The Massillon Museum will exhibit paintings by Hilary Gent, Waters of Motherhood, from August 5 through September 17, 2023, in Studio M. A free public reception for the artist will be held on Saturday, September 9, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.
 
Hilary Gent, a Cleveland artist who works with oil and latex mediums, is inspired by the urban and natural landscape. She earned her BFA from Kent State University in 2003.
 
Gent’s paintings are included in public collections such as The Cleveland Clinic, Summa Hospitals, Sherwin Williams, cARTa, Hilton Hotels Corporation, and numerous private collections.
 
Gent has spent the last fourteen years staging public art exhibits, launching art walks, and planning elaborate receptions for individuals and organizations, all of which have transformed the way residents and visitors view the Northeast Ohio Region. She was one of the first visionaries to plant roots at 78th Street Studios, where she curates art events through her HEDGE Gallery, which now represents 20 regional artists.
 
Gent has served on the board of SPACES Gallery and volunteered with the Detroit Shoreway Community Development Association and ARTneo. She currently serves on the board of The Print Club of Cleveland.
 
Gent’s paintings begin with inspiration from the extensive color palette she sees in reflections of light, landscape, and other objects in and on the water. Touch, sound, and sight conjure a personal connection with the water’s surface. Layers take shape through pouring Sherwin Williams latex paint onto the canvas while it’s flat.
 
The artist says water's movement and energy is ever-changing, similar to the cycles and patterns of motherhood. She translates these unpredictable, turbulent, joyous, and blissful moments with imagery inspired by the temperament of Lake Erie.
 
“Becoming a mother is an emotionally charged experience, like waves on the water, both wild and wonderful, Gent says. “In this specific series I have imitated some of the extremes felt in motherhood such as exhaustion, euphoria, anxiety, and tranquility by experimenting with a variety of different pours and colors. Sinuous strands represent blissful and sleepy movement, while thicker layers of and darker color hues represent heaviness and strain. Water ebbs and flows. It carves paths, can be peaceful or violent, and is a symbol of resilience.”
 
A MassMusings podcast interview with the artist will be posted at MassillonMuseum.org on Tuesday, September 12, 2023, at 12:00 p.m. EST.
 
When visiting the Studio M exhibition, guests can also view Ten Point Perspective, A Way to Win: Paul Brown’s Innovations, the Paul Brown/Massillon Tigers Football History Timeline, the Photography Gallery, the Immel Circus, the Local History Gallery, Innovators of Massillon, Judith Paquelet American Indian Gallery, Edward and Louise Mahoney Family Archaeological and Ethnological Gallery, and Albert E. Hise Fine and Decorative Arts Gallery.
 
Massillon Museum members have the opportunity to apply to exhibit their artwork in the Studio M Gallery on the second floor of the Museum. New members are welcome at any time. Exhibitions are celebrated by an artist’s reception, and the artists are featured guests on the Museum's podcast, MassMusings.  
 
The Massillon Museum is grateful for operating support from the Ohio Arts Council and ArtsinStark, marketing support from Visit Canton, and the support of the citizens of Massillon. This exhibition was funded in part by the National Endowment for the Arts.
 
Exhibitions can be seen during regular MassMu hours, Tuesday through Saturday 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Sunday 2:00 to 5:00 p.m.
 
MassMu is located at 121 Lincoln Way East in downtown Massillon. A visit is always free and everyone is welcome. Free parking is available on adjacent streets and in nearby city lots. For more information, call 330-833-4061 or visit massillonmuseum.org.