Total eclipse of the art. BZTAT Studios, The CUT Cinema, Patina hosting events in Canton
- Oops!Something went wrong.Please try again later.
- Oops!Something went wrong.Please try again later.
CANTON − The wonder of the upcoming solar eclipse has inspired both an art show and film festival at the new Canton Creator Space downtown.
BZTAT Studios will host an opening reception for "Celestial − Exploring Cosmic Curiosities in Art" from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday at Canton Creator Space, 730 Market Ave. S. The first 20 attendees will receive a free pair of ISO-certified eclipse glasses.
The CUT Cinema will host a "Celestial Independent Film Festival" 6 to 9 p.m. on April 6 at Canton Creator Space, a collaborative workplace and gallery for artists and creative entrepreneurs. Two shorts and one feature film will be showcased.
"It's an amazing thing, and we get to be a part of it here," said Vicki Boatright, site manager of Canton Creator Space.
"I think throughout history, artists, musicians, dancers, actors and literature have all been fascinated with the cosmos. The celestial show is about not just the eclipse but our wonder with the universe and the sky."
No admission will be charged for the art show. For those attending the film event, donations are appreciated, said Boatright, owner of BZTAT Studios.
The solar eclipse is an opportunity to provide both Canton area residents and those visiting Stark County with a cultural activity outside of the main attraction, said Boatright and Neil Weakland, who owns both The CUT Cinema and Canton Creator space.
"We happen to have the eclipse right now but there's lots more to visit in Canton to do," Boatright said.
Cosmic event Where can I watch the eclipse in Stark County? A guide to eclipse-day events
Short films feature Ukrainian story and Amelia Earhart tribute
Two short films will be featured, including "ELECTRA WASP," which is directed by Wasan Hayajneh. The film is an experimental animated psychobiography and is inspired by Amelia Earhart, an iconic American aviator who disappeared over the Pacific Ocean with navigator Fred Noonan in 1937 while attempting to become the first woman to fly around the world.
"It's more of a visual poem kind of thing," Weakland said.
Downtown art hub New Canton Creator Space features BZTAT, The CUT Cinema
Another animated short film, "Under The Endless Sky," is directed by Alexandra Dzhiganskaya, a filmmaker from Ukraine. The film was prompted by the outbreak of war in her home country.
"It has to do with (the filmmaker) thinking about her family, and in particular her grandfather," Boatright explained. "And there's a lot of sky imagery, and clouds and looking up kind of throughout that. ... It's like contemplating your earthly circumstances in context to the great big sky."
The feature film, "A Perfect Shadow" is directed by Justin McGilvery.
The movie tells the story of two estranged friends who journey in 1991 to the tip of Baja California, Mexico, for a total solar eclipse and find themselves in the right place at the right time to fulfill a broken childhood promise.
'Total Eclipse of the Cat'
A dozen artists will be featured in the "Celestial" exhibition, which will be on display through May 24 during gallery hours − 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and noon to 5 p.m. Saturday. Canton Creator Space and BZTAT Studios will be closed on April 8.
Artwork will be diverse, including abstract paintings, a piece titled, "Total Eclipse of the Cat," a collage and a "space plant" sculpture hanging from the ceiling. Themes also will vary, including spiritual, secular, scientific and whimsical, a news release from BZTAT Studios explained.
"Every artwork offers a unique perspective, inviting viewers to contemplate the wonders of the sun, moon, stars, planets, galaxies and more," Boatright said.
Artists featured in the show include Clare Murray Adams, Emily Vigil, Laura Hollis, Scott Simler, Brenda Case, Iszy Rucker, Tom Wachunas, Chris Wurst, Sarah Shumaker, Tom Delamater, Keeli Serri, Sally Priscilla Lytle and BZTAT (the artist name of Boatright).
More downtown Canton eclipse-themed art shows
A few other local galleries are celebrating the eclipse through art.
Patina Arts Centre, 324 Cleveland Ave. NW, will present, "Umbra: a Collective Experience" from 5 to 10 p.m. April 5 in downtown Canton.
"Get ready to witness art in perfect alignment with nature's cosmic spectacle," Patina said in promoting the exhibition.
"From mesmerizing paintings to intricate sculptures, Umbra promises to ignite your imagination and spark conversations that transcend the boundaries of art and science."
More than a dozen artists will be displaying works in the exhibition, which will be on display through April 27.
Strauss Studios, 236 Walnut Ave. NE, is holding an eclipse-inspired art show after the event.
"Exploring Light and Darkness" will be displayed 6 to 9 p.m. May 3 during First Friday activities in downtown Canton. Andy Bors will be playing live music.
Featured artists will include Emily Orsich, Heather Bullach, Jo Westfall, Joe Ostrowske, Mary Crane Nutter, Patricia Zinsmeister Parker and Susan Wilkof.
Reach Ed at ebalint@gannett.com. On X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram at ed_balint.
This article originally appeared on The Repository: Solar eclipse-themed art show, film fest set for downtown Canton, Ohio
