Shelby Spilker and Diana Wilson are ZAAP’s Artists of the Month

ZANESVILLE, Ohio – The Zanesville Appalachian Arts Project, or ZAAP, has announced its artist of the month for February.

The artworks of Shelby Spilker and Diana Wilson will be on display this month and during the First Friday Artwalk tomorrow from 5 to 8 p.m. Both artists are long-time members of the arts project and are excited to be featured in the gallery and share the spotlight.

“It’s very different, I’ve never shared with somebody but I think me and Shelby’s artwork go really well together,” Wilson said.

“I think it’s really cool because I feel like, when they were hanging, they mentioned Diana’s work is really polished and mine’s kind of more rustic, so I think it’s cool to contrast,” Spilker said. “And I really appreciate Diana because she jumped in to help me. Because I didn’t cause I didn’t have enough stuff to fill up the walls, so it was kind of last minute for both of us but I think it turned out good.”

Spilker’s primary artwork is in the form of pyrography, or woodburning, and Wilson’s primary medium is in the form of painting and digital artwork. Both artists appreciate the recognition and mention how valuable they feel ZAAP is as a community resource.

“I think it’s super important to have a resource like this because a lot of up-and-coming artists don’t really know what they’re doing or maybe don’t feel comfortable stepping out and jumping right into a big show right away. So, I think it’s important for them to be able to come and talk to artists who’ve done it before and kind of learn from the people who have gone before them,” Spilker said.

The ZAAP Art Gallery is located at 625 Main Street in downtown Zanesville and will be open as part of the First Friday Artwalk from 5-8 p.m.