Tag Archives: Syracuse New York

art exhibition, art gallery, Karen Tashkovski

Belonging

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What was once the Point of Contact Gallery is now the Warehouse Gallery (350 West Fayette Street, Syracuse, New York).  Last night I attended the art reception for Ecosystem Of Belonging: 2026 faculty survey, an art show celebrating the work of current Syracuse University faculty of the College of Visual and Performing Arts.

Artists included in this show:

Adrienne Dagg, Assistant Professor of Painting, Studio Arts, School of Art

Jiangliu Dong, Instructor, Studio Art, School of Art

Meris Drew, Assistant Professor, Painting, Studio Arts, School of Art

Tamika Galanis, Assistant Professor, Film, Department of Film and Media Studies

Li “Lily” Jiang, Assistant Professor, Fashion, the School of Design

Quran Karriem, Assistant Professor, Communications and Rhetorical Studies, Department of Communication and Rhetorical Studies

Yves Michel, Professor of Practice, Industrial and Interaction Design, School of Design

Meri Page, Associate Professor,Communication Design, School of Design

Austin Riddle, Instructor, Studio Arts, School of Art

Rochele Royster, Assistant Professor,Art Therapy, Department of Creative Arts Therapy

The Exhibition runs through March 5, 2026.

Gallery hours:

Tuesday-Wednesday noon – 6:00 PM

Thursday noon- 8:00 PM

Friday – Saturday noon – 4:00 PM

abstract, art, art exhibition, art museum, ceramics, drawing, Karen Tashkovski, painting, sculpture

Art Talk: Lessons In Geometry

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Today I visited The Everson Museum of Art (401 Harrison Street, Syracuse, New York 13202) for the Steffi Chappell-led art talk.  It was a Lesson in Geometry.

As Director of Curatorial Affairs, Chappell curated this exhibition from the Everson archives.  Currently, the museum’s finest collection of non-representational paintings and sculptures are housed in two of the upstairs galleries.  Works from Sol Lewitt, Susan Roth, and many other American artists are on view through March 29, 2026.  Some of the pieces are recent acquisitions.

When discussing geometric forms, we are talking about measured shapes.  Drawing a circle free-hand is not geometry.  These pieces utilized rulers, protractors, right triangles and compasses.  Many were conceptualized to appear machine made with very smooth brushstrokes and precise edges (I mean – you can totally tell those artists used masking tape in order to eradicate  the humanity – so that was a bit of an unsuccessful desire).

Steffi Chappell spoke of the historical significance of the abstract art movement in the United States specifically, and how it sort of separated into factions with Abstract Expressionism dominating after World War II.  Geometric Abstraction sprouted from a need to break free of emotional trappings.

Even though many of these pieces were created when I was a child (kind of a long time ago), it was refreshing in that Star Trekkian way to do away with all the emotion and volatility of social justice art, mental illness art, low frequency vibes and the like, at least for the afternoon.  This work, in essence, is art for art’s sake.  It is about using the elements of art to establish the principles of art in a structured instead of intuitive way.

The result:  the viewer responds to color, rhythm, line quality, etc. and appreciates its boldness in size or serenity in shape.  Many artists experimented with canvas shape, new materials, and/or optical illusion.

It’s the kind of abstract art that kids will hesitate to say – I could do that – because the underlying geometric structures and measuring techniques were clearly time consuming, lol.

Artists have obsessed over the relationship between mathematics and art for millennia. As artists turned toward abstraction in the early twentieth century, Europeans like Piet Mondrian used geometry to create a set of rules and parameters that guided their creative process. Meanwhile, American artists began developing their own styles and movements—particularly Abstract Expressionism, which was typified by bold, quickly executed brushwork, drips, and splashes. In the mid-twentieth century in the United States, artists laid the groundwork for Geometric Abstraction as a more cerebral alternative to the often macho flamboyance of Abstract Expressionism. Over the ensuing decades, artists used geometry to produce abstract works that ranged from the dazzling Op Art of Victor Vasarely to the restrained Minimalism of Sol LeWitt.

Lessons in Geometry traces the evolution of hard-edged abstraction in the United States as artists sought to use pure geometric forms to create works with balance, harmony, and order. For these artists, shape, line, and color took precedence over representational compositions. The Everson’s collection reflects the wildly varied ways that artists have used geometry to serve their personal expression, from the analytical formulations of Robert Swain to the shaped canvases of Harmony Hammond and the spatial illusions of Tony King.

