I took a lot of pictures at Maria Rizzo‘s art reception, mainly because she was exhibiting quite a bit of art!  Maria has been busy – she curates the art exhibits at Natur-Tyme in Dewitt, New York, teaches entrepreneurial courses at the Syracuse Tech Garden, is a wife, mother of two, a painter and – something I did not know about her until tonight – an art student.

She is growing exponentially as a person of this world – learning, knowing, loving, teaching, giving…. It is really incredible to know her.  Her positive energy is magnetic. This show marks the culmination of her art degree at SUNY Empire State College. Maria’s art is currently on display in the Central Arts Gallery of the annex located at 6333 Route 298 (3rd floor) in East Syracuse, New York.

Yes!  This for me, was another case of making the invisible visible.  I had no idea there was an art college around the corner from my house.  Thank goodness Penny drove this time.  Like that last time with the SUNY Oswego annex campus in downtown Syracuse, New York, I had no idea where we were going, but Penny did!  (Am I the only one who doesn’t know about these things?)

It turns out that SUNY Empire State College is the largest of the SUNY schools fractured into pieces around the state.  Students have the flexibility to create their own programs of study to a degree with many of them non-traditional students, like Maria, who are embarking on their studies after spending time in the real world.  Classes are held at night and on weekends in some cases.  The art degree is a B.A. due to limited studio space according to her mentor.

The show will be up for the next two months.  Am not sure of the hours and how easy-peasy it is to view.  We will need to look that up on their web-site.  Maria’s original paintings are for sale.  She has smaller versions, prints that are available as well.  You can find them at Natur-Tyme or visit her web-site for more information.