Central New York Magazine -September/October 2022

When you’re expecting, expect the best.

Crouse Health’s family-centered maternity care goes beyond the expected when you’re expecting, providing around-the-clock care and support throughout all phases of pregnancy — before, during and after delivery. That’s why our diverse team of highly regarded OB/GYN physicians, nurses, midwives and doulas delivers more babies than any other hospital in Central New York.

Along with 24-hour in-house OB and anesthesia coverage, Crouse offers the most comprehensive resources and services to make your birth experience special — from an array of pre-birth classes, lactation support and integrative therapies, to personalized post-delivery care for both mom and baby.

Thankfully, most births go as planned. Yet it’s reassuring to know the region’s highest level of specialized newborn care is only available in our Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

For the health of you and your baby, choose a provider who delivers at Crouse.

CROUSE Kienzle Family Maternity Center

PRESIDENT Tim Kennedy

ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER OF THE GOOD LIFE

Annette Peters 315-282-8527 apeters@advancemediany.com

SENIOR DIRECTOR OF MARKETING

Lindsay Marlenga lmarlenga@ advancemediany.com

CIRCULATION DIRECTOR

Thomas H. Brown 315-470-2053 tbrown@acssyr.com

MAGAZINE/EVENTS SALES MANAGER

Jennifer K. Queri 315-282-8622 jqueri@advancemediany.com

EDITOR

MJ Kravec 315-766-7833 mkravec@advancemediany.com

CONTENT EDITOR

Amy Bleier Long 315-282-8553 ableierlong@advancemediany.com

DESIGNER

Susan Santola ssantola@advancelocal.com

CUSTOMER SERVICE 315-282-8622

SUBSCRIPTIONS

Contact Jennifer Queri or visit readcnymagazine.com

ON

Serious moonlight. Corky Goss and Chip Miller’s “Clinton Serenade” provides a glimpse of Syracuse’s past. Photo, Library of Congress. Cover design by Susan Santola. See story page 92.

The Good Life, Central New York Magazine (ISSN 1931-194X) is published six times a year by Advance Media New York, 220 S. Warren St., Syracuse, New York 13202. The Post-Standard © 2022. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic/digital, mechanical photocopying, recording or otherwise, without written permission.

All material submitted to Central New York Magazine becomes the property of Advance Media New York, publishers of The Post-Standard and Central New York Magazine. It will not be returned. Such a submission, to name a few examples, may be a letter to the editor, a cartoon, a picture, a poem and the like. Any such material may be excerpted, edited for length or content, and may be published or used in any other way. For example, on Syracuse.com or in The Post-Standard.

i4 THE M50

ELECTRICITY IN ITS MOST POWERFUL FORM.

ELECTRICITY IN ITS MOST POWERFUL FORM.

As the first vehicle of its kind in BMW’s history, the i4 M50 combines all-electric power and efficiency with the unrivaled performance and expert engineering of the BMW M.

At BMW we made it our mission to design a versatile Plug-In Hybrid fleet with the power and performance that make each vehicle worthy of being called the Ultimate Driving Machine ®

As the first vehicle of its kind in BMW’s history, the i4 M50 combines all-electric power and efficiency with the unrivaled performance and expert engineering of the BMW M.

Experience the breathtaking acceleration of 536 horses stampeding at a whisper. Indulge in a gorgeous interior equipped with the most advanced and innovative iterations of BMW’s onboard technology. And revel in the iconic handling that you’ve come to expect from the M. With an estimated range of up to 270 miles, the i4 M50 doesn’t just go fast—it goes far too.

We proudly present the BMW X5 xDrive45e, which boasts the remarkable performance of our standard combustion engines working in harmony with the electric motor to increase fuel efficiency and available torque. And with an all-electric range that ’s long enough for local trips, you’ll spend less time at the pumps and more time enjoying the road

Experience the breathtaking acceleration of 536 horses stampeding at a whisper. Indulge in a gorgeous interior equipped with the most advanced and innovative iterations of BMW’s onboard technology. And revel in the iconic handling that you’ve come to expect from the M. With an estimated range of up to 270 miles, the i4 M50 doesn’t just go fast—it goes far too.

