2,000 works on display, as well as a rotation of artists who have their work shown for a few months at a time.
A Gallery Committee made up of art faculty and other staff decide on which visiting artists will have their work displayed. Rebecca Foley, the art gallery and events coordinator, talked about how having the gallery open on campus has affected people.
“It’s more than just a gallery, it’s used as a teaching space. Teachers will bring their art classes in and the doors are open to the public. My favorite part is getting the community together and learning about each artist who displays their work,” Foley said.
About the artist
Micah Zavacky graduated from WSU in 2014 with a B.A. in studio art, and continued his education at the University of Illinois to receive his Master’s in studio art.
After he finished school, Zavacky tried many different career paths, including teaching at the University of Dayton, Wittenberg and leading workshops for students.
The work he currently has on display on campus, “Walking through Stone,” is made up of still life paintings and etchings, which mainly include landscape.
During his talk, Zavacky discussed the importance of having a community around you and the support he had through his education from his husband, mother, academic advisors and more.
“I didn’t know what I was doing, and I think that’s a big part of grad school. You can’t do this and not have someone in your corner,” Zavacky said.
He has experience working in many different types of media, but his main inspiration is the Earth. For some of his work, he leased an old Victorian house from a professor to draw work from the garden. Zavacky also drew inspiration from books, such as “The Once and Future Witches” by Alix E. Harrow and “The Eye of the World” by Robert Jordan. He discussed the importance of drawing metaphors from art to help with his work.
During the talk, there was a quote he read from one of those books that stuck with him as he was making the work currently on display.
“What’s the difference between being strong and being hard?” Jordan Writes in "The Eye of the World".
Throughout his career, Zavacky said he wanted to do it all, but that is not practical for life. He has taken a break from painting to focus on working in nature and his etchings, but art remains his center focus.
Students should be sure to stop by the Robert and Elaine Stein Gallery before March 15 to see his exhibit of his work, “Walking through Stone.”
