YOU ARE INVITED!

To the MARK11/2012 Exhibition
Marion Art Gallery, Rockefeller Arts Center
Fredonia State University College, Fredonia NY
Opening March 2, 7-9 pm, Exhibit continues through April 3

In 2011, I was part of the New York Foundation for the Arts’ MARK program, designed to assist New York State visual artists living outside of New York City. Along with 20 other artists, I went through a series of intensive and enlightening workshops – a very generous and helpful program! Work from all 21 of us will be on view. Call 716-673-4897 if you would like more information on getting to the gallery.

One of my pieces in the exhibit is “Scajaquada Baby”, an assemblage combining photography, painting, and found objects. It’s based on a doll dredged out of Scajaquada Creek in Buffalo during a Buffalo/Niagara Riverkeepers Shoreline Cleanup.

RURAL DECAY

While traveling back from Syracuse to Buffalo last week, we leisurely cruised along Route 5 & 20 instead of the I-90. Although there were lots of active and successful looking farms along the way, others were crumbling and abandoned, revealing layers of time past. In Camillus, we saw stacks of beautifully weathered barn wood. I hope someone out there recycles it into a great project. You, perhaps?

LITTLE HOUSE ATOP A FACTORY

We traveled to Syracuse, NY last week for some urban exploration. Didn’t have to search hard to find stunning examples of derelict mansions and shuttered factories. Over the past 50 years, Syracuse has lost 36 percent of its population and much of its core industry.
Although the city is going through a rebirth, there are still thousands of properties waiting for creative renewal. One great landmark of urban decay is the Penfield Manufacturing Co. at 1710 North Salina Street, closed in 2005. A Victorian house sits on top. Is it just the whimsical end of the elevator shaft or something more mysterious? Do you know?
The highlight of the trip was meeting with Curator Chris Battaglia and Executive Director Dr. Kheli Willetts of the Community Folk Arts Center to discuss my part in the T.O.N.Y show this Fall. CFAC is a dynamic organization and I am thrilled to be showing there!