The i4 M50 is 100% electric and 100% BMW. This is the Ultimate Electric Driving Machine.®

With the BMW X5 xDrive45e Plug-In Hybrid, you don’t unplug to drive. You unplug to unleash.

The i4 M50 is 100% electric and 100% BMW. This is the Ultimate Electric Driving Machine.®

Contact a Client Advisor at DEALER NAME to learn more today.

Contact a Client Advisor at Burdick BMW to take a test-drive today

Contact a Client Advisor at DEALER NAME to learn more today.

BMW. The Ultimate Driving Machine.®

Burdick BMW

5947 East Circle Drive

©2022 BMW of North America, LLC. The BMW trademarks are registered trademarks.

©2022 BMW of North America, LLC. The BMW trademarks are registered trademarks.

Cicero, NY 13039 (315) 459-6000 burdickbmw.com

©2022 BMW of North America, LLC. The BMW name, model names and logo are registered trademarks.

©2021 BMW of North America, LLC. The BMW name, model names and logo are registered trademarks.

Lights up

September comes so timidly. As if it knows we need to transition ever so gently from summer’s end to fall’s start. Seriously, Sept., there’s no need to be shy.

For Central New Yorkers, fall — in all its sweater weather and pumpkin spice glory — seems to be almost everyone’s fave. In addition, it’s also the start of the arts season and that means several ways to light up these ever-darkening nights with a show, a concert or a visit to a local gallery.

Introducing our first Arts & Entertainment issue. Join us as we go behind the scenes of the American High film studio, get an inside look at the Black Artist Collective and Black Latino Asian Artist Coalition, go flying with area drone photographers whose vision offers an entirely new way of looking at CNY and talk with Syracuse University professor Bob Thompson on the influences of pop culture. We’ll also revisit the local vendors featured in celebrity chef Anne Burrell’s fall 2021 wedding.

In other departments, we introduce you to Amaus Dental, which has been providing free dental care to people in need, take a closer look at the City as Canvas art project and get a sneak peek at Versa-Style, a hip-hop performance group coming to the Everson. Also inside, find out how one local woman created an eco-conscious alternative to plastic sandwich bags, peruse Syracuse’s public art scene and get a grape pie recipe from Heart ‘n Hand to put you in the season’s full swing.

For our grand finale, we sat down with Landmark Theatre Executive Director Mike Intaglietta on what he enjoys most about working at this historic gem and to find out if those ghost rumors are true.

All good things during a most entertaining time of year.

Cheers.

MJ

mkravec@advancemediany.com 315-766-7833

Want more?

Check out our website at readcnymagazine.com for seasonal features, stories, recipes, past issues and more. Contact us anytime with story ideas, feedback and more at info@readcnymagazine.com.

And now, a word from our contributors:

Gabriel Veiga

“I wasn’t expecting to geek out on American High. The company shoots in a tiny school, almost in the middle of nowhere… and then you see the films on Hulu. Impressive.”

On writing about film production studio American High

Danielle Benjamin

“I loved working on this piece because I got to discover new local photographers and see some truly unique projects that they are working on. There is always something new to discover in CNY!”

On writing about local drone photographers

Broader Perspective

PHOTOS BY KERRI LYNNE COLE

Good News

Cazenovia Artisans celebrates 20 years

Behind the Scenes: City as Canvas

Caught Doing Good: Amaus Dental Services provides free care to those in need

The Seen: A pictorial review of CNY’s social gatherings

Good

Syracuse artist enters NFT space

CNY Scout: Hip-hop dance group comes to Everson

Farm to Table: Heart ‘n Hand’s Concord Grape Pie

Down to Earth: An alternatvie to plastic sandwich bags

Art Profile: Syracuse’s public art scene

A HIGHER LEVEL OF CARE | gethealthysjh.org

With expert clinicians and the latest technology, we’ll help your whole family get back on track.

