The Batavia Society of Artists (BSA) will host artist Shauna Blake for a hands-on silk painting demonstration on Tuesday, October 8, from 7 - 9 p.m. at GO ART!. Blake will explain her creative process and provide attendees with the chance to try silk painting themselves.
In addition, BSA member Adrian Morris will hold a solo art show at the Richmond Memorial Library, with an opening reception on Thursday, September 26, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. His exhibition will be available for viewing during regular library hours through the end of October.
Shauna Blake, Artist Bio
Shauna Blake started painting in her early teens and has devoted her entire working life to her artwork. She has a love for nature and the outdoors and uses the inspiration and energy it provides to create her art.
She paints in a wide variety of mediums including, silk painting, watercolors, acrylics and pastels.
In 1994 she graduated from The Art Institute of Pittsburgh with a major in Graphic Design and Illustration. She worked in the Graphic Design field for 7 years before joining her husband, Brendan in his glass art business in 2001. Here she expanded her art by studying and creating lampwork glass beads.
Then in 2009 she discovered silk painting. She found that painting on silk was the perfect fit for her creative and expressive artistic style. She sold her hand painted silk scarves, silk ribbons and art prints worldwide until earlier this year.
In 2022 she started her next business Nail Fox where she designs and sells 100% Nail Polish Wraps.
Shauna currently sells her nail polish wrap designs worldwide on her website. www.Nail-Fox.com
Shauna will demonstrate her unique silk painting techniques. This a hands on demo, where everybody will have a chance to try out this exciting medium. Supplies will be provided.
The Batavia Society of Artists is hosting artist Mary Jo Whitman on Tuesday, September 10 at Go-Art/Seymour Place, 201 E. Main St., Batavia At 7 p.m.
Mary Jo plans to give an overview of the grant process for artists, including where to find grant opportunities, tips on writing project narratives, formulating budgets, and providing quality support materials.
This info will be bennificial to many artist who never thought they could get grant money for projects! This event is open to non-member for a $5 fee. Light refreshments will be served. The 2.o.1. Tavern will be open for cash purchases.
The Batavia Society of Artists will host its annual art show at GO-ART, located at 201 E. Main St., from August 12 to October 1. The event is open exclusively to members of the Batavia Society of Artists in good standing.
Artists are invited to submit up to three paintings of any size for a $15 entry fee. Each additional painting will incur a $5 fee. All submitted works must be recent, created within the last three years, and not previously exhibited in any BSA member's show. Paintings must also have a wire hanger; works lacking this requirement may not be displayed.
The entry deadline is August 9. Entry fees and forms should be mailed to Teresa Tamfer at 157 Hutchins Street, Batavia. For additional information, Teresa can be reached at 585-506-2465.
Artists can drop off their paintings at GO-ART on Thursday or Friday, August 8 or 9, between 11 a.m. and 9 p.m., or Saturday, August 10, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Alternate drop-off times can be arranged by calling 585-343-9313.
The art show will have an opening reception on Thursday, August 15, from 5:30 to 8 p.m.
Artists must pick up their paintings on Thursday or Friday, October 3 or 4, from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., or on Saturday, October 5, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Arrangements for alternate pick-up times can be made by calling 585-343-9313.
Paintings sold during the show will incur a 20% commission, payable to GO-ART.
The Batavia Society of Artists is having its Spring Member's Art Exhibit for the month of May at the Richmond Memorial Library, 19 Ross St., Batavia.
Free opening reception in the Gallery Room on Tuesday, May 7 from 6:30 - 8 p.m.
The Judge is Jill Pettigrew and the winners will be announced at 7 p.m. The Virginia Carr-Mumford Scholarship will be awarded then to GCC student Kathryn Blankenship.
Light refreshments will be served. Please come and enjoy this Free Art Show, all are welcome!
The Batavia Society of Artists is hosting artist Jody Ziehm on Tuesday, April 9 at Go-Art/Seymour Place, 201 E. Main St., Batavia starting at 7 p.m. Jody will be demonstrating watercolor painting.
Non-members are welcome for a $5.00 fee. Accepting new members, all medium and skill levels. 2024 memberships are $30 per person, $50 per couple, and $10 for students or veterans.
Light refreshments will be served. Tavern 2.o.1. will be open for cash purchases.