 

ISO - fish fry, restaurant

ISO Fish Fry – Kitty Hoynes

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Presentation:  I ordered the fish and chips at Kitty Hoynes, substituting standard chips for sweet potato fries.  The presentation – a beautiful piece of beer battered haddock resting on a bed of sweet potato WAFFLE FRIES. (that waffle fry bit was spoken in an Oprah giving out cars voice)!!! It also came with a cup of coleslaw, a dollop of tartar sauce and a lemon wedge.

My friend said it looked exactly like the fish she had at a London pub when she was in England last year.

Taste:  So good!  There was so much food that I couldn’t finish it in one sitting.  I LOVED IT!  The haddock was cooked to perfection.  The sweet potato waffle fries had a wonderful crispness.  I felt like the coleslaw was a bit bland though (if I’m forced to criticize – I mean – how else am I supposed to discern the nuances of the various fish fries when I am in search of fish fry?).

Restaurant Experience:  Tommy Conners was singing in the pub,   He’s amazing!  There were a lot of people milling about for a Saturday afternoon.  We ate in the restaurant space, which was lovely.  There was only a brief wait for a table.  The service was wonderful.

Location:  Kitty Hoynes is located at 301 W. Fayette Street, Syracuse, New York 13202.  It is an authentic Irish pub in the heart of the Armory Square area, a hot spot for bars and restaurants in Syracuse.  In the 1990s, the place was known as The Crown and it was my very favorite Friday night haunt.  The interior has not changed since those days – two sections – a full square mahogany bar serving Guinness and such, and a cozy restaurant space with a variety of table sizes to fit many different parties of foodies.

Parking:  There is no free parking in downtown Syracuse.  We found a spot on a side road Armory Square adjacent.  Check out their website for more information including their full menu and hours of operation.

abstract, art, art exhibition, art for sale, art gallery, color, jewelry, painting, sculpture

Edgewood in Color

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Jim Ridlon, Tom Slocum and Rebecca Carr of Belle Pietre Designs are the artists featured in the latest exhibition at Edgewood Gallery, 216 Tecumseh Road, Syracuse, New York 13224.  The show is titled Colorful Celebrations.

The art reception was Friday evening and by 8:00 PM many of the items had little red stickers on their tags indicating they’d been sold.  The artwork is very reasonably priced with some of Ridlon and Slocum’s pieces going for $200 or less.  The jewelry is cash and carry, as the small jewelry case can be replenished.

Jim Ridlon’s paintings dominate the space.  It is amazing how prolific he is.

Tom Slocum’s resin infused wood sculptures are particularly interesting, whimsical and let’s face it – touchable.  That resin looks like water and it is such a cool technique!

I wish there was more space for the jewelry.  I’ll have to go back and revisit the pieces on a day when there are less people in the gallery.

Colorful Creations continues through November 14, 2025.  The gallery and frame shop is open Tuesday – Friday 9:30 AM – 6:00 PM and Saturday 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM.

education, museum, nostalgia, retrospective, vintage

Back @ the OHA

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It’s an abbreviated local trip down memory lane, dominated by Syracuse China, Harriet Tubman’s role in the Underground Railroad and some Iroquois lore.  The Onondaga Historical Association is located at 321 Montgomery Street, Syracuse, New York 13202 – it is (at) the heart of downtown Syracuse.

They are currently undergoing a massive renovation so the upstairs floors are off limits.  Someday I will get to play on the Magic Toy Shop set.  And someday, I will have an art show here.  One of these days I will explore the history of my home if there is any info to be found in their archives.  And eventually, I will purchase an autographed copy of Dennis Connors’ book.

The gift shop is the current highlight of the museum.  You can peruse books about the city as well as books by local authors.  All things L. Frank Baum seems to be a favorite topic.  There are T-shirts, posters, postcards and lots of small touristy gifts.

The OHA hours of operation:

Monday  Closed
Tuesday Closed
Wednesday 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Thursday  10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Friday 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Saturday  11:00 am – 4:00 pm
Sunday  11:00 am – 4:00 pm

 

art, art festival, Arts & Crafts, ceramics, Karen Tashkovski

Columbus Circle & Art

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The rain held off today in what became for me a four-hour walk  around the M & T Bank sponsored Arts & Crafts Festival in Syracuse, New York.

Food trucks, free give aways and many, many artisans and craftsmen selling their wares under white tents on and around Columbus Circle make up this fabulous festival.  There is a lot to see – it can be a serendipitous stroll full of impulse purchases or, like me, you will manifest something you have been longing for.

I finally bought the oak charcuterie board lazy susan I have been coveting for three years.  Carrying it back to the car was not fun because it was so heavy – I recommend that you have a plan in place for how you will maneuver your cash and carry purchases.

