In a couple of weeks, St. John Fisher University will host an artists’ talk and reception for the mixed-media exhibit “Urban Alchemy,” currently on display at the Patricia O’Keefe Ross Gallery.
The show is described as a “love letter to Rochester.” Curated by Richard Glaser, an entrepreneur and community activist, the exhibit features the work of local artists Magnus Champlin and Richard Colón.
An illustrator with a design studio in downtown Rochester, Champlin’s work can be seen in murals at the Rochester Museum and Science Center, signage at the Seneca Park Zoo and through community art drops.
Colón, a street photographer, focuses on conveying the beauty of urban streets and local architecture. He also is founder and curator of Behind the Glass Gallery. The space amplifies the work of underrepresented artists.
“Urban Alchemy” joins the two artists–a selection of Colón’s photographs are juxtaposed with Champlain’s large- and small-scale murals and installations. A blank, gold-framed canvas makes space for attendees to add their own art. Three more canvases will be placed on the Fisher campus and in Rochester, creating a connection through the shared experience of making art, officials say.
“When I was invited to curate and produce an art exhibit for Fisher, I was asked to feature Rochester and build bridges between the university and the city. The campus is six miles from downtown and much further from the urban core in other ways,” Glaser says. “This challenge would involve a certain ‘alchemy’ and I immediately thought of my friends and talented creatives, Richard and Magnus. Their adoration for the city runs deep throughout their artistry and they also have demonstrable success educating and inspiring young people.”
The reception will take place April 25, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. The event is funded by the School of Arts and Sciences at Fisher and RocGrowth. The gallery is open to the public during the week, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
“I am proud of how we created something new, refreshing, and positive for the Fisher community,” says Glaser. “I also believe this project will reverberate throughout Rochester since it is open to the public and will feature elements that will engage the city. Our future is bright and full of gold.”
Smriti Jacob is Rochester Beacon managing editor. The Beacon welcomes comments and letters from readers who adhere to our comment policy including use of their full, real name. Submissions to the Letters page should be sent to [email protected].