CURRENT EXHIBITIONS

Main Gallery

Tioga Arts Council (TAC) is honored to announce its January exhibition, Nature's Palette, from the Underground featuring works from Donna Cheresnowski, Bill Laughland, Gail Laughland, Christine Pelton, and Carrie Dru Tornatore. The exhibition opens on First Friday, January 3, from 5 – 8 p.m. in the Main Gallery located at 179 Front Street in Owego. Join us for an Artist Talk with Hope at 6:00 p.m.

About The Group

Every Thursday afternoon, the "Underground Artists" meet in the basement studio space of the TAC. Some of the artists are former students of Robert Merwin, and also members of the Fine Arts Society of the Southern Tier (FASST) and TAC.

The goal of the group is to capture and portray their vision of the natural beauty that surrounds us, with great camaraderie, encouragement, and laughter in an atmosphere that inspires. We hope our work connects the viewer to our amazing natural world.

Artist Statements

Donna Cheresnowski: My concentration is landscapes and photo references from my travels.  I find nature so inspiring.  With a home studio and the Underground Artists my paintings are filled with bright colors of nature, but I love crisp black and white painting as well as water and snow scenes. 

Bill Laughland: I studied additional classes with Michael Tanzer, Brian Keller, and Bob Merwin.  Since retirement, with renewed passion, I have won awards with my landscape acrylic paintings from many references taken on my travels. 

Gail Laughland: The majority of my quilts have been made using patterns from various quilt books and individually themed patterns.  The artistry in quilting comes from selecting fabrics that are pleasing to the eye and have colors and patterns that coordinate well together.  Constructing the blocks and adding embellishments to a quilt is an artform.  My favorite technique for creating wall hangings is fusible applique. 

Christine Pelton: I am so inspired by nature's beauty.  It speaks to my soul, the wow, how beautiful!  The many colors sprinkled in our everyday life; I try to portray in my work to inspire someone else. 

Carrie Dru Tornatore: To me, art is visual poetry.  I want my work to invite the viewer into a world of natural beauty that remains with you, not just a fleeting glimpse in our fast-paced world.

Information:

●      Location: Tioga Arts Council – Main Gallery, 179 Front Street, Owego

●      Opening Night: First Friday, January 3, from 5 – 8 p.m.

●      Artist Talk: First Friday, January 3, at 6 p.m.

●      Exhibit Duration After Opening: January 4 - 31, 2024, Wed. – Sat. from 12 – 4 p.m.

The Tioga Arts Council is committed to showcasing emerging and established artists in and around Tioga County. The exhibitions change on a monthly basis. TAC welcomes submissions from artists on a continuous basis. We are interested in all contemporary media including drawing, mixed media, painting, printmaking, photography, experimental media, sculpture, quilting, etc.