TACTILITY Exhibit

“Tactility”, an exhibition highlighting the design principle of texture in art, will open the 2025 exhibition season at the Oliver Art Center in Frankfort on January 10^th.

Tactility in art is the tangible quality that invites touch, even in a two-dimensional realm. It’s the artwork’s ability to evoke a sense of texture or physicality, drawing viewers into a more intimate experience. Artists achieve tactility through a variety of means: diverse materials, textures, and techniques. These elements add depth, dimension, and a sense of realism, stirring emotions and provoking thought in the viewer. The term “tactility” refers not just to the fact that something has a unique feel; it also covers the broader sense of the quality of that feeling, the response we have to texture, and the action of touching something. Sometimes what we perceive in a work of art has more to do with texture than color, shape, or design. We wanted to explore that aspect and encourage our artists to push the boundaries of texture in their submissions for this unique show!

There will be a public opening reception event on Friday January 10, from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm. The exhibition will continue through February 14^th.  The show will feature 2D and 3D artwork provided by four headlining artists: Detroit contemporary multi-media artist Robert Mirek, Bay City fiber artist Susan Pack, and local artists – Jessica Kovan (mixed media) Austin Garno (repurposed metal sculpture and mixed assemblage), and Linda Elshof (fiber and mixed media).  The exhibition will also have on display work from a variety of other regional artists who are participating through a curated open call. Touchable “texture stations” will be integrated into the show to allow visitors to explore some of the various textures found in the exhibition.

Current Gallery Hours:
Monday – CLOSED
Tuesday – Saturday; 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Sunday – Noon to 4:00 pm

Admission: Always free!