The new exhibition, “Color Theories,” opens Feb. 24 at Nine Muses Art Gallery, presents a rich contrast of color and texture between the works of two regional artists.

Priscilla Roggenkamp and Michael Greenwald will be at the gallery for the opening reception, Friday, Feb. 24, 5-8 p.m. The acoustic band, “Rock Salt and Nails,” will perform during the evening, which is Barberton 4th Friday. The event is open to the public.

The pieces explore how the two artists engage color and strive to seek a perfection that leads them to create bold or nuanced works. The exhibition runs until April 22.

“Color has always played a significant role in my paintings, whether landscapes or abstract. I love color and the effect of juxtaposing one shade with another, having a color fade from bright to subtle and light to dark,” Greenwald shared when asked about his approach to using color.

Born in Oxford, England, he grew up in Cleveland where he now has a studio in downtown Cleveland and runs a small art gallery on the west side in the 78th Street Studios Building near Gordon Square.

“My landscape paintings focus on the earth, the environment and the natural world with color being a tool or an element of the work. In my abstract works I can say that color is the primary subject,” Greenwald explained.

After traveling and living abroad, he returned to Cleveland and attended the Cleveland Institute of Art, primarily studying glass. He received his undergraduate degree from Skidmore College. He was awarded the Portfolio Scholarship Award for 1996 and 1997. Greenwald has paintings in collections across the country and his work is shown throughout northeast Ohio and in galleries in New York and California.  His website is greenwaldstudio.com.

Roggenkamp who lives in Alliance, took first place in the 2017 FRESH 13^th Juried Art Exhibition at Summit Artspace which just recently ended. Her piece, “Refugee,” is a piercing interpretation of war and displacement, fabricated of cotton, rafts, keys, tote bags and rope.

She studied art at Kent State University (M.F.A.), University of Arkansas (M.Ed.) and Heidelberg College (B.A.). Working primarily in drawing and painting, she began creating three-dimensional work in the mid 1990’s. She has curated several exhibitions of contemporary fiber arts; an exhibition of sculpture, photography and costume design related to the play “Romeo and Juliet;” and an exhibition of works that express the traits, DNA, memories and experiences that shape humans.

Roggenkamp is currently teaching at Ashland University. She has taught at The College of Wooster, Mount Union College, Canton Country Day School, Blue Ridge Community College, James Madison University and the University of Arkansas.

“Rock Salt and Nails” has captivated fans everywhere they’ve played with their rich acoustic sound. The multi-talented Roggenkamp is the band’s bass player, sings and also writes some of their play list. The band includes vocalist Keith McMahon on lead guitar and mandolin and string player and songwriter Jim Dutter. Their catalog ranges from bluegrass instrumentals, to meaningful ballads, to original tracks that have their audiences singing along.

Mine Muses is operated by Summit Artspace. Exhibitions are free and open to the public. Gallery hours are Mondays, 7 a.m.-4 p.m.; Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays, 7 a.m.-8 p.m.; Thursdays, 7 a.m.-9 p.m.; Saturdays, 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Closed on Sundays. The gallery is open for Barberton 4th Friday, which is coming up on Feb. 24, 5-8 p.m. Nine Muses is located at 584 W. Tuscarawas Ave., Barberton.

For information about Nine Muses Art Gallery go to summitartspace.org or call 330-376-8480. Find Nine Muses, the Art Center on Tuscarawas and Summit Artspace on Facebook. Summit Artspace is on Twitter @AkronAreaArts and on Snapchat.

About Summit Artspace’s Locations in Downtown Akron and Barberton

Summit Artspace is a non-profit community arts center that provides studio, exhibit and programming spaces in Summit County for local artists and arts organizations; and is a center for art education open to all residents. It is a joint project with the County of Summit. Summit Artspace is committed to promoting arts and cultural activities and to building public awareness of the value of arts and culture to the quality of life and the local economy. Summit Artspace buildings include the main location at 140 E. Market Street, Akron; the Art Center on Tuscarawas (ACoT), 571 W. Tuscarawas Ave., Barberton; and Nine Muses Art Gallery, 584 W. Tuscarawas Ave., Barberton. Formerly the first site of the Akron Beacon Journal, the downtown Akron building houses Summit Artspace Gallery, Transition Gallery, artist studios, administrative offices, The BOX Gallery and offices for several arts organizations as well as performance space, workshop areas and meeting rooms. The Akron center is owned by the County of Summit, which has been a significant and valued supporter of Summit Artspace as community space. ACoT and Nine Muses provide five gallery spaces, artist studios, workshop areas and meeting spaces. It is a joint project of Neighborhood Development Services, Inc., the City of Barberton and Summit Artspace. Contact Summit Artspace at 330-376-8480. On the Web at: www.summitartspace.org.  Find us on Facebook, on Twitter @AkronAreaArts, Instagram and Snapchat.