Creative Cortland 2021
Creative Cortland is an exhibition obligated to evolve, a platform for artistic expression and imaginative persistence. The pandemic continued to affect our daily lives; however, in 2022, we are once again able to gather, connect with each other, and heal as a community. Continuing to explore the unconventional imagination in expression, this year’s exhibition will delve into the idea of renascence, the revival of something dormant, or an awakening.
A new addition was added to the exhibition to activate the space in a new way, evolving visual arts into art as performance. Building on the success of the pop-up live painting collaborative experience at Porchfest 2021, the concept of art-making as a performance was further explored. A limited number of artists were invited to paint LIVE, exploring their unique interpretations of the idea of awakening.
Ashe Martin, Molly Reagan, David Fransico, Crystal Lyon (in order of appearance within the gallery space)
Displaying Artists
Sarah Carmen
Carlotta Case
Eileen Deutsch
Thomas Edwards
Emily Gibbons
Crow Goyette
Scott Holdredge
Jon Majka
Monica Oaks
Allen Pankhurst
Teri Pelton
Meghan Van Deuson
Elijah Wheaon-Dardano
Brynn Wilkins
Live Pop-Up Artists
David Francisco
Ashe Martin
Molly Reagan
Crystal Lyon
Bryan Bancroft
Creative Cortland Persist 2020
Creative Cortland is a community art exhibition hosted at the Cortland Repertory Theatre Downtown, which is converted into a pop-up gallery.
In 2021, the exhibition had to be shifted due to the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Committed to the continued success of this exhibition and the community’s accessibility to the arts, a socially distant and safe solution was needed.
A virtual call for artists was launched, asking artists the question: How did you find communion with your creativity during prolonged, pervasive circumstances? Since we could not gather, images with the artists’ answers accompanied the artwork on display in the gallery.
Some artists submitted artwork for a silent auction, with all proceeds being donated back to the theatre, since the challenges of the pandemic have hit the arts and entertainment sectors hard, forcing many venues to shutter their doors.
Instead of an opening reception, live-streaming artist talks took place throughout the exhibition.
Artist Talks
Quentin Bartholomew
Adalette Brianne
Carlotta Case
Louise M. Felker
Crow Goyette
Jon Majka
Molly Reagan