Art Exhibits

Ernesto Savini Colella is a professionally self- taught multimedia experimental artist who began acrylics and materials art as the COVID years created the space and time for discovery. Studies included were YouTube for technique, history and pro artists' anecdotal coaching; and of course, library resources.

Self-imposed trips to NYC museums was much like going to a music concert; to see and feel the art of Pollock and Picasso up close and personal. Perhaps the most catapulting advice was by surreal stellar set designer artist, Shona Health, "I always think of what is the wrongest color to use."

All of Lisa’s designs require three things: fresh elements of nature, a flatbed scanner used in place of a camera, and a graphic arts program. Most of her designs incorporate floral materials from her gardens. She has been working on her techniques since 2004 and her art is constantly evolving. She has won many awards, published several books with fairy designs, and enjoys sharing Mother Nature’s bounty. For more information, visit her website at www.wallflowersandcards.com.

Explore more of Lisa's work at www.WallflowersandCards.com

Come see the beautiful artwork created by the talented members of the Town of Onondaga Senior Center Art Class!

Learn more about the Town of Onondaga Senior Center.

“Where flowers bloom so does hope,” quoted Lady Bird Johnson. Artist, Katie Turner takes these words to heart as she made a careful selection of floral paintings for this show. The variety of her loose floral paintings delivers almost as much pleasure as picking flowers in person. “There are so many interesting flowers, not just in beautiful local gardens but also along the gritty roadsides and fields in New York State. Whether native or non-native, there are lush colors, abstract shapes, and intimate lines all begging to be expressed in paint,” Turner explains. Turner encourages viewers to bring a piece of the natural world into their life through flowers.
Katie Turner is a Syracuse, NY based painter, visual artist and illustrator. She gained much of her talent from her late mother, a watercolorist from Buffalo. Although Turner spent many years in the graphic arts field, writing articles, publishing zines and working with various media, she never strays far from watercolor. Turner explains, “I really enjoy the unpredictability of watercolor.” Turner continues to develop her individual style with passion and dedication, painting evocative, fresh and intuitive pieces.

Explore more of Katie’s work at www.KTArtStudio.com

Creation from Creation features found art pieces constructed from repurposing retiring books, recycled materials, and lost bookmarks. Within these works are hidden literary references, as well as homages to our diverse library community. Featured within our story are also traditional pieces with ink and canvas, complementing our journey into other worlds.

Anna Frost is a local library employee with a background in art and creative writing. She is a graduate of SUNY Oswego. Her work takes references from Pop Culture and melds it with her own dream-like interpretation of the world.

Francesca Miesner is a local teacher with a background in music, film, and creative writing. She is a graduate of Syracuse University. She uses her work to employ moody storytelling and provocative use of color. 

Gabby Wicker is a local library employee with background in art and character design. They excel at fantasy and sci-fi world-building through art. Their work is inspired by the natural world and vibrant community. 

In my watercolor paintings I attempt to paint a path through gardens and woods, past wildlife and flowers into a world of colorful design and impressions. My love of painting and the outdoors is apparent in a broad choice of images, which I combine with a touch of illusion to make the ordinary unique.

I use transparent watercolors and an abundance of water to create one layer atop the other. This can be achieved with patience, as each layer must be completely dry before a second layer is added. In some paintings, seven or more layers are implemented, each with the preceding colors showing through. One can never be bored when painting with watercolors because just applying one color on another invents a surprising 'new tone'. Often I combine pencil drawing to gain an effect, and lately I have added cut paper.

Dramatic imagery is everywhere; it is not difficult to find subject matter for my artwork. I take the best of what I have learned and combine that with my observations, then proceed to create my interpretations. 

After graduating from Syracuse University, I taught art in Niagara Falls City and North Syracuse Central Schools. Although I loved teaching, I consider myself fortunate to be able to follow my new creative interests.

Along these Waters highlights the landscape of the Erie Canal and the resilient plants that line its banks. These plants, much like the people who lived and worked along the canal, have weathered the passage of time, and adapted to the changing landscape. Juxtaposing photographic images of the canal with cyanotype prints from botanical plant specimens, the project explores the visual dialogue between the organic and built environment.

