Contemporary Celtic: An Ancient Style in the 21st Century

Ohio artist Cynthia Matyi was influenced at an early age by her Appalachian grandmother’s stories which she says “really fired my imagination.” She developed a love of history, legend and the supernatural, rooted in the Scots-Irish tradition.

Matyi has been involved in the Celtic cultural scene for over twenty years. Matyi is a well known Celtic artist whose recognizable style incorporates ancient motifs and contemporary themes of peace, renewal, ecology and creativity.

Matyi’s exhibit - Contemporary Celtic:  An Ancient Style in the 21st Century runs from November 6 – 29 in UC Clermont College’s Art Gallery. The artist will hold her reception on Tuesday, November 18 from 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m. It is free and open to the public.

Matyi is the primary organizer of the touring exhibition, American Celtic and her work has appeared in shows throughout the US, Canada and Europe. She has illustrated CD covers, posters and websites and gives workshops on Celtic art to students of all ages.

She has written and illustrated a children's book, "Little Town of Spirals," published in 2008. A graduate of Mt. St. Joseph College, she also spent more than 25 years in health care as a vascular technologist and hospital manager and was one of the founders of the Society of Vascular Technology.

Matyi performs regularly with the ensemble, Silver Arm, Cincinnati’s longest running Celtic band and has several recordings with the group. She was the founder and artistic director of the prestigious Cincinnati Celtic Festival for 15 years, a board member of Cincinnati Folk Life and of the Riley School of Irish Music and has performed with the Cincinnati Symphony and the Pops.

The art gallery is sponsored by Park National Bank and located in the Snyder Building on the UC Clermont College campus in Batavia at 4200 Clermont College Drive. Hours are Monday - Thursday 7:30 a.m. – 7 p.m., Friday 7:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Saturday 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. The exhibition and reception are free and open to the public.