Stark State art exhibit combines poetry, photography

(North Canton, OH – Aug. 28, 2012) – A new exhibit merging poetry and photography will be featured in the Stark State College Gallery Sept. 10 – Oct. 19. “Vision & Verse – a Melding of the Arts” showcases the combined works of Kay McNaul and Derek Kleinknecht, both of Mansfield.

A reception featuring the artists will be from 5-7 p.m. Wed., Sept. 12 in S201 of the Student Center at the College.

When they often ran into each other at their local library, the two realized their common interests and developed them into not only a relationship, but also a business, Fate’s Reward. “Not only have we been rewarded with beautiful photos and poetry,” Kleinknecht said, “but more importantly, we have been rewarded with each other.”

“Our use of nontraditional framing techniques, innovative background materials and select matting has enabled us to create truly unique artistic pieces,” McNaul said. Sometimes the photo inspires a new poem, while other times her poetry gives rise to the perfect accompanying photo, she said. Their work spans the entire human experience – birth, childraising, love and death.

Both artists have earned awards in their respective fields. McNaul twice took first place poetry competition honors. Her poem “The Three Thousand Ninety Five” recently was engraved on a black granite wall at the Ohio Veterans Memorial Park in Clinton to honor the 3,095 Ohioans who lost their lives in the Vietnam War. Though new to photography, Kleinknecht took second in the first photo contest he entered. He also earned second place honors in this year’s Armchair Poets contest at the Mansfield/Richland County Public Library.

The couple’s first exhibit was at that library’s main branch in April, National Poetry Month. For examples of their work, visit www.facebook.com/fatesreward.

All work on display will be for sale (duplicates can be ordered), with a portion of the proceeds going to Stark State’s Aesthetics Fund for the purchase of artwork for the campus. The College is located at 6200 Frank Ave. NW in Jackson Township, and is open to the public from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday and 8 a.m. to noon Saturday. For more information about the show, or to make purchases, contact Rebecca Priest at 330-494-6170, Ext. 4319.