Fall Art Exhibitions – Sunny-Side Up: A Breakfast Chat with Hannah Israel on what Visitors can See this Fall at Illges Gallery

Not all art previews happen in white-walled galleries. Mine happened over pancakes, sausage, and eggs with Hannah Israel. Israel is the Gallery Director of Illges Gallery and Professor of Art in the Art Department at Columbus State University. And she happens to be a good friend of mine. She’s always full of energy and creativity. Between bites of our breakfast, laughs, and sips of juice, we dove into what’s ahead for the gallery this fall. 

Small Realms (August 12 – September 20)

First up is Small Realms, curated by Greyson Strumpler, who graduated from CSU in 2024 with his Bachelor of Science in Art Education. This exhibition is an invitation to get close, pause, and let your imagination roam. With no piece larger than 9x12, these works prove that sometimes the smallest things can hold the greatest power.

According to Strumpler’s Curatorial Statement, small works function like treasured keepsakes. They feel as though they could be held in the palm of a hand or carried like a locket containing a private memory. Their size calls us closer, compelling us to lean in, to meet the artist’s gaze at the same distance in which work was made. At this proximity, we can almost sense each brushstroke, each decision, and each moment of pause during creation. 

“It’s really about intimacy,” Israel told me. “Large works can be overwhelming. These smaller pieces pull you in and make you feel bigger somehow.”

Seven artists are featured in the exhibition: Greyson himself, along with Suzanne Reed Fine, Jon MacGregor, Sarah Hobbs, Julianna Wells, Cora King, and Gloria Mani. Each brings a different flavor—storytelling, landscapes, surreal moments, even a touch of the uncanny.

Israel lit up as she described Gloria Mani’s delicate landscapes: “Her brushstrokes are so light, yet there’s this power in them.” Then there’s Cora King’s abstracts, which open the door to wonder and imagination. And for CSU fans—yes, alum Jon MacGregor is back, contributing his paintings from New York.

Between the Lines – Works on Paper (August 12 – September 20)

The second exhibition, Between the Lines, is curated by Israel herself and pulls from paper works in The Columbus Museum’s collection.

Here, the focus is on what happens between the works—those fragile spaces that often reveal as much as the pieces themselves. The exhibition even features selections from Alma Thomas’s journals and notes, which provide an intimate look at the artist’s thought process, so different from the vibrant works most of us know her for.

“This is really about partnership,” Israel explained. “It gives students the chance to see themselves in the art. Our visitors can see the life between the lines of being a student and being an artist.” She is thankful for the collaboration that community partners like The Columbus Museum provide to students. 

Common Language by Katya Grokhovsky (October 7 – November 1)

Finally, we arrive at Common Language, featuring artist-in-residence Katya Grokhovsky, whose work blends performance, surrealism, and sculpture. For a month, Katya will not only exhibit her work, but also work inside the gallery itself, transforming part of the space into her studio.

“She’s activating what a gallery can be,” Israel said. “It’s not just a place to look at art—it’s a place to have conversations. To see the artist as real.”

Katya’s workshops and artist talks promise to make this a deeply interactive experience, giving the community a chance to step into her world.

Bonus Exhibition

Israel’s heart beats strong for her students. Her favorite part of each year is the Capstone Project, a culminating experience for graduating seniors. This fall, she’s expanding the Capstone Project and making room for interns to curate their own shows, encouraging them to learn not only by observing but also by doing. Rising senior Justine Cruz is already putting her stamp on the gallery, selecting three ceramic works that tell powerful stories to show in her exhibition, Timeless. 

Cruz believes ceramics serve a greater purpose than for decoration. They serve ritual, memorial and mythological purposes. The pieces in her exhibition are decades old and carry the ideas and expressions that have transcended generations.  

“This is what I live for,” Israel admitted with a smile. “The work is so fresh, so energized. It’s their moment to share their portfolio and their voice and claim their place as artists.”

Israel sees exhibitions like this as a chance for students to show visitors their skills as curators, with the hope of making connections that could start students down their career path into the art world. She would eventually like to see employers attend as guests to network with students and discuss job opportunities. 

So, whether you’re an art lover, a curious passerby, or just looking for something new to spark your imagination, consider this your invitation. Stop by, linger, and let the conversations—between artist and viewer, student and teacher, past and present—pull you in. Outside of the exhibitions themselves, each curator will participate in an art talk, giving visitors a chance to learn more about them, their work and what inspired them.

This season at Illges Gallery promises to be just as engaging and satisfying as the conversation Hannah and I had over breakfast. There is something for everyone. Best of all—it’s free and open to the public. ◼️