If the artwork that comes out of a state reflects its citizens, then there is one word to describe the people of New York - diverse. Or at least that is what one might think after looking over the latest exhibition at the Schweinfurth Memorial Art Center in Auburn.
Chet Susslin / The Citizen
Clayville resident Daniel Buckingham's “Viewer” will go on display at the Schweinfurth Memorial Art Center Saturday.
Clayville resident Daniel Buckingham's “Viewer” will go on display at the Schweinfurth Memorial Art Center Saturday.
“Made in NY 2008” opens this weekend, and a free artists' reception will take place Sunday afternoon. The annual show has been held for more than a decade, and this year it features 73 pieces by 64 different artists.
The only theme tying the pieces together is the state of New York, where all the featured artists live.
“Basically, we're looking for the best artwork submitted,” Schweinfurth Assistant Director Stephanie Schuster said Tuesday while working to install the exhibition. “We give the jurors (John McQueen and Jen Pepper) guidelines, but we don't theme the show.”
Because of this, the show is defined by its variety. Almost every artistic medium is represented: paint on canvas, sculpture, digital photography, woodwork, video, quilts, collage, ceramics and more.
Paintings take the form of abstracts, landscapes, portraits and models. Colors range from bright and bold to dark and dreary.
Two pieces submitted by Syracuse landscape architect, Edward Basta, resemble model rural garages on wood panels.
One piece, called “I Am the Light,” by Renaud Patard, is a life-sized representation of the iconic movie character ET holding a large cross. The entire sculpture is pink.
“Every year we have one or two really quirky and fun pieces,” Schuster said. “We have nothing to do with it, but it is funny.”
This year, the center received 585 submissions from 306 artists. According to Schuster, those numbers are twice as large as they were when she started in 2001.
In 2002, jurors selected from 278 submissions by 142 artists, Schuster said.
A combination of word of mouth and marketing has helped the exhibition grow, she said. While most submissions are from central New York, the show features pieces from all corners of the state.
“Certainly, we are reaching a lot of new artists every year,” Schuster said. “There is a fair number of students in this show, too. That is not always the case.”
Along with Sunday's reception, the center will host two discussions featuring artists from the show. John Fitzsimmons and Jen Gandee will talk July 13, and Sara Di Donato and Rebecca Murtaugh will talk Aug. 3. Both events will take place at 2 p.m. at the art center.
Schuster said the exhibition's diversity always attracts families with children, But it is a great show for people with all kinds of interests, she said.
“There is such a wide variety,” Schuster said, “that you'll always engage with something.”
Staff writer Christopher Caskey can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 282 or christopher.caskey@lee.net
If you go
What: Made in NY 2008
When: Saturday, June 21 to Aug. 23; opening reception at 5 p.m. Sunday
Where: Schweinfurth Memorial Art Center, 205 Genesee St., Auburn
Cost: $3 for adults; opening reception is free
Info: Visit www.myartcenter.org
The only theme tying the pieces together is the state of New York, where all the featured artists live.
“Basically, we're looking for the best artwork submitted,” Schweinfurth Assistant Director Stephanie Schuster said Tuesday while working to install the exhibition. “We give the jurors (John McQueen and Jen Pepper) guidelines, but we don't theme the show.”
Because of this, the show is defined by its variety. Almost every artistic medium is represented: paint on canvas, sculpture, digital photography, woodwork, video, quilts, collage, ceramics and more.
Paintings take the form of abstracts, landscapes, portraits and models. Colors range from bright and bold to dark and dreary.
Two pieces submitted by Syracuse landscape architect, Edward Basta, resemble model rural garages on wood panels.
One piece, called “I Am the Light,” by Renaud Patard, is a life-sized representation of the iconic movie character ET holding a large cross. The entire sculpture is pink.
“Every year we have one or two really quirky and fun pieces,” Schuster said. “We have nothing to do with it, but it is funny.”
This year, the center received 585 submissions from 306 artists. According to Schuster, those numbers are twice as large as they were when she started in 2001.
In 2002, jurors selected from 278 submissions by 142 artists, Schuster said.
A combination of word of mouth and marketing has helped the exhibition grow, she said. While most submissions are from central New York, the show features pieces from all corners of the state.
“Certainly, we are reaching a lot of new artists every year,” Schuster said. “There is a fair number of students in this show, too. That is not always the case.”
Along with Sunday's reception, the center will host two discussions featuring artists from the show. John Fitzsimmons and Jen Gandee will talk July 13, and Sara Di Donato and Rebecca Murtaugh will talk Aug. 3. Both events will take place at 2 p.m. at the art center.
Schuster said the exhibition's diversity always attracts families with children, But it is a great show for people with all kinds of interests, she said.
“There is such a wide variety,” Schuster said, “that you'll always engage with something.”
Staff writer Christopher Caskey can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 282 or christopher.caskey@lee.net
If you go
What: Made in NY 2008
When: Saturday, June 21 to Aug. 23; opening reception at 5 p.m. Sunday
Where: Schweinfurth Memorial Art Center, 205 Genesee St., Auburn
Cost: $3 for adults; opening reception is free
Info: Visit www.myartcenter.org
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