Lessons Learned

Students honor their late mentor at A Tribute to Masumi, which opens at Cleveland State University today. The exhibit serves as a memorial to the late photo artist Masumi Hayashi, who was shot to death in her Ohio City apartment last year. Eight artists (including Suzanne Adams, Paul Jacklitch, and Deborah Pinter) who studied under Hayashi contribute more than 30 new pieces to the show. "They wanted to celebrate her work and life," says co-curator Tim Knapp. "She touched countless students — both personally and professionally."A Tribute to Masumi features themes and images ranging from the surreal to the brutally realistic. There are also plenty of portraits, nature scenes, and pop-culture shots. Knapp says the biggest hurdle was tracking down Hayashi's former students. After all, she taught at CSU for nearly a quarter century. "We ended up with a nice eclectic mix of artists," says Knapp. "Our hope is that people see Masumi not only as an artist, but as a great teacher and mentor as well. Her legacy is not only the work she produced, but also the effect she had on others." A Tribute to Masumi runs through December 15 at Cleveland State University's Gallery C, 2307 Chester Avenue. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday. Admission is free. Call 216-687-2103 or visit www.csuohio.edu/artgallery.
Mondays-Fridays, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Saturdays, 12-4 p.m. Starts: Nov. 2. Continues through Dec. 15, 2007