Schweinfurth exhibit draws record number of senior artists

AUBURN, NY (Jan. 28, 2025) – The Schweinfurth Art Center’s “Both Ends of the Rainbow” exhibit has always included artwork from both kindergarten to 12^th grade students and senior citizens. But in the last few years, the number of seniors participating has jumped significantly.

This year, 78 seniors are participating, up 47 percent from 2024. “We are thrilled to have so many new and returning artists joining us for this community show,” said Julia Banfi, program director at the Schweinfurth Art Center.”

This year is the first time artist Katherine Baca-Bielinis of Honeoye, NY, has entered “Both Ends of the Rainbow.” “I just discovered the Schweinfurth Art Center last year when I was honored to be included in the “Made in NY” exhibition,” she said. “It is a gorgeous gallery, and I am impressed with their diverse programming.”

A former art teacher who taught mostly first- to fifth-graders, she loves the concept of the exhibition. “I was always impressed with what my young students were capable of achieving and their ability to be carefree in their artistic expression,” she said.

First-time “Both Ends of the Rainbow” participant Katherine Baca-Bielinis of Honeoye, NY, entered “Impediment,” a waterless lithograph on paper and plexiglass, to the show.

“I like the idea of an occasional non-juried exhibition,” she continued. “Sometimes it is nice to not have the pressure of selecting just the right piece that the juror will invite into the exhibition.”

Baca-Bielinis’ piece, “Impediment,” is a waterless lithograph of an old iron gate that is printed on different layers, giving it a 3D effect.

“My work seeks to capture the grandeur and intimacy of ancient structures, translating their essence into the medium of lithography. I create realistic imagery, with a focus on emphasizing the dimensionality of architectural details,” she said. “In this print, I incorporated transparent layers using printed plexiglass, as well as paper, creating a dynamic interplay of depth and transparency.”

Timothy Rodrigo of Marcellus, NY, has been a regular participant in “Both Ends of the Rainbow.” His acrylic painting “Stream” won the Public Choice award in 2018, the first year of the Member Show. This year, he submitted “Fog,” a colorful abstract acrylic painting that was inspired by a morning walk as the fog was lifting that reminded him of growing up along the Mohawk River.

He appreciates the opportunity to participate in “Both Ends of the Rainbow.” “I think the sense of community, of being with other mature artists in a group show, is primary,” Rodrigo said. “As is the case with everyone participating, there are very few venues where you can see your work in such an outstanding space.”

In fact, he chose to enter “Fog” because it was not selected for the Schweinfurth’s “Made in NY 2024” exhibit. “I really wanted to see it hanging on the wall of the Schweinfurth Art Center,” he added.

In addition to the senior art, young artists from 25 schools in Cayuga and Onondaga counties will be on display from Feb. 2 through March 15, 2025. Rodrigo said he enjoys exhibiting with students because “it’s inspiring to see such young students working so hard on their art with such excellent results.”

The opening reception for students and their families is noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 2. The reception for senior artists is 2 to 4 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025.

Also on display will be “3 Lakes Sampler,” an exhibition of art by students in Cayuga-Onondaga BOCES’ Talented and Gifted Program. That exhibit fills the walls of Gallery Julius from floor to ceiling.

The Schweinfurth’s regular gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays and 1 to 5 p.m. Sundays. Entry is free for this exhibit, so everyone can enjoy the art. For more information, visit our website at myartcenter.org or call 315-255-1553.

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If you go…

WHAT: “Both Ends of the Rainbow 2025” exhibition

WHO: Kindergarten through 12^th grade students and senior citizens age 65+ who are Schweinfurth members or live in Cayuga County

WHERE: Schweinfurth Art Center, 205 Genesee St., Auburn

WHEN: Feb. 2 through March 15, 2025

STUDENT OPENING: Noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 2, 2025

SENIOR OPENING: 2 to 4 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025

ALSO ON DISPLAY: “3 Lakes Sampler,” an exhibit of art by students in Cayuga-Onondaga BOCES’ Talented and Gifted Program

