Bethany Centennial Art Show

I am pleased to participate in the an exhibition celebrating the 100th Anniversary of Bethany Lutheran College (where I teach Art History). I am sending a small shoreline view of my Long Island home to my alma mater in Minnesota.

The month-long Bethany Centennial Art Show will run September 1–September 27 and will be displayed in the gallery of the Ylvisaker Fine Arts Center. The gallery will be open to visitors throughout the month of September, with special emphasis during Fall Festival – Homecoming Weekend (September 25–27). A gallery reception will be held on Saturday, September 26 at 4:30pm, offering a meaningful opportunity to gather, celebrate Bethany’s rich history, and experience the creativity that spans generations of the Bethany family.

Led by Professor Jason Jaspersen, Bethany Professor Andy Overn spoke in the Sigurd K. Lee Theater followed by a panel of special guests representing several eras of the visual arts at Bethany: Prof. Em. William Bukowski, Emily Paschke, Michael Wiechmann, and Lydia Pasbrig. OF SPECIAL NOTE is a fascinating painting by my friend Paul Trapp’s (1982-2024) appearing at 55:38. My painting appears at 59:54 in the video.

Every year, Bethany captures a “Campus-Wide” photo on the great lawn. Since I teach at Bethany (online) and am located remotely, I had to find a creative way to be a part of this Centennial photo. My fantastic friend and colleague Jon Loging made sure I was included!

 

Let Nature In - The Painting Center

I am so pleased to share that my work has been included in The Painting Center’s vibrant summer exhibition: Let Nature In.

Curated by Kathleen Beausoleil and Shazzi Thomas, the exhibition features contemporary artists who engage with the natural world by offering fresh perspectives on our ever-evolving relationship with the environment. From the earliest cave paintings of trees and plants to the intricate floral motifs of 10th-century Eastern art, nature has been a constant source of creativity - an open invitation to reflect and create.

Artists: Kevin Arnold, Charity Baker, George Barecca, Jess Bell, Yana Beylinson, Catherine Bickford, Carly Bodnar, Holly Boruck, Liza Brenner, Domenica Brockman, Justin Brooks, Charis Carmichael Braun, William Carroll, Adam Crowley, Carol Elkovich, Claire Elliott, Rick Fox, Tony Girolo, Aaliyah Gupta, Kirstine Reiner Hansen, Mary Henderson, Colleen Hoffenbacker, Shiva Jlayer, Suzanne Kammin, Will Kaplan, Kate Keery, Benjamin King, Sharon Lacey, JoAnne Lobotsky, William Low, Cesar Mammadov, Megan Marden, Jessica Mongeon, James Mullen, Wiktoria Nędza, Colin O’Con, Jolene Powell, Mary Proenza, Naz Shahrokh, Sari Shryack, Anna Shukeylo, Susan Stillman, Joel Stoehr, Emily Stroud, Anna Teiche, Margery Thomas-Mueller, Leah Tomaino, Gillian Wainwright, Deborah Wasserman, Laura Wooten

Throughout history, depictions of nature have served both artistic and functional purposes—vast landscapes were once used to strategize battles, while the detailed botanical illustrations of the 18th and 19th centuries documented plant species for scientific study. In Western art, landscape painting did not emerge as a central subject until the 16th century, leading to rich pastoral scenes and floral traditions. Artists have let nature influence their work by bringing the outside in. Claude Monet immersed himself in his water lilies, transforming the play of light on the water into a dreamlike experience. Georgia O’Keeffe magnified the beauty of flowers, pushing them toward abstraction. Andy Goldsworthy works with natural materials, creating ephemeral sculptures that unfold with the elements. For Let Nature In, we invite artists to join this timeless conversation—to reinterpret, challenge, and deepen our connection to the natural world through works that don’t just depict nature but breathe with it literally and sometimes metaphorically, letting the outside seep into our consciousness.

Passing Through (Colorado Meadow), 2025, oil on canvas, 14 x 18 in.

Let Nature In is on view in the Main Gallery and Project Room

EXHIBITION DATES: July 22 - August 16, 2025

RECEPTION: Thursday, July 24, 2025

Closing RECEPTION: Saturday, August 16, 4 - 6 pm

 

What Was She Made For?

“Christine’s Hands (Will I Ever Finish?)” oil on panel

I am pleased to have a work of mine included in the juried exhibition, What Was She Made For, at the Islip Arts Council in Bay Shore, NY.

This exhibition is inspired by Billie Eilish's song "What Was I Made For?" from the iconic "Barbie" movie. Eilish evokes feelings of confusion, existential dread, and the search for an answer. There is hope in the lyrics that someday she will discover her true calling. The exhibition, "WHAT WAS SHE MADE FOR?" aims to give women a platform to contemplate these feelings through all form of expression, be it storytelling, poetry, lyrics, or visual art.

