Repurposed-material sculptures by Artist Amelia Key and learning artists
CINCINNATI—Hundreds of colorful straws assembled into an abstract arrangement. Fifty pool noodles arranged on a wall to create a dynamic sculpture. Artist Amelia Key elevates and transforms ordinary objects into beautiful creations by composing collections of everyday ephemera into artworks. This assortment of pieces that creatively incorporate waste materials to highlight their impact on daily life and the environment will be exhibited at Matter Matters in the ArtWorks V2 Gallery from July 28 to September 15.
Over the last month, ArtWorks has welcomed this innovative artist and a group of artists, ages 16 – 24, into the gallery as part of its master class program that gives learning artists a chance to study the materials and methods of professional artists to inform the creation of their own unique works of art. The works are available for sale during the exhibition, with proceeds going directly to the artists.
ArtWorks is holding a free public opening reception on Friday, July 28, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the V2 Gallery. Registrations are requested but not required.
Key and the group of artists worked hard to create a meaningful dialogue about plastic, waste, the environment, and the intricate relationship between materials and concepts. Materials used in the works on view came from a variety of sources, including the Cincinnati Recycling & Reuse Hub, LaSoupe, SIGHT Eyecare and Eyewear in Wyoming, and individual donations.
“My work delves into themes of transformation, potential, and wonder,” Key said. “I am fascinated by the interplay between chaos and order, our innate desire for control, the pursuit of resolution, and the tendency to overcomplicate our thoughts. As I navigate the world and seek a sense of belonging, I explore connections and relationships between disparate objects – both literal and aesthetic. Through the exploration of color and repetition, these objects transcend their original purpose, transforming the mundane into something magical.”
Key hails from Dothan, Alabama, and holds a B.A. in Art from Belhaven University. Her artistic journey has taken her across the Southeast, exhibiting her work in prestigious venues such as the Arkansas Arts Center (now the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts) in Little Rock, the Wiregrass Museum of Art in Dothan for the 2018 Wiregrass Biennial, and the Mississippi Museum of Art in Jackson for the 2019 Mississippi Invitational. Key’s passion for her craft led her to pursue graduate studies at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, where she received a TAMU-CC Sage Fellowship and was selected as one of the Mid-South Sculpture Alliance’s 2022 Dianne Komminsk Scholarship recipients. She created a captivating public art installation featuring 16 suspended sculptures for the TAMU-CC Performing Arts Center. Currently, Amelia is preparing to complete her MFA at the University of Oklahoma in Fall 2023. To explore more of Key’s breathtaking artwork, please visit her website at ameliakey.com or follow her on Instagram at @amelia.c.key.
ArtWorks recognizes the importance of welcoming both national and local artists to lead its master class program. By bringing together artists from different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives, the program enriches the artistic landscape, fosters creativity, and empowers aspiring artists to reach their full potential.
Artists ages 16-24 who want to participate in the next artist-led master class (working with next Artist-in-Residence Sarah Rodriguez), must apply by Aug. 10. Participation is entirely free, with all art supplies provided. Program participants will have the opportunity to learn about installing and handling, pricing and selling their artwork, as well as writing an artist statement, giving a group artist talk at the opening and more.
About ArtWorks V² Gallery
The ArtWorks V² Gallery is unlike any other gallery in Cincinnati, focusing on emerging artists. Inspired by ArtWorks’ apprentice program, learning artists have the chance to take part in a master class program to study the tools and techniques of lead artists and create their own individual works of art to exhibit. This gallery is made possible through the generosity of V², also known as Vandell Verdona, a collaboration between longtime ArtWorks supporters Sara and Michelle Vance Waddell and Ron Houck and David Nebel. Special thanks to Model Group for supporting this gallery. The ArtWorks V² Gallery is located at 929 E. McMillan St in partnership with HER Cincinnati.
Who We Are
Since 1996, ArtWorks has collaborated with community organizations and residents, businesses, governments, foundations, and nonprofits to build creative works of art that support the Greater Cincinnati region’s global reputation as an arts destination. ArtWorks has employed and trained over 3,500 professional artists and 4,000 youth, ages 14–24. We invest in our creative economy by creating jobs that support local talent, pairing professional artists to inspire and mentor diverse teams of youth, and helping them build 21st-century career-readiness skills. Over the past 27 years, this collaborative approach has created a citywide gallery with more than 14,000 public and private art projects, including more than 250 permanent outdoor murals.
2460 Gilbert Avenue | Cincinnati, OH 45206
# # #
