Columbus‑area artists are opening the group exhibition “Chasing the Light” at the McConnell Arts Center on Thursday, Sept. 24, with the show running through Nov. 12. The project grew out of informal gatherings that began nearly two years ago in the Clintonville home of artist‑curator Loren Bucek, who was then in remission after cancer treatment.
From Living‑Room Conversations to a Public Exhibition
Bucek invited longtime friends and newer colleagues to discuss light from scientific, aesthetic, philosophical, spiritual and artistic angles. “There was lots of joy, lots of ‘Let’s do something together,’” she recalled. Those conversations evolved into regular meet‑ups, each round deepening the group’s shared vision.
Looking back, Bucek says the tone of the talks shifted as the national political climate grew harsher following President Trump’s return to the White House. “People became afraid, isolated, less willing to share until we came around the circle a second or third time,” she noted. Yet the artists persisted, turning fear into defiance and a pull toward the divine.
Works Reflect Joy, Fear and Faith
The exhibition features paintings, mixed‑media pieces and installations by Richard Duarte Brown, Jackie Calderone, Gaye Reissland, Lance Johnson, April Sunami and many others. Bucek contributes a painting titled “Focused Optimism,” describing the work as an act of resistance and a testament to the community’s resolve.
“I’m not someone who is going to march at my age, and maybe not in my health, but this project is an act of resistance, my act of resistance,” Bucek said. “Nobody backed off. Nobody said, ‘It’s too much for me now.’ In fact, it was just the opposite.”
Community Support Amid Personal Challenges
In 2023 Bucek led the “Global Water Dances Columbus” project, which visited 29 city sites to advocate for equitable access to clean water. When a cancer surgery left her unable to attend the Arts Fest performance, the local arts community rallied to support her, a gesture she says exemplifies the neighborhood’s caring spirit.
Encouraged by peers such as Queen Brooks, Eric Murphy and April Sunami, Bucek embraced visual art more fully, overcoming self‑doubt. “I fret sometimes, and she’d be like, ‘Loren, just do it,’” she recalled.
Artistic Process Rooted in Dance
Drawing on her background as a dance choreographer, Bucek describes her painting process as spontaneous and kinetic. “I just go for the texture, touch, kinetic piece of it. I just enjoy color, I enjoy movement,” she explained, noting that the movement she once expressed through dance now finds form on canvas.
The exhibition’s collaborative nature blurs the lines between individual styles, reflecting months of dialogue that challenged perceptions and sparked fresh ideas. “It’s exactly what I was hoping for from the title, ‘Chasing the Light,’ and then the artists speak,” Bucek said.
Why It Matters for the Community
“Chasing the Light” offers Columbus residents a chance to experience art that speaks to both personal and collective journeys. In a time when national discourse can feel divisive, the show stands as a reminder that local creativity and faith in one another can illuminate a path forward.
The exhibition is free to the public, with opening hours posted on the McConnell Arts Center website. Visitors are encouraged to explore the works, engage with the artists and join the ongoing conversation about light, hope and resilience.
Original reporting: Matter News (Columbus) — read the source article.