The Onondaga Historical Association was open too  (321 Montgomery Street, Syracuse, New York 13202) and about 1/4 of my time was spent in there.

I will highlight four ceramic artists this year –

  1.  Smokepail Studios

2.  Greg Parizek Ceramics

3.  Diane Sullivan Design

3.  Peter Valenti Studios 

2025 Festival Dates:

Friday, July 25: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Saturday, July 26: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Sunday, July 27: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm

The spectacular three-day festival is centered in Downtown Syracuse and will showcase talented artists, craftspeople and entertainers. The festival provides opportunities for visitors to experience the vibrancy of Downtown Syracuse through a presentation of visual and performing arts that demonstrate diverse art forms and cultures.  

Arts & Crafts – The Syracuse Arts & Crafts Festival will feature around 140 artists and crafters. Visitors can shop and browse among the art and craft exhibits showcasing an exceptionally wide selection of contemporary arts and crafts, from functional to decorative.

Performing Arts – The festival showcases the performing arts. Attendees can enjoy free daily strolling entertainment between including a variety of music entertainers, open hand legacy puppets, hooping and much more! The Syracuse Chapter of the American Guild of Organists will present mini-organ recitals over the course of the festival on Friday, Saturday and Sunday afternoons at Plymouth Congregational Church.

Family Activities – Families are integral to the success of the event, and participatory activities are designed with them in mind. Interactive projects provide young attendees with opportunities to create three-dimensional masterpieces. Join the Everson Museum of Art for a collaborative mural activity inspired by Nancy Friedemann-Sánchez’s exhibition Dream Map and Cornucopia, on view at the Everson through October 19th. Participants are invited to paint or illustrate a native flower, plant, or animal of their choosing, and contribute to our mural featuring flora and fauna of Central New York. Artmaking supplies and tools provided.

Syracuse Art Trail – A collaborative project between CNY Arts and local arts & culture organizations. The Trail builds connections and promotes collaboration amongst organizations & individuals in our local arts community. We aim to bring Syracuse residents together in a creative, meaningful way to support the arts! More information here!

Stay Fresh Chalk Jam – Over 50 artists will take to the sidewalks on Saturday, July 26th to create beautiful works of art all done in chalk! (Rain date – July 27th).

Summer Refreshments – Food vendors will be on-site to serve a diverse mix of summer favorites.

A Community Festival – Area businesses participate by hosting open houses and various activities, such as family-friendly art activities and the popular sidewalk art competition, Chalk Jam. Many of these initiatives are organized in collaboratiion with the Everson Museum of Art, the Onondaga Historical Association, the YMCA – Downtown Writers Center and the Montgomery Street Collective crafts show. Thousands of visitors are expected to attend these events, establishing this as Syracuse’s signature cultural event of the summer!

The Syracuse Arts & Crafts Festival was ranked 11th best Contemporary Craft Show in the country by Sunshine Artist Magazine.

 

 

interior decorating, Karen Tashkovski, shopping

Eastwood Home

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How great is it to discover a new local business (in this case a home goods and interior design services store) inspired by the Covid lockdown?  Five years ago former social worker Kimberly Sieburg spent lockdown dabbling in interior design consulting as Forged Home Decorating & Consulting.

Yes, this is a case of following one’s passion, and through a series of existential coincidences she is now the proprietor of Eastwood Home, a gorgeous modern vintage-ish furniture and home accessories shop located at 3501 James Street, Syracuse, New York 13206,  in the Eastwood Plaza.

Inside I viewed one-of-a-kind pieces that have been carefully selected/curated to create a sense of tranquility for the home.  Scented candles guided this mini journey.  The price points are surprisingly reasonable, especially with regard to the vintage trinkets.

The vignettes provided me with a satisfying stroll through the space, which was formerly the Sacred Heart Gift Shop.  Rooms to discover and imagine as one’s own – I imagine many of you have the post-Covid nesting “bug” because I’m right there with you.

There is a bedroom space,  an office, a living room and a dining room, a bath and even a kitchen sink!  The entire store is akin to a large studio apartment with bookcases purposed as walls,

Included in this journey, aside from furniture and tabletop items (new and vintage) are spices/meat rubs, honeys and other foodie lover bits.  This is the definitive place to come to for bespoke hostess gifts.

There are plans for outdoor events paired with the other businesses in the outdoor mall, and an expansion is in the mix.  Stay tuned by following them on social media or visiting their web-site.