The Reception will be held on Saturday March 2, 2024, 1-4p at the Islip Arts Council’s Gallery in the South Shore Mall, 1701 Sunrise Highway, Bay Shore, NY 11706. The exhibition is on view March 1-29, 2024.

 

Face to Face

“The First Portrait of My Sister” oil on linen

I am pleased to have a work of mine included in the juried exhibition, Face to Face, at the Huntington Arts Council’s gallery in Huntington, NY. This exhibition, juried by Jeremy Dennis, focuses on portraiture in all media with an emphasis on relationships and how we communicate.

About the Juror: Jeremy Dennis is a contemporary fine art photographer and an enrolled Tribal Member of the Shinnecock Indian Nation in Southampton, NY. He was born in 1990 and is based on the Shinnecock Reservation. Dennis’s work explores Indigenous identity, culture, and history, as well as environmentalism and the supernatural. One of his notable projects is “Ma’s House,” a residency program and exhibit space for BIPOC artists on the Shinnecock Reservation. Jeremy says about Face to Face: “I was inspired by the diverse submissions showcasing a profound exploration of human expression and connection. My selection process prioritized authenticity, emotional resonance, and innovative perspectives, resulting in a collection that captures the depth and richness of the human experience through the lens of each artist’s unique vision.”

The Reception will be held on Friday, March 1, 2024, 5:00PM -8:00PM at Huntington Arts Council’s Main Street Gallery, 213 Main Street, Huntington NY 11743. The exhibition was on view February 13 - March 17, 2024.

 

Arborescent

Arborescent
July 18 - September 20, 2020

This exhibition features traditional and alternative photography, paintings, and mixed media works regarding TREES. Juror Lillian Ball selected 39 pieces from 35 national artists with thought provoking, creative works expressing the theme.

Virginia Aschmoneit
Anita Balkun
Keith Buswell
Charis Carmichael Braun
Vince Cicero
Cara Coleman

Bill Davis
Krystle DiNicola
Chad Djubek
Ben Dworski-Riggs
Judith Eastburn
Nancy Gesimondo

Barry Goldstein
Jeff Green
Katherine Hiscox
Peter Hui
Janis Hurley
Bette Kauffman

David Kutz
Joel Lefkowitz
Patricia Luppino
Kathleen Massi
David McCrae
Mike McLaughlin

Glenn McNab
Ed Monnelly
Michael Palichleb
Jeanne Perrier
Keith Rossein
Jim Sabiston

Steven Schreiber
Jillian Sico
Susan Stair
Greg Thatcher
Pamela Waldroup

Lillian Ball is an ecological artist and environmental activist based in New York. Her multidisciplinary background in anthropology, ethnographic film, and sculpture informs her work with wetland issues, as well as innovative artwork focusing on site-specific conservation initiatives that benefit wildlife, communities, and area visitors. Ms. Ball’s WATERWASH® public projects along the Bronx River and the Mattituck Inlet in New York combine native habitat restoration, stormwater remediation, and preservation. Her documentary “Sanctuary” explores efforts by a Buddhist monk to preserve native flora and fauna in Lumbini, Nepal, an area that is endangered by overdevelopment, and protection of Sarus cranes nesting at Buddha’s birthplace. Ms. Ball exhibits and lectures internationally, and has received numerous awards including two New York State Foundation for the Arts grants, a Guggenheim Foundation Fellowship in Visual Arts, and a National Endowment for the Arts grant, among others. 

I am thrilled and honored to share that my work, “Andrew in the Woodpile” has received a Juror’s Mention!

ANDREW, IN THE WOODPILE (DÄMMERUNG), 2014, oil and acrylic on canvas paper, 8 x 10 in.

Alex Ferrone Gallery is the only one of its kind on the North Fork. The Gallery sits on Main Road in a Cutchogue historic landmark building (circa 1820) built by by the Wickham family.  Alex Ferrone Gallery has been host to national and international juried exhibitions that have included prestigious jurors such as Lisa Chalif, curator of The Heckscher Museum of Art, Charles A. Riley II, art critic, curator, and Director of Nassau County Museum of Art, Franklin Hill Perrell, art critic, historian, curator, and writer; as well as gallerists and curators, Esperanza León and Glynis Berry. The Director, Alex Ferrone, has also participated as an independent juror for exhibitions in the New York region including at Southampton Arts Center, Southampton, Fotofoto Gallery, Huntington, and Art League of Long Island, Deer Park.