ArtSpace/Lima announces the opening of Still Life Now: Nine Contemporary Artists, which will have its opening reception on Friday, Nov. 4, from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.

The exhibit features new and recent work by nine nationally prominent artists who specialize in "still life." Each offers a 21st century interpretation of the genre which had its beginnings in ancient Greece and Rome and reached its most celebrated fulfillment in 17th and 18th century Holland and Spain and flourished again in the works of 20th century cubists.

Curator for the exhibit, Mary Ann Sullivan, Professor Emerita of Bluffton University, notes that each of the artists in the ArtSpace exhibit seeks to extend the boundaries of the form, whether through a freshness of medium or an innovative subject matter.

All told, there are seven media represented in the show, including oil, acrylic, graphite, Prismacolor, pastel, silverpoint, and watercolor.

The artists are from varied locations in the United States, including New York City; Chicago and Lake Forest, Illinois; Colts Neck, New Jersey; and Bowling Green, Columbus, and Hiram, Ohio.

They include Jane Ellefson, Carl Holzman, Steven Jones, Tamara Peterson, Sangita Phadke, Christopher Ryan, Lowell Tolstedt, Dennis Wojtkiewicz, and Pamela Workman.

In conjunction with the exhibit, ArtSpace will offer a series of three of its popular Soup and Salad Lectures on consecutive Tuesdays, beginning Oct. 25.

The lecturer, Mary Ann Sullivan, will survey the art historical background of the form and, in the final lecture on Nov. 8, will focus on the current scene and give a gallery tour of the exhibit. Lectures begin at 5 p.m., with a light supper to follow at 6:15 p.m. Price is $15 per lecture, $40 for the series of three. CEU credits are available for area teachers.

Call ArtSpace for reservations at 419-222-1721.

ArtSpace/Lima is a not-for-profit arts organization with a mission to promote the arts in northwest Ohio and to provide artists with a venue to present and to sell their work. ArtSpace/Lima is supported in part by a grant from the Ohio Arts Council.

For further information on Still Live Now: Nine Contemporary Artists or for information regarding other ArtSpace/Lima programs, please call Bill Sullivan, Operations Manager, at ArtSpace/Lima 419-222-1721.