ZAAP Gallery showcases two unique artists for August exhibit

ZANESVILLE, OH- ZAAP Gallery is doubling the excitement this August with two featured artists and a busy First Friday lineup. The Zanesville Appalachian Arts Project is kicking off the month with a special exhibit showcasing the work of Michael Surber and Connor Allison.

Surber is an award-winning Ohio painter with international recognition and his own clothing line. His vibrant, expressive pieces have been described as poetic, colorful, and primal.

“Freedom, freedom of expression, freedom to just say what you need to say that you necessarily can’t verbalize, it’s so much of a primal necessity I think for people, it’s substance if you will, rather than just something that matches the furniture,” said Artist Michael Surber.

Joining him is 22-year-old Connor Allison who works full time as a sculptor at the Alan Cottrill Art Studio. His 2D oil paintings and sketches explore themes of color and fantasy.

“A lot of it is fantastical, and a lot of character design, and kind of creature and monster design, basically everything here has a small little narrative to it…it’s up for you to interpret, so the giants, the knights, the flaming things, all that kind of have an integrated story,” said Artist Connor Allison.

Both artists work will be on display throughout August at the ZAAP Gallery. The community is invited to view the exhibit during First Friday tomorrow starting at 5 p.m. and all weekend during the Y-Bridge Festival. For more information on these artists visit the ZAAP Facebook page.