Jody Ziehm
Jody Ziehm
Residing in the town of Wheatfield, I am a full-time watercolor artist. I have a love of painting and am devoted to watercolors. Inspired by my surroundings. I enjoy plein air (painting outside on site) and whenever possible, work from live models.
Much of my work is done in my studio from photos taken. My work is distinguishable by its vivid colors and dynamic compositions. I also enjoy teaching and hold weekly classes at both Partners in Art in North Tonawanda and the Amherst Museum.
I also travel extensively throughout the summer months to outdoor art festivals throughout New York I am a member of the Buffalo Society of Artists, Niagara Frontier Watercolor Society, Buffalo Niagara Art Association, Fine Arts League of Buffalo, and Tonawanda Council of the Arts.
I am represented by Kittenger Gallery in Williamsville, Finger Lakes Gallery, and Frame in Canandaigua, Gallery Morada in Islamorada Florida, Barton Hill Resort and Spa in Lewiston, and The Mansion in Buffalo.
The Batavia Society of Artists is hosting artist David Burke at GO ART! Seymour Place on Tuesday, March 12 starting at 7 p.m.
David will be demonstrating a more intuitive painting for this demo, using a new squeegee technique with dots of paint to easily create cool designs. Light refreshments will be served.
The 2.o.1. Tavern will be open for cash purchases. Non-members are welcome for a $5 fee. New members are always welcome, all mediums and skill levels. The yearly Single membership is $30, Couples $50, and Students/Veterans $10.
GO ART! Seymour Place is located at 201 E. Main St. Batavia.
During his talk Tuesday evening at GO Art! in Batavia, artist Bryan Wright shows how he uses a plasma cutter for precision cuts in metal to create pieces of artwork. Photo by Joanne Beck
Of the sundry tools that artists gravitate toward, from chalk and colored pencils to watercolor and acrylic paints and brushes, Bryan Wright has chosen a lesser-known and more expensive pursuit.
Wright, a Batavia resident who was first introduced to his ever-increasingly favorite method to create art during a BOCES basic-advanced welding class 15 years ago, has fallen for the plasma cutter.
"I got this machine in 2008. I made mostly Christmas gifts for family and have been making things for people, I was just kind of giving a lot of the stuff away,” Wright said to a group of about 15 people that attended his Batavia Society of Artists talk Tuesday evening at GO Art! in Batavia. “So, just this last year, I've started putting stuff in exhibits and trying to make some money, because this is not cheap. It's not cheap.”
He made a major investment with his first plasma cutter — a heavy-duty welding torch that can cut through steel, aluminum, and similar materials with precision — for $1,000, and said that related supplies of a cap and electrodes go for $10 and $15 each, respectively.
Parts of the torch include the electrodes, a narrow piece of copper that receives the electrical current, a retaining cap, and a shield cap. Batavia Society of Artists hosted him for a demonstration that didn’t pan out due to the cold, snow, and wind, Teresa Tamfer said.
He instead offered a video that illustrated what he did and how he did it, followed by a question and answer session with many of his supplies and pieces of equipment on hand.
An audience member asked how long his materials last.
"So what I have found is that it's really up to you to determine when you think you need to replace this. But I would probably say, I could probably go through … in a five pack, it probably maybe lasts like six or seven months, I don't know, maybe once a month you might go through a new set," he said. "But the problem that you have is when you don't have a new end and a new electrode, the cut is a little more dispersed, it's kind of, it's not a very clean, precise cut. And you just can'tcompare a used one to a brand-new one right out of the box. So you’ve really got to be picky and choosey on when you want to change this, and when is it appropriate to just need to make that change?
“If I'm cutting something purely on the outside, it really doesn't make a difference. But if you want to cut like an eyeball out or something in the middle, you really want to make sure that cut isn't just splattering out and kind of making a mess. So there's an appropriate time to replace it,” he said.
Other considerations are having a compressor, which goes "hand in hand" with the plasma cutter, and the height of the materials because that can distort your cutting line, he said.
“Because if you pull back, you're not really sending that amount of heat directly to that material. So if you're not back far enough, you're not really going to have a nice precise cut, but the closer you are to that material, you will get that nice cut,” he said.