Hours of operation:  Wednesday-Saturday 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM.

animals in art, art, nature, painted rocks, painting

Beary Barry

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The trees around the trail at Barry Park are ideal for hiding rocks!  Technically this hiking trail is adjacent to the park on Meadowbrook Drive in Syracuse, New York.  It is called the Onondaga County Meadowbrook Detention Basin.

And Bear rocks are the perfect fit for this place.  Have a Beary/Barry Christmas!  Yeah, I know it is early for that, but I have fond memories of skating on this pond in the 1970s at Christmas time.

Thank you, to anyone and everyone who found these and any of the other rocks I have hidden on the trails and in the parks.  It is fun for me too!  I appreciate you and I am happy that you are enjoying the fresh air and sunshine, and taking the time to exercise, (and of course, to adopt an art rock)!

antiques, ceramics, Karen Tashkovski, pottery, retail, shopping, vintage

Dalton’s

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Shopping for Stickley furniture at Dalton’s is a lesson in the history of the early 20th century’s Arts & Crafts movement.  Proprietors David Rudd and Debbie Goldwein have been in the business of selling antique/pre-loved Stickley furniture for over forty years at this establishment.  Their customers include celebrities and other prominent A&C lovers nationwide (and someday, me, and maybe you!).  Their business is both in person and on-line. The furniture sold at this shop is original Gustav Stickley pieces and early works by Leopold and John George Stickley, items that pre-date the Audi family’s tenure at Stickley.

Rudd is a former decades long President of the local Arts & Crafts Society and current President of the Gustav Stickley House Foundation.  It was such a pleasure to chat with him as he shared the provenance of the exquisite pieces displayed in vignettes alongside pottery from the same period, accessories – candlesticks, ashtrays, and books, lamps, clocks, really everything you need to fill the living room of a Craftsman home.

Gustav Stickley owned a factory on what is currently Burnet Avenue in the Eastwood neighborhood of Syracuse, a hop, skip and jump from this fabulous antique shop located at 1931 James Street, Syracuse, New York 13206.

It is a beautiful thing to see the care that has been taken in keeping the Mission-style spirit alive.  I felt like looking for a portal in the store in order to time-travel my way back to one hundred years ago, especially when I stared at  that photograph of Gustav on the wall, lol, it reminded me of the movie “Somewhere in Time” with Christopher Reeve.  I am in love with this period of furnishings and I am probably the only one in my family to have this passion.  I didn’t grow up with it.  Mom liked a French Provincial living room and Colonial-style bedroom furnishings.

Some of the pieces at Dalton’s are a better bargain than buying new and others costs tens of thousands.  In addition, they have an affinity for Native American textiles and pottery, and the collection is quite impressive.  It’s all for sale even though everything is museum quality.  You can sit on the settles and chairs as you imagine living with them in your own home.

I took so many pictures of this chair (above) – I can’t stop thinking about it!  LOVE!

Currently, there is a selection of wood-block printed designs by Rochester-based artist Laura Wilder.  They are displayed beautifully in oak frames.

If you wish to luxuriate in this experience, Dalton’s is open Monday-Friday 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM and Saturday 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM.

art exhibition, Karen Tashkovski

Manuel Matias

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Recently, a friend was reflecting on something that happened over thirty years ago, remembering every shitty thing in minute detail as if it happened yesterday, trying to extrapolate why it was still in the present moment.

I guess this is the norm for some, and in the case of Manuel Matias, his reflections are visual rather than verbal recollections. They are little three-dimensional maquis, placed under glass to inflate their importance, of memories heavily laden with pop culture references.

They are supposed to be vignettes of store fronts that capture the gritty sights and smells of the Manhattan lower east side of his youth. It is art as social commentary.

I was in an emotional disconnect when I viewed this show because I didn’t relate to any of it. But maybe you will. It’s in that gallery way in the back on the first floor, the one that nobody sees.

The exhibition is at the Everson Museum of Art (401 Harrison Street, Syracuse New York 13202) through August 18, 2024.

On Saturday, July 13, 2024, Manuel Matias will be on hand for Everson’s Community Day. From 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM they are having a pay-what-you-wish deal plus art kits for children with materials to create mini Matias-like dioramas with the artist’s blessing.

Hours:

Monday: Closed
Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday: 11:00am – 5:00pm (Pay-What-You-Wish all day)
Thursday: 11:00am – 8:00pm (Thursdays from 5:00-8:00pm are Pay-What-You-Wish)
Friday: 11:00am – 5:00pm
Saturday: 10:00am – 5:00pm
Sunday: 10:00am – 5:00pm