Cleveland Institute of Art student exhibition explores complex food relationships

June 16, 2026

MICHAEL C. BUTZ

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 16, 2026

CLEVELAND—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.

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."

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 show will remain on view through Sunday, August 2. Her solo exhibition will be 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.

For Room for Dessert?, Olszewski partnered with National Eating Disorders Association(NEDA) and Case Western Reserve University to help support her through showcasing this exhibition.

NEDA works to increase educational understanding and fundraises to provide support for those and loved ones struggling with eating disorders. The nonprofit has been a huge support for Olszewski on her journey to recovery and created space for healing and growth. CWRU became a local partner to help advertise and market events that helped with research for her exhibition.

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

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.

Contact

Cleveland Institute of Art
Michael C. Butz, Director of College Communications + External Relations
mcbutz@cia.edu / 216.421.7404

Cleveland Institute of Art

The Cleveland Institute of Art is a private, nonprofit college of art and design that has been the training ground for countless students who have gone on to make important contributions to the fields of creativity and innovation since it opened in 1882 as the Western Reserve School of Design for Women. Its students have designed internationally recognized products, their artwork has been exhibited in major museums and private collections around the world, and their entertainment media has been enjoyed by audiences and game players for generations. It enrolls about 550 students nationally and internationally and has a faculty of about 100 full-time and adjunct members, all of whom are practicing artists, designers and scholars.

Cleveland Institute of Art student exhibition explores complex food relationships

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Cleveland Institute of Art student exhibition explores complex food relationships

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