Meri Page is an interdisciplinary designer based in Syracuse, New York, where she is Assistant Professor of Communications Design at Syracuse University. Page attended Pratt Institute and has an M.F.A. in Studio Art and a B.A. in Art History from Mills College at Northeastern University in Oakland, CA. Page’s work is held in private and public collections and was recently exhibited at the Tropic Bound Art Book Fair, The Boston Art Book Fair and the Southern Utah Museum of Art. Page has exhibited work nationally and internationally. Publishing artists' books under the imprint Seaweed Press, Page’s projects explore themes of cultural history and connections to the environment.

Kate in her own words:

I have always had the desire to make art and have art present in my environment. As a child, my parents supported my interests and encouraged learning opportunities in and out of school. I was fortunate to have both a strong art program in the school district I attended as well as Munson Williams Proctor Institute locally (in Utica). I did not want to pursue a career in art for fear that the pressure to sell would diminish the joy of creating. But I continued seeking opportunities to experience art in the world and create my own.

I have played in a variety of mediums over the years. Some of my favorites are pen, watercolor and most recently fabric. I also love the challenge and opportunity for the surreal that come with collage. I started collaging with paper, mostly images cut from magazines. Currently I very much enjoy creating art quilts using fabric. Sometimes I cut out images from printed fabric to combine them in new ways. Other times I use fabric to create the shapes and construct images from scratch.

I look for and find inspiration in our everyday environment, both natural and humanmade. Many of my pieces depict landscapes or flowers, but I am equally attracted to the vibrancy of urban environments.

I continue to seek out opportunities to learn new skills. I am a member of the Thumbstall Quilt Guild and Marcellus Modern Quilt Club. I love the inspiration that comes from being around creative and artistic people. A pivotal moment for my work with fabric was when I took a class with local artist Sharon Bottle Souva. She is an incredible artist and teacher.

When not making art, the rest of my time is divided between family life and working for the Syracuse City School District training and supporting Special Education teachers with their reading instruction. I am extremely grateful for the support of my husband and children, who make it possible for me to submerge myself in my art.

Come see the beautiful artwork created by the talented members of the Town of Onondaga Senior Center Art Class!

Learn more about the Town of Onondaga Senior Center.

Stefanco, 83, was born and raised in Syracuse and has lived here her whole life. She has been painting and drawing since her youth. She loves painting with watercolors, but has also painted with acrylics. She also enjoys crafting.

Stefanco is a self-taught artist and has gone to occasional workshops for painting. She enjoys painting with bright, happy colors. She has also painted portraits of friends’ dogs.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is defined as the simulation of human intelligence by machines. Today, AIs are increasingly being used in creative activities, from writing novels to producing works of art, and in the process are challenging our intuitions about what creativity is, who possesses it, and how it is expressed.

This exhibit features artistic creations produced by library patrons and staff using the Midjourney AI art-generation tool. They range from the fantastical to the whimsical, from the hyper-real to the decidedly cartoon. And all are the products of a boundless human imagination. Yet they are also evidence of a novel relationship between humans and computers—one of partnership to be sure, but also of troubling displacement. When AI systems can create art equal in quality to any human, what role is left for human artists of the future? Is AI merely a tool, no different from a paint brush or a chisel? Or is it something more, something capable of creating imaginative artworks all on its own? As you consider these pieces, reflect on these questions, and imagine the possibilities, both good and bad, that may follow the dawn of AI.

I have been interested in photography for as long as I can remember. I started taken pictures with a Kodak Instamatic camera. Eventually I went from that to a 356 mm camera, which I stayed with until digital came along. I was first resistant to digital, but now I fully embrace the digital world. I believe that photography is about the eye while using the camera as an instrument. My photographs could be called a journal of Syracuse and Central New York, the things that often go unseen daily. A reflections of our times, and ourselves, as we get lost in the progress that consumes our lives. In a world that spins forward and changes by the second, the lens of a camera is my way of slowing it down. Through my prints, I invite you to bring bits of my stories into your life and home.

Discover more of Trudell's photography at www.rtrudellphotography.com

While a student at Fayetteville Manlius High School, Traci studied art under the direction of local artistic legend Gordon F. Muck, graduating in 1973. Traci continued to paint, and throughout her life, she has developed a style based upon natural themes, beloved family objects, her Aunt Monica’s handmade stencils, and anything else that “works” in a painting. Her approach is unconventional. She starts a painting without prior knowledge of what it will be, waiting for the subject to become “uncovered” by a process of overpainting and mixing various mediums to convey how everything is connected, even mediums for artistic expression. She credits her style to the fact that she has had little direction for her art since she left Buffalo State College in 1976.

