Staff photo / Andy Gray Artist Mara Sfara talks about her exhibition “The Light of Tomorrow,” which opens today at Medici Museum of Art in Howland.

HOWLAND — Today is the public opening for a major exhibition chronicling the Ohio roots of industrialist John D. Rockefeller and his descendants’ artistic pursuits at Medici Museum of Art.

However, the media, museum donors and Gov. Mike DeWine got a preview on Thursday before the free public event for “From Oil to Art: A Rockefeller Legacy Rooted in Industry, Innovation and Imagination,” “Mara Sfara: The Light of Tomorrow” and “ZODIAC: The Mysterious Power of the Creative,”

“Bringing an exhibit of this caliber to our region elevates more than just the museum,” Medici board member Chuck George told attendees Thursday at the private reception. “It puts a national spotlight on the strength of our cultural institutions. But the impact doesn’t stop with inspiration. This exhibit draws visitors, drives tourism and generates economic activity, which creates opportunities for our hotels, restaurants and small businesses that benefit all of us.

“We will also open the door to students, educators and families to explore history in a new way. It’s not just about looking back. It’s engaging the next generation and letting them dream what is possible.”

Medici Museum of Art Executive Director Katelyn Amendolara-Russo thanked the exhibits’ sponsors along with artist Carole Feuerman. She not only was responsible for the “ZODIAC” exhibition but she also made the introductions that led to the Rockefeller and Sfara shows.

“These exhibitions mark a significant milestone for us, showcasing the extraordinary journey of one of America’s most influential families, from the industrial roots of John D Rockefeller to the creative legacies of his descendants,” Amendolara-Russo said. “It was through Carole Feuerman and Mara Sfara, who are in the crowd tonight, that connected me with Steven. Carole, you’ve been so incredibly supportive of Medici. We’re forever grateful for your vision, generosity and friendship.”

Steven Rockefeller Jr., the great-great-grandson of John D. Rockefeller and co-curator of the exhibition, was at Medici last month to provide some guidance on how to display it, but he saw the completed exhibition for the first time this week.

“I think the result is outstanding,” Rockefeller said. “I love the demarcation of the varying components of the overall exhibit, but also the flow, because there’s absolutely a connection between both the creative process for me and the collecting process, to the inspirational components of Nelson Rockefeller as a great collector, my mother as a beautiful artist, and finally, my Chinese teacher as just that, a teacher.”

Rockefeller gravitated toward the cobbler tools that belonged to his great-great-grandfather and the rosemaling (a Scandinavian painting tradition) on bone done by his grandmother.

“That inspired my mother in her collages and her style,” he said.

The art created by members of the Rockefeller family is displayed with the historical elements and artifacts that chronicle the evolution of John D. Rockefeller’s business and philanthropic pursuits. And Steven Rockefeller sees parallels between the family’s artistic creations like his mother’s rosemaling and some of the charities they have supported.

“The reason that these pieces are here is because of the recent unveiling of the Michael Rockefeller Wing at the Metropolitan Museum (of Art in New York City), focusing on indigenous art from Oceania, from Africa and from South America,” Rockefeller said. “This is harkening or referencing the importance of those traditions.”

“ZODIAC” has been on display since May, but Medici delayed the opening reception until it could be a part of the Rockefeller and “Mara Sfara: The Light of Tomorrow” openings.

Feuerman approached Amendolara-Russo with the idea after exhibiting her own work at Medici in 2023.

“(Amendolara-Russo) was open to the idea that we would partner and show artists that had never been in museums and needed a boost and needed me and Katelyn to tell them how good they were,” Feuerman said. “There are some artists that have never shown. … It’s really to tell these artists that they’re really good and they should also never give up if they love to do art.”

The theme was picked because of Feuerman’s own fascination with astrology and its influence on her work. “Everybody has their own story about the Zodiac,” Feuerman said “Two people can look at a tree and each person will see it differently, and each person has different ideas and concepts. This is the first time I’m seeing the show, and I’m absolutely thrilled with how each person decides to do the mystic and the astrology … I think it makes it way more interesting to have all different artists with all different materials seeing things from their own perspective.”

“ZODIAC” does include some nationally and internationally recognized artists as well as newcomers, and their presence of established artists, and having the opening coincide with the Rockefeller show, were designed to increase attention for the show.

Several of the “ZODIAC” artists will be in attendance at today’s public reception as well as Steven and Kimberly Rockefeller and Sfara.

The Sfara exhibition features ethereal, colorful sculptures of animals made with lucite that sparkle as if stars are floating inside of them. According to Sfara, in a world where there is less human connection — the growing use of artificial intelligence, more people working from home, fewer people gathering in public spaces or going to church — people still have a connection to these species.

“These are objects and animals that we love. We really love these animals and they mean something to us,” Sfara said. “I realized that one thing that kept people together were animals … We need them for life.”