'2D or Not 2D: The Flat Work of Steven J. Athanas' to be on exhibit at Blissfield gallery

The Daily Telegram
·2 min read

BLISSFIELD — Flatlanders Art Galleries in Blissfield, operated in conjunction with Flatlanders Sculpture Supply, will open a no-cost public art exhibit Tuesday, Jan. 9, that continues through March 2.

“2D or Not 2D: The Flat Work of Steven J. Athanas” is the title of the upcoming exhibit that also has a planned opening reception with Athanas scheduled for 1 to 3 p.m. Jan. 14. Flatlanders Art Galleries is 1 1/2 miles east of Blissfield at 11993 U.S. 223.

Athanas works in both 2D and 3D, Flatlanders said in a news release. His sculptural work utilizes refurbished and found items, such as rusty wire and objects from nature, as well as tissue paper, clay and whatever he can get his hands on.

This image advertises an upcoming public art exhibit opening Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2024, at Flatlanders Sculpture Supply and Art Galleries on the east side of Blissfield. “2D or Not 2D: The Flat Work of Steven J. Athanas” is the title of the upcoming exhibit that continues through March 2.
This image advertises an upcoming public art exhibit opening Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2024, at Flatlanders Sculpture Supply and Art Galleries on the east side of Blissfield. “2D or Not 2D: The Flat Work of Steven J. Athanas” is the title of the upcoming exhibit that continues through March 2.

“He has long been making mobiles and sculptures using various papers and attaching them to a wire armature to make fish, birds, human and abstract forms,” the news release said. “They can be painted on with acrylics and coated with water-based polyurethane for strength.”

His work has been shown in New York City at the Slovakian Embassy; Baltimore at the American Visionary Art Museum, Jedidiah Gallery; Washington D.C. at the Slovakian Embassy; northwest Ohio locations including Hudson Gallery, Makers Mart, Toledo School for the Arts, Madhouse Gallery and Wolfe Gallery; Michigan locations including Flatlanders Art Gallery, Judith Racht Gallery, Virgil H. Carr Cult Center, Liberal Arts Gallery and the Ella Sharp Museum; Chicago at the Intuit Center; Cleveland at Art On Madison; West Palm Beach at the WPB Juried Art Show where he placed second, and the Meyerhoefer Gallery and the Bay Harbor Art Walk.

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Athanas has been making art professionally for more than 20 years, Flatlanders said. He also has self-published books of his drawings as well as having released multiple recordings of his original songs.

He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in art education from the University of Toledo where he has taught. He also has instructed art at locations in Baltimore and West Palm Beach.

To contact Flatlanders, a full-service sculpture resource, call 517-486-4591, visit flatlandersculpture.com of find Flatlanders on Facebook.

This article originally appeared on The Daily Telegram: Blissfield gallery hosting art exhibit featuring work of Steven J. Athanas