Traci has been married to her husband John for 45 years. They have lived most of their married life in Morrisville, NY, and have also resided in Buffalo, West Seneca, Chicago, Cazenovia and Haimhausen, Germany. The couple has two children and four grandchildren. Traci has worked as a waitress, bookseller, picture framer, librarian, social worker, childcare worker, gardener, as well as been a volunteer for various organizations. She always had a place at her table for budding young artists and invited them into her home frequently. She also taught art at the Morrisville Summer Recreation Program for several years. Besides exhibiting at various libraries in the Central New York area, Traci was the Exhibits Coordinator for New Woodstock Free Library. She was responsible for soliciting, assisting and/or creating various exhibits at the library for three years, bringing in talented local artists, some of whom are already featured in the New Woodstock Free Library Collection on New York Heritage's website. Traci was able to obtain additional funding through grants to have professional photographers photograph and digitize local artists works and share them to the New York Heritage website as well. In September 2020, she left left her position at the library and is presently retired.

This quote from Agnes Martin says it best for Traci. “Devotion to life is a feeling. Art work is made with this feeling, and response to art work is exactly this same feeling. This feeling of devotion literally carries us through life, past all distractions and pitfalls to a perfect awareness of life, to measureless happiness and perfection.”

Todd Tanner is making a name for himself among Facebook followers with his almost daily photos of sunrises, sunsets, and scenic landscapes. Tanner, 58, is a manager at MacKenzie-Childs, who spends his off time as a photographic hobbyist. Over the past nine years, the Fleming resident has developed a knack for capturing beautifully lit scenes around the lakes and villages of Cayuga County. In addition to his prolific Facebook postings, Tanner creates calendars, prints, and postcards.

From Tanner: I have lived in the Finger Lakes area all my life and have always enjoyed the beauty that surrounds us. I have a passion for preserving some of nature’s beautiful moments through my photography and I hope you will enjoy them with me.

Discover more of Crumb's photography at  www.doncrumbphotography.com

Come see the beautiful artwork created by the talented members of the Town of Onondaga Senior Center Art Class!

Learn more about the Town of Onondaga Senior Center.

Ernest V Colella is a 76 year old self- taught abstract artist who began acrylics and materials art 2.5 years ago; as the COVID years created the space and time for discovery. Studies used were YouTube for technique, history and anecdotal coaching; and of course, library resources.

A few self-imposed trips to NYC museums was much like going to a music concert; to see and feel the art of Pollock and Picasso up close and personal. Perhaps the most catapulting advice was by surreal stellar set designer artist, Shona Health, "I always think of what is the wrongest color to use."

Todd Tanner is making a name for himself among Facebook followers with his almost daily photos of sunrises, sunsets, and scenic landscapes. Tanner, 58, is a manager at MacKenzie-Childs, who spends his off time as a photographic hobbyist. Over the past nine years, the Fleming resident has developed a knack for capturing beautifully lit scenes around the lakes and villages of Cayuga County. In addition to his prolific Facebook postings, Tanner creates calendars, prints, and postcards.

From Tanner: I have lived in the Finger Lakes area all my life and have always enjoyed the beauty that surrounds us. I have a passion for preserving some of nature’s beautiful moments through my photography and I hope you will enjoy them with me.

Discover more of Tanner's photography on Facebook and Instagram

Bob Donnelly grew up in Northern New York and moved to Syracuse in the 1970’s. He became interested in photography around 1995 while living in Williamsburg Virginia. After his retirement from The Commonwealth of Virginia, Bob returned to Syracuse where he has continued to perfect his craft through photographing New York State’s lakes, mountains and fall scenes.

In recent years Bob has spent his winters in St. Augustine Florida, America’s oldest city. Northeast Florida is rich in history and Spanish architecture and has a truly unique character in its colorful old streets and houses. Many of Bob’s photos have been shown on local television broadcasts and have been included in St. Augustine advertising promotional campaigns.

The showing of Bob’s work includes framed wall art and smaller matted images. A complete portfolio of his images can be found at https://bobsgallery.smugmug.com/Ny-state

For more information, you may contact Donnelly at 315-708-4987 or donnbob04@gmail.com.

