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Ohio University Zanesville is proud to showcase the S outheastern Ohio Watermedia Society (SEOWS) Spring Show , continuing through April 25. This exhibition features a diverse range of water-based media including watercolor, acrylic, ink, tempera, and collage, demonstrating the rich talents of artists from Muskingum, Washington, Coshocton, Guernsey, Belmont, Perry, and Monroe counties. Since its inception in 1977, SEOWS has been a vibrant platform for artists to present their work, while also offering workshops and activities that foster a deeper appreciation for water-based media.
Stop by and view the artwork at the Zanesville Campus Library at OHIO Zanesville located at 1425 Newark Road, Zanesville, Ohio before April 25.
Get to know some of the artists showcasing their work on campus:
Lois Merrill
With over 20 years of experience as a nurse and art therapist at Hospice of Guernsey, Lois Merrill has spent a lifetime caring for others, both through healing and creativity. Now retired, she continues to find fulfillment in artistic expression, working with painting, pottery, sewing, cement figurines, and suncatchers.
Lois has been creating for as long as she can remember, drawing inspiration from the beauty of nature and the emotions that art can evoke. Her painting Life at the Lake reflects the tranquility and strength she finds in Buckeye Lake, while Dancing Joy celebrates the simple yet profound gratitude she feels for life itself. Through her work, she hopes to bring happiness and inspiration to others.
As a member of SEOWS, Lois joined the organization to connect with fellow artists, seeking both inspiration and community. “I enjoy their company, they feed my soul,” she says, embracing the creative energy that surrounds her.
Rachel Fraunfelter
From tracing cartoon characters at the age of nine to selling hand-drawn artwork in elementary school, Rachel has been passionate about art for as long as she can remember. By fourteen, she had fully embraced painting, particularly acrylics, and began creating original works that reflect her unique perspective and creativity.
For her latest contest pieces, Rachel sought to bring joy and inspiration to viewers. Roller Skating Fun, an acrylic painting, immerses the audience in a lively, first-person experience, while Dream Big! inspired by SpaceX Crew-9’s return and childhood dreams of working for NASA—blends soft watercolors and thought-provoking quotes to evoke nostalgia and imagination.
Encouraged by her professor, Yan Sun, Rachel took the leap to submit her work for the SEOWS Spring Show, seeing it as an opportunity to gain recognition and connect with the artistic community. Through her art, she hopes to spark curiosity, happiness, and cherished memories in others, inspiring creativity in those who experience it.
Yan Sun
Yan Sun, Distinguished Professor of Fine Art and Director of the Gallery at Muskingum University, is an accomplished artist with formal training in traditional and Western painting techniques. His work explores light, atmosphere, and mood, often drawing inspiration from his surroundings, travels, and everyday observations.
For this exhibition, his piece Radiance of the Winter Sunrise showcases the expressive qualities of acrylics, capturing natural beauty with intricate detail. Yan Sun’s work reflects a deep connection to natural beauty. His paintings have also been featured in solo exhibitions at the Hayden Museum of American Art, Zanesville Museum of Art, Canton Museum of Art, and the Museum of East Texas, with some becoming part of their permanent collections.
An active member of the SEOWS, Sun values artistic collaboration and community. He hopes his work inspires viewers to pause, reflect, and appreciate the beauty around them, believing that “painting is a continuous process of discovery.”
Whether you’re an avid art collector or simply exploring new creative horizons, the SEOWS Spring Show at OHIO Zanesville provides an opportunity to witness firsthand the artistic energy flowing through Southeastern Ohio. With pieces that span a variety of techniques and expressions, the exhibit offers a visual journey of nature, imagination, and community. Don’t miss the chance to immerse yourself in the passion and talent showcased by these remarkable artists before the exhibition closes on April 25.