TOLEDO Magazine , toledo, sunday, MARCH 8, 2015 SECTION c, Page 6

ART

LaTonya Harris of Toledo carries a mixed media piece to its place in the exhibit, which can be seen at One SeaGate downtown.

From left, Brian Carpenter of Toledo, Bob Meeker of Ottawa Hills, and Odes Roberts, Sr., of Toledo confer on where pieces will be placed. The show continues through April 10. Group revives Roots

BLADE PHOTOS byJetta Fraser Karen Simpson and Cleveland Henderson, Jr., both of Toledo, hang a painting by Terry Burton. of Diversity Exhibit Understandingthrough art By TAHREE LANE its traditions with people from dif- BLADE STAFF WRITER ferent backgrounds, everyone is rt’s cellular structure is empowered, said Clay Lord, vice permeable, its boundaries president of local arts advancement A traversed since time im- at Americans for the Arts, a Wash- memorial. ington-based group that supports As it was with cave drawings, art and art agencies. modern art externalizes what stirs “It builds empathy and under- within. It’s interpretation/reinter- standing,” Mr. Lord said. “People pretation, invention/reinvention. can understand a little more about Dividing and conquering or collab- the experiences others have gone orating and democratizing. through.” At best, it brings people together Twenty artists — black, white, “to talk about the images they’re Latino, Native American — were seeing, to learn from one another,” invited to each submit a few piec- Ardenia Jones Terry said. es, which do not necessarily reflect She’s part of a group of eight who, their ethnicity. As word got out, in light of recent national interra- additional people asked to partici- cial violence, believed they could pate, and the show expanded to 90 contribute to Toledo’s compassion- pieces from 25 people. ‘Stormy Season’ by Robert Garcia. ate diversity. For a year, they met Their range is expansive: activ- for dinner on Tuesdays at Manhat- ist art by Simone Spruce of Rhode tan’s Restaurant to discuss how to Island, jazzy paintings by Detroit’s resuscitate the Roots of Diversity Marcus Glenn, elegant photo- Exhibit — an art show that ended in graphs from around the world by 2003 after 16 years because it lacked Charles Gabriel, and a windblown An eagle in flight by Native-American artist Mary Williston. funding. tree cut from steel by Robert Garcia. But diversity doesn’t just happen Like many Toledoans, Ms. Jones in the United States of 2015. Terry fell in love with art as a child “You have to continually be dili- at Saturday morning classes in the gent to focus and constantly reach Toledo Museum of Art. She said art out and contact people,” she said, nourishes her in an elemental way noting that despite many phone that’s more vital every year. “It con- calls, the group was unable to in- nects me to something much larg- clude art by anyone with an East er.” Asian background. So when the planners ran into Continuing through April 10, the a wall raising money, she contrib- show is in the lobby of Fifth Third uted nearly $10,000 from her own Center at One SeaGate, on Summit consulting business to pay artist Street at Jackson Boulevard. Hours stipends, for the reception, and are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. every day. transportation and lodging for out- “The origins of this country are of-towners. ‘Fertility,’ oil painting by Robert Garcia. about cultural pluralism. If we “We have more people in art or- don’t have that, we lose sight of who ganizations talking about the need ‘The Ref,’ serigraphy on paper by we are as Americans and what we to be diverse,” she said. “What we Arturo Rodriguez. are as a democracy,” said Ms. Jones need to see is more dollars to fund Terry, who retired as associate vice such events.” president for student affairs after 35 Contact Tahree Lane at: years with the . [email protected] or When a culture or group shares 419-724-6075. Ash table by Ken Thompson.

‘Bullfight,’ oil on canvas by P. Permul of India.