Artist to paint live at opening

Hamilton, Ohio – The empty canvas in the Fitton Center’s Monument Gallery stands out among the finished pieces on view.

Amanda Lechner plans to fill it in front of an audience.

Lechner – an artist and assistant professor at the Virginia Tech University School of Visual Art - live paints her final piece for the Rock & Root exhibition, which goes on view Saturday, October 25. The gallery opens at 4 p.m. for any guests who want to watch her work ahead of the free Opening Celebration scheduled for 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

“In some ways it’s more of a challenge for me,” she said. “But it’s interesting for people to see the creative process happen in real time. It’s inviting for people to be a part of that creation and see it come to life.

“The scale of it catches the eye from some distance. I’m standing up and moving around, as compared to seated and still, working on a canvas at an easel in a studio. For these works I’m looking at the history of a place, the geology, and then kind of improvising some ways to bring that to life. The materials I’m working with, the inks come hand-made from the area.”

Yes, not only is Lechner making art on the spot, she’s doing it with her own bespoke ink.

“I’ve been working with my own colors for a while now,” she said. “When I first learned about lamp-black ink – which is basically soot – I began experimenting with other materials that I can get seasonally. The natural dyes of the area where I’m working.

“It works more as an artform than as a science. There’s more visual and textural elements that go into the ink than what you might just buy at the store.”

Lechner pairs with Amy Kollar Anderson of Dayton for a two-person show in the exhibition. Catherine Amidei of Ann Arbor and Amanda Evans of Knoxville each have solo shows. All four display work inspired by earth, forests and stars that connect viewers to a changing universe.

All four artists plan to be on hand for the opening celebration.

“I’m looking forward to seeing the other artists in the exhibition and how our pieces create a conversation with one another.” Lechner said. “I’m excited to make some work in the space!”

While Rock & Root opens October 25, the exhibition remains on view through January 9, 2026. Fitton Center galleries are always free and open to the public.

The exhibition’s opening celebration runs in conjunction with the first show in the 2025-2026 Fitton Showstoppers performance series. The Conjurors make their Hamilton debut with a magical, mystical, mind-bending performance in the Fitton Family Theater. Tickets are $41 for Fitton Center Members, $51 for non-members and are available online right here, by phone at 513-863-8873, ext. 110 or in person at the Fitton Center box office.

See the gallery below for some photos of Director of Exhibitions Cathy Mayhugh and Miami University intern Yuchen Shi preparing the Monument Gallery for live painting.

The Fitton Center for Creative Arts is located at 101 S. Monument Avenue on the Riverfront in downtown Hamilton, Ohio.

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