The program director at the Dr. Sloan Library in Zanesfield pulled together an inspirational art medium from her past and also paid a special tribute to her late grandmother through her colorful floral-themed entry in the 2025 Not So Bad Art by Good People contest.
Cori Morse, a Zanesfield native who has lived in Logan County for most of her life, besides a few years she spent in North Carolina, is also a photographer, who runs own a photography and digital design business called This Creative Day.
“When I was invited to participate in this art fundraiser, I had no idea what I was going to do. Photography came to mind, of course. But for some reason that didn’t fully click — no pun intended,” she said.
Fortunately, some clear inspiration came to her one morning when she remembered a piece of art created by a co-worker several decades ago that still has a place in her home.
“Twenty-five years ago, I worked with a young woman who brought her artwork into our workplace and hung it on the kitchen refrigerator for the summer. It was this really interesting and beautiful paper mosaic.
“At the end of the summer, she took it down, said she was going to throw it away. I couldn’t let that happen, so I asked her if I could keep it. With a raised eyebrow, she said, ‘Sure, OK.’ So I ended up taking it home, eventually framing it. It still hangs in my home to this day.
“Then, a few years ago, my niece created a similar art piece for a school project, and once again I was struck by this fun, whimsical, impressionistic art medium.”
So Morse set to work, reimagining one of her photographs in paper mosaic form — a photo of her grandmother’s irises that she dug from her grandmother’s home and replanted in her own garden after her loved one passed away. She gleaned some advice from her niece as well during this creative process.
“I tore up little pieces of paper from magazines with the intention of assembling a mosaic. It was way more challenging than I expected! My niece graciously helped me get started and encouraged me along the way. Thank you, McKenzie,” said the Benjamin Logan High School graduate, who also holds a bachelor’s degree in business management from Urbana University.
Her piece and artwork eight other celebrity artists in the Logan County Art League contest and fundraiser are currently on display at Citizens Federal Savings & Loan, 100 N. Main St., Bellefontaine, through Jan. 31. People can vote on their favorite piece(s) by placing a $1 in the artist’s box.
The library program director has served in her current role for a year, but said the library in Zanesfield has been an integral part of her life for as long as she can remember.
“I have fond memories of going there to look for books when I was a child,” she related. “The thing I enjoy most about working at the Dr. Sloan Library is getting the opportunity to imagine and create community programs that gather people together to explore their own creativity and connect with one another in such a beautiful, historic setting.”
When she’s not at the library, Morse also loves to spend quality time with her husband, son and her cat. Her hobbies include photography, growing and arranging flowers, snowboarding with her son and sister, and playing pickleball.
Being part of the Logan County Art League’s annual contest and fundraiser was enjoyable for the local resident and suits her passion for creativity and community connectedness.
“Aside from the initial feelings of vulnerability in sharing my art piece with the entire county, I feel very honored to be chosen to participate in this fundraiser. I really love being a part of something that inspires and encourages people to express themselves creatively,” the BLHS graduate said.
“More than the activity of actually working on the piece, I have to say that the time spent learning from my niece was my favorite part.”
Morse said working with the paper mosaic has inspired her to continue pursuing paper art, and some other dabbling in this medium. She encouraged others to get involved in the arts, in whatever form speaks to them.
“Over the years, I’ve learned that we’re all artists in different ways, and I’ve come to trust that expressing myself artistically or creatively leads me to a deeper understanding of myself and helps me embrace the inevitable changes that occur in life.”
The Not So Bad Art by Good People contest culminates with a celebration event and dinner starting at 5 p.m. Jan. 31 at Honey Birch Farm, 550 E. Township Road 30, West Liberty, where each of the works of art will be auctioned off.
All proceeds from the votes and the auction will go to the Logan County Art League. Tickets for food and drinks, including dinner at 6 p.m., can be purchased online for $30. Reservations are due by Friday, Jan. 24.