On Exhibit at the Garde

Step into a vibrant celebration of creativity, history, and community honoring the Garde Arts Center’s Centennial.

The Spirit of the Garde brings together forty regional artists, each sharing a unique interpretation of the Garde – past, present, and future. Inspired by music, film, dance, comedy, poetry, plays, visual art, yoga – and the theater’s magnificent murals and enduring commitment to community, their artistic voices will unite in a powerful exhibition celebrating connection, resilience, and belonging.

Seen through the eyes of many, the exhibition will capture the countless ways the Garde has inspired, strengthened, and enriched our community for generations.

Ísiah Allgood

Ísiah Allgood is a New London based multidisciplinary artist, photographer, musician, and Influncer. His work explores storytelling through atmosphere, place, identity, and human connection. Drawing inspiration from architecture, history, arts, and culture, Allgood blends contemporary perspectives with nostalgic visual styles to create work that feels both familiar and imagined.

Dot Ames

Born as a Virgo in Danbury Ct, I never lived there. I grew up on a farm in the woodsy West Lebanon Maine. Music runs in my family my great(x2) grand father is Ole’ Bull born in Bergan Norway. I was made to learn piano, chose to play trombone, and loved to dance. Early on I was given a Kodak Instamatic and my true love in the arts was born. An Adult told me that photography was a waste of time and money and took my camera away from me. Because my camera was gone, music became my passion, second only to Social Work.

In the late 90s I decided to start taking pictures again. I have had a piece stolen (a huge compliment by the way) and have attempted to enter every art photo show in New London as much as possible. I not only photograph New London but now own a national registry of historical places home in the heart of this small 7-mile perfect city by the sea.I like my photos raw… no filters no color enhancing just my eye, the camera, and maybe a crop or two. I am honored to be able to bring this mosaic of some of my greatest memories of the Garde Arts Center to this celebration of one hundred years of the Garde supporting the arts in New London County. Thank you all for supporting Gardenia is the Center of New London’s art scene and we need it and love all that it stands for.

Frances Baldwin

Fran Fuller Baldwin is a calligraphy artist and picture framer, and a CT certified Art teacher, living and working in the New London area and active with the Mysticalligraphers guild.

Emily Barresi

Emily Barresi is a photographer and independent filmmaker from Connecticut. Through collaborations with community members and the lens of magical realism, Emily searches for meaning in suburban American spaces. Her photographs have been exhibited nationally and internationally, and she has created on-site video installations at several venues, including David Zwirner Gallery in New York and UTA Artist Space in Los Angeles. Emily holds an MFA from Yale University and currently lives and works in New London, where she continues to imagine technicolor futures for everyone.

Tom Bombria: Tom Bombria Photography – Connecticut Shoreline Professional Photographer

My love for the great outdoors and appreciation for the beauty in nature led to my desire to try and capture beautiful images ever since receiving my first camera for high school graduation. I work continuously and tirelessly to broaden my experience and hone my technical ability trying to capture the stunning imagery I observe in my travels and in the wonderful landscapes, water views, and architecture of the Connecticut shoreline and beyond.

My camera is always nearby and I keep active covering local events, weddings, concerts, sports, and creative portraiture. In addition to the part time business which includes being the volunteer House Photographer for the Garde Arts Center, I volunteer my time photographing for my favorite charities Work Vessels for Veterans and Make-A-Wish of Connecticut. tbombria@msn.com www.tbombriaphoto.com (860)235-0237

Garrett Brennan

This work of art reflects my personal connection to the historic Garde theater. I served on the board of the Garde and, during my tenure, I promoted and supported programming for children. My children and granddaughter have participated in children’s theater programs at the Garde Arts Center and enjoyed the experience. My painting celebrates both this theater’s century of history and its continuing role inspiring young people!

Kern Bruce

Kern Bruce is a mixed media and digital artist from Trinidad and Tobago. His work explores themes of race, identity, resilience, and diversity, with a focus on the African
diaspora and the complexities of contemporary struggles faced by Black communities. Kern began his artistic journey at the age of ten, and later attended the Newark Community School of the Arts and Newark Arts High School in Newark, New Jersey.

