Ionosphere by Jacob Bucy

Paden City artist Jacob Bucy is featured in a dual exhibit opening this month at Oglebay Institute. Bucy’s show titled “Hue: The Artwork of Jacob Bucy” will run from Oct. 3 through Nov. 8 at Oglebay Institute’s Stifel Fine Arts Center in Wheeling, W.Va. The exhibit also includes a show by Pittsburgh artist Cynthia Stanchak.

An opening reception for both exhibits takes place at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at Stifel Fine Arts Center. The event is free and open to the public.

Often inspired by random objects, Bucy combines color and artistry to express emotion, provoke a mood, and speak to the subconscious.

Bucy has lived in West Virginia his whole life and from a young age has had a love for art. While attending Concord College, he developed a love for painting. He has received several awards including first place in acrylics at the recent 2013 Monroe Artists Annual Art Show in Woodsfield. He also took the first place prize at the 2012 ArtsLink juried art exhibition in New Martinsville.

His work is inspired by many things including nature, the universe, and the little things we often take for granted. Bucy cites Mark Rothko, Jasper Johns, and Jackson Pollock as his major influences.

Layers of Life by Cynthia Stanchak

Bucy has exhibited throughout West Virginia, from the Stifel Fine Arts Center to Beckley’s Tamarack. Most recently, his work was shown at the Art Emporium in Charleston, W.Va. He currently lives in Paden City with his wife Tammy and son Jackson.

Stanchak’s work is process-based painting on unmanipulated photos of found objects, discarded industrial objects from project sites and farms. Her bold compositions vibrantly resurrect objects with life and beauty. Stanchak’s practice has a heavy design element, and she is drawn to the qualities of simplicity, minimalism, and functionality often seen in Scandinavian interior design. Stanchak has said, “Industrial objects can be pulled out of their graveyards and resurrected with life and vibrancy, and trash becomes beautiful.”

Exhibits can be viewed free of charge 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday-Friday, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturdays, through Nov. 8. Evening hours are dependent on classes and special events. Call 304-2427700 for complete evening hour information.

Oglebay Institute’s Stifel Fine Arts Center is conveniently located at 1330 National Road in Wheeling, just off exit 2B of 1-70. Also a teaching facility, the Stifel welcomes students of all ages to its ongoing classes in visual arts, dance, fitness, music, and more.

For more information call 304-242-7700 or visit www.oionline.com.