This downtown restaurant is showcasing art from a Columbus State University student
The downtown restaurant Vertigo commissioned a Columbus State University student to create art that was put on display on Nov. 18.
Vertigo has always had original art from a local artist in the restaurant, owner Niki Gedroic told the Ledger-Enquirer. Although they had to remove the mural after redesigning the restaurant, it was always the plan to find another local artist to create new art that could be displayed.
“We wanted to be sure that we honored that part of what we used to be and where we’re headed in the future,” Gedroic said.
CSU art education student and Vertigo employee Ashley Wukasinovich was commissioned to create the new artwork before the restaurant completed its redesign, she said. Wukasinovich has worked for Gedroic both at Vertigo and Smoke Bourbon and BBQ while she has been attending school in Columbus.
One day during work, Wukasinovich heard the restaurant’s general manager mention that he and Gedroic were looking for someone local to do art that could be displayed in the restaurant.
“I will do it!” she told him. “Hey, come talk to me. I’m interested!”
Wukasinovich has always struggled with putting herself out there to create art for others, she said, and painting pieces for Vertigo seemed like the perfect opportunity to get out of her comfort zone.
“Ashley is an amazing artist,” Gedroic said. “She’s working on an exhibition now, and it was just a great opportunity to commission a young lady who is not only local, but a student, and give her the opportunity to share her vision as one of our employees of what we’re trying to do here.”
‘Trippy Vertigo aesthetic’
Wukasinovich works a lot with oil, she said, and likes to create art that shows the woman’s experience. Her art is a way for Wukasinovich to advocate for some of the issues she’s had to deal with as a woman.
After Gedroic hired Wukasinovich, the two women discussed what the art in Vertigo should look like, and gave the young artist full artistic license.
“I said, ‘We want something that fits in with the concept of Vertigo,’” Gedroic said. “And she came up with the designs. We didn’t have to approve it.”
Over the next few months, Wukasinovich sent Gedroic little teasers of the artwork. But Gedroic didn’t see the finished product until a few days before it was presented and hung on the wall.
The art itself leans into the “trippy Vertigo aesthetic,” Wukasinovich said. The black and white pieces incorporate a lot of spirals and geometric shapes. They have sports and bar themes, she said with bottles, cups and other images.
The illusion of the pieces makes the viewer have to concentrate on them to see the images, she said.
“We had no idea…what it was going to be or how amazing it turned out,” Gedroic said. “I’m very proud of Ashley. I feel a little maternal — like my daughter is hanging her pictures in the Louvre today.”
‘Put your best foot forward’
Wukasinovich grew up in the “very conservative, small town” of Perry, she said, and was shocked by the size of Columbus when began at CSU. After living here for the past five years, the city doesn’t seem as big to Wukasinovich anymore.
Having her work hanging in Vertigo excites her because she was able to delve into the city’s culture and be part of it, Wukasinovich said.
“When people see (my art) and see my name, they can find me,” she said. “It’s just really awesome to know that I actually became part of that community.”
Nick Norwood, interim chair of the department of art at CSU, decided to go see Wukasinovich’s art being presented and displayed after a colleague informed him of the event.
“We are always happy for our students to be engaged with the community,” Norwood said. “And we do all sorts of things to try to facilitate that. I love that our student is getting this sort of hands-on experience and this exposure.”
To get an opportunity like creating art for Vertigo while in college is a big confidence booster for a student, Norwood said, and Wukasinovich will also be able to say on her resume that she’s been commissioned to do commercial work.
Wukasinovich hopes to start student teaching next semester before graduating in the spring and is looking at art history masters programs.
“I just really love the fact that I can express myself through my art,” Wukasinovich said. “I can express my experience. I can meet new people and express their experiences.”
