Solway Gallery

Opening Friday, September 11, 5 - 8 pm

Mark Patsfall Graphics / Clay Street Press: Printmaking in Cincinnati 1981 - 2026

Ave Pildas: Jazz Greats

Along with free Yoko Ono "PEACE is POWER" posters and our continuing exhibition Tom Marioni: Drawings, Prints, and Other Works

1st Floor:
Mark Patsfall Graphics / Clay Street Press: Printmaking in Cincinnati 1981 - 2026

Beginning in 1981 as a Masterpiece Press, the press evolved into Mark Patsfall Graphics and then to its present day Clay Street Press. Working with Carl Solway Gallery, Peter Huttinger and Volatile, and on its own, the press worked with many Cincinnati, national and international artists to create fine art prints in a wide range of printmaking techniques.

Additional Print Sale: Saturday, September 12, 2026, 12 - 5 PM

2nd Floor:
Ave Pildas: Jazz Greats

Nineteen black-and-white portraits of legendary jazz musicians, including John Coltrane, Nina Simone, Thelonious Monk, Wayne Shorter, Duke Ellington, Dizzy Gillespie, and Cannonball Adderley, by Cincinnati-born photographer Ave Pildas. These photographs were taken during performances in nightclubs, after-hours venues, and jazz festivals in Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, and Chicago while Pildas worked for DownBeat magazine in the 1960s.

Special Event:
Yoko Ono, "PEACE is POWER"

First presented in 2017 as a full-page advertisement in The New York Times at the invitation of The Museum of Modern Art, and subsequently installed as a wall of responses prominently at The Museum of Modern Art, PEACE is POWER transforms a simple phrase into both a declaration and a call to action. Free poster available during the Solway Gallery exhibitions.

Continuing Exhibition:
Tom Marioni: Drawings, Prints, and Other Works

Tom Marioni was born in 1937 in Cincinnati, Ohio, class of 1959 Art Academy of Cincinnati. A pioneer of conceptual, social, and sound art, he founded the Museum of Conceptual Art (MOCA) in 1970, one of the first alternative art spaces, and is best known for works such as One Second Sculpture (1969) and The Act of Drinking B**r with Friends is the Highest Form of Art (1970).

Sam Gilliam (1933-2022)
Sesemae, Sesemae, 1994-95
Acrylic on fabric and computer generated images mounted on wood and constructed
81 x 41 x 16 inches
206 cm x 104 cm x 41 cm

"Given the historical prominence of the formalist modernist argument that painting-as-art would have to fend off incursions from other art forms and disciplines in order to survive, it may seem ironic that it has survived all this time for precisely the opposite reason: its ability to assimilate virtually any material, technique, or characteristic, especially those with which it has not been traditionally associated. For decades now, photography, printmaking, words, and objects, among any number of possibilities, have all figured into the realm of painting, sometimes to the extent that it is impossible to tell the difference between a painting and, say, a photograph; or, more to the point with Gilliam, a painting and a sculpture."

- Jonathan P. Binstock from Sam Gilliam: a retrospective (2006)

Images:

1. Full image of "Red Door" open
2. Full image of "Red Door" closed
3. Door detail
4. Digital print detail
5. Paint detail
6. Digital print and paint detail

Two exhibitions opening this Friday, June 5th, 5 - 8 PM

ROBERT FRONK: ASSISTED READYMADES +
TOM MARIONI: DRAWINGS, PRINTS, AND OTHER WORKS

In a departure from his forty-year primary practice as a painter, Cincinnati artist Robert Fronk has created a body of 3-D assembled “collages” utilizing a stockpile of thousands of wood-milled industrial foundry patterns. From origins as varied as municipal waterworks to submarine doors, these elegant forms lend themselves to Fronk’s intense study of line, form, and design. The severe color palette of black/red/yellow and the various markings are cryptic remnants of their factory backstory—not to be obscured, but rather honored as important relics of Cincinnati’s famed 20th century machinist trades.