COST: Free

Participating senior artists

Liz Anderson of Fayetteville, NY
Steven Assmann of Auburn, NY
Kathleen Austin of Skaneateles, NY
Katherine Baca-Bielinis of Honeoye, NY
Christopher Baker of Weedsport, NY
Karin Beers of Auburn, NY
Karen Bove of Auburn, NY
Marty Bowne of Fairport, NY
Carol Boyer of Syracuse, NY
Thomas Brennan of Auburn, NY
Oliver Brown of Apulia Station, NY
Hermon Card of Syracuse, NY
Deborah Connolly of Skaneateles, NY
Victoria Delaney of Cortland, NY
Marcus DeVoe of Auburn, NY
Grant Dolge of Tully, NY
Denise Dolge of Tully, NY
Marsha Echelbarger of Aurora, NY
Michael Field of Syracuse, NY
James Scott Fitzgerald of Seneca Falls, NY
Linda Flanigan of Weedsport, NY
Ellen Gerberich of Sterling, NY
Geoffrey Gilbert of Geneva, NY
Laura Harkins of Auburn, NY
Denise A. Harrison of Twinsburg, OH
Robert Henry of Walworth, NY
Jane E. Hindman of Trumansburg, NY
Nancy Anne Holowka of Pittsford, NY
Deale Hutton of Red Creek, NY
Patricia Jackson of Dundee, NY
Pamela Jenkins of Cortland, NY
Mary Jesionowski of Auburn, NY
Cynthia Jones of Apulia Station, NY
Frederick (Pete) Kilborne Jr. of Auburn, NY
Beverly Kondolf of Romulus, NY
John Kosboth of Ontario, NY
Barbara Krause of Liverpool, NY
Craig Kukuk of Scipio, NY
Nancy Kuss of Marcellus, NY
Jim Kwiatkowski of Ithaca, NY
Gary Larsen of Edinburg, NY
Beverly Lay of Baldwinsville, NY
Peter Lewis of Auburn, NY
R. Scott Lockhart of Auburn, NY
Karen Lockwood of Auburn, NY
Janice Logan (McAnaney) of Skaneateles, NY
Jody Longeill of Auburn, NY
Candy Lucas of Auburn, NY
Thomas MacPherson of Hemlock, NY
Robert Marcuson of Red Creek, NY
Teresa Nelson-Graham of Baldwinsville, NY
Therese O’Connor of Ithaca, NY
Donna Perry-de Monte of Marietta, NY
Fred Price of Moravia, NY
Dawn M. Robinson of Springwater, NY
Timothy Rodrigo of Marcellus, NY
Jerry Russell of Liverpool, NY
Karen Santoro of Victor, NY
Millie Schmidt of Baldwinsville, NY
Patty Schneider of Weedsport, NY
Donna Sexton Connery of Bershire, NY
Michael Shoemaker of North Rose, NY
Doreen Simmons of Skaneateles, NY
Diane Holmes Smith of Auburn, NY
Sharon Bottle Souva of Syracuse, NY
Tom Steger of Moravia, NY
Chris Steger of Moravia, NY
Paula Tardibone of Auburn, NY
d. dargan teska of North Rose, NY
Diane Thompson of Marietta, NY
Meg Vanek of Auburn, NY
Sam Vann of Trumansburg, NY
Anna Viadero of Montague, NY
George Wegman of Rochester, NY
Robert C. Whiteside of Pittsford, NY
Gail Wichers of Auburn, NY
Carolee Williams-Schuegraf of Palos Verdes Estates, CA
Stephanie Wuchter of Locke, NY

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Participating schools

Auburn ECSD

• Auburn High School
• Auburn Junior High School
• Casey Park Elementary
• Genesee Elementary
• Herman Avenue Elementary
• Owasco Elementary
• Seward Elementary

Cato-Meridian CSD

• Elementary School
• Junior/Senior High School

Moravia CSD

• Millard Fillmore Elementary
• Moravia Middle School
• Moravia High School

Port Byron CSD

• Dana L. West Junior/Senior High School

Skaneateles CSD

• Skaneateles High School
• Skaneateles Middle School
• State Street Intermediate School
• Waterman Primary School

Southern Cayuga CSD

• Emily Howland Elementary
• Southern Cayuga Junio/Senior High School

Union Springs CSD

• A.J. Smith Elementary

Weedsport CSD

• Weedsport Elementary
• Weedsport Junior/Senior High School

Private schools

• Creative Minds Montessori School, Auburn
• Peachtown Elementary School, Aurora
• St. John Paul II Academy, Cayuga