The Keny Galleries are hosting an exhibition of American Scene/Regionalist art created by artists from or active in Ohio. The exhibition, titled At the Crossroads: The American Scene in Ohio (1915-1948), runs May 7 through June 4 and includes paintings, watercolors, photography and various forms of printmaking.

Many Ohio artists contributed strongly to the American Scene and Regionalist art movements in the United States and will be featured in the exhibition. They include Charles Burchfield, Clarence Carter, Edna Hopkins, James Hopkins, Clyde Singer and William Sommer.

Others who created national caliber art and received some national attention but are lesser known despite their excellent work will also be featured, including Jolan Gross Bettelheim, Frederick Biehle, Emerson Burkhart, Stevan Dohanos, Carl Gaertner, Henry Keller, Lawrence McConaha and photographers Ben Shahn and Peter Sekaer.

“I am excited about all of the work, but those that stick out include Gaertner’s The Popcorn Man, which is arguably one of his top three paintings. It’s monumental. It has this bleak, industrial setting with these huge buildings all around, and in this little open area, there this popcorn vendor,” explains Tim Keny, co-owner of the Keny Galleries. “He is out there still trying to enjoy life during this difficult and bleak time. He is trying to have a little fun and giving others a break from the trials of everyday working existence.”

This bright spot in an otherwise desolate setting is a main theme throughout the American Scene movement, which took place in the heart of the Great Depression.

“This exhibit is timely because we’re going through a challenging time now. Although it’s not as challenging as the Great Depression, a lot of the themes are familiar. Some of the paintings show people in a tough time, others are uplifting and show that people still have a spirit and a sense of humor and are continuing on with their lives, despite the difficulties,” Keny adds. “I think a lot of this work shows the strength in humanity and makes a statement about our enduring and strong nature.”

There will also be complementary museum exhibitions focusing on the American Scene era traveling throughout Ohio. Sawdust and Spectacle: Under the Big Top in Small Town America runs May 19-Aug. 15 at the Massillon Museum of Art.

Against the Grain: Modernism in the Midwest runs from May 15 to Sept. 12 at the Massillon Museum, as well, and opens in November at the Ohio Arts Council’s Riffe Gallery.

Regional Dialect, American Scene Paintings from the John and Susan Horseman Collection, is June 27-Sept. 6 at Springfield Museum of Art.

For more information, call the Keny Galleries at 614-464-1228 or email or .

- Alicia Kelso