© 2022 St. Joseph’s Health. © 2022 Trinity Health. All rights reserved.

It ’s all good

POSITIVE VIBES • OUR TOWN • MARKET TRENDS

FALL, GUYS

BY MJ KRAVEC

The crickets are growing quiet. The air grows crisp. Jack-o-lanterns laugh from every doorstep, golden leaves faint from the trees and moody skies add a haunting backdrop to autumn’s drama.

Here are seven ways to take in the season now.

It ’s all good

APPLE JACK

WRITE STUFF

The Friends of the Central Library Author Series kicks off its 28th season with Brit Bennett, author of “The Mothers” and New York Times bestseller “The Vanishing Half,” which details the lasting impacts of the past on a person’s future. 7:30 p.m. Tues. Sept. 13 at John H. Mulroy Civic Center. Visit foclsyracuse.org.

SUPER EXCITING

Symphoria performs music from superhero movies including Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, SpiderMan and more. 10:30 Oct. 29 at Inspiration Hall. Kids under 18 get in free with parent or guardian. For more information, visit experiencesymphoria.org.

Celebrate the Fall Equinox on Sept. 22 with the symbol of the season. Core four apples and place in a shallow baking dish. Combine ¼ cup brown sugar, ¼ cup walnuts, 2 Tbsp. butter, tsp. cinnamon, 1 Tbsp. raisins (optional). Spoon into apple cores. Pour ¼ cup of water into pan and bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes. Serve with vanilla ice cream.

ALL NATURAL

Create a seasonal and simple wall hanging with elements gathered from outside. Twist grapevine into a simple wreath and secure with floral wire and/or a hot glue gun. Attach dried leaves, berries and other natural outdoor finds for a uniquely rustic hanging for a front door.

WARM GLOW

Create your own autumnal votives by securing colorful leaves to the outside of a jelly jar with twine. Place batteryoperated votives inside to add warmth and seasonal color to a table setting.

THERE’LL BE SUN

The new national tour of “Annie” comes to the Landmark Theatre with an appropriately timed theme that sunnier days lie ahead. Oct. 4-8. This beloved musical with its iconic score celebrates family, love and the enduring spirit of hope. Visit landmarktheatre.org

PRESSING CIDER

With apple cider season in high gear, put a fresh spin on hot cider and try adding a dried spicy chili to your mug. In a pinch, you can also use a bit of cayenne or powdered chili. For another flavor layer and one that makes it suitable for a tailgate before an SU game add a sliver of orange peel.

THIS IS YOUR BRAIN ON ART

BY MJ KRAVEC

A simple stroll through an art gallery might be all it takes to put yourself in a better place. According to researchers, looking at art may be good for your mental health.

A handful of studies point to this evidence. In Norway, researchers collected data on more than 100,000 Norwegians age 13 and older at the Norwegian University of Science & Technology. The study found a definite correlation between participating in activities like going to museums or concerts or creating art and overall happiness and lower rates of depression and anxiety.

In another study, researchers at the University of London performed brain scans on subjects as they looked at several pieces of art. They found that when the subjects thought of the art as beautiful or pleasing, brains scans showed stimulation of the release of dopamine a chemical associated with love and pleasure in the brain.

To practice: Take a trip to one of CNY’s art galleries (listings this issue, page 100), see a show or attend a concert. Take time to escape everyday life and immerse yourself in the beauty of what’s in front of you.

Studies show a connection between viewing art and reducing stress

It ’s all good

Chittenango

BY JOEY PAGANO

Yellow brick sidewalks line Genesee Street in Chittenango, each brick a tribute to Chittenango-born author L. Frank Baum, who wrote the series of books that served as the foundation for the “Wizard of Oz” film and musical. Although the iconic film is entrenched in village life, the area is much more than that. The completion of the Erie Canal led to the growth of the village in the 1800s, and it has evolved into a quiet suburb elevated by its engaged residents.