Tom Marioni was born in 1937 in Cincinnati, Ohio, class of Cincinnati Art Academy 1959, afterwards moved to San Francisco, where he still lives. His first sound work, One Second Sculpture, 1969, was celebrated in the 2005 Lyon Biennial as presaging the work of many artists today who use sound and duration as subjects. His first museum show was in 1970 at the Oakland Museum of California. Titled “The Act of Drinking B**r with Friends is the Highest Form of Art,” it was an early example of social art as a sculpture action. Over the years, Marioni was invited to repeat the work in various contexts around the world.

1. Robert Fronk (b. 1958), "Industrial Mandala (small)," 2024, Wood-milled industrial foundry patterns, 69 x 70 inches

2. Installation view of Robert Fronk: Assisted Readymades exhibition

3. Installation view of Tom Marioni: Drawings, Prints, and Other Works exhibition

4. Tom Marioni, "B**r Art," 2026, Palette, Pacifico b**r, Edition of 6, 1/6, 9 1/2 x 11 1/2 x 8 inches

5. Tom Marioni, "Three of a Kind," 2017, Color spit bite aquatint and soft ground etching on paper, Edition of 25, AP 1, Published by Crown Point Press, Image: 11 x 11 inches, Paper: 17 1/2 x 17 inches

Solway Gallery's first-floor gallery exhibition "I-75 Corridor" will be also be on-view during the reception.

Happy 89th Birthday Tom Marioni

"WHAT IS ART FOR"
for beauty
for history
for decorating apartments
for people to laugh at
for imitating nature
for therapy
for seeing in a new way
for an educated audience
for enlightenment
for political agendas
for glorifying the church in the renaissance
for glorifying the state under communism
for glorifying the rich in capitalism
for recording society in a poetic way

- Tom Marioni (From "Social Art," 2025)

Our upcoming exhibitions TOM MARIONI: DRAWINGS, PRINTS, AND OTHER WORKS and ROBERT FRONK: ASSISTED READYMADES open Friday, June 5th, 5 - 8 PM

1. Tom Marioni, "Out-of-Body Free-Hand Circle," 2007/2009, Installation view at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York

2. Tom Marioni, "Male/Female, B**r/Violin," 2012, Graphite on plaster mounted on wood, 35 x 28 inches

3. Tom Marioni outside his family home in Hyde Park, Cincinnati, 2006

4-5. Detail images of ephemera in upcoming exhibition "Tom Marioni: Prints, Drawings, and Other Works"

6. Tom Marioni, Detail of "Drawing a Line as Far as I Can Reach (Tree)," 1998, Color pencil on paper, 42 1/4 x 94 inches

Two exhibitions opening Friday, June 5th, 5 - 8 PM

ROBERT FRONK: ASSISTED READYMADES

TOM MARIONI: DRAWINGS, PRINTS, AND OTHER WORKS

In a departure from his forty-year primary practice as a painter, Cincinnati artist Robert Fronk has created a body of 3-D assembled “collages” utilizing a stockpile of thousands of wood-milled industrial foundry patterns. From origins as varied as municipal waterworks to submarine doors, these elegant forms lend themselves to Fronk’s intense study of line, form, and design. The severe color palette of black/red/yellow and the various markings are cryptic remnants of their factory backstory—not to be obscured, but rather honored as important relics of Cincinnati’s famed 20th century machinist trades.

Tom Marioni was born in 1937 in Cincinnati, Ohio, class of Cincinnati Art Academy 1959, afterwards moved to San Francisco, where he still lives. His first sound work, One Second Sculpture, 1969, was celebrated in the 2005 Lyon Biennial as presaging the work of many artists today who use sound and duration as subjects. His first museum show was in 1970 at the Oakland Museum of California. Titled “The Act of Drinking B**r with Friends is the Highest Form of Art,” it was an early example of social art as a sculpture action. Over the years, Marioni was invited to repeat the work in various contexts around the world.

