Schweinfurth’s new exhibits feature nearly 1,300 artworks
Two shows display work by more than 1,000 students and senior citizens
AUBURN, NY (Jan. 30, 2024) – “Both Ends of the Rainbow 2024” and “Three Lakes Sampler” opened Jan. 28 with more than 1,300 separate artworks made by students and senior citizens adorning the white walls of the Schweinfurth Art Center.
Installing that many artworks entailed a team of 20 Schweinfurth staff, volunteers, and Cayuga-Onondaga BOCES teachers more than two weeks and 4,420 staples to hang the pieces.
“This is my favorite exhibit, because I enjoy seeing the students’ work,” said Julia Banfi, Schweinfurth’s program coordinator and lead installer for “Both Ends of the Rainbow.” “We have so many talented students in Cayuga County, and this is a wonderful way to display their work.”
“Both Ends of the Rainbow” and Three Lakes Sampler” will be on display through March 9, 2024. Admission to the exhibits is free. The art center is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays and 1 to 5 p.m. Sundays.
“Both Ends of the Rainbow” began in 1983, two years after the Art Center opened, making the 2024 version the 41st annual. The exhibit offers a unique opportunity for students from grades kindergarten through 12 to see their artwork displayed in a gallery.
“Being in the exhibit encourages students to continue pursuing the arts, which teaches them vital problem-solving skills that help them the rest of their lives,” said Schweinfurth Executive Director Donna Lamb. “Some of the students featured on these walls have returned to exhibit as adult artists. That’s gratifying to see.”
You can trace a student’s artistic growth through the years. Auburn High School senior Rylee Sheehan recalls participating in “Both Ends of the Rainbow” since she was in elementary school.
“I think it’s great,” Sheehan said of the exhibition. “It’s always interesting to just come back and see everyone’s work from all the different school districts. I remember when I was younger, seeing all the seniors’ work from the high school, and being like, ‘Wow, I wish I could draw like that one day.’ So it’s really cool that I’m a senior and I have my stuff in here now.”
She plans to attend Rochester Institute of Technology this fall, pursuing a degree in illustration.
“Both Ends of the Rainbow” also includes artists from the other end, Schweinfurth members and Cayuga County residents who are age 65 and older. Three side galleries are filled with 127 artworks, and a special opening reception for the artists will be 2 to 4 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 8.
“Three Lakes Sampler” features work chosen by teachers involved in Cayuga-Onondaga BOCES’ Talented and Gifted program. This year, they chose 249 pieces for their display, including 2D and 3D works, that fills Gallery Julius in the art center.
The exhibit ends at 5 p.m. March 9, but the work isn’t over after the artwork comes down. Putting 4,420 holes in the Schweinfurth’s walls means 4,420 holes to patch before installing the next exhibit, “Made in NY 2024,” which opens March 23.
“Both Ends of the Rainbow 2024” is sponsored by Nucor Steel Auburn and the New York State Council on the Arts. The Schweinfurth would like to thank Cayuga-Onondaga BOCES teachers and the following volunteers for their help preparing for the exhibit: Stephen Achimore, Sharon Dec, Jill Doscher, Beverly Kondolf, and Dorothy Lengyel.
If you go …
WHAT: “Both Ends of the Rainbow” and “Three Lakes Sampler,” exhibitions of student and senior citizen art
WHEN: Through March 9, 2024
WHERE: Schweinfurth Art Center, 205 Genesee St., Auburn
HOURS: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays and 1 to 5 p.m. Sundays
ADMISSION: Free
By the numbers …
1,310
Number of pieces in both exhibitions
41
Number of sculptures
4,420
Number of staples used to install artworks
885
Number of people who attended Jan. 28, 2024, opening