GRAB A BITE

Snag a sandwich, burger or daily special for lunch during the work week from DeMario’s Eatery. Feeling extra hungry? Dig into a super quesadilla at La Cocina. Check out New China King for Chinese favorites. For pasta and specialty pizzas, go to Nina’s Pizzeria & Italian Restaurant or check out Buck’s Pizzeria’s full menu. Head to Fat Bottom Grills for big breakfasts and to take advantage of their outdoor dining. Maple Leaf Market has regional and local food items, plus a large selection of Turning Stone Grab & Go food. Fuel up with breakfast pizza, sandwiches and loaded fries from Lakeport Market. Satisfy your sweet tooth at The North Pole (and stay tuned for the attached Serendipity Café opening soon) or Dad’s Ice Cream

SHOP LOCAL

Florist Olive Branch also offers gift items and Chittenango-themed merchandise. Spruce up your landscaping with shrubs, plants and mulch from Sorbello’s Gift & Garden, which brings in decor and local food products such as Ontario Orchards cider. Find fresh corn, tomatoes, seasonal fruit and milk at Durfee’s Stand at Tuscarora

Dairy. Looking for a bargain, try newly opened Yellow Brick Thrift or head north to Monkey See Monkey Do It Again Thrift Store; proceeds benefit Kirkville Animal Rescue and Education. Start your home maintenance project at McGowan’s Hardware In addition to a variety of floor coverings, CNY Flooring installs custom tile showers and backsplashes. Pick up something for a special someone at Chittenango Jewelers

Above, breakfast at Fat Bottom Grills, a pop-culture themed restaurant.

HAVE A DRINK

Darlene’s Kitchen is the local spot to gather for hot coffee and a great breakfast or lunch. (If you go during the school year, you may experience a breakfast theme based on books that local elementary school students are reading.) Stop into Ten Pin Restaurant and Tavern to savor cold drinks and pub fare. Chittenango Discount Liquor & Wine offers frequent tastings.

PHOTOS BY DAVID LASSMAN, JARED PAVENTI

ANNUAL EVENTS

In spring, the Chittenango Garden Club holds a garden tour and plant sale selling annuals and perennials grown from their own gardens. Cast your line in the Chittenango Lions’ Walleye Derby Oz-Stravaganza — the village’s largest event of the year — features a carnival, writing and costume contests, a special showing of “The Wizard of Oz” and fireworks set to music from the movie. Throughout the summer, Tuesdays at the Park brings everyone together for live music, classic cars and local vendors. Join the Tour the Towpath bicycle ride along the Old Erie Canal. The fall rtisan festival is a craft market with food trucks, face painting and music. Put on a Halloween costume and your running shoes for the Eerie Canal Run. The Halloween Shop Small event includes a festival at the Botanical Park followed by trick or treating at local businesses. Around the holidays, get in the spirit with shop local events such as the garden club’s holiday bazaar, the village tree lighting and a holiday decorating contest where residents’ creativity shines.

THINGS TO DO

The All Things Oz Museum celebrates the life and work of L. Frank Baum, best known for the Wizard of Oz books. Step into the past at the Chittenango Landing Canal Boat Museum to experience the life-size canal boat replica, interact with a blacksmith and learn more about the canal’s importance to our area. Bring your children and the young at heart to the Lions Botanical Park Fairy Garden. The Sullivan Free Library offers passes to local parks and attractions. Animal lovers can meet the wildlife at The Wild Animal Park, book a private animal encounter or enjoy the drive-through safari. Try your luck at the Yellow Brick Road Casino or hit the bowling lanes there. Get a massage at Healing Hands of CNY or receive a holistic wellness treatment at Allmond Wellness. The Sullivan Community Council organizes a variety of fitness classes throughout the year, put on by Chittenango Fitness