Everyday I live this life right? When I'm stressed, I paint. When I'm happy, I paint. When I need to pay rent, I paint. When I can't sleep, I paint. Everyday doing what I love is a gift to never take for granted. I hope we all have something in our lives to bring us joy EVERYDAY.

JeverArts hails from Syracuse, NY. Jever graduated from Westhill in 2007. Since then, he has dedicated his life to creativity through the craft of graffiti. His work is based around this culture with varying interest and abilities, while breaking barriers set up around this artform. His work can include many different types of techniques such as wheat paste, acrylic pouring, sculpture, canvas, drawing, painting and design.

Most people look at graffiti as vandalism. Yes, by definition, that's what it is. However, I'm here to prove to people you don't need to be a vandal to create art. This artform is constantly changing and evolving, it's not going anywhere. It can be an abstract on canvas. It can be in an alleyway. It can be a 75ft tall mural. Misunderstanding is not a good perspective for anyone, I'm here to bring Graffiti into as many lives as possible.

Carmen Zeolla is the featured artist for July, 2022. Carmen resides in the town of Onondaga with his wife, Donna. Carmen retired from General Motors after 30 years and decided to join the Senior Center Painting Class. Always a life long learner, Carmen had taken classes all his life. He studied Italian, tole painting, cooking, cabinet making and small engine repair. It was the oil painting class where he found his passion. He has been painting for over twenty years.

Carmen has worked in pastel, but almost all of his work is in oil. He loves nature, enjoys the beauty of Central New York, and paints landscapes with special attention to trees and water. When Carmen isn’t painting, he is out enjoying Owasco Lake or taking part in Veterans’ meetings. Carmen serves as Commander of the Korean War Veterans, Chapter 105 of Tipperary Hill, not far from his boyhood home. Carmen is the proud father of five, grandfather of ten and great grandfather of seven wonderful children.

Come see the beautiful artwork created by the talented members of the Town of Onondaga Senior Center Art Class!

Learn more about the Town of Onondaga Senior Center.

John Mariani began painting while recovering from neck surgery in 2012. Confined to his family room sofa, he watched Bob Ross, Jerry Yarnell and other PBS Picassos and decided to give painting a whack. He sold his first painting three years later. Now retired after a 32-year career as a reporter and editor at The Post-Standard/Syracuse.com, Mariani relishes being in what he calls "the happy business" of creating images that bring joy to viewers and patrons. Landscapes and still lifes comprise the bulk of Mariani's art. He works primarily with acrylic paints but under the tutelage of Sherry Spann Allen has expanded into oil pastel, pencil and other media. He often paints from photos but also takes his gear out into the open air to paint from life. The artist's work has been exhibited at Recess Coffee, libraries in and around Syracuse, Hospice of CNY, the New York State Fair, Waterville Standard Bakery and Merri-Rose Florist. Two of his paintings were included in the 2021 Invitational Regional Art Exhibit in Cazenovia. Outlets for his greeting cards, postcards and prints include Salt City Artisans in his hometown, Syracuse, and Waterville Standard Bakery, Merri-Rose Florist and FP Morgan True Value Hardware, all in Waterville, his home since 2020.

Jennifer in her own words:

I’ve recently (since COVID) taken up En Plein Air painting and watercolor medium. What a nice challenge it has been! To capture a moment, catch the light, and compose a picture while painting outdoors is a whole new experience as an artist. I’ve tried to represent the people, places and things I’ve encountered on my journey.

I’m a long time member of the Central New York Art Guild and the Onondaga Art Guild And am now a member of the Cazenovia Watercolor Society and participate with the Urban Sketchers. My work is also at the Artisan Gallery in Skaneateles.

Ute Oestreicher in her own words:

Having spent my formative years in Germany I was inspired by the German Expressionists and the French Impressionists. I love their use of bold colors and the spontaneity of their works. In my own paintings I have tried to channel this approach. I do not overthink composition, values, etc. before I get right into painting, eager to use color. In the process of painting I lose myself in the object that I want to present. Thus it becomes a kind of meditation. My artwork is basically representational, favorite motives being landscapes, florals, human activities. I paint images stored in my memory or use my photos as reference material and I work mostly in watercolors or acrylics. Occasionally I have fun experimenting with other media. During the pandemic I concentrated on still lives and florals and in good weather ventured into plein air painting discovering the many gorgeous scenic spots and examples of very interesting architecture. My hope is that I can attract viewers of my artwork to the images that have provided me with great joy and an escape from the mundane.