His art reflects a commitment to addressing social and political issues such as racial inequality, colonialism, and identity, while celebrating the rich cultural heritage of the African diaspora. Kern’s work has been featured in exhibitions at Art in the Atrium, The Puffin Foundation, Gallery Aferro, and the Morristown Museum (a Smithsonian affiliate), where his original book cover for Tiffanie Drayton’s memoir Black American Refugee was featured. Kern was also the featured artist for this project, marking a major milestone in his career.

In addition to his fine art, Kern has contributed to set design for popular TV shows such as Godfather of Harlem, High Town, and Law & Order. His public art contributions include a mural for the Children and Family Agency in New London, CT, and the design of the large-scale “Big Belly” trash bins in New London. Recently, Kern has exhibited work in a Black History Month show at Studio Montclair, further expanding his reach and continuing his exploration of cultural identity and resilience.

G. Roger Clements

G. Roger Clements is a New London, Connecticut-based photographer, architectural designer, and 40-year building design professional. He earned a BA in Etching & Graphics with a minor in French from Knox College in Illinois; studied at the University of Besançon in France and took design classes at Harvard University. He taught art and architecture at Greens Farms Academy in Westport, Connecticut. He ran his own Fairfield County-based building design and drafting firm, Sasqua Associates LLC for 35 years. He uses hand-developed 35mm, medium-format, and large-format film. He captures architectural details, geometry, light and shadow, textures, and structural transformations over time, alongside 3-D historic façade.

Virginia Reyes Conde

Virginia grew up in Australia, where most of her commissioned art continues to be sold.

A self-taught – now full-time artist – started her artistic journey many years ago, recycling as a way to utilize waste materials and help prevent global warming. Her first paintings consisted of mandalas and dot paintings, done with Acrylics, a perfect medium for recycled materials.

During the pandemic Virginia started taking online lessons on watercolor and alcohol markers and immediately fell in love with these mediums.

“Most of my art now consists of buildings and homes done in ink and watercolor or ink and alcohol markers. I usually think of the things we leave behind while I am painting and like to imagine all the stories behind the windows. I find that something broken, old or worn out has an interesting story to tell. I like to print my work on photo paper as a way of maintaining its brightness and vivid colors.”

Why New London and Connecticut College?

“My daughter Julieta chose Connecticut College to live and study and sends me many photos. Even before visiting I was surprised with the beautiful architecture and surroundings. Once I visited – I fell in love with New London, its community and art. I have always maintained a quirky colorful style and my art is a form of mental peace for me and a way of seeing the beauty of it all.

My main goal is to convey that same sense of beauty and peace to the viewer.” This is my third exhibition with the Garde Art Center, I participated in spring of 2025 with my own exhibition, on the (Women’s voices the art of us) and now this one. My painting, as you know, is on the Shoreline magazine; which I am really excited about.

Michael Congdon

Born and raised in New London, Connecticut, I discovered my passion for photography and videography through a deep appreciation for storytelling. What started as a simple
curiosity with a camera quickly became a way to capture raw emotion, authentic moments, and the unique energy within each project.

Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of turning that passion into something more than a hobby — creating meaningful portraits, dynamic event coverage, and cinematic visuals for athletes, artists, and local organizations. My work has been showcased in galleries such as Studio 33 and Hygienic Art, and I continue to build connections throughout the community by documenting its stories with honesty and intention.

From intimate family portraits to fast-paced sports photography, my approach blends an urban, cinematic style with genuine emotion. I’ve collaborated with schools, youth
programs, and small businesses across Connecticut — including the New London High School football program — to create visuals that highlight pride, purpose, and community spirit.

Beyond the visuals, I value the relationships built through this craft. Every shoot is a chance to connect, tell a story, and create something that lasts far beyond the moment it was captured

Kathy Diaz-Saavedra

Bringing my art, created in a little corner of Connecticut, to the world. Maybe making someone smile because of it.

