If There Were Ever Magicians, They were us, Exhibition by Michael Coppage

For Third Space Gallery’s fourth exhibition, artists Rachel Bovard, Michael Coppage, Peter Diec, Floyd Grace III, Jennifer Locke, and MonstaTheEngineer are taking over the gallery to transform it into an energetic, collaborative and community supported studio practice. Titled If There Were Ever Magicians, They were us, this exhibition will include finished works by Bovard, Coppage, Diec, Grace III, Locke and MonstaTheEngineer. However, going beyond the static nature of work on the walls, an open group of artists and creatives will be working in the gallery space every Saturday (12pm-5pm), activating our BIPOC-centered space in a way that promotes collaboration and strengthens our creative bonds.

About If There Were Ever Magicians, They were us from Michael Coppage:

“This exhibition is about the magic of meaningful connections, conversations and collaborations that happen in my studio. I invite creatives from different disciplines with different backgrounds to join me in my studio while I work. This results in a plethora of idea exchanges, collaboration and insights that lead to transformative shifts in the collective practice. This is also an opportunity to exhibit the work of POC creatives who wrestle with being able to call themselves “artists.” I’ll be using the gallery space as my studio where I’ll work daily and invite other creatives and artists to join me for the duration of the exhibition. I’ve always wanted to be part of a group exhibition where we show the finished works of the collective and we each aim to finish a work in progress from the studio as a collective before the closing reception of the exhibition.”

Rachel Bovard is a Cincinnati native and a lover of the arts and fashion. She immerses herself in artist and creative communities anticipating moments of inspiration, reflecting who we are in time and space of the evolving self.

Michael Coppage is a conceptual artist using an interdisciplinary, dialectical approach to address social issues surrounding race and language. Originally from Chicago, He has lived and worked in Cincinnati since 2007. Coppage is the two-time recipient of ArtsWave’s Truth and Reconciliation grant, Ohio Pretrial Justice grant, and received Awesome Foundation grants in New York and Philadelphia. He completed a TEDx Talk titled “Everybody’s Racist….and it’s O.K” and he gained international attention with his recent project “BLACK BOX” : a community impact project aimed at demystifying black men and creating authentic experiences that replaces bias and preconceived notions related to the term “Black” This series was exhibited around the country, Puerto Rico and at the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, 21c Museum Hotel, Medici Museum and the Ohio Arts Councils Riffe Gallery to name a few. Coppage has gained some attention recently with a body of work entitled “American+” after depicting white Americans as monkeys in his paintings. He has several collaborative pieces set for completion this year and also released a podcast on Spotify appropriately titled Black Box as part of his recent series.

Peter Diec is a multimedia artist that works in many different media. Currently he is working in oils.

Floyd Grace III In the realm of art and design, he focuses on minimalistically-dynamic compositions of introspective emotion and memory fragmentation. He finds his materials, then uses the mediums that highlight and tell a story of where they want to be. Grace III writes, “I don’t know anything about anything until deconstruction, as only then will I know anything about anything”

Jennifer Locke is an empath, an interviewer and critical thinker. She often works in collaboration with other artists but sees herself in more of a supportive role. She works on decor and plant-based works of art that encapsulates feelings of joy, friendship and memories.

MonstaTheEngineer was born and raised in Chicago IL., Monsta found a love for music early in life; allowing music to guide him and keep him going through life led him to obtain his Bachelor’s Degree In Audio Production and Music Engineering.

Evolving with time and the influences of his wife Whitney, Monsta ended up in Cincinnati OH venturing into photography and videography. While realizing his love and gift for storytelling was growing, his motto, “My Paint Brush Varies”, was born. This can be seen through his various art forms including documentary films, photography, fine art, audio production and music engineering. Monsta recognizes the importance of accurately telling the stories of the individuals, groups, companies, and nonprofits he has committed his time to.

Exhibition runs from August 20th-September 10.

Please join our artists every Saturday from 12-5pm.

Closing Reception: September 10th, 6-8pm.

Third Space Gallery is founded on the goal to promote a welcome and open community for artists and creatives that are otherwise marginalized. We will also focus on fostering an open and safe environment for all artists and visitors. Our mission as a gallery is to provide a safe space for BIPOC artists and creatives, promote open discussion, and have community engagement on our own terms.

Third Space Gallery is a community space and gallery located in Camp Washington that supports and highlights BIPOC artists in Cincinnati. Third Space Gallery received one of ArtsWave’s 2022 Black and Brown Artist project grants, with support from the City of Cincinnati Duke Energy, Macy’s, Greater Cincinnati Foundation, Fifth Third Bank, and Hard Rock Casino.

ArtsWave, a nonprofit serving the Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky
Region, is the engine for the arts. Strong funding for the arts has allowed
Cincinnati’s arts and culture scene to become a national draw and regional
asset, creating a wave of economic and community benefits. Each year,
ArtsWave supports the work of over 150 arts organizations, school outreach
programs, festivals, community centers, neighborhoods and various
collaborations through impact-based grants. In 2022, ArtsWave awarded 22
Black and Brown Artist Grants to projects like this one that that explore the
themes of “truth and reconciliation.” Funding comes from ArtsWave in
partnership with the City of Cincinnati, Duke Energy, Macy’s, Greater Cincinnati
Foundation, Fifth Third Bank and Hard Rock Casino. You can support efforts like
these by making a gift to ArtsWave at artswave.org/give.