The Diane Kidd Gallery at Tiffin University is proud to present Rags to R!ches, a solo exhibition by Cleveland-based contemporary pop artist R!ch Cihlar, on view now through November 29, 2025. The public is invited to attend an artist reception on Friday, November 7, from 5 to 7 p.m., where guests will have the opportunity to meet the artist and learn more about his creative process. The artist will give a brief talk at 5:30 p.m. Light refreshments will be served. This event is free and open to the public.
Rags to R!ches celebrates transformation—both in material and meaning. Playing off his name, R!ch, and the discarded materials he works with, Cihlar reimagines cardboard, wood, and found objects into bold, layered works of art. His process combines the visual language of street art and pop art, executed through meticulously hand-cut stencils and layered spray paint. Each image reflects his background in printmaking and design while exploring themes of memory, environment, and value.
“This exhibition is a call to action,” Cihlar explains. “Art doesn’t require expensive materials or pristine canvases. There’s a world of free materials waiting to be reimagined. I hope Rags to R!ches inspires others to see potential in what’s been cast aside.”
Cihlar’s dynamic and resourceful approach challenges the conventions of traditional fine art. His work not only redefines what art can be made from but also invites viewers to reconsider the relationship between consumption, creativity, and sustainability.
About the Artist
R!ch Cihlar (pronounced “Sy-ler”) is a Cleveland-based contemporary pop artist whose vibrant works merge the aesthetics of street and pop art through the use of found materials, hand-cut stencils, and spray paint. A graduate of Baldwin Wallace College, Cihlar’s background in printmaking and mixed media continues to inform his innovative practice.
Drawing inspiration from pop culture, retro design, and nostalgic imagery, Cihlar transforms discarded materials into layered visual narratives that celebrate memory and reinvention. In addition to his solo practice, he is one half of Don’t Panic!, a collaborative art duo with abstract painter Bob Peck, known for their energetic, mixed-media creations and live painting performances.
For more information, visit the Diane Kidd Gallery’s website at tiffin.edu/arts/diane-kidd-gallery or email Joseph Van Kerkhove at vankerkhovejm@tiffin.edu.