Casaundra Fenty

I’m a local artist based in Connecticut; the medium I primarily use is bright acrylic and oil paints to bring my ideas to life. I would describe my art style as contemporary figurative work with a colorful twist. I have been painting seriously for about 7 years now but have been an artist all my life. Some of my earliest memories are of drawing or painting on my very first easel in my room and using clay and paper to make an entire little world.

I paint to express the layered moments of life we can’t always see but that we always feel. Whether that’s peace, chaos or anything in between that we might not have words for, my paintings represent the feeling of those moments.

Susan Firestone

Susan Firestone grew up in Charleston, South Carolina and pursued art at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts and Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture. She received a MFA from American University in Washington D.C. Susan lived, taught and exhibited her work there for over twenty-five years before relocating to New York City. As a doctor’s daughter, combining art and medicine was natural for Susan who wanted not only to make her own work, but use art therapeutically to work clinically with people in need.

Susan received an MA in Art Therapy from New York University in 2001, and continued training at The Institute for Psychoanalytic Training and Research in Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy which laid the foundation for her work in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and trauma. Immediately after 9/11 she worked for FEMA and The Red Cross in lower Manhattan in a hospital, several schools, and community centers for over ten years following the World Trade Center disaster.

In 2013, Susan completed a PhD in Expressive Therapies at Lesley University in Cambridge, MA. Her dissertation, “Art as a Catalyst for Resilience: Women Artists with a Life-Threatening Illness”, explored the creative process in relation to health and ill health with creative women. She is a Board Certified Art therapist (ATR-BC), Licensed Creative Arts (LCAT) Therapist and psychotherapist in private practice in New York City.

Susan’s art studios are in Soho and Connecticut and she describes her art work as mixed media assemblage – collage, prints, painting and sculpture.

Heather Flynn

Emerging artist Heather Flynn serves as the Box Office Ticket Services Manager at the Garde Arts Center, where she is often the first welcoming voice and face patrons encounter. With a passion for the arts and a deep commitment to community service, Heather plays a vital role in creating an accessible, inclusive, and positive experience for every guest who walks through the Garde’s doors. Her work supports the Garde’s mission to connect people through live performance, film, and education – ensuring that the arts remain welcoming and reachable for all.

Katie Fogg

Katie Fogg’s plein-air paintings are vibrant studies of place, light, and perception. Neon color, transparent and opaque layers of oil, and shifting perspectives create a luminous tension across cityscapes and recurring subjects such as umbrellas and flowers.

Fogg received her MFA from the New York Academy of Art in 2015. She received the John Stobart Fellowship for her dedication to observational painting and has developed independent exhibitions and projects throughout New York, Connecticut, and California. Alongside her studio practice here in New London, CT, Fogg provides art programming for the youth, including healing-centered art classes, and has served as an adjunct professor at Mitchell College since 2021.

Skip Hine

Skip Hine is an award-winning commercial photographer who spent his career shooting for advertising and corporate clients whether in his NYC studio or traveling the world. Now living full-time in Lyme, “Chez Anaïs” was originally published in his book “Memories In Hinesight – My Life With A Camera.” Living in Lyme CT, he is now devoting his time shooting personal work for his upcoming book “In Hinesight – Eyes Wide Open.” This signed, giclée print was part of his recent solo exhibition here at the Garde Arts Center.

Kristi Holohan

Kristi Holohan is a Finnish American multidisciplinary artist based in New England. Her playful work in visual Arts focuses on our deep connection to each other, and our natural world. Holohan uses curiosity to create calm and whimsical works that provide a place of belonging.

Jake Kaiser

A decade ago, I had the honor of portraying the artist Mark Rothko in Nathan Caron’s production of the play Red. During the rehearsal process, I began painting large replicas of Rothko’s originals in order to understand both the process and the man. Then something magical occurred. The more I painted, the better I understood! Light, color, their interactions, as well as my ignorance of Rothko’s vision.

