Award Winning Film Producers to Create Documentary on the Life of Emerson Burkhart

Scott Spears and Christina Paolucci have announced they plan to begin work in early 2016 on a one-hour documentary featuring the life of Emerson Burkhart, noted Regionalist and American Scene artist who lived in Central Ohio for most of his life.  Burkhart was a fixture in Mid-Century art circles in Columbus and had a great following among artists and the public alike. 

“After completing our Woodland Park film project, a neighborhood where Burkhart lived, we felt there was so much content and interest around him that the next logical step was for us to produce a full one-hour documentary on his life,“ said Spears.  “Our goal is to place the completed documentary on television.” 

Paolucci added that, “In order to cover the cost of production, we have set up a ‘Power to Give’ page that allows contributors to invest at various levels and receive some truly great benefits beyond the ability to deduct this expense as a charitable donation.  Our goal is to raise $17,000 in private contributions.  Chase Bank is matching every donation at fifty cents for each dollar over the next two months.  Once raised, additional funding will be available through several Central Ohio arts and humanities donors.  I urge potential donors to visit the link at,
https://www.power2give.org/campaigns/75 to learn more about this
​great project.” 

Burkhart Self-Portrait 1958

News

collectohioart.com

Emerson Burkhart (American 1905-1969)  “Pennsylvania Line”

Please consider these benefits when making a decision on whether to contribute:  

 • It will shine a light on a revered local artist.

 • Your donation is tax-deductible.

 • All donors will be acknowledged in the film and website credits.
 
 • All donors will have their names printed in the program for the premiere screening

 • You will be kept up to date on the film's progress through an e-newsletter and other social media platforms.

 • A donation of $100 or more and receive an invitation to a private screening

Springfield Museum of Art
​​The Springfield (Ohio) Museum of Art will be showcasing an exhibition of important paintings by historical Ohio artists titled, “Authentic Narratives: Ohio Regionalists, 1915 – 1950, September 12th through January 15th, 2016.   Click here to learn more about this outstanding exhibition that shouldn’t be missed.  

An appreciation for the arts defines every great culture

Griffin Gallery to Feature an Exhibition of Important Paintings by Noted Columbus Artist Emerson Burkhart

​​(August 17, 2015 - Gahanna OH)  Griffin Gallery at Creekside is pleased to announce an exhibition of paintings by Columbus artist Emerson Burkhart (American 1905-1969) from October 2nd to October 31st, 2015.  This special exhibition titled, “Emerson Burkhart – Reflections of His World – Columbus and Beyond,” will be held at the gallery located at 77 Mill Street, in Gahanna, Ohio. 

The gallery is collaborating with Burkhart historian, Geoff Hetrick, who is curating the works to be included in the exhibition.  Visitors can expect to see nearly forty paintings as well as personal items that belonged to the artist.  A number of the works will be available for sale.  Two of his best paintings, “The Light is Greater Hence the Shadows More,” (first version), as well as “And We Love Our Luxuries” will be included in the exhibition. 

Burkhart was well known around Columbus and pursued his passion of capturing Central Ohio life as he saw it.  He is best known for his depiction of Columbus area street scenes, self-portraits, country landscapes, several important portraits of African-Americans and paintings he produced while serving as artist-in-residence on global educational trips with the International School of America.   

“I am excited to bring a wonderful collection of Burkhart paintings to Griffin Gallery at Creekside.  Many of the works have not been exhibited previously and come from collections here in Central Ohio, across the country and from an owner in Europe.  The gallery and I are committed to helping the public understand that much of the art produced by Burkhart was of equal quality to works created by other important regionalist painters of the ‘30’s, 40’s, and ‘50’s such as Ivan Albright, Thomas Hart Benton, Clyde Singer and others.”  

Hetrick will be speaking at the opening reception to be held on Friday, October 2nd from 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM.   The public is invited to attend. 

For more information, please contact Kimberly Erb, Director, Griffin Gallery at Creekside: (614) 385-3600 or via email at, director@ggcreekside.com.