The Gathering Place Art Galleries

Sawsan Alhaddad (Featuring Ben Holzheimer)

Seasons: Monotype and Collage From My Garden

Sawsan Alhaddad Artist Statement and Bio:
 

I grew up in the south of Iraq, among palm groves, marshes and water canals. My parents valued science over everything else. So even though I loved art, I never considered it an option for a career. I followed my father’s path of science and medicine. I loved the profession I chose, but there was always a nagging feeling that I was missing something. So twelve years after arriving in Cleveland, during a midlife crisis, I decided to work part-time and started taking art lessons. Over three decades later, I am still learning.

What drives me to paint is a constant need to create something, which seems very feminine and by the need to communicate thoughts and feelings to others. The joy of trying new techniques and discovering the possibilities of each medium keeps me going. Each medium has its own allure & challenges and I miss whatever I have not worked in for a while.

My inspiration comes from nature, history and humanity. I have worked in both representational and abstract forms to express my thoughts and communicate ideas. I find that abstraction is much more difficult than representational work.

For this show I wanted to have a cheerful subject matter. These paintings  are part of a new series using acrylic monotype prints of plants on translucent & transparent paper. Most of the plants are native and from my garden. Some I had to beg and &/or steel. The work evolved as I did more pieces. Layering of the prints and collage papers was like figuring out a puzzle, at times frustrating but a delight when the solution worked.

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At Sawsan Alhaddad started pursuing art as an adult, to provide more balance in her life and to practice something creative. She continued her medical career part time while attending art classes at the Cleveland Museum of art and community art centers. The first medium she used was watercolor, followed - over time - by other media, including printmaking, pastel, charcoal, clay sculpture, batik, cold wax, encaustic and most recently, collage. For this show she used a new medium (for her), monotypes of plants with acrylics and collage.

She worked in a representational style for almost 20 years and then took up the challenge of abstract work. Her work has been entered in area juried art shows and she has presented solo art shows in the area.

 

Contact Sawsan: sawsan-art.com | Facebook: Sawsan Alhaddad Art

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Ben Holzheimer Bio:

Through layers of acrylic paint on raw wood panels, I explore the balance between structure and spontaneity. My process involves building and sanding back, revealing forms that feel both geometric and organic. Each piece evolves like a landscape of thought — a dialogue between texture, color, and intuition. As a graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design, I carry forward a foundation of disciplined exploration, yet my practice remains rooted in curiosity and openness. Whether in the studio, the kitchen, or the garden, I approach creation as a practice of curiosity, balance, and grounded experimentation.

 

Contact Ben: Instagram: whoelsebut_ben

 

100% of the proceeds from the sale of Sawsan's artwork will be donated to The Gathering Place.

 

Please join us for an art reception at The Gathering Place East on Thursday, September 16th from 4:30pm-6:30pm. 

Click Here to RSVP

Carolyn Frankel

Transformation More Beautiful Than Before

Carolyn Frankel Artist Statement and Bio:
 

Carolyn Frankel is an artist, author, and breast cancer survivor. Her first book was Be Like Rachel, Lessons Of Character From Women Of The Bible, followed by Poems From The Pandemic and Other Encounters. Her third book Spiritual Warrior, Painting A Path Through Cancer was completely written, painted, photographed, and published by cancer survivors. The book is available for purchase here for $25.00 with a portion of sales going to The Gathering Place. Carolyn's art is being sold at reduced prices strictly for The Gathering Place. 

I often paint from my imagination. I became aware that butterflies and other symbols of transformation were often included in my paintings, particularly since my 2017 cancer diagnosis. This seems to align with The Gathering Place symbol of a butterfly, and rightly so, as butterflies are a symbol of transformation, rebirth, and hope, as well as a visual metaphor for change and growth. As stated in my book Spiritual Warrior, Painting A Path Through Cancer, "Cancer is a powerful teacher." But having cancer is also a transformative journey, and with transformation we can often emerge better and more beautiful than before!

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Carolyn Frankel is a writer and an artist. She was an elementary school educator, teaching through the arts in Ohio public schools for 38 years. She holds an undergraduate degree in elementary education from Ohio State University and a Master's Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Cleveland State University. She is a Martha Holden Jennings Scholar and a recipient of an International Paper Company Award, a USA Today Award, as well as a BP America Award for her curricula. Carolyn has won numerous awards for her painting and poetry. She presently teaches art in her studios in Florida and Chagrin Falls, Ohio, where she lives with her husband, Kevin and cat Squeakers. She believes in living a creative and spiritual life and finds inspiration in her world travels and grand-children who are her best critics. Her first book was Be Like Rachel, Lessons of Character from Women of the Bible, followed by, Poems from the Pandemic and Other Encounters. 

Carolyn is a breast cancer survivor.

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Carolyn is donating 20% of her proceeds to TGP.