There's nothing on my wall at all . . .  until . . .

Friday, the 25th. Then, that all changes . . . . . . because 5 pm Friday is when the first show this year at Gallery 54 in Skaneateles opens. It's titled "Limited Edition" and features the photographic art created by local photographer Tom Dwyer, a long time contributor to the walls of Gallery 54. The photo above won't make the wall but it will be there. I hope you join us to see for yourself what's getting hung tomorrow.  We'll have small bottles of water f or refreshments. Hey! It's Covid-19 2020.

What is art all about?

This is one of those questions many people hope is multiple choice. And, I think it's fair to say that as a generic question it probably should be because there can be many answers. The more important question though is, what is art about . . . to you or to me? That's not a question I can answer for you or you for me. Some people will say it's about beauty. Others will say it's about how it makes you feel. Still, others will offer that virtually anything done well is art.

Does nature speak to you?

It's been said that all it takes for something to be art is that it be called art by its creator. Thomas MacKeevely, the late professor of art history at Rice University suggested, "If it's called art, it is art." "In striving to create meaningful, expressive art," suggests photographic artist Tom Dwyer, "the art has to, first, be created intentionally to communicate to whomever its intended consumer is envisioned to be. If it's artful enough it will cause that consumer to pause, to take notice, to consider in some fashion what the art is about. More importantly, what it means to that consumer of art." 

The real question," says Dwyer, "is not ‘What is art?’ but what is the created piece (a mosaic, a

What might a tree on "Artist's Rock"
in the Catskill Mountains communicate to you?

painting, a musical score, a photograph, etc.) "about"?Does it communicate a message, any message, feeling, or emotion? After all,” he adds, “ a bright red, setting sun will likely elicit a different emotional response in lovers than it will for a young soldier on the field of battle. As a single long-stem rose laid gently on a casket carries a vastly different "feel" than the same rose might accompanying a birthday greeting. So to, each created piece of art may communicate a different message, to different people, at different times.”

Can photography be artful?

That begs another. Can a single photograph have meaning for you? Answer that question for yourself during the opening evening for this show, Sept. 25 from 5 to 8 pm. The show will feature "Limited Edition" prints of Dwyer's photography with each piece created to communicate its unique story. Dwyer is anxious to see and hear what his work communicates to you. "Limited Edition," framed as well as unframed prints will be available for purchase. 

The show will run through the month of October, at Gallery 54, 54 E. Genesee St, Skaneateles, NY.

Note: All Covid-19 regulations and precautions will be strictly observed for all show guests and artists.

Gallery 54 to Feature Limited Edition Photography

Gallery 54 will host its’ first art show of 2020 with the opening of a special, “Limited Edition” exhibition featuring never before seen images created by Central New York-based photographic artist, Tom Dwyer. The opening for this month-long show will be held at the gallery Sept. 25 from 5 to 8 pm.

An example of one of the “limited edition” prints in the Sept. 25th opening for this show.

As of this writing, all the images in this show, with one exception, have been created this year, according to Dwyer, in an effort to communicate what it was ‘about’ the subject that moved him to create the photograph.” He noted, “All art changes with time just as the work of all artists changes with each experience and completed piece.” Striving to create photographs that communicate something “about” his subjects as opposed to simply “of” his subjects continues to be a challenge and likely always will, he noted recently, adding “This effort accounts for all the images in the upcoming Gallery 54 show.”

Dwyer decided to introduce “very” limited edition prints (only 12 prints will ever be made of each limited edition photograph) “. . . because the harder I work at creating images “about” my subjects, the more my work changes, and because of these changes I expect what I am producing today will not be representative of my work in the future, just as today’s work is often not representative of past efforts.”

Don't just look . . . learn

On Saturday, September 26, the day after the show's opening , Tom will host a series of FREE, one-on-one workshops at the gallery, with subjects chosen by individual participants. "I want this to be an opportunity for people to get questions about photography answered ranging from the operation of their camera to questions about the "how-to" of creating the photograph itself." 

To reserve time for your one-on-one workshop just contact Tom by telephone at 315-420-3513.

Tom classifies himself as a “landscape photographer” noting that he strives to demonstrate that meaningful images of the grand landscapes as well as compositions within the landscape can be created wherever we might find ourselves. To further illustrate this belief, he says, all of the images in this September show were created in Upstate New York.

Known by many throughout Central New York for his nature photography workshops, Dwyer hopes this show will help illustrate the value to fellow photographers of striving to create photographs “about” their subjects. Toward that end, he has extended a special invitation to members of photography clubs in the greater Central New York area, as well as alumni of his workshops, to celebrate the opening of this show with him on the 25th. “Any Central New York photography club member or workshop alumni identifying himself/herself during the opening of this show will be eligible for a 15% discount on any photograph in the show or limited edition print ordered during the opening,” he said.

 

Skaneateles Winterfest Attracts Noted Fiber/Collage Artist To Gallery 54

The 2020 edition of Winter-fest, here, not only celebrates winter, it highlights the talents of many local artists as diverse as those who create the ice sculptures that annually decorate storefronts in the village for the celebration as well as local artists such as Sharon Bottle Souva whose artistic creations with fabric, needle and thread have been celebrated and appreciated throughout the Central New York region for years.

Fabric artist Sharon Bottle Souva

Bottle Souva will demonstrate her creative and colorful fabric collage technique from noon to 3 pm at Gallery 54 on Saturday, January 25.

Sharon describes herself as a “process artist.” “I work with my hands to create my art work,” she said recently, noting “I find that this process adds to my love for fabric and sewing allows me to pursue the endless possibilities inherent within this medium.” As one of the local artists whose work has been featured at Gallery 54 for years, she notes that the tactile nature of fabric “sends my imagination off into a creative space. Texture and pattern are inherent in fabric, she notes adding “. . . since I have been sewing most of my life, I know its nature and can push the materials. I'm always searching for ways to give fabric a voice through my creations.”

Goddess Moon Tree

It's not uncommon for guests at Gallery 54 to think they are viewing a painting when they initially encounter a Bottle Souva creation. Through her demonstration she will showcase not only her creative process but artwork that presents itself as predominantly non-traditional/contemporary wall quilts and collage. In addition to her demonstration she will exhibit a wide variety of images and sizes including small landscape design quilts that are made in much the same way as collage only with the addition of the quilting stitch.

All of Sharon's creations are original with a strong sense of color and design. With a keen eye for picking interesting fabrics, she also custom dyes some of the fabrics she uses. The end product is always ready for display and the small nature of her pieces allows them to fit into any room or décor.

Marsh Meditation Collage

During her demonstration or just while viewing her completed pieces visitors to the gallery are likely to be moved by her love of fabric. “I love to buy it, dye it, iron it, cut it, sew it and (of course) sell the finished work,” she says.

Bottle Souva's creativity has been recognized with many awards over the years ranging from art festivals around the state, to work commissioned by the Gallisano Childrens' Hospital for display in their spiritual chapel, to the recognition of having her creations represented in the permanent collections of both Onondaga Community College and SUNY Brockport.

Mountain Sunset Collage

Sharon earned an Associates of Applied Art degree at Onondaga Community College before continuing her education and earning both a Bachelors of Fine Art and a Master of Arts from SUNY Oswego.