Samples of his work are on display and available for purchase through March 30 in the 2.o.1 Tavern Gallery at GO Art!, 201 E. Main St., Batavia.
Bryan Wright with his plasma cutter and several materials on display. Photo by Joanne Beck
Bryan Wright artworks at the GO Art! gallery through March 30. Photo by Joanne Beck
Bryan Wright artworks, here and below, on display at the GO Art! gallery through March 30. Photos by Joanne Beck
Artwork by Bryan Wright Photo submitted by Batavia Society of Artists
The Batavia Society of Artists is hosting artist Bryan Wright on Tuesday at Go-Art/Seymour Place, 201 E. Main St. Batavia starting at 7 p.m. He will be showing how to do his metal artwork, which is said to be “very unique!”
Light refreshments will be provided, and the 2.o.1. Tavern will be open for cash purchases. Non-members welcome for a $5 fee. We are always open to new members, all skill levels and mediums! Dues are single $30, couple $50, veteran or student $10.
Bryan Wright was born and raised in Charleston, S.C., and lives in Batavia with his “amazing wife and two beautiful children.” As a child he would spend countless hours drawing, and says that “if I had a pencil and paper, the sky was the limit and I was content.”
“As I grew older I developed a love for tinkering with computers and digital art and went to college to pursue this new passion and still unsure about my future career I saw that BOCES had a basic-advanced welding class, and signed up immediately,” he said in a press release. “Totally unsure what to expect, all I knew was I loved working with my hands and kept an open mind for this, was the first time I was introduced to a Plasma Cutter and as the class ended I started saving up my hard earned money for a used one.
“Over the past 15 years I have been using this same machine and collecting scrap junk metal as my new blank canvas,” he said. “At the end of a busy work day or week, I can't wait to get out to the garage, even in this ridiculous WNY weather and create something special.”
Wright is even more excited to be able to demonstrate his craft and extend this invitation to others who might be interested or are just looking to learn about something new, he said.
Adrian Morris, an Irish immigrant who has made Batavia his home, is the featured artist in the Batavia Society of Artists Winter Show at the Richmond Memorial Library. Photo by Howard Owens.
The folk tradition of music and art in Ireland informs the work of Batavia artist Adrian Morris, featured in the Winter Show of the Batavia Society of Artists at the Richmond Memorial Library.
The show opened Thursday and features 35 paintings by Morris, both his Irish landscapes and his portraits of musicians, writers, political figures, and commissioned work.
'I'm painting every day, painting all the time, in my spare time," Morris said. "It's just, I can't stop doing it. It's a passion that I've had from a young age."
In 2008, Morris immigrated to the Batavia area to be with a woman from the area. He is with a new lady now, but he stayed and has become embedded in the local art community. His works are included in showings regularly with the BSA and at GO ART!
His Irish accent is unmistakable, as is his love for his homeland, but his love for America's musical traditions is also expressed through his work. His portraits on display in the show include Miles Davis, Louis Armstrong, John Lennon, Neil Young, and three of Johnny Cash.
What is the fascination with The Man in Black?
"Because I'm Irish," Morris answered. "And we're into folk music, traditional folk music, and he takes a lot of bluegrass and folk stuff into his music. I love folk music, like (Bob) Dylan and Johnny Cash and all those guys, you know. There is honesty in their songs and the stories that they tell. It's all about storytelling."
One of Morris's most stunning pieces is a portrait of James Joyce, the early 20th-century novelist known for his often inscrutable prose and stories deeply rooted in his native Dublin.
All these decades after Joyce's death, with his legacy enshrined in the scholarship of great literature, it might be hard to see Joyce as a folk figure, but that is how Morris sees him, and what draws him to Joyce.
"If you're in Dublin -- Ulysses is set in Dublin -- you can literally track every part of the book," Morris said. "You can go along the train, ride along the train along the coast, and everything he described in the book is in Dublin, and his cadence of the people (in the book), the way they talk, is purely Irish. A lot of Americans say it's very hard to read, but for me, it's just like, it's, it's my tone, the way their slang words work, you know, it's a rhythm and a regional accent to Dublin, it's very Dublinesque, and, and so that's the beauty of his prose."
Joyce, he said, brings the complexities of life into a real world of real people just trying to get through their daily lives, like any folk artist.
