Tend Space Art Center in Chauncey, Ohio, has opened a new group exhibition titled 'Caretaker,' featuring works by five artists—Chloe Sampson, Zelda Thayer-Hansen, Ellie Dale, Julia Weber, and Isabella DeRose—all of whom attended Ohio University for their undergraduate degrees. Curated by Selena 'Len' Loomis, who also runs the campus galleries at OU’s School of Art and Design, the show explores themes of personal growth, self-care, and responsibility to others. The exhibition includes ceramics, sculpture, and performance-based photography, and is on display until Saturday at 48 Converse Street.
The exhibition matters because it highlights the role of small, community-driven art spaces in supporting emerging artists and fostering local creative networks. By issuing an open call and featuring alumni who have since moved on to graduate studies and professional practice, 'Caretaker' demonstrates how grassroots galleries can sustain connections between artists and their roots, while providing a platform for intimate, conceptually rich work that addresses identity, caretaking, and the use of organic and foraged materials.