GET OUTSIDE

Follow the Yellow Brick Road sidewalk around for a selfguided tour of the village. Enjoy the Creek Walk which follows Chittenango Creek to the southern end of the village near the Village Acres neighborhood. By the end of the year, the village will complete the connection between the Creek Walk and the Erie Canal. Visitors can also enter Chittenango by biking or walking in from the Erie Canal Trail. Fly fish on Chittenango Creek, which features public access spots and a wheelchair accessible fishing platform behind the downtown stores. There is an area dedicated to those learning about fly fishing. Launch your kayak at the Chittenango Landing Canal Boat Museum to paddle the canal. Take advantage of outdoor amenities including playgrounds, pavilions, tennis, volleyball, bocce, baseball diamonds, and a skate park at village green spaces Sullivan Park, Community Recognition Park, Stooks Park, Legion Fields, Kirschenheiter Park, Stickles Park and Dr. West Memorial Park. It’s only a quick 20-minute drive to enjoy Oneida Lake

“We have a great community that is super supportive and seems to be growing... it makes us excited for the village’s future.”

Tom Sorbello, general manager, Sorbello’s Gift and Garden

PHOTOS BY MICHAEL GREENLAR, KATHE HARRINGTON

Left, attendees in costume during the Oz-Stravaganza. Above, giraffes at The Wild Animal Park, and Chittenango Landing Canal Boat Museum.

It ’s all good MARKET TRENDS

Cool breeze and autumn leaves

BY

When the autumn winds blow chilly and cold, our local boutiques have the layering pieces you’ll need. Like the true colors of the leaves, favorite fall motifs return along with dusty hues and tactile textures.

AMY BLEIER LONG | PHOTOS BY AMELIA BEAMISH

Small quilted landscape wall hanging by Sharon Bottle Souva, $165, Salt City Artisans, 226 Hawley Avenue, Syracuse, 315-479-0400, saltcityartisans.com.

It ’s all good MARKET TRENDS

PUT IT ON MUTED

CUDDLE UP

Throw blanket, $40, Inspired, 7468 Oswego Road, Liverpool, 315-622-3000, inspired-vhd.com.

DRESS TO IMPRESS

Catalina dress, $79, Floridella Boutique, 406 S. Franklin Street, Syracuse, 315-741-7961, shopfloridella.com.

CHAIN GANG

Two-tone chain bracelet, $10, Homie, 68 Main Street, Camillus, 315-663-4034, homieish.com.

IN THE BAG

Handbag, $39, Apricot Lane Boutique, 6811 E. Genesee Street, Fayetteville, 315-870-9181.

HOW DO YOU CREW

Jordan Crew Sweater, $98.50, H. Grey Supply Co., 53 Albany Street, Cazenovia, 315-815-5016, hgreysupplyco.com.

BOWL ME OVER

Footed circle bowl with handles, $48, Papavero Clay Studio, 38 E. Genesee Street, Skaneateles, 315-685-6263, papaverostudio.com.

TO A TEE

Take Me Upstate short-sleeve raglan sweatshirt, $50, Sakran & Shaw, 11 Jordan Street, Skaneateles, 315-345-1091, sakranandshaw.com.

BABY LOVE

Muslin baby wrap, harvest gold, $29, Drooz + Company, 36 E. Genesee Street, Skaneateles, 315-920-8888, droozandcompany.com.

FLIP IT AND REVERSE IT

Floral reversible jeans in olive, $75, Bev and Co., 18 E. Genesee Street, Skaneateles, 315-685-5064, bevandco.com.

FEEL THE ENERGY

Handcrafted ‘The Master Healer’ 4mm bracelet, $24, The Gift Box Shoppe, 4317 Fay Road, Syracuse, 315-4879099, thegiftboxshoppe.com.

BLOCK PARTY

Blu Pepper dress, $54, Apricot Lane Boutique.

Good Morning teacup in amber, $22, Skaneateles 300, 2. W. Genesee Street, Skaneateles, 315-685-1133, skaneateles300.com.

Recycled cotton botanical pillow, $28, BeeKind, 118 Milton Avenue, Syracuse, 315-299-6073, beekindsyracuse.com.

TOE THE LINE

Ramada mauve clay booties, $92, Cella V Boutique, 8395 Oswego Road, Liverpool, 315-430-4093, cellavboutique.com.

