Cleveland Institute of Art student Ashley Olszewski creates room for an open conversation about complex food relationships through Room for Dessert?, a solo exhibition of paintings inspired by her personal journey and desire to improve how disordered eating is understood.

An opening reception for Room for Dessert? will take place from 6 to 8pm Friday, June 19 at Cain Park's Feinberg Gallery (14591 Superior Road, Cleveland Heights). The exhibition will be on display through Sunday, August 2. Room for Dessert? is part of Bringing Light, a collaborative event that aims to bring awareness to underrepresented issues and includes Let the Hood Cry, a solo exhibition organized by fellow CIA student Tion "Toast" Best.

Struggling with concepts around food for most of her life, Olszewski found a healthy way of coping in high school. At 16, she was diagnosed with anorexia nervosa and severe anxiety disorder. She had to start from the ground up and rebuild her relationship with food. Art became a coping mechanism for her to understand, explain and relate to others about her struggles.  

Olszewski's self-discovery has continued at CIA, where through painting, she encapsulates the importance of knowing all kinds of relationships with food and how that can be a path to bringing awareness to those who are struggling. 

"We need food to survive, and what a shame more people than not struggle with it. What if we can change the conversation, open it up to be more welcoming, and encourage a healthy, supportive, generational shift that increases the love for such an obligatory action?" Olszewski says. “By creating salvatory experiences through texture, I hope my work will open that door to the conversation of food relationships.”

Room for Dessert? was created through the Creativity works program, which is made possible by the generous support of the Fenn Educational Fund and the G.R. Lincoln Family Foundation. Creativity Works is a self-initiated internship program with the goal of supporting a student's professional development. Participating students create proposals that align with their long-term professional goals. 

To learn more about Olszewski and her art, visit her website or follow @ashart_107 on Instagram. 

Image: Fruit Pastries, 2026

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