Today, I continue this exciting exploration in charcoal, oil, or watercolor at my studio on Meridian Street as a member of the Garde arts community…

Maurene Kennedy

I am a painter who also works in various media and mixed media combinations. I’ve studied at local art institutions; Lyme Academy of Fine Arts, Lyme Art Association, Mystic Museum of Art, and Three Rivers Community College where I earned a certificate in Graphic Arts and Communications. I was an Artist in Residence under the Urban Artists Initiative, Institute for Community Research, Connecticut Commission on the Arts. I received awards, grants and scholarships. I’ve been involved in arts fundraisers for several local non-profit organizations including; Hygienic Art Galleries, New London Landmarks, New London Maritime Museum, and the National Coast Guard Museum. I’ve participated in community art installations; New London Christmas Tree, Ocean Community Chamber’s Stonington Lobster Trap Tree, and The Nutcracker Trail. I’ve worked in the arts field as Gallery Manager/Programming Manager, Hygienic Art Gallery; Director, Gallery Manager, Arts Educator, The Tsetse Gallery; Art Teacher Garde Arts Center Institute For Creativity; Gallery Manager, Curator, Graphic and House Artist, Photographer, and Custom Picture Framer/Designer, Studio 33 Art & Frame Gallery, New London and Stonington Borough. I am currently serving as Member At Large of New London Arts Council, member of the Garde Arts Center Centennial Committee, and as a participating artist, and assistant in hanging the upcoming Spirit of The Garde Exhibit for the 100 Year Garde Arts Center Centennial Celebration.

Keith Kimball

Keith Kimball is 35 year resident of New London, CT where he lives with his wife, two children and two cats. He began studying photography and visual arts as teen, eventually earning a BFA from MassArt. Now a retired accountant he focuses his vision on the historic buildings of New London.

Kyle Kuchta

Kyle Kuchta is a Connecticut-born filmmaker, podcaster and storyteller. His narrative and documentary work has been screened and awarded worldwide. From ages 5-9, and once at age 17, he tap danced on the Garde Stage.

Susan MacKay

Susan Schaub MacKay (b. 1964 Mystic, CT) is am American artist based in New London, CT. After receiving world-class instruction from renowned artists in both portrait and figure painting and sculpture (1982 – 1988) at the Lyme Academy of Fine Art, Old Lyme, CT, earned a BA in Studio Art/Art History as well as Museum Studies Certificate from Connecticut College. Steadily commissioned portrait artist since 1986 as well as en plain air landscapes, she has begun experimenting with large, mixed media works incorporating materials on hand. These large land and seascapes strive to capture the beauty of the world and the importance of reuse and recycle in all aspects of our lives including art. These works utilize both traditional painting; fabric “painting” i.e. the use of fabric as a medium; and glass bead work which acts as a splintering of the image as it leaves the painted surface. In addition, she also creates usable furniture using art works printed on ceramic tiles combined with glass tiles and repurposing old furniture into functional art. She is Art Director/Curator and owner of theThe Local Gallery New London, Connecticut.

“In my art work and life, I strive to find beauty and wonder in the world that surrounds me. When I paint, my goal is to convey this through color and light which to me, radiate joy. I am constantly astounded by the colors and the forms in nature and for the past decade have been gravitating toward landscape and seascape painting. I am especially fascinated and drawn to the incredible hues present at sunrise and sunset. My aim is not to solely replicate the scenes that I portray, but to express their energy and brilliance through my paintings.”

Deb McGrath

Debbie McGrath is an author, photographer, storyteller, and community leader whose life and work are grounded in connection, resilience, and service. A three-time cancer survivor, Debbie has learned to find meaning in the moments others might overlook. That perspective became the inspiration for her book, Other People’s Chairs, a unique collection of photography and personal stories that explores how ordinary chairs can become extraordinary reminders of the people, places, and experiences that shape our lives. A longtime advocate for her community, Debbie currently serves as President of the Southeastern Connecticut Women’s Network, where she works to strengthen connections, support local organizations, and create opportunities for others to thrive. Through her photography, writing, volunteer work, and leadership, Debbie has made it her mission to remind people that everyone has a story, and sometimes, all it takes is slowing down long enough to notice it.

