The Columbus art scene boasts a diverse array of artists and artwork, and A Collage of Women Artists is yet another unique aspect of its colorful spectrum. For years, this group of women have learned and worked together and it has been their pleasure to exhibit together at the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission, 285 E. Main St., for the third consecutive year.

“It is truly a unique group,” says President Diane Ruck. “We are different than other art groups in that we are close knit and have a unique friendship with each other.”

For many, this friendship began 15 years ago under the instruction of Christine Curry, a painter who taught classes at the Cultural Arts Center. The women who took her classes joined together to show their work and later changed their name from C. Curry Painters to A Collage of Women Artists.

“We began exhibiting together because we wanted to better ourselves as artists, to promote our work and study together. We are so varied in ages, background, subject matter and mediums that we felt we were a collage of different artists,” Ruck says.

And with members aging from 47 to 100 years old, this is certainly the case. The women in the group hail from Columbus and surrounding areas including most, if not all of the suburbs. Their mediums are varied, but the show exhibits the oil, watercolor, pastel, collage, and acrylics by 18 of the group’s 37 members. Many of the women have studios in their homes and show at various galleries around Columbus.

As well, the subject matter is very diverse, says Ruck, who specializes in landscapes and has several paintings at the exhibit including scenes New Mexico, South Carolina, and Hilton Head.

“There’s something for everyone,” Ruck says.

The show, which was hung July 19, is open weekdays 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and will close Aug. 31. The Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission can be reached at 614-233-4125 or www.morpc.org.

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Until Aug. 31, women artists also dominate at the Sherrie Gallerie in the Short North Arts District. The galleries latest exhibit, 5 Women – 5 Viewpoints, features the work of Barbara Cohen, Charlotte Gordon, Rain Harris, Alice Robrish and Janis Wunderlich. Gallery hours are Tuesday to Friday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, visit the gallery Web site at www.sherriegallerie.com or call 614-221-8580.