I arrived in Schenectady at the age of ten and always felt as if this was where I was supposed to be. I started drawing when I was very young and fell in love with the human form. To capture an expression and communicate emotion has always intrigued me. I love to combine the human form with color and perspective and enjoy playing with balancing these aspects into something I think is interesting. I was encouraged pursue an artist life following recognition in the 2021 Stockade Art Show.
I decided to start the Electric City Arts Contest in 2020, electriccityartscontest.org, in order to help promote art of all types in the greater Schenectady area. I feel at home in a community that values and displays art of all types, including music, literature, and film, as well as visual arts. The contest allows me to see developing artists in their formative years, choosing styles, subject matter, medium. I enjoy contributing to a community where art can be shared and encouraged. The contest is entering its 5th year, starting June 1st.
I was one of the organizers of Gallery 5 Schenectady, currently operating as a Pop-Up gallery. With two successful shows in 2023, and one in 2024, we have exhibited 50-75 artists each show, and hundreds of pieces of art work. The eventual goal is to have a permanent gallery in Downtown Schenectady.
My latest project is a revival of ART NIGHT SCHENECTADY, a monthly Third Friday Downtown Schenectady showcase for local artists. This is a continuation of a project started by Mitch Messmore, Richard Lovrich and Paul Kazee in 2007, which ran until 2013. This is a great opportunity to see art in the Downtown area.
My goal with all of these endeavors is to create an Art centered community, decorated, beautiful, full of inspiration and opportunities for creatives. I have come to call Schenectady my home, and I want to be involved in what Schenectady becomes. I want to see art on every street, bringing people together who would not normally be together and providing another way to connect. Art can steal attention from other less fulfilling focuses, and offer a positive environment for all to flourish.
As an artist, I currently work with Aluminum cans, oil on canvas, plywood sculpture and curved canvas, but plan to explore other sculpture mediums as well. I live in the Stockade, spending much of my time at the Moon and River Cafe, where I enjoy an active art community, including painting, and music.
Awards
Stockade Villager’s Outdoor Art Show 2021-Best in show-First Place
Featured piece “Cynthia and Bella” oil on canvas
Approx. 90 Artists in Show
Stockade Villager’s Outdoor Art Show 2022- Best in show-Second Place
Featured piece “Abstract Face #2” plywood
Approx. 90 Artists in Show
Arkell Regional Juried Art Show-2023-Exhibitor
“G.I. Joe”
Juror
Juror for ‘Art for the View’, the 2024 SUNNYVIEW Rehabilitation Hospital Foundation.
'ART NIGHT SCHENECTADY', every third Friday Event, 5pm to 830pm. More info at artnightschenectady.com.
Craig Petreikis, President
Richard Lovrich, Board Member and Creative Director
Emma Severson-Assistant
Sarah Greagorian- Assistant and Artist
Sarah
We also run the ELECTRIC CITY ARTS CONTEST
This is an annual online arts contest open to all forms of art (visual arts, music, film, poetry, short stories, etc.) with around 10 judges and cash prizes. This contest runs from June 1 to Oct. 1 each year. Free to enter. More info can be found on electriccityartscontest.org.