Sara Munro

Sara Munro began working at Studio 33 Art & Frame Shop 43 years ago in September of 1983 for local artist and professional picture framer John Martin. John Martin opened Studio 33 in 1979 at 307 State Street, New London, part of the Garde block. She worked part time at first, then expanding to full time. Sara learned custom professional picture framing mostly through on the job training, then framing classes and seminars in New York, Boston and Rhode Island at framing suppliers. She became manager of Studio 33 and more than doubled the business for John in a year. Designing matting and framing for art became a passion which remains
today. In 1994 Studio 33 moved to 243 State Street next to the Whaler Restaurant. She helped the business expand to include art shows and consigned and purchased gift items. Trips to NYC brought new suppliers of the latest in frame designs to offer clients. Sara learned the importance of becoming a conservation framing specialist and helped many artists create their signature framing design to suit their medium.

Sara and new business partner, photographer Frank Kaczmarek, purchased Studio 33 in March of 2006 from John and Marian Martin. After two years of ownership, Studio 33 had to move as the building owner would be using the space. In November of 2008 Studio 33 moved to its present location in the Captain Franklin Smith House at 140 Bank Street, on the historic Waterfront Heritage Trail, situated in the heart of downtown New London’s active cultural district footprint, the landmark building is right next door to Custom House Maritime Museum. Today, it blends past and present by housing the local commercial art institution Studio 33 Art & Frame Gallery. Economically it was a bleak time for business and a tough time to move. The move proved to be a better location and did very well, even staying open during the world wide pandemic of 2020.

In 2014 the Mayor and the New London City Council recognized Sara Munro and Studio 33 Art & Frame Gallery for her leadership, awarding her a proclamation from the City of New London for 35 years successful business, fostering the economic development of the city and becoming a showcase for local artists and artisans. Mayor Daryl Finizio presented her with a Proclamation in the City Council Chambers. In 2021 The Day papers 7th Annual Best of Readers Choice Awards recognized Sara Munro and Studio 33 Art & Frame Gallery with First Place! In 2022 Representative Anthony Nolan presented Sara Munro with a citation from the
Connecticut General Assembly. The award recognizes Studio 33 for its longevity and success. Founded in 1979, the gallery and frame shop survived the shutdown of the world wide pandemic; remaining a vital fixture in the New London community.

Studio 33 Art & Frame Shop has always been a place for serving the community through fundraising art shows for non profits – The National Coast Guard Museum, Custom House Maritime Museum, Dog Rescue Foundation, Terri Brodeur Breast Cancer Foundation, and the historic First Congregational Church New London. Studio 33 showcased seasoned and emerging artists having joint shows to support the emerging ones. Studio 33 supports local artists offering one of a kind 2 dimensional and 3 dimensional art. Studio 33 has been a full service frame shop being able to produce framing on site from the length moulding to the finished framed art ready to hang.

Laura Natusch

Some of Laura Natusch’s happiest childhood memories are of painting in the woods in her backyard or of dashing off watercolors while vacationing with her family. However, after graduating from Rhode Island School of Design with a BFA in painting, she drifted away from art until she moved to New London, where she began meeting artists, visiting galleries, and feeling inspired and supported by the city’s artistic community.

She started painting in earnest again seven years ago. Since then, she’s rediscovered how painting helps her see beauty all around her, and she hopes her paintings help others see the beauty in everyday scenes, too.