"He goes through the gamut of philosophy and life and all these things, but he does it in a common man's way," Morris said. "You know what I mean? There's no airs about him."
Morris's love of Ireland and folk traditions is also expressed in a portrait that might surprise some -- Frederick Douglass.
"Frederick Douglass is a big he's a big part of Ireland," Morris said. "Anti-slavery with the whole British thing, the colonization, so he was a big part of it. He was about the abolishment of slavery and so I really respected him even before coming here, and little did I know respecting him as a child that he was such a part of Rochester and the area. I was just like, 'Wow. So I felt like I wanted to pay tribute to him."
In Ireland, Douglass is revered for a speech he gave there.
"I don't know if it's true, but some Irish people had some part in paying for his freedom (NOTE: Irish and British residents raised the 150 pounds to purchase his freedom)," Morris said. "When he went over there, he moved the Irish people so much, that might have sown the seed for them to launch a free country because they were under the rule of the British for so long, and they wanted their freedom. So it's a political thing, but it's rooted in my culture."
The BSA Winter Show is on display through December and is open during regular library hours.
Photo by Howard Owens
"Needs no introduction" by Linda Miranda Fix. Photo by Howard Owens.
"An Urban Mood" by David Burke. Photo by Howard Owens
Adrian Morris, standing with a collection of his landscapes and nature paintings, mostly focused on his native Ireland, discusses his work with an attendee during the BSA's Winter Show opening at the Richmond Memorial Library. Photo by Howard Owens.
"Guardians of Ireland" by Adrian Morris won the People's Choice Award. Photo by Howard Owens.
Teresa Tamfer's "Still Standing" took second place in the People's Choice Awards at the opening of BSA's Winter Show. Photo by Howard Owens.
"Spring Pond" by Richard Ellingham took third place in the People's Choice Awards at the BSA's Winter Show. Photo by Howard Owens.
Brittny Benjamin, a GCC art student, received the Virginia Carr Mumford Scholarship from the Batavia Society of Artists on Tuesday. Photo by Howard Owens.
At the Richmond Memorial Library, the Batavia Society of Artists is displaying some of the best works of its members for the spring, and on Tuesday, at the annual Spring Show's opening, the best of the best were honored, including a GCC student who received the Virginia Carr Mumford Scholarship Award.
The art show was judged by Le Roy artist Lori Longhany.
The show runs through Friday, May 26.
Hills of Canandaigua, by Kevin Feary, received the Best of Show award. Photo by Howard Owens.
Steer'd by Shelley Moore received the first place ribbon. Photo by Howard Owens.
Bryan Wright, who entered four metal paintings received the second place award. Photo by Howard Owens.,
Richard Ellington, who received an honorable mention, poses with his painting (top), High Peak Sunset. Photo by Howard Owens.
The Batavia Society of Artists is having its Spring Art Show at Richmond Memorial Library's Gallery Room, 19 Ross St., for the month of May.
The FREE Opening Reception with light refreshments will be Tuesday, May 9 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. The Judge for the show is artist Lori Longhany.
At 7 p.m. we will be presenting the Virginia Carr Mumford Art Scholarship to GCC student Brittny Benjamin. Brittny will also have her artwork on display.
This event is open to the Public and everyone is invited!
The Batavia Society of Artists is hosting artist Mary Jo Whitman on Tuesday, April 11, starting at 7 p.m. at GO ART!/Seymour Place, 201 E. Main St., Batavia. Mary Jo will be doing a demo on Preparing for an Exhibit. Which every artist needs! The 2.o.1. Tavern will be open for cash purchases. Non-members are welcome for a $5 fee. We are always accepting new members, any medium or skill level, single $30, couple $50, and student/veteran $10.
Mary Jo Whitman is the Education Director/SCR Coordinator at GO ART! and an Adjunct Art History Professor at Genesee Community College. She has been a practicing artist for over 20 years, working in a variety of forms, including drawing, mural painting, photography, digital art, and sculpture, with a focus on conceptual art. Although much of her work is commissioned, she has exhibited in various group and solo exhibits, both locally and internationally.
