The Ross Art Museum at Ohio Wesleyan University has been awarded a $16,755 grant from the Ohio Arts Council to support general operations in the coming year, funding an exciting slate of exhibitions, talks, and community programming.<\/p>\n
Each year, the Ross builds its exhibitions and events around a central theme, and for 2026-27 that theme is “Communication, Surveillance, and Democracy.” Building on the popularity of\u00a0 last year’s Art & Environment talk series, which drew large and engaged audiences of students and community members, the museum will launch a new series exploring democracy and freedom of expression.<\/p>\n
The exhibition season opens in August with the Juried Fall Ohio Art League Exhibition, a statewide, open-call show that brings artists from across Ohio to campus. In October, three exhibitions take over the galleries: a faculty showcase, a collection of photographs of Columbus’ City Center Mall by OSU Emeriti Faculty member Ardine Nelson, and a show from the museum’s permanent collection tentatively titled A More Perfect Union.<\/p>\n
January brings another round of three exhibitions, timed to coincide with OWU’s Melvin Van Peebles Symposium celebrating Black art and creativity. The lineup includes work by photographer Ricky Weaver, an exhibition of Black Ohio artists responding to the nation’s 250th anniversary, and a show featuring OWU student artists.<\/p>\n
Beyond campus, the Ross continues to grow its community roots. As a new member of the Arts Alliance of Delaware County, the museum is helping shape local public art efforts. It also continues its participation in Delaware’s First Friday events, including the March for Art high school art showcase, and its outreach to K-12 schools through tours and hands-on activities.<\/p>\n