In partnership with
Steel in a Different Light
A special collaboration of works by renowned steel artist Mike Elsass and employees of Cleveland-Cliffs
9/4/26-10/15/26
Main Exhibition Hall
Opening Reception Friday, 9/4, 6-8pm
Community Block Party, 9/19, 11am-3pm
Steel in a Different Light celebrates the union of fine art and Middletown’s steel heritage, showcasing works by renowned steel-based artist Mike Elsass alongside creations from employees of the Cleveland-Cliffs organization. These steel-inspired artworks honor the material that has shaped our community while highlighting the creativity and vision of artists and industry professionals alike.
Through this exhibition, visitors can explore the history and impact of steel in Middletown, learn about Cleveland-Cliffs’ 125-year legacy, and see how steel continues to influence the present and future of our city.
In partnership with the Middletown Historical Society, the display also features historical context, giving a deeper understanding of the steel industry’s role in building the community.
Celebrate community, creativity, and industry during the free, all-ages Block Party in partnership with the City of Middletown, part of MAC’s Annual Event Series. Enjoy hands-on activities, live music, food trucks, touch-a-truck, and immersive art experiences while experiencing the innovative and inspiring works featured in Steel in a Different Light.
Bob Hawkins: Life at Every Distance
9/4/26-10/28/26
Lobby Gallery
Opening Reception Friday, 9/4, 6-8pm
Community Block Party, 9/19, 11am-3pm
Bob Hawkins: Life at Every Distance presents a rich visual journey across scale, subject, and perspective. His photographs move from sweeping landscapes to intimate still lifes, detailed floral close-ups, and dynamic wildlife scenes, embodying “life at every distance.”
The exhibition highlights Hawkins’s command of vantage point and time—from expansive aerial views captured by drone to carefully composed studies of weathered objects that evoke the passage of time.
Nature is central to his work. Images of rugged mountains, winding rivers, and delicate blossoms reflect the endurance of the natural world amid human turbulence. In parallel, his still lifes—created using light painting and featuring aged, everyday objects—suggest the persistence of history and memory, revealing how ordinary artifacts hold collective experience.
Together, these works invite reflection on continuity, fragility, and resilience. By placing nature alongside timeworn objects, Hawkins creates a dialogue between permanence and transience, asking viewers to consider both fleeting moments and the long arc of history. Life at Every Distance ultimately celebrates photography’s power to shape how we see, remember, and connect past, present, and future.
Area Art Exhibition
11/6/26-12/10/26
Submissions 10/26-10/29
Main Exhibition Hall
Opening Reception Friday 11/6/26, 6pm-8pm
Live music by Josh Mack and the Butter Brigade
Prospectus & Entry Info - Download here
We’re thrilled to have our Area Art Exhibition, showcasing the incredible talent of regional artists across a variety of mediums. This beloved annual show highlights the diversity and creativity that make our arts community shine.
The Area Art Exhibition is presented by Patti Gage in memory and honor of George Robert Gage.
Pictured - A selection of 2025 Best of Show, Empowered by artist Tanya Cunningham
Art by Mark Hanavan and Paul Loehle
10/2026-12/10/2026
Lobby Gallery
Opening Reception Friday 11/6/26, 6pm-8pm
Last year’s President’s Award recognized the collaborative work of artists Mark Hanavan and Paul Loehle.
This exhibit offers an opportunity to experience more of their work, showcasing their unique approach to traditional artmaking combined with contemporary ideas and imagery. Together, their work invites viewers to look closer, ask questions, and explore the connections between the familiar and the unexpected.
More information on their exhibit coming soon - to explore more of their collaborative work, visit Hanavan's website here.