Diane Kidd Gallery

Eileen Dorsey was born and raised in Cleveland, OH. She graduated from Kent State University receiving a Bachelor of Fine Arts, concentration in painting. Since graduation, Dorsey has actively shown regionally and beyond, receiving recognition for her work in juried shows and art competitions alike. She has won Best Artist and Best Painter by the readers of Cleveland Magazine and Scene Magazine for the past 9 years consecutively. In 2021 the Mayor of Westlake recognized the local artist’s talents and made a proclamation, officially naming July 31st of 2021 Eileen Dorsey Day. 

Although Dorsey is known best for her color-infused oil paintings and nature portraits of local forests, she also paints murals around the county, working with corporations, franchises and both public and private residences. You may see some of her murals around the Cleveland area and beyond. Dorsey also painted the background mural for music superstars Twenty One Pilots Scaled and Icy album cover. Dorsey is currently one of the lead artists and muralists for the Barrio Taco Franchise expansion, painting over 10 restaurants in Michigan, Indiana, Columbus, OH and Florida. 

Between her mural projects and art exhibitions, you can find Dorsey working in her Cleveland studio located in the 78th Street Studios arts complex. Visit her during the monthly art walks on every Third Friday of the month from 5-9pm. 

Website: eileendorsey.com 

Instagram: @eileen_dorsey_studio 

Facebook: @eileendorseystudio 

Tik Tok: @eileen_dorsey_studio 

Linktree: @eileendorsey 

Let’s do a visualization together. Imagine standing under the shade of a tree on a hot summer day, hearing the breeze roll though the leaves above. Now, imagine standing in the stark sun, without a tree in sight; the hot UV rays on your skin, the heat of the air hitting your lungs. Where are you more comfortable? Now, imagine a world without trees, the colors zapped from the environment around you. How would you feel? 

This exhibit takes you on a visual journey, where color represents the thick, lush urban canopy. As you walk by each of the works, you’ll notice more and more color being lost, watch the details loosening on the surface. Beauty can still be seen, but you start to wonder how long it will last before it is gone for good. 

Cleveland was once known as the ‘Forest City’. Sadly, the city has not lived up to its nickname. Over a hundred years ago Cleveland’s tree canopy was at 96%, but now we have fallen to a measly 18%. Those numbers will continue to drop if we don’t do something now. 

What is a tree canopy and why is it important? A tree canopy is the collective number of treetops (crowns) in a specific area, and it is important for our health. These massive beings are working all day, every day for our benefit and we haven’t been giving them the credit they deserve. Trees clean pollution from the air, pollution that could lead to health problems like asthma, lung cancer, or possibly dementia. Trees also reduce carbon emissions, which helps to decrease the effects of climate change. Trees are so aesthetically pleasing to look at that when you look at them feel-good hormones like dopamine are released. Trees and nature have documented positive effects on the brain and help decrease anxiety.  

Why is it important to act now? Chiefly because it takes a very long time for a tree to mature, and therefore for us to receive the positive. So maybe we won’t feel the full benefits in our lifetime, but we need to take action now for future generations – for your children and your children’s children. 

The Diane Kidd Art Gallery operates under the direction of the School of Arts and Sciences at Tiffin University. Decisions regarding exhibitions are made by the Art Gallery Committee, and exhibitions are planned at least one year to two years in advance. Daily gallery operations are managed by Joseph Van Kerkhove, Art Gallery Director. Exhibition proposals may be sent to Mr. Van Kerkhove using the contact information below:

Tiffin University
J. Van Kerkhove/Hayes Center for the Arts
155 Miami St
Tiffin, OH 44883

Please include:

• A minimum of twenty high-resolution digital images
• Each image must be identified with First and Last Name, Title, Medium, Size, Date of artwork
• Brief biography
• Exhibition history
• List of publications
• Statement about proposed exhibition
• Contact information: mailing address, telephone, email