It ’s all good MARKET TRENDS

ADDING TEXTURE

WALE LOOK AT THAT

Corduroy hat, $30, Salt Point Shop, 100 Brooklea Street, Fayetteville, saltpointshop.com.

CUFF DECISION

Starburst Flamed copper cuff, $68, Littoral Line Studio at Gallery 54, 54 E. Genesee Street, Skaneateles, 315-685-5470, gallery54cny.com.

BELT IT OUT

Chopra belt, $18, The Rose Cottage, 214 S. Manlius Street, Fayetteville, 315-637-1330, therosecottageny.com.

LIGHT THE WAY

Reclaimed wood lanterns, shorter $60, taller $65, M. Graham Interiors, 309 Vine Street, Suite 3, Liverpool, 315-440-6637, mgrahaminteriors.com.

BACK IN STYLE

Artsy backpack, $58, Dazzle, 119 W. Seneca Street, Manlius, 315-682-7499, thedazzlestore.com.

WHAT A BALL

Felt ball coaster set, $38, Skaneateles 300.

WISE CHOICE

Metal owl dish, $18, Inspired.

FELT CUTE

Felted Petals mirror by Quirky Digs, $275, Cazenovia Artisans, 39 Albany Street, Cazenovia, 315-655-2225, cazenoviaartisans.com.

CRYSTAL CLEAR

Table crystal, $100, Papavero Clay Studio.

BE-LEAF IT OR NOT

Blue painted leaf platter, $40, M. Graham Interiors.

FEELING BLUE

Navy vase, $8, Olive + Fern, 19 North Street, Marcellus, 315-200-2464, facebook.com/ shopolivefern.

STEM STUDY

Plant pot, $10, Inspired.

WAISTING AWAY

Boho belt $48, Boutique Joycé, 119 W. Seneca Street, Manlius, 315-692-2122, boutiquejoyce.com.

It ’s all good MARKET TRENDS

HERE COMES THE SUNFLOWER

EAR APPARENT

Earrings, $23, The Gift Box Shoppe.

SLEEPING BEAUTY

Eye mask, $15, Bev and Co.

HOOKED ON A FEELING

Small hooked wool pillow, $29.95, Enjoy, 419 E. Genesee Street, Fayetteville, 315-637-3450.

NICE AND COZY

Lightweight fleece robe sunflower sky, $50, Witty Wicks, 190 Township Boulevard, Camillus, 315-672-3110, wittywicks.com.

IN THAT CASE

Eyeglasses case, $13.95, Colorful Inspirations, 170 Township Boulevard, Camillus, 315-320-4364, colorfulinspirations.com.

CHEEP HOUSING

Birdhouse, $40, The Gift Box Shoppe.

IT’S ON ME

Caspari paper plates, $5 for 8 salad/ dessert plates, Chestnut Cottage, 75 E. Genesee Street, Skaneateles, 315-685-8082.

TOTE-ALLY CUTE

Chala brown stripe bee sunflower tote, $60.98, First National Gifts, 2 E. Genesee Street, Skaneateles, 855-810-9076, firstnationalgifts.com.

DRINK UP

Hand-painted stemless glass, $16, Creations by Nella at Gallery 54.

THAT PAINTS A PICTURE

“Four Sunflowers” oil on linen painting, $275, by Karen J. Burns, Cazenovia Artisans.

FRAME OF REFERENCE

Framed sunflower print, $70, Fringed Benefits, 6825 E. Genesee Street, Fayetteville, 315-802-4353, fringedbenefitsdesign.com.

ART OF GLASS

Glass sunflower plate, $35, by Cindy Helmer at Salt City Artisans.

MAGNETIC ATTRACTION

Hand-painted magnet, $25 (a portion goes to Ukraine), by Marilyn Fegan at Cazenovia Artisans.

It ’s all good MARKET TRENDS

LAYER IT ON ME

COAT CHECK

Shacket in light rosebud, $124, Lillie Bean, 57 Albany Street, Cazenovia, 315-655-0677, lilliebean.com.