Earning a MA in Critical Museum Studies from the University of Buffalo, her graduate research focused on exploring critical theory as it pertains to the construction of identity in a postmodern era. Graduating from SUNY Brockport summa cum laude, she holds a BA in Studio Arts with a concentration in Sculpture and a minor in Art History. Mary Jo also has an AAS in Fine Arts, with a concentration on Digital Art, from Genesee Community College.
Passionate about promoting and fostering the arts, Mary Jo served on the Board of Directors at GO ART! from 2015-2018, chairing the External Affairs and Gallery Committees. As the former Art Gallery Coordinator for the Rosalie “Roz” Steiner Art Gallery, Mary Jo focused on enhancing the student’s education through exposure to a variety of mediums and art forms while curating diverse and dynamic exhibitions for the community to enjoy. She has also had the honor of speaking as a guest lecturer to several artistic and educational groups, as well as serving as a juror for many exhibitions across the region, including the Congressional Art Competition for the 27th District.
The Batavia Society of Artists is hosting artist Karen Crittenden on Tuesday, March 14, at Go-Art/Seymour Place, 201 E. Main St., in Batavia at 7 p.m. Karen will be demonstrating hands-on collage multimedia. all materials will be provided at no charge. Tavern 2.0.1. will be open for cash purchases. Non-members are welcome with a $5 fee. We are always accepting new members, Single $30, Couples $50, and Students/Veterans $10.
Karen is a lifelong artist who has had a love of all things colorful and accessible. Her current work has been based in collage/mixed media and photography. She has traveled to a lot of wonderful places, and this often has an effect on her work.
In recent times she has been collecting and working on making books, journals and junk journals with all the fun vintage and handmade ephemera to go inside those books. She also enjoys designing and stitching her own embroidery designs.
Karen owns and operates a niche yarn and media business where she offers group and private lessons in a variety of media.
The Batavia Society of Artists are kicking off the New Year with a demonstration by artist David Burke on Tuesday February 7th at Go-Art!/Seymour Place, 201 E. Main St., Batavia at 7pm. The Tavern 2.0.1. will be open for cash purchased that evening. Membership for 2023 is open to all for $30 single, $50 couple, and $10 for student or Veteran. Non-members welcome for a $5 fee.
Intuitive Painting With David F. Burke happens when you truly have no preconceived image in your head about how your finished artwork will look, and you just let your blank paper or canvas lead you each step of the way.
It’s an exciting way to paint because there are so many possibilities and ideas for every painting! It is liberating because there are no rules, there are no restraints, you just allow for each paint stroke or mark that you have made to speak to you about the next one.
You are completely freed up from needless self-analyzing or overly scrutinizing your work. And it can be very meditative and self-reflective as you explore all the possible combinations of color, value, shape, visual texture that show up through your own personal style of mark-making.
What you paint will be your very own intuitive style, generated from all that is within you…yet very much inspired by how you see the world.
About David: "I’ve been an artist all my life, but in the last 7 years I began painting full time, have participated in many art shows and done numerous murals around the area. I received a BFA from SUNY Brockport in 1999, he says.
"My artwork has been primarily inspired by nature, and my connection to the life of the earth and that greater Mystery beneath the manifest world. I love how the effects of light and shadow, color and composition evoke subtle emotions and unconscious memories. In the last couple years I began playing with Abstract Expressionism and Intuitive Painting. It’s very liberating!"
Richard Ellingham won the "People's Choice Award" at the opening reception on Thusday for the Batavia Society of Artists annual Winter Show at the Richmond Memorial Library.
Batavia Society of Artists is having its Winter Art Exhibit at the Richmond Memorial Library's Gallery Room for the month of December. All are welcome to the Free Opening Reception Thursday, Dec. 8 from 6:30 to 8 p.m., with light refreshments.
Every Winter Show we highlight one of our members. This show's "Featured Artist" is David Burke. We are having a monetary prize for the People's Choice Award that night. So please come to the Opening Reception and vote for your favorite piece of art!
The hanging date for entries is this coming Saturday, Dec. 4. Entry forms are due soon, and artists are asked to email your artwork information and attach payment to the back of your artwork when you drop it off starting Thursday and Friday.
The entry fee is $15, checks payable to Batavia Society of Artists. Entry fees may also be sent to: Teresa Tamfer, 157 Hutchins St., Batavia, NY, 14020.
