WEST LIBERTY, W.Va., July 10, 2019 — West Liberty University Assistant Professor of Creative Arts Therapy, Dr. Susan Ridley, is one of the artists featured in a public exhibition opening Thursday, July 11 at Oglebay Institute’s Stifel Fine Arts Center.
She will display her work as part of the “Narrative Fiber: Form, Fashion, Function” all-woman art exhibition. According to OI, “the exhibit seeks to present fiber beyond its utilitarian applications – revealing how artists push the conventional thinking of how it is used. The result is a narrative that stems from fiber to art to fashion and circles back to utility along the way.”
A free and festive opening reception takes place 6:30-8:30 p.m. Thursday, July 11. The exhibit remains on display to the public through August 17 and is sponsored by United Bank and Wheeling Heritage.
Other Featured artists include:
- Christybomb – Mixed-media Artist, Charleston, WV
- Natalie Dunham – Sculptor & Installation Artist, Miami, FL
- Beth Keener-Flanery – Mixed-media Artist, Upcycled Fashionista & Curator, Grafton, WV
- Erika Evans – Headpiece/Accessory Designer, Silver Spring, MD
- Victoria Fergus – Fashion Designer, WVU Emeritus Faculty, Morgantown, WV
- Ysabel Hilado – Fashion Desinger, Los Angeles, CA
- Jessica McClanahan – Ceramics Artist, Asheville, NC
- Peggy McKowen – Theatrical Designer, Shepherdstown, WV
- Jennifer A. Reis – Textile Artist, Morehead, KY
- Mindi Bowman – Eco-printing Artist, Morgantown, WV
Dr. Ridley has a doctoral degree in Expressive Therapies from Lesley University, a master’s in Mental Health Counseling and Art Therapy from Caldwell University, NJ, and a MSc in Human Services from Springfield College. She is a National Certified Counselor (NCC), Certified Prevention Specialist (CPS), a Certified Psychiatric Rehabilitation Practitioner (CPRP), Activities Director Certified (ADC), and a Registered Expressive Arts Therapist (REAT). She also is an adjunct professor at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College, Terre Haute, Ind. There I teach Critical Thinking, Methodologies, and Research and Thesis. As an artist, she specializing in landscapes, seascapes, animals and murals. She loves community arts and mural painting and fiber arts.
For more information on the Creative Arts Therapy program at WLU, please click here.