Work by artist Priscilla Moreno
The Emily Davis Gallery at the Myers School of Art, Buchtel College of Arts & Sciences, is pleased to present "Umbra: A Breakup Story" by Priscilla Moreno in conjunction with the Art Bomb Brigade and the Myers Residency Program. The exhibition is on view from March 13 through April 14, 2023, with an opening reception on Thursday, March 16 from 5:00–7:00 p.m.
As a self-taught painter, illustrator, creator, and entrepreneur, Priscilla Moreno aims to capture the beauty of her day-to-day life and invite her viewers into a world of high fashion, comedy, and jazz. Inspired by bossa nova music, retro style, and old films, Moreno combines these influences with the people she sees and the eccentricities she observes to tell stories about characters from the world she creates.
As a young Latina artist whose illustrative style often draws from her Mexican heritage, Moreno’s culture shines through in her characters and her love of bright colors. Her art is influenced by her Chicana experience and admiration of artists like Frida Kahlo.
Moreno says, “Mexico brings me so much inspiration because I like Alebrijes, cartoon creations, I love the colors and how they can be a bit spooky, so I like that too. I want to represent the person I am, I am Mexican, so I like to incorporate these elements in my art. I never want to forget where I come from.”
This solo exhibition marks a new chapter for Moreno, as she tells her story of a recent breakup through her art. The juxtaposition of light and dark colors and imagery showcase a metamorphosis many of us can easily relate to, much like the umbra of an eclipse. Through Moreno’s vintage vibes and cheery imagery, viewers get a glimpse of brightness as we transition into spring.
In addition to her upcoming exhibition, Moreno has been working with Myers students enrolled in the Art Bomb Brigade and Illustration programs to collaborate on a large outdoor mural for the University Park neighborhood and the campus community. The 3,000-square-foot mural will be revealed later this spring.
Moreno will participate in an artist talk on Thursday, March 16 at 6:00 p.m. in the Folk Hall Auditorium. A companion exhibition, "Spectrum: The Art of Eleanor Anderson, Joe Lanzilotta, and Natalie Lanese," will also be on view in the lower gallery for the duration of Moreno’s exhibition.
This exhibition is organized by the Emily Davis Gallery and sponsored by The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, with additional support from the 2023 Art Bomb Brigade, The Akron Community Foundation, the GAR Foundation, and the Myers Residency Program.
The gallery is in Folk Hall on The University of Akron campus at 150 E Exchange St., Akron, OH 44325. The gallery will host an artist panel with all four artists on Thursday, April 13, at 6:00 p.m. in the Folk Hall Auditorium, room 165. Please join us in celebrating these artists.
About Art Bomb Brigade:
The Art Bomb Brigade is a community arts program run out of the Myers School of Art at The University of Akron. It was chosen from more than 500 entries by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation’s Knights Arts Challenge. The mission of the Art Bomb Brigade is to breathe new life into Akron neighborhoods through vibrant mural art. Art Bomb has also been generously supported by Downtown Akron Partnership, Summit Metro Parks Foundation, Akron Community Foundation, and the GAR Foundation. To learn more, visit the Art Bomb Brigade online or on Facebook and Instagram.
Schedule of Events
All exhibitions and events are free and open to the public.
- Dates for the exhibition: March 13 – April 14, 2023
- Opening Reception: Thursday, March 16 from 5:00-7:00 p.m.
- Priscilla Moreno Artist Talk: Thursday, March 16 at 6:00 p.m.
- Artist Panel Discussion: Thursday, April 13 at 6:00 p.m.
- Closing Reception: Thursday, April 13 from 5:00-7:00 p.m.
All events are located in Folk Hall on The University of Akron main campus. For more information about exhibitions or events: 330-972-5950, artgallery@uakron.edu, www.uakron.edu/art/galleries, or www.facebook.com/EmilyDavisGallery
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