Artwork may be dropped off from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Thursday or 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday at the library, 19 Ross St., Batavia.
The Batavia Society of Artists is hosting artist Julie Lambert on Tuesday, Oct. 11 at 7 p.m. at Go-Art/Seymour Place, 201 E. Main St., Batavia. Julie will take us through how she makes handmade paper and how she uses it in her artwork. Non-Members are welcome for a $5.00 fee. The 2.o.1. Tavern will be open during the demonstration for cash purchases.
Julie A. Lambert is an award-winning papermaking artist who lives in Le Roy. While pursuing her BFA in Printmaking and Painting at SUNY Oswego, the artist learned how to make paper. Instantly intrigued by the art form, Julie found her medium.
The artist’s works reflect her deep connection to nature and her surroundings. Through handmade paper, Julie explores both natural forms and humankind’s impact on the landscape. Many of her pieces are based on her love of exploration. Sometimes inspired by brooding skies, a twist of a tree or a decaying structure, nature speaks to her and she recreates these scenes in her art.
Julie is also creating a series called “Discern”. Words' meanings are often interpreted based on influences in social media and life experiences. The artist’s works are created to challenge her own perceptions and encourage questioning and conversation.
Recently retired, Julie has been pursuing her art full time, winning 3 awards, and participating in 10 exhibitions, including a solo show, in the past 2 years. Julie has also taught several workshops at local venues including the Rochester Brainery. Julie is excited to present to the Niagara Art Guild and the Batavia Society of Artists. The artist is currently showing at the MVA Gallery in Easton Pa. and Go-Art.
Julie is a member of The Batavia Society of Artists and The Rochester Contemporary Art Center.
The Batavia Society of Artists is hosting artist Karen Crittenden on Tuesday, Sept. 13 at 7 p.m. at Go-Art/Seymour Place, 201 E. Main St., Batavia. Karen will be doing a hands-on demonstration of Mono Printing on Gelli Plates. Non-Members are welcome for a $5 fee. Tavern 2.o.1.will be open for cash purchases during this demo.
Karen is a lifelong artist. Starting with office supplies, cereal boxes and construction paper when she was very young. Karen received her first camera at the age of 10 as a gift and has not put one down since then. She has explored many mediums and styles of art. In recent times, mixed media has been a well-received favorite as well as her photographs.
Karen owns and operates Karen’s Yarn Paper Scissors, 550 E. Main St., Batavia, where she offers classes in mixed media, junk journals/folios as well as other art and craft lessons. She has been doing this for the last 10 years.
Her philosophy regarding art and craft is this: “I sincerely believe that anyone can be an artist. It takes time and practice and finding a medium you really love and feel comfortable doing. Anyone can practice art and craft and can learn. It is up to the teacher to find appropriate ways for people to learn.”
David Burke won the "People's Choice" award in the Batavia Society of Artists' summer show on display now through Sept. 30 at GO Art!
His painting is titled "Garden of the Mystic" and he described it as an intuitive painting.
Other artists in the show are Shauna Blake, Joan D'Alba, Richard Ellington, Kevin Feary, Nikki Greenbaum, Brian Kemp, Julie Lambert, Adrian Morris, Madeleine Rusch, Teresa Tamfer, Morgan Wagner, and Lydia Zwierzynski.
Brian Kemp with "Artsperience," a mixed-media piece that was a collaboration with his 14-year-old niece Danielle Jefferson. Kemp met her for the first time this summer during a trip to North Carolina and found out that she is a young artist. She showed him a drawing but said she didn't like it and intended to destroy it. Kemp told her to give it to him, he said. She did, and he finished the painting and then mounted it on a chunk of scrap iron he had in his storage shed.
Batavia Society of Artists will be hosting its Member's Summer Art Show, kicking it off with an opening reception this week at Go-Art/Seymour Place, 201 East Main St., Batavia. The free reception is from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, and light refreshments will be served.
Fifteen artists and 39 paintings will be on display, and there will be a People's Choice Award in lieu of a traditional judge for the exhibit. Spectators will have an opportunity to cast their vote, and the winning artist will receive a $75 prize during the reception.
"So please come out and vote for your favorite painting," organizers say.
A cash bar will be available at Tavern 2.0.1.
Submitted photos of Batavia Society of Artists' works.