GONE TO THE DOGS

Dog hoodie, $15, Olive + Fern.

VESTED INTEREST

Tribal Natural Zip-front Quilted Vest, $122, Lillie Bean.

LEATHER WEATHER

Men’s leather jean jacket navy, $850, Projex 214, 211 E. Water Street, Syracuse, 315-447-7961, projex214.com.

YOU’RE PUTTING ME ON Shae Sweater, $198, Skaneateles 300.

WARM REGARDS Cardigan, $198, Synple, 70 Main Street, Camillus, 585-615-3934, shopsynple.com.

THAT LOOKS STITCHIN’

Roz jacket $149, Emma + James, 25 Jordan Street, Skaneateles, 315-685-2747, shopejclothing.com.

ANY JEANS NECESSARY

Denim jacket, $100, Bev and Co.

LOVE LANGUAGE

Elan jacket button up distressed olive, $99, J Michael, 173 Marshall Street, Syracuse, 315-471-4237, jmichaelshoes.com.

CHECK PLEASE

Don’t Forget It cropped shacket, $52, Cella V Boutique.

TIP THE SCALES

Snake trucker jacket brown, $128, Boutique Joycé.

TOO MUCH OF A GOOD SWING

Camel swing jacket, $189, Floridella Boutique.

Dr. Leslie Kohman is always doing something special – surgery, research, clinical trials, directing the cancer center – and now is Upstate Medical University’s frst chief wellness ofcer. She includes peace of mind as an important part of her wellness prescription by being a proud member of the Upstate Legacy Society.

Recently accelerated by the pandemic, Upstate is one place where the intensity of human emotion is experienced by providers as well as patients. “The post-traumatic stress for our health care workers will extend at least for 10 years, so it's really important to me that we have resources to help them,” Dr. Kohman said.

Out of her desire to provide for these future needs, using a life insurance policy to create a legacy gift to the Upstate Foundation made the most sense for Dr. Kohman. Leaving her gift to an endowment, another priority, will make her giving permanent. “As I grow older, I realize that the Upstate Foundation is going to have needs long after I’m not here anymore,” she explained. She also inspires others to give. “When it comes to legacy giving, I always say your gift is the only one that matters. It matters to you. It matters to your benefciary, and that's what's important.”

Knowing you will touch the lives of future generations is a gift of wellness – peace of mind to you and those who will ultimately beneft from your generosity. Please join Dr. Kohman in leaving a legacy gift today!

To read Dr. Kohman’s complete story, visit www.UpstateFoundation.org/LegacyGiving, or to create your own legacy gift, call Upstate Foundation at 315-464-6490.

Our mission: Impacting patient care, education, research, and community health and well-being through charitable giving.

Taking the long view of wellness…

PHOTO BY AMY BLEIER LONG

Good news

BEHIND THE SCENES • CAUGHT DOING GOOD • THE SEEN

IT BELONGS

In 2002, developer Bob Hood gathered local artists in Cazenovia to explore the creation of a space to promote their work. This year, Cazenovia Artisans celebrates its 20th anniversary, the result of two decades of hard work, perseverance, camaraderie and quality fine art and handcrafted items expressed through a range of mediums. The shop, styled like a museum store, features the work of Central New York artists and artisans who are invested in mutual success who understand, pro -

TO ALL OF US

mote and serve as ambassadors of each other’s work — in addition to being responsible for running the business and maintaining the storefront. Reflecting on the successful evolution of their cooperative, each of the 20 current member artists contributed a custom tile forming a ‘20’ mosaic. The gallery is open seven days a week. Many of the artists are participating in the Cazenovia Art Trail in late September and a reception honoring past and present contributors will take place in November.

For more information: visit cazenoviaartisans.com.

STORY AND PHOTOS BY KATIE HOPSICKER

On the corner of West Fayette and Niagara, Cayetano Valenzuela takes a sweeping look at the yellow and navy-colored side of a building.

