Public Relations Office · 500 University Avenue · Rochester, NY 14607-1484 585.276.8900 · 585.473.6266 fax · mag.rochester.edu NEWS August 31, 2011 EXHIBITION FACT SHEET Title: 63RD ROCHESTER -FINGER LAKES EXHIBITION When: July 24–September 25, 2011 Description: ­Every two years, Rochester’s longest-running juried exhibition showcases works by emerging and established artists from a 27-county region of western and central New York. Jurors: Phil Alexandre of Alexandre Gallery, New York, and John D. Spiak, curator, Arizona State University Art Museum, and director designate, Grand Central Art Center, Santa Ana, CA Contents: 100 works by 49 artists—including 36 first-time exhibitors—selected from a field of 885 entries by 337 artists. This year’s show is particu- larly strong in prints, drawings and photographs, but also includes paintings, ceramics, sculptures, mixed media works and video. Awards: Winners of eight cash awards totaling more than $4,000 were announced at the July 23 opening party (list attached). As in past years, the final, $500 prize was voted by visitors during the show’s first two weeks and announced August 8. One artist will also be selected by the Gallery for the 5th Rochester Biennial, an invita- tional opening in July 2012. Special events: ­These include an opening party (July 23) and lectures by three Finger Lakes artists (July 24, 28 and 29).. See attached release. Cell phone tours: Call 585.627.4132 to hear commentary by many of the artists. Free, but regular cell phone charges apply. Credit line: This exhibition is underwritten by the Elaine P. and Richard U. Wilson Foundation, with additional support from Jane W. Labrum, the Rubens Family Foundation and ESL Federal Credit Union. Hours: Wednesday–Sunday 11 am to 5 pm and until 9 pm on Thursdays. Closed Mondays and Tuesdays. Admission: Effective July 1, admission is $12; senior citizens, $8; college students with ID and children 6–18, $5. Always free to members, UR students, and children 5 and under. Half-price general admis- sion Thursdays from 5–9 pm is made possible by ExxonMobil Chemical Company and Monroe County. MAG on the web: mag.rochester.edu Press contacts: ­Larissa Masny (585) 276-8934 / [email protected] Patti Giordano (585) 276-8932 / [email protected] FROM TOP : Paul McKinley (Bath), Organic Man. Ink on paper. Jeff Kell (Rush), Bling. Ceramic. Christine Sullivan (Elmira), Blue Door. Oil on canvas. Frank Petronio (Spencerport), Meagan and Prosper, Utica. Photograph. more… Public Relations Office · 500 University Avenue · Rochester, NY 14607-1484 585.276.8900 · 585.473.6266 fax · mag.rochester.edu NEWS August 31, 2011 63rd ROCHESTER-FINGER LAKES EXHIBITION OPENS JULY 24 Long-Running Juried Competition Showcases Regional Artists ROCHESTER, NY — The 63rd Rochester-Finger Lakes Exhibition, a long-running show- case for artists from western and central New York, opens at the Memorial Art Gallery July 24 and remains on view through September 25. The exhibition features 100 works by 49 artists, chosen from a field of 885 entries by 337 artists Alexandre by jurors Phil Alexandre of Alexandre Gallery, New York, and John D. Spiak, curator, Arizona State University Art Museum, and director designate, Grand Central Art Center, Santa Ana, CA. “This year, in response to visitor feedback asking to see more work, we’re taking Finger Lakes in a slightly different direction,” says Marie Via, the Gallery’s director of exhibitions. “The jurors were asked to pick 100 pieces that interested them and represented a broader cross-sec- tion of what’s happening in upstate and western New York studios. The 2007 and 2009 shows included 31 and 36 objects, respectively, so it’s an exciting challenge for us to present a much Spiak larger body of work in a way that still gives each piece a chance to shine.” This show is particularly strong in prints, drawings and photographs, but also includes paintings, ceramics, sculptures, mixed media works and video. Among the artists are 13 veterans, including Joy Adams, in her sixth Finger Lakes; and Paul Dodd, Lynne Feldman, Jeff Kell and Kim Waale, all in their fourth. At the other end of the spectrum are 36 artists making their Finger Lakes debuts. See attached list. The 63rd Rochester-Finger Lakes Exhibition is underwritten by the Elaine P. and Richard U. Wilson Foundation, with additional support from Jane W. Labrum, the Rubens Family Foundation and ESL Federal Credit Union. Awards Winners of eight cash awards totaling more than $4,000 were announced at the July 23 opening party. As in past years, the final, $500 prize was awarded by visitors during the first two weeks of the exhibition and announced August 8. See attached list. Again this year, one artist will be selected by the Gallery for the 5th Rochester Biennial, which opens in June 2012. This invitational, which alternates with Finger Lakes, showcases six regional