Wallace Peck’s unique portrait style has made a strong impression on the Columbus art community—chances are you’ve come across his work before. He was recognized as an emerging talent at the Columbus Arts Festival and was the initial artist chosen for the First Lady of Ohio’s Spotlight program at the Governor’s Residence. His pieces are regularly displayed in galleries around the city, and his art also appears on a large-scale mural as part of the Short North Alliance Viewpoints Mural project.

Now, Peck brings his new MAKE/mark collection to The Awesome Gallery, a space dedicated to showcasing the work of autistic and neurodivergent artists from across the country. The gallery not only highlights the individuals’ creative talents but also provides a platform for artists to share their work and offer screen-printed merchandise featuring the artists’ original designs.

MAKE/mark is a collection of intimate portraits that depict close companions, friends, and daily supporters of Peck’s work. He invites viewers into his world to meet those who have joined him on his life journey. The art celebrates the deep-rooted interpersonal bonds that humans form and Peck’s own experiences. Through his carefully created portraits, he highlights the deep bonds formed through daily acts of caring, all while emphasizing the larger resilience of human connection. Through his lens, it all becomes too clear that it is not just the connections that we make with one another, but also the marks we leave on one another’s lives.

MAKE/mark