The 49th Annual Fairmount Art Exhibition will be juried by the following distinguished individuals:
Liz Maugans
Darius Steward
Brittany Selfe Paynter
About Liz
Liz Maugans is a Cleveland-based artist, mom of three great kids, a social justice advocate, an educator, a gallerist, and curator. Her specialty is in connecting artists through community organizing and putting together events, group exhibitions and dynamic initiatives that fill the gaps in the infrastructure that move the arts and cultural sector forward. She mobilizes her art “work” through inclusive community-centered engagements. Being a bartender in Cleveland for over a decade, it was integral to providing her with building long lasting connections, opportunities to meet new people and the chance to listen to their life stories which are at the core of her work.
Maugans co-founded Zygote Press, the Collective Arts Network, the Cleveland Artist Registry and the Artist Bridge Coalition. Currently, Maugans is the Chief Curator of the Dalad Collection and Director of Yards Projects at Worthington Yards. Maugans is Chief of Community Engagement at Art Everyspace, a women-owned arts business that brings hyper-local contemporary art to non-traditional exhibition spaces in the interest of promoting artists, and expanding new audiences to the arts.
Maugans teaches Artist-in-Communities and Museums and Collections at Cleveland State University where impactful field studies courses connect young people to the community and the creative workforce in Northeast Ohio. Maugans sits on the Board of the Collective Arts Network and Refresh Collective. Her work is represented by Hedge Gallery at 78th Street Studios.
About Darius
Darius is an American Artist from East Cleveland, Ohio. Outliving the neighborhood he grew up in, Steward is one of a select few whose determination got him out of the zip code. Completing his undergrad at the Cleveland Institute of Art in 2008 and his MFA at the University of Delaware in 2010, he recognized the importance of education and mentorship, investing himself and his creative process in the future of humanity. Symbolically and literally, he addresses cultural and societal conflicts and opens conversation across racial, socioeconomic, gender, and cultural lines.
About Brittany
Brittany is a passionate creator who works with various mediums, including oil, clay, watercolor, and beach glass. Her artistic journey began in high school under the mentorship of the late Irene Sukle, who encouraged exploration across all art forms. Drawing inspiration from the natural world, Brittany observes fascinating colors and forms. She often focuses on the intricate details of rock formations, water, clouds, animals, and plants, often favoring to work in oil paint for its versatility and forgiving capabilities. When her eyes need a break from tedious observation, her hands turn to clay. She prefers to work with wheel thrown pottery, and creates her art in her home studio. Currently, she shares her knowledge and experience by teaching young artists at Big Creek Clay in Chardon all while raising and homeschooling her two children.