artists. History of the exhibition In March 1914, just five months after opening its doors, the Memorial Art Gallery hosted its first Rochester Art Club exhibition. The yearly show had been a fixture of the local art scene for three decades, but at MAG, it grew steadily in size and scope. It took its current name in 1938, when it expanded to encompass not just RAC members but artists living in 19 counties of western New York. More changes were in store. These days, the Rochester-Finger Lakes Exhibition takes place every two years and serves a 27-county area. more… Memorial Art Gallery of the University of Rochester Rochester-Finger Lakes Exhibition page 2 One thing hasn’t changed, however. Because of the competitive nature of the show, only a small percentage of works submitted are chosen. As a result, the exhibition remains a prestigious showcase for artists in west- ern and central New York. Past award winners, many of whom have gone on to establish national reputa- tions, have included Wendell Castle, Albert Paley, Honoré Sharrer, Hans Christensen, Bill Stewart, Graham Marks and Kathy Calderwood. Hours and admission The Gallery is open Wednesday–Sunday 11 am to 5 pm and until 9 pm on Thursdays. Closed Mondays and Tuesdays. Effective July 1, admission is $12; senior citizens, $8; college students with ID and children 6–18, $5. Always free to members, UR students, and children 5 and under. Half-price admission Thursdays from 5–9 pm is made possible by ExxonMobil Chemical Company and Monroe County. Programs and events These include an opening party (July 23) and three artist lectures (July 24, 28 and 29). For details see attached release. Virtual catalog Selected images from the exhibition are available for browsing at magart.rochester.edu/PRT2022. Press contacts ­ Larissa Masny (585) 276-8934 / [email protected] Patti Giordano (585) 276-8932 / [email protected] ### Public Relations Office · 500 University Avenue · Rochester, NY 14607-1484 585.276.8900 · 585.473.6266 fax · mag.rochester.edu NEWS Press contacts: Larissa Masny (585) 276-8934 / [email protected] Patti Giordano (585) 276-8932 / [email protected] August 31, 2011 63RD ROCHESTER-FINGER LAKES EXHIBITION SPECIAL EVENTS PREVIEW Party Saturday, July 23, 8–11 pm $25 (MAG members at Supporter level and above, free) Advance tickets required; call (585) 276-8939 during business hours Celebrate the art of the Finger Lakes! At this exhibition preview, the spotlight’s on emerging and established artists from upstate New York, with live music and dancing. • Dance to the revved-up sounds of Rochester’s own Krypton 88, performing a unique mix of rockabilly, swing, surf, country, honky tonk, and rock and roll. • Relax to jazz with the Howard Potter Vibes Trio. • Be among the first to know which artists are the winners of eight cash awards (8:15 pm in the auditorium), and don't forget to cast your ballot for the Harris Popular Vote Award (to be announced August 8). • Purchase cocktails, tasting plates, coffee or decadent desserts served by Max at the Gallery. FINGER LAKES Artist LECTURES Lecture series generously underwritten by the Marion Lord and John L. Swierkos Education Fund. Dates and times below, auditorium (included in Gallery admission) • Sunday, July 24 at 2 pm: Yvonne Buchanan In 2009, her first Finger Lakes, Yvonne Buchanan won the Ida Louis Abrams Award. This year, she’s back with two videos—Practice (pictured) and Progression. An assistant professor at Syracuse University’s College of Visual and Performing Arts, Buchanan is also an award-winning illustrator whose projects have included a children’s book about the first African American woman aviator. • Thursday, July 28 at 11 am: ht coogan ht coogan of Honeoye Falls describes himself as “artist, educator and provocateur.” For his third Finger Lakes, Coogan is exhibiting two works that defy classification—a series of sketchbooks and his mixed-media work ht coogan’s spinning educational turntable of shifting attractions and inconsistent direction (pictured). Locally, he has also exhibited at the Rochester Contemporary. • Friday, July 29 at 11 am: Paul Brandwein Paul Brandwein of Rochester, whose organic forms are influenced by Hindu and Buddhist ico- nography, gives the final lecture of this series. Brandwein has three ceramics in this Finger Lakes, his third; among them is Red Portal (pictured). more… Memorial Art Gallery of the University of Rochester Finger Lakes Special Events page 2 “What’S UP” LECTURE Sunday, September 18 at 2 pm: Finger Lakes in the 1950s Assistant curator Jessica Marten speaks on works from past Rochester-Finger Lakes exhibitions that are now in the MAG collection. GUIDED EXHIBITION TOURS (included in Gallery admission) Sunday, July 24, 1, 2 and 3 pm Fridays, September 9, 16 & 23, 2 pm Sundays, September 18 & 25, 1 pm CELL PHONE tour Call 585.627.4132 to hear commentary by many of the artists.