Ohio Now: State of Nature brings together artists across Ohio who focus on sustainability, agriculture, food justice, and natural ecologies. Through diverse materials and perspectives, these artists reflect on humanity’s relationship with the environment. Some incorporate found elements like waterway pollutants, plant-based dyes, and grass clippings, while others investigate topics ranging from climate change conspiracies to natural history and arthropods. Many draw directly from personal experiences as farmers, grocery workers, or environmental observers. Spanning painting, sculpture, printmaking, photography, installation, and community-based practice, the works in this exhibition highlight the urgency of environmental issues while inviting dialogue and response.

Ohio Now is a new, ongoing exhibition series showcasing newly commissioned and recent work by contemporary artists. This collaboration between CAC and moCa Cleveland connects outstanding artists living and working across the state and engages audiences with the evolving landscape of creative practices in their communities. Following its presentation in Cincinnati, Ohio Now: State of Nature will be on display at moCa Cleveland January 30 – May 31, 2026.

Participating artists are Catherine Clements (Bowling Green), Avery Mags Duff (Akron), Myles Dunigan (Oberlin), Tina Gutierrez (Cincinnati), Brian Harnetty (Columbus), Desert Kitchen Collective: Glenna Jennings, Jalisa Robinson & Friends (Dayton), Keith Lemley (Ravenna), Celeste Malvar-Stewart (Columbus), Lori Nix & Kathleen Gerber (Cleveland), Elena Osterwalder (Columbus), Praxis Fiber Workshop (Cleveland), John Sabraw (Athens), Charmaine Spencer (Cleveland), Supermrin (Cincinnati), and Amy Youngs (Columbus).

Ohio Now: State of Nature is co-organized by the Contemporary Arts Center, Cincinnati, OH and Museum of Contemporary Art Cleveland, Cleveland, OH. The exhibition is curated by Theresa Bembnister, DJ Hellerman, Megan Lykins Reich, and Christina Vassallo. The presentation of Ohio Now: State of Nature at CAC is supported by Lucinda Barnes, Fort Washington Investment Advisors, Bruce Lazarus & Phil Weintraub, Barbara K. Myers, P&G, and The Harry T. Wilks Family Foundation.

CAC major annual operating support is provided by ArtsWave, Ronald Bates & Randy Lasley, Gale & Dave Beckett, Jim Cheng, Friedlander Family Fund, The Johnson Foundation, The Kaplan Foundation, Emily Kokenge, Bruce Lazarus & Phil Weintraub, Rick Michelman & Karen Meyer, Emily Hanako Momohara & Shawn Newman, the National Endowment for the Arts, the Ohio Arts Council, P&G Fund, The Rosenthal Family Foundation, and Rosemary & Mark Schlachter.

Curated by

Theresa Bembnister, DJ Hellerman, Megan Lykins Reich, and Christina Vassallo