1. Robert Fronk (b. 1958), Water Buffalo Chief Totem, African Queen Totem, and Red Necked Water Buffalo Totem, 2025, Wood-milled industrial foundry patterns, Approx. 40 x 10 x 10 inches, each

2. Robert Fronk (b. 1958), FF (Fat Fighter), 2025, Wood-milled industrial foundry patterns, 22 x 25 x 30 inches

3. Tom Marioni, One Second Sculpture, 1969, Black and white photograph, Edition of 3, Digital print from original negative, 30 x 36 inches

4. Tom Marioni, Double Drum Brush Drawing, 2000, Steel on sand paper, Paper: 24.5 x 35.5 inches, Framed: 27.75 x 38.5 inches

2026 Fine Print Fair at the Atrium

Celebrate the 41st Fine Print Fair, the Print Club of Cleveland's annual benefit to support the Cleveland Museum of Art, free and open to the public. Browse and shop one of the largest displays of works on paper from 15 dealers from around the US.

When: April 16 - April 19, 2026
Where: Ames Family Atrium, The Cleveland Museum of Art
Hours:
Friday: 10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.
Saturday: 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Sunday: 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Ticketed Preview Party - Thursday April 16, 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.

1. Yoko Ono, "Colours of the Globe," 2009, Globe, plastic arm, wooden base, plaque, oil stick pencils, pencil case, wooden storage case, Edition of 50, 40/50, Published by Gallery 360° Tokyo, Signed and numbered on the certificate paper, 13 1/2 x 9 x 9 inches

2. John Cage, "Not Wanting to Say Anything About Marcel: Plexigram IV," 1969, 8 panels of Plexiglas each in a walnut base, 14.5 x 24 x 14.5 inches

3. Ann Hamilton, "book weight tt (human carriage)," 2009/2010, Archival inkjet print, Edition of 10 + 2 Artist Proofs, AP 1, Image size: 35 x 25.75 inches, Paper size: 44 x 34 inches, Framed: 46.25 x 36 inches

2026 Fine Print Fair at the Atrium

Celebrate the 41st Fine Print Fair, the Print Club of Cleveland's annual benefit to support the Cleveland Museum of Art, free and open to the public. Browse and shop one of the largest displays of works on paper from 15 dealers from around the US.

When: April 16 - April 19, 2026
Where: Ames Family Atrium, The Cleveland Museum of Art
Hours:
Friday: 10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.
Saturday: 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Sunday: 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Ticketed Preview Party - Thursday April 16, 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.



1. Eva Kwong, 'Aftermath (14),' 1994, Unique monotype print on paper, Paper: 30 1/2 x 23 inches #

2. Eva Kwong, 'Aftermath (18),' 1994, Unique monotype print on paper, Paper: 30 1/2 x 23 inches

3. Eva Kwong, 'Aftermath (17),' 199, Unique monotype print on paper, Paper: 30 1/2 x 23 inches

4. Eva Kwong, 'Aftermath (11),' 1994, Unique monotype print on paper, Paper: 30 1/2 x 23 inches

5. Eva Kwong, 'Fiddleheads I,' 1992, Unique monotype print on paper, Paper: 30 x 22 inches

6. Eva Kwong, 'Fiddleheads II,' 1992, Unique monotype print on paper, Paper: 30 x 22 inches

solwaygallery

2026 Fine Print Fair at the Atrium

Celebrate the 41st Fine Print Fair, the Print Club of Cleveland's annual benefit to support the Cleveland Museum of Art, free and open to the public. Browse and shop one of the largest displays of works on paper from 15 dealers from around the US.

When: April 16 - April 19, 2026
Where: Ames Family Atrium, The Cleveland Museum of Art
Hours:
Friday: 10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.
Saturday: 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Sunday: 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Ticketed Preview Party - Thursday April 16, 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.

1. Kirk Mangus, 'Alice and Cat,' 2013, Silkscreen on paper, Artist proof 4/5 and 5/5, printed for the Pizzuti Collection, Paper: 32 x 22 3/4 inches

2. Kirk Mangus, 'Alice and Mouse,' 2013, Silkscreen on paper, Artist proof 3/5, 4/5, 5/5, Printed for the Pizzuti Collection, Paper: 32 x 22 3/4 inches

3. Kirk Mangus, 'King Carrot,' 1984, Silkscreen on paper, Printers proof (3 copies), Printed at Potters and Prints, Sun Valley Art Center, Sun Valley, Idaho, Paper: 27 x 22 1/2 inches