Gallery Fellow: Into the Unearthly in Cincinnati, Ohio at Art Opportunities Inc

Under the mentorship of Artist-in-Residence Emily Moores, Gallery Fellows will use materials such as paper, fabric, and plastic to explore tactility and create original bodies of work that evoke feelings of play or joy. Fellows will also design and fabricate a large-scale installation, inspired by Moores' signature room-sized sculptures. Your work won’t just stay in the studio. The culminating exhibition Into the Unearthly will transform the 1001 Colors Gallery space into a whimsical environment wrapped in colorful patterns, textures, and ornamentation.

Whether you’re considering a future in the arts or just want to explore your creativity in a meaningful way, this fellowship gives you real tools, real experience, and real visibility.

What You'll Do / What You'll Learn

1. Artists will learn the fundamentals of composition and color theory, then explore ways to push beyond traditional approaches by identifying patterns, habits, and new possibilities in their use of color.
2. Artists will experiment with a variety of mark-making and pattern-making techniques, using different tools and materials, including learning how to safely and effectively use an X-Acto knife.
3. Through the creation of a large-scale collaborative installation alongside smaller mixed-media works, artists will explore their relationships with materials, experimentation, and the connections between individual and collaborative artistic practices. Fellows will develop an initial composition in response to the exhibition space, create individual components using a variety of materials and scales, and work together to build and adapt the installation from multiple vantage points.

Why This Matters

This fellowship asks: How is fun a fundamental part of artmaking? What does it mean to incorporate play into your creative process?

Into the Unearthly invites Fellows to challenge their understanding of space, composition, and the relationship between two- and three-dimensional art. By transforming two-dimensional materials into a collaborative, large-scale installation, Fellows will explore how color, pattern, mark-making, and layered textures can create a visual language and evoke feeling. Through experimentation and the process of building from multiple perspectives, artists will be encouraged to embrace curiosity, let go of traditional approaches, and discover the possibilities of playful, abstract artmaking.

At its heart, Into the Unearthly celebrates art as an opportunity to disconnect, daydream, and take a much-needed mental break. It encourages Fellows to consider how play and enjoyment can be meaningful parts of the creative process and how these approaches can open new possibilities for artistic exploration.

Benefits Snippet

• Mentorship from nationally recognized Artist-in-Residence Emily Moores
• Professional gallery exhibition at 1001 Colors Gallery + resume-ready experience
• Opportunity to sell your artwork (keep 75% of sales)
• Studio access, materials support, and hands-on training
• Portfolio development + pricing and presentation guidance
• Real-world experience in curation, installation, and creative collaboration

Program Schedule

Studio Sessions: January - April (Exact Dates TBD)
Mondays & Thursdays, 4–7 PM

Installation & Professional Development: February - April (Exact Dates TBD)

Exhibition Dates: Exact Dates TBD

Opening Reception: Exact Date TBD

Deinstallation: Exact Date TBD
Artwork Pickup: Exact Date TBD

Requirements

• Ages 16–24
• Attend all studio sessions and key program dates
• Participate in exhibition installation and opening
• Engage fully in the creative process and group experience

Application Requirements

• Submit 3–5 portfolio samples (PDF or website). If needed, email your PDF to Grace Thanasiu at grace@1001colors.org. Portfolio is required and most important part of application.
• Include: title, year, medium, dimensions, and brief description
• Show work that reflects your perspective and creative voice

Final Note

You don’t need to have it all figured out.

This is a space to experiment, take risks, build skills, and discover what’s possible whether art becomes your career or simply a powerful tool for how you see and move through the world.

Your perspective matters. Let’s build what’s next.

Application Deadline: 11:59pm on Sunday, December 13, 2026