"Waxing Philosophic: Christine Deemer and Beth Genson" Art Exhibit and Reception
20 North Gallery to open “Waxing Philosophic”
Encaustic paintings exploring environmental themes to be featured in exhibit
Toledo, OH—June 20, 2025 On July 11, 2025, 20 North Gallery will open “Waxing Philosophic: Christine Deemer and Beth Genson,” an exhibition pairing two distinct series of encaustic paintings by Northwest Ohio artists Christine Deemer and Beth Genson. Utilizing the historic yet unique encaustic medium, or hot wax with pigment, Deemer and Genson each explore themes of ecosystems, geology, the beauty of water and the preservation of natural landscapes.
The exhibit will open with a free Public Reception on Friday, July 11, 2025 from 6 – 8 p.m., featuring a light tapas buffet and cash bar by Venue. The exhibition will continue through September 20, 2025. An Artist Talk & Demo is planned for midway through the exhibition dates, with more information on the event to be published soon.
From rolling seascapes to stylized landscape and aerial views, the “Waxing Philosophic” exhibit reflects on the essentiality of water. Christine Deemer, having grown up in Southern California, brings her great appreciation for the ocean and the preservation of marine life to her encaustic and mixed media on panel works. Incorporating methods inspired by the Japanese charred wood technique, shou sugi ban, Deemer’s painting process of layering, fusing, removing and reworking her encaustic medium mirrors the energy of the tides she depicts. Through her own luminous application of encaustic medium, Beth Genson captures Midwestern agricultural lands, in familiar as well as abstracted representations. Genson’s series featured in “Waxing Philosophic” reflects on the tension between the destruction and beauty of the land that nourishes and sustains us.
Christine Deemer (Perrysburg, Ohio)
Christine Deemer holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Colorado (Colorado Springs), a Master of Business Administration from Regis University (Denver, Colorado) and Master of Art in Museum Studies from Western Illinois University (Macomb, Illinois). With a foundation in oil and acrylic painting, Deemer has been working in the encaustic medium since 2016. Deemer has consistently exhibited her work, from juried regional shows across Iowa and Ohio, to international exhibitions in The Netherlands. She has coordinated exhibitions in Ohio for institutions, galleries and non-profit organizations, in addition to her current position as Art and Rare Book Curator & Archivist for the Sisters of St. Francis and Lourdes University (Sylvania, Ohio). With an appreciation for ocean life, held since her childhood in Southern California, Deemer’s encaustic and mixed media paintings explore themes of environmental preservation and the beauty of natural bodies of water.
Beth Genson (Portage, Ohio)
Beth Genson received her Bachelor’s degrees in Fine Art and Education from Bowling Green State University (Bowling Green, Ohio) in addition to studies at Université Grenoble Alpes (Grenoble, France). She has completed supplemental training in Encaustic Painting and Advanced Teaching Encaustics through R&F Paints in Kingston, New York. As an arts instructor, Genson has supervised and led workshops & courses for students of varied level of experience, including at Bowling Green State University, St. Wendelin High School (Fostoria, Ohio), Owens Community College (Perrysburg, Ohio), Schedel Arboretum and Gardens (Elmore, Ohio), the 577 Foundation and more. Genson has shown her work in numerous juried regional exhibitions, art festivals and solo exhibitions across Ohio, earning her competitive awards and grants. Twice she has been selected for an Accelerator Grant through The Arts Commission of Greater Toledo (Ohio). Her work forms part of the collections of private, corporate and institutional collections such as that of Farmers Insurance, Thayer Chevrolet and Owens Community College.
In addition to the featured exhibit, 20 North Gallery continues to display glass, sculpture, paintings and jewelry by noted artists of the region. Gallery hours are Wednesdays through Saturdays from noon to 4p.m.
The “Waxing Philosophic: Christine Deemer and Beth Genson” online exhibition catalogue, containing artist information, art images and artwork prices will be posted on the exhibit page at 20northgallery.com soon.
What: “Waxing Philosophic: Christine Deemer and Beth Genson” art exhibition
Where: 20 North Gallery, 18 N. St. Clair Street, (Downtown) Toledo, Ohio 43604, 419-241-2400
When: July 11, 2025 – September 20, 2025
Gallery Hours
Wednesday – Saturday:
Noon – 4 p.m.
and By Appointment
Free public reception: Friday, July 11, 2025, 6 – 8 p.m.
For More Information Contact: Condessa Croninger (Art Director) or visit www.20northgallery.com