You will have to look past the horizon line to absorb all the ways a landscape can be imagined in the new show, Evolving Landscapes, set to open March 3 at Summit Artspace.

The 50 works chosen for the exhibition by juror Alexandra Nicholis Coon, executive director of the Massillon Museum, deconstruct the evolving genre to include a cubist urban scene, views of moon and Milky Way and an artistic statement with the calculated use of plastic forest animals.

The public is invited to meet the artists at the opening reception on Friday, March 3, 5-8 p.m. The event is free. Summit Artspace will announce the winners at 7 p.m. during the reception and award cash prizes for first, second and third place.

Summit Artspace challenged local artists to submit diverse representations of landscape art from both traditional and contemporary perspectives in a variety of media. The response was outstanding with nearly 100 artists submitting work. The exhibition runs until April 8.

“We were looking for abstract, representational and alternative interpretations of all types of ‘scapes,’ such as sea, land, sky and urban environments. We think the community will really enjoy the challenge of walking through the exhibition,” said Jeanne Grossetti, exhibitions manager at Summit Artspace.

Coon relied on a broad approach to defining a landscape as she reviewed the more than 130 artworks. “I have always appreciated, and many times employed, a broad interpretation of the word “landscape,” to encompass everything from literal depictions of the outdoor, natural world, to clusters of concrete and glass in urban settings, and from imagined and fantastical spaces, to the intangible and infinite capacities of the mind,” she explained.

Coon holds a BA in art history from Kent State University, an MA in art history through the joint program at the Cleveland Museum of Art and Case Western Reserve University, and a Collections Care certificate from the Campbell Center for Historic Preservation Studies. She has been with the Massillon Museum since 2001, serving as curator for the museum from 2003 to 2010.

Drawing from her background, she judged the submissions with an eye for influences as far ranging as Eastern Asian art, Mark Rothko, DaVinci, Frederic Edwin Church, O’Keefe and Dali.

“Evolving Landscapes showcases diversity in medium, style, process and visual translation of the exhibition theme. Here, artists celebrate the beauty and texture of everything from cloud-filled skies to the human form,” she articulated her assessment of the exhibition.

There will be a panel presentation Monday, March 20, at 7 pm, by the artists whose works are in the show. The event is free and open to the public.

Gallery hours are Thursdays and Fridays, noon-7 p.m., and Saturdays, noon-5 p.m. The show is open for Akron Artwalk on March 4 and April 1, noon to 9 p.m. Summit Artspace is located at 140 E. Market St., Akron. The exhibition is free and open to the public.

Parking is available behind the Summit Artspace building when visiting the gallery. Summit Artspace is handicap accessible and has an elevator. For information about Summit Artspace, go to summitartspace.org or call 330-376-8480. Find Summit Artspace on Facebook, on Twitter @AkronAreaArts, Instagram and Snapchat.

About Summit Artspace Locations in 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 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, Instgram and Snapchat.