Dana Neugent

Retired, University of Rhode Island. Adjunct Associate Professor, Film Vice Chair, Rhode Island State Council On the Arts

Mark Patnode

Mark Patnode, Purchase College BFA ’78, is a Fellow of Urban Artists Initiative, funded by the National Endowment for the Arts & CT State Office of the Arts (COA). Mark has served on the CT State Arts Council and is an I-Park Fellow, and Vermont Studio Center Fellow. Listed in Who’s Who Lifetime Achievement, Mark’s work is in the Smithsonian Institution Permanent Collection, Lyman Allyn Art Museum, Mitchell College, and numerous collections worldwide. Mark was selected by CT Governor Rell to create a painting for CT’s 375th Anniversary and his work is in the CT Governor’s Residence Conservancy. Mark has been an Elected Member of Salmagundi Art Club, Mystic Museum of Art, Norwich Arts Center, Coast Guard Art Program (COGAP), Member of the Bulgarian- American Creative Society, USA Visual Artist Instructor for CREC CulturArte, Africa (2007, 08). Mark served as a Juror for the CT Academy of Fine Arts (CAFA) Annual Show (2015) and Clinton Art Society (2017). Mark is juried into the COA Directory of Teaching Artists as a Connecting & Integrating Teaching
Artist. Mark’s book, “Cultivating Illuminations” is available through Amazon.

Michael Peery

Michael Peery received a BFA degree from Utah State University in 1992 and an MFA from The New York Academy of Art where he graduated Cum Laude in 2000. While at New York Academy of Art, Peery received multiple scholarships for excellence, The Gamblin Award for outstanding student and the first annual Forbes Award to participate in a painting residency in Northern France. Additional accolades include The James DuPaul Award for Best in Show at the North East Regional Exhibition in Woodstock, NY in 2006 and The Prince of Whales Foundation Award for Best in Show at the Summer Salon in NYC in 2008, which allowed Peery to go back to France to paint. In March 2010, American Artist magazine published an article about his process and his paintings. In 2013, Peery was awarded “Teacher of Excellence” for his work in the Continuing Education Department at the Rhode Island School of Design.

Exhibitions venues include The Dahesh Museum, The Arnot Museum and The Fort Wayne Museum and many public and private collections including Jean-Louis Dumas- Hermes, The Prince of Whales Foundation, The Forbes Foundation and the Monte Cristo Cottage of The Eugene O’Neill Theatre Center, the setting for O’Neill’s masterpiece, Long Days Journey Into Night. Peery currently works and resides in New London, Connecticut.

Beth Pite

My art is about color, energy and capturing the essence of something rather than an exact likeness. Using loose, gestural strokes of vibrant color, I want to show how it felt to be there, instead of just copying what my camera records. My paintings often suggest a vignette, a human story in intriguing settings like parks, city streets or the shoreline. By emphasizing color and energy rather than exact representations, I create an enhanced reality in hopes of invoking deeper responses from viewers.

An award-winning artist who has been exhibiting professionally since 1997, Beth Pite has been in juried shows in Connecticut and Rhode Island, and is featured in private collections from coast to coast. She attended the University of Connecticut’s School of Fine Arts and has studied with nationally known painters Susan Ogilvie, Doug Dawson, Frank Federico and Gigi Horr Liverant.

Charles Reyburn

The artistic inclinations of Charles W. Reyburn began here in New London in the early 1960’s with a childrens art class with Bea Cummings at The Lyman Allyn.Art Museum. 1974 brings Charles to Rhode Island School of Design – departing with a BFA in Painting in 1978.

Trish Reyburn

Trish has been teaching yoga in Southeastern, CT for over 25 years, she is the founder of Blissworks Yoga & Healing Arts. Originally trained through the Kripalu Center for Yoga & Healing, she also received advanced training through the Anusara school with her beloved teachers Ann Greene, Todd Norian and Deb Neubauer from 2008-2012. Trish is a certified Usui and Karuna Reiki Master and Thai Massage therapist as well. She
believes that yoga is an empowering practice that can help anyone advance on their path to self-knowledge, and that it is not important the level of poses that one achieves but rather the attitude one cultivates wherever they find themselves. Trish currently teaches in the historic lobby of the Garde Arts Center & seasonally at Harkness Park. trishreyburn@gmail.com

Greg Roth

Retired educator/administrator, Garde Trustee and History Collaborator, Occasional amateur photographer.