In my youth I had a very encouraging art teacher, a good artist herself. I have enjoyed doing art work on and off throughout my life. Since I do not have a formal art education, I took some workshops and learned different techniques. I am a member of several artist groups: Associated Artists, the Bradford Group, Cazanovia Watercolor Society and value my fellow artists critiques as means to improve my work. I have exhibited my paintings in many group shows winning some awards and had solo shows in public libraries in the area.

All of Lisa’s designs require three things: fresh elements of nature, a flatbed scanner used in place of a camera, and a graphic arts program. Most of her designs incorporate floral materials from her gardens. She has been working on her techniques since 2004 and her art is constantly evolving. She has won many awards, published several books with fairy designs, and enjoys sharing Mother Nature’s bounty.

For more information, visit her website at www.wallflowersandcards.com.

Come see the beautiful artwork created by the talented members of the Town of Onondaga Senior Center Art Class!

Learn more about the Town of Onondaga Senior Center.

Michael Coyne grew up on Howlett Hill. He has shot film with a Nikon FM camera for about 35 years and recently succumbed to a digital camera for micro work. He is also a member of the Town of Onondaga Historical Society. He has interests in local archaeology and is an avid fossil collector.

At the site of the Split Rock Quarry/Munitions Factory, he has photographed the crusher and collected both artifacts donated to the Town of Onondaga Historical Society, and fossils.

Sharon in her own words:

Sewing is one of my greatest pleasures. I have been working with needles and fabric in one form or another since I was a child, starting with sewing my own, then my children’s clothes.

I began making quilts in 1976, putting them on the walls instead of beds. This allows a greater freedom in exploring ways to manipulate the fabric. The tradition of quilt making continues to be on the forefront of my work as I explore this medium into nontraditional creations.

I find myself looking at nature and man-made structures with the question: How could that be interpreted in fabric? How can I incorporate those elements of texture and design into my work? The natural world influences my design as I work out these questions both in realism and abstractions. I discovered the joys of manipulating fabrics, threads and sewing which is an important part of my work. Dying and painting my fabrics has given me another dimension to my creativity.

The needle is an extension of my fingers, the threads and fabric my palette. For me, color and pattern are equally important as my finished work. Fabric art is appealing to me, due to the fact that it’s more than a visual art. It is very much linked with a sense of touch and with memories.

My work has been or is being shown in numerous private collections, museums and galleries around the country.

Since receiving a BFA and MA at The State University of New York at Oswego in 2017 studying printmaking with studio practice, I have resumed a full life with my art at the center. When in school, I discovered my desire to teach on the college level in addition to my already successful workshops. I teach 2D Design and Color Theory at Cazenovia College and find the continuing interaction with the students a joy. Commissions, exhibitions and teaching keep me active as I continue my love of fabrics, sewing and creating.

Learn more about Sharon and her work at www.sharonbottlesouva.com.

Commemorating the 20th anniversary of 9/11. Throughout September, captivating posters, featuring archival photographs and images of artifacts from the 9/11 Memorial & Museum's permanent collection will be on display at the library.

Learn more...

I like to call my art a type of show and tell experience. I create acrylic paintings- usually large in scale. My paintings are inspired by varying aspects in my life. Sometimes it is an emotion or music- other times it is a person or place. I frequently use bold brushstrokes and strong highlights. Using this style of paintings creates an expressionistic feel with surrealist subjects. Many pieces that I paint have simple compositions in which the backgrounds consist of one color and splatters, drips, or harsh lines. Many incorporate dark colors- typically black and grays. I use strong lighting- especially in portraits. Many of my pieces include abstract florals and femininity.

I attended SUNY College at Buffalo and received my bachelor degree in Art Education. I also am currently attending SUNY Empire for my Masters in Visual Arts Learning and Emerging Technologies. During the day I work in a middle school, the YMCA, and teach classes for Right Mind of Syracuse. I live in Syracuse with my two boys, two crazy dogs, and my wonderfully supportive husband.