An exhibition celebrating Middletown's steel industry through art, history and community partnerships will open Sept. 4 at the Middletown Arts Center.
The show, “Steel in a Different Light,” runs through Oct. 15 and highlights 125 years of steelmaking in Middletown, according to a community announcement. The exhibition brings together work by nationally recognized Dayton artist Mike Elsass, artwork created by Cleveland-Cliffs employees and historical displays developed with the Middletown Historical Society.
For more than a century, steel production has influenced Middletown's economy, neighborhoods and culture. Organizers say the exhibition focuses on the people connected to that legacy, including workers, families, innovators and artists.
Elsass
is known for creating abstract pieces on weathered steel, using color and texture to transform industrial materials into artwork. His pieces will be displayed alongside works created by Cleveland-Cliffs employees.
Connecting art and local history
The exhibition also traces Middletown's steel history, from the founding of Armco by George Verity through the evolution of AK Steel and today's Cleveland-Cliffs. Historical interpretation will explore how steelmaking helped shape the community and remains part of the city's identity.
Organizers say the project extends beyond the gallery. Before the exhibition opens, Elsass will lead a professional development workshop for Middletown City Schools art teachers, who will create collaborative painted steel panels using Cleveland-Cliffs steel. The artwork is expected to be displayed in district buildings.
Several free public events are planned during the exhibition:
- Opening reception, Sept. 4, from 6 to 8 p.m., featuring music by Chris and Tiffani Lester and complimentary refreshments.
- Community Block Party, Sept. 19, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Donham Plaza and the arts center, with live music, food trucks, vendors, community organizations, hands-on activities and exhibition access.
- "The American Rolling Mill Company – Building For a New Century," a history presentation by Sam Ashworth, Oct. 7 at 7 p.m. at the Shartle House.
Admission is free. More information is available at middletownartscenter.com or by calling 513-424-2417.
The exhibition is supported by Cleveland-Cliffs, the W.E. Smith Family Charitable Trust and other community partners.
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This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Middletown steel legacy takes shape through art exhibition