Daneen Roth

Daneen Roth is a retired educational administrator and active community volunteer. Her photographic subjects most frequently feature everyday objects seen from a unique perspective.

Charlie Sands

Kira Seamon

Kira Seamon devoted her life to the arts. As a performing artist, with a 40-year career in ballet, via participating in dance competitions, she became a National and two-time Regional dance champion, and won 18 awards, including platinum and special awards from the judges. She choreographed and danced in evening-length productions that she produced at prestigious venues in Boston and Cambridge, MA. Her videos have become Editors’ Choice for Video of the Month in Dance Teacher magazine and Editors’ and Viewers’ Choice for Future Star of the Month in Dance Spirit magazine.

As a visual artist, she is a 14-time grant recipient from Boston-area Cultural Councils, received over 50 newspaper cover stories about her art including one in the Patriot Ledger’s (New England’s largest evening circulation newspaper) art section, which ran online/print in 123 towns, which is the entire eastern half of Massachusetts. In her new home in New London, in 2026, Kira ran “New London in Bloom” along with Rich Martin of the New London Cultural District. She graduated from the City Hall program, Neighborhood Academy, for which she received a Certificate of Recognition from the General Assembly of the State of Connecticut and the City of New London, and her art was exhibited with the Garde Arts Center, the Hygienic Art, the New London Arts Council, the Waterford Historical Society, and with Thames River Gallery.

Jeanne Sigel

Director of Development & Community Outreach, Garde Arts Center

Jeanne Sigel finds joy in connecting people, ideas, and community. Her creativity has taken on many forms – from graphic design and visual arts to storytelling and imaginative projects. This piece was inspired by a memory, adding a touch of whimsy and celebrating the delight of discovering something unexpected in the ordinary.

Pat Todd

Martha Wakeman

Martha Wakeman studied at the Tyler School of Art in Rome and holds a B.S. in Art Education from Skidmore College and an M.A. and an M.F. A. from Villa Schifanoia-Rosary College Graduate School of Fine Art(Dominican University) in Florence, Italy. She has exhibited her paintings and pastels in Florence, Milan, Connecticut, and New York.  Her work is in collections in the U.S., Europe, ew Zealand and Canada. She has taught in the summer session at the Umbra Institute in Perugia, Italy, at Gonzaga University and Palazzo Rucellai in Florence and at Connecticut College. Her work has been featured in the Pastel Journal. She has also created Art and Study Retreats in Italy, one of which was a nine-day drawing and pastel workshop at the Pensioe Bencista in the Fiesole hills above Florence in May 2014.

Grace Zazzaro

There is a single, suspended moment captured here, the breath before everything changes. Genesius was an actor, a man who made his living pretending, standing on the stage in what performers of his day called a theater’s box, the raised platform where illusion became reality for an audience hungry to believe. He had played this role before: a mocking imitation of Christian baptism, written to entertain an emperor and draw laughter from a crowd that saw faith as little more than spectacle.

But something broke open in him mid-performance. The words he spoke in jest became true the moment he spoke them. The mask fell. What began as satire turned, without warning, into confession – and the same stage that had made him a performer now made him a witness. He would not leave that box alive much longer, but he would leave it transformed.

It is this threshold, between performance and truth, between comedy and martyrdom – that drew me to paint him. The tear on his cheek is not scripted. His eyes, caught somewhere between the role he was playing and the man he was becoming, hold both. Centuries later, Genesius is remembered as the patron of actors, comedians, and all who find themselves in the space between pretending and believing, the ones for whom the stage, improbably, becomes sacred ground.

The halo, box, and theater masks, comedy and tragedy punched and etched into the 23k gold leaf by hand, worked in oil on an 11 x 14 fine canvas panel – quietly honoring that transformation, a performer’s mask giving way, at last, to grace.