Celebrate Local, Shop Local…

Show Us CNY 2015 has arrived in Oswego County! The annual community photo project showcases the art and nature all around us and gives viewers the opportunity to pause and reflect on the beautiful region in which we live.

The project began in 2013 to commemorate Social Media Day. It was launched by Social Media Breakfast Syracuse, a group of social media practitioners and enthusiasts, with the help of nearly two dozen regional organizations.

The concept was simple. People were invited to share their activities or favorite things about Central New York on various social media platforms using the hashtag #ShowUsCNY. Since that time, the movement has grown significantly; from just a little over 300 shares in 2013 to nearly 1,100 images submitted this year.

From this, a traveling juried photography exhibit has evolved to honor the talented artists and showcase the many wonderful communities throughout Central New York. The forty pictures featured in this show were selected by a panel of judges and include both color and black-and-white images in seven categories.

The exhibit includes five photographs that were taken in Oswego County. The selected pieces include the bridge in Minetto and railroad bridge arches in Pulaski, both by Laurel Haller; the lighthouse and break-wall in Oswego by Joe Falcetti; a re-enactment at Fort Ontario State Historic Site in Oswego by Michael Byrne; and Oswego Harborfest fireworks by Michele C. Wood.

 

Laurel Haller's photograph of the Minetto bridge won first place in the "Best of Structure" category.

Photograph of the Oswego Lighthouse and break-wall by Joe Falcetti.

Other artists in the show are Brian Byrnes, Kathryn Cartini, Tara Charles, Kate Collins, Andrea Elliott, Kathleen Paice Froio, Jim Gibbons, Julie Janusz, Dan King, Laura McCord, Adrian Mitchell, Kevin Morrow, Tim Mulcahy, Tim O’Connor, Molly Saunders, Tony Shi, John Szozda, Michael Tracy, and Whitney Wagner.







Photographer Joe Falcetti at the Canal Commons exhibit with his winning entry in #ShowUsCNY15.



The Oswego County Tourism Office and its partners worked together to promote the project and host the exhibit. It opened in Canal Commons on West First Street in Oswego last Friday and will run through Tuesday, January 5, 2016.



The photography exhibit #ShowUsCNY15 lines the halls of Canal Commons in Oswego.



Several winning entries are posted outside the Good Guys Barber Shop.



Friends gather outside Taste the World where more photos are hung.

 

Be sure to visit Canal Commons to see the entire exhibit while you enjoy local holiday shopping!

 

Visit Lakeside Artisans this holiday shopping season.

Lakeside Artisans features a variety of gift ideas crafted by local artisans.

Local artist Kathy Fenlon welcomes visitors to Lakeside Artisans.

Shoppers browse Sensibility Outfitters.

Man in the Moon Candies prepares for this year's holiday season.

For more information about #ShowUsCNY or to see the complete collage, visit showuscny.com.

Cheers!

Kelly

 

Into the Wild…

This weekend, let’s go into the wild with the Fulton Art Association (FAA) as they hold their annual art show and competition. The special category theme for this year is “Wild Big Cats.” Thank you to Kathy Mihalek, president of the FAA, for giving us a preview of some of the pieces in the show.

The exhibit features FAA artists from Fulton, Baldwinsville, Central Square, Hannibal, Liverpool, Mexico, Oswego and Phoenix. They will be competing for first-place, second-place and honorable mention ribbons in a variety of mediums. There will also be awards for Best of Show and Viewer’s Choice. The latter is given to an artist who receives the most votes from the public for its favorite piece.

There will be prizes for the public as well. FAA members have donated several pieces to be raffled at the show. The winners will be announced on Sunday; however, ticket holders do not need to be present to win. The proceeds from the raffle benefit the FAA’s annual high school invitational in February.

Some of the entrants in the FAA’s show this weekend are also participating in the exhibit, “On My Own Time,” a program co-sponsored by the Everson Museum of Art, the Cultural Resources Council and several area companies. Its mission is to foster a closer relationship between the business community and the arts.

Pictured below are two FAA members who have works exhibited in both shows:

Rhoda Cunningham of Oswego

Diane Shumway of Mexico

Two framed prints donated by FAA artists for raffle

The Fulton Art Association is open to all artists regardless of age, experience, and artistic style or medium. The group’s roster includes children, seniors and everyone in-between, whether they are full-time artists or dabbling Picassos, shutterbugs and ceramicists.

Now in its 37th year, the FAA is a vital component of the arts community in Fulton, New York and its environs. The organization strives to promote awareness and education as well as to provide encouragement, support and advocacy for the arts.

Come to the FAA’s annual art show and competition in the Community Room of the Fulton Municipal Building at 141 South First Street. Vote for your favorite piece in the exhibition. Gallery hours are from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday, May 22 and from 12 to 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, May 23. A reception is scheduled from 6 to 8 p.m. on Saturday.

For more information about this show or the Fulton Art Association, call 315-532-3803.

Cheers,
Kelly