DaQuane Finley, “What Life Has Given

Stark State hosts art show for Black History Month (North Canton, OH – January 21, 2009) As part of Black History Month at Stark State College, an art show featuring the work of Canton resident DaQuane Finley, titled “What Life Has Given,” will be on display Jan. 26 – Feb. 27 in the College’s Art Gallery.

Finley has been involved in art as long as he can remember, about 30 years. Today, he creates works primarily with oil, watercolor and pastels, as well as drawing with pen and ink. He has a bachelor’s degree in art education from Olivet Nazarene University in Illinois and master’s degree in Christian ministry from Malone University. He taught art at Kankakee Trinity Academy in Illinois and did art therapy in Peoria, IL, before moving to Canton where he has done watercolor demonstrations for students at McKinley High School.

Finley leads a multi-dimensional life as a supported employment specialist at Community Services of Stark County, an educator, social worker, coach and a nationally-released hip hop artist in the group II Far Gone. He also owns DEsigns Inspirational Wear, a T-shirt business that enables him to create designs for his customers.

A public reception for Finley will be held Feb. 2 from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. in S204-205 of the Stark State College Student Center, located at 6200 Frank Ave NW in Jackson Township. The College Art Gallery is open to the public from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday and 8 a.m. to noon Saturday. His artwork is for sale, with 10 percent of the proceeds going to the College’s Aesthetics Fund for the purchase of artwork for the campus. For additional information about the show or to make purchases, contact Rebecca Priest at 330-494-6170, Ext. 4319.