30 local artists picked for CCAC’s annual Golden Ticket exhibit

Clifton Cultural Arts Center has announced the 30 artists selected for the 15th annual Golden Ticket Juried Exhibition. 

The 2024 exhibit, opening on Friday, Nov. 8, marks the first time this exhibition will take place in CCAC’s new home on Clifton Avenue, with financial support provided by Summerfair Cincinnati, Inc.

The featured artists are: Jennifer Baldwin, Ken Landon Buck, Nathan Currier-Groh, Liz Driesbach, Ximena Flores, Gardner Follin, Marie Frances, Jim Graham, Jennifer Grant, Alexis Harris, Deb Jones, Becky Linhardt, Daniel Mantero-Robles, ChengLun Na, Fred Price, Carol Price, Hassan Qureshi, Sarah Rodriguez, Matthew Roeman, William Schaaf, Jamie Schorsch, Katrina Shafor, Keith Shebesta, Marcia Shortt, John Weller, Chloe Wenger, Jan Wiesner, Mark Wiesner, Colleen McAndrews Woods and Mary Woodworth.

The Golden Ticket opens with a free, public reception on Nov. 8, from 6 to 8 p.m. The exhibit will remain on view during regular exhibit hours through Dec. 6.

“This year’s exhibit features an astonishingly wide variety of work,” said Gallery Manager Emily Versoza. “From sculpture to photography, paintings, and even fiber pieces, what unifies them all is the high caliber of the work. This is truly the crème de la crème of local working artists.”

A blind jury, comprising members of the Cincinnati art community, narrowed the field down from hundreds of art pieces submitted by local artists. The jury will meet again to view the works in person and select their favorites. The top picks will receive a part of the combined $1,500 prize pool, and the “Best in Show” winner will also receive a solo exhibit in CCAC’s new home in 2025.

The jury included Cameron Kitchin, director of the Cincinnati Art Museum; Tracy Featherstone, department head at Miami University; and Anissa Lewis, former executive director of WavePool.

CCAC will announced the winners at the opening receptions.

Visitors to the gallery over the month-long exhibition can vote for their favorite piece. The piece that receives the most visitor votes will earn the “People’s Choice” winner and an extra cash prize.

“In my opinion, that’s the real honor,” says Versoza. “No matter who makes up the jury, their selections are just the opinions of a few people. The People’s Choice is the opinion of the whole community.”