“What’s the rain probability today?” he asks his assistant and friend, Mary Ferrigno. They both gaze up at the blue and gray tie-dyed sky. Valenzuela proceeds to plan out his designs on the wall. Ferrigno opens a can of thick red paint. Their work for the day has begun.

In July, Valenzuela painted a mural for the City as Canvas initiative, which is part of Tomorrow’s Neighborhoods Today (TNT).

Operations Manager Tina Zagyva says that TNT not only works to address quality of life issues with the different neighborhoods of Syracuse, but also strives to increase community building and civic participation. City as Canvas guarantees

each of eight TNT neighborhoods a civic pride-themed mural made by a Central New York artist. Valenzuela is the first local artist to take on the project and painted in the Westside sector.

“If you go to Rochester or Philadelphia or other cities around us, they all have public art,” says Zagyva. “It’s not only providing community pride and uplifting our spirits, but it’s also providing economic opportunity through tourism.”

Part of a two-year program, the eight murals will be completed by the end of 2023. Zagyva says that TNT won’t stop there when it comes to public art; a lasting partnership with Syracuse’s Public Art Commission will provide many opportunities for local artists.

“Living through this pandemic disrupted our lives,” she says. “City as Canvas is for our local artists living or operating the cre -

Artist Cayetano Valenzuela and his assistant and friend Mary Ferrigno work on the mural at West Fayette and Niagara, a City as Canvas initiative. Royalty Heath also assisted on the creation of this mural.

ative spaces within Syracuse.”

Valenzuela owns Black Rabbit Studio and recently opened an art shop at McCarthy Mercantile downtown where he sells his prints, paintings and hand-lettered signs. He says that Michael John Heagerty, who founded the Mercantile, and Cjala Surratt, co-founder of the Black Artist Collective (see page 46), were instrumental in encouraging him to submit for City as Canvas.

But there is certainly a process to being chosen, and Zagyva says all the decisions are for and by the community. First, locations are submitted for each sector and the community votes. Then, Zagyva calls for local artist submissions, and again the commu-

nity votes. You must live, work or own property in the sector in order to vote, she says, but the community-driven approach ensures a successful result.

Zagyva also says that TNT requires all the artists to purchase their materials locally, and has partnerships with Sherwin-Williams, Purcell’s and The Art Store. And with their partnership with Syracuse’s Public Art Commission, Zagyva’s hope is that people begin to participate and support public art on a more consistent and long-term basis.

City as Canvas, with help from TNT President Jimmy Monto, is funded by a $250,000 grant through the American Rescue Plan Act (applied for through the Syracuse mayor’s office), which

“

I THINK WE NEED SOMETHING UPLIFTING, SOMETHING THAT CELEBRATES OUR COMMUNITIES AND GIVES US HOPE MOVING INTO THE FUTURE.”

Tina Zagyva

provides economic opportunity to communities. But there are more murals going up throughout Syracuse that are not funded through the same grant or initiative.

This past spring, a tribute mural to four of Syracuse’s basketball champions was finished on East Onondaga Street. And last fall, Syracuse was awarded $25,000 from the Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Asphalt Art Initiative to create a new plaza and mural on the asphalt in front of City Hall. Syracuse is one of 27 cities in 2022 to receive funding for public art meant to increase street safety and engagement for pedestrians; the city applied for the grant in partnership with Adapt CNY. Other murals include that of Jacqueline Colello’s art, decorating the side of Eva’s European Sweets (her first mural at Eva’s can be found in the courtyard), and Daniel Burgevin’s sea-themed mural on the side of National Aquatic Service’s building on Erie Boulevard.

The general hope of these murals is to strengthen the community and initiate change. Zagyva says that opportunities are few and far between for local artists here.

“We need more creative people to help change the paradigm,” she says. “I live here, I’m invested in the community, and I just want to see it become the best community that it can be.”

Valenzuela agreed and created his mural to reflect these ideals and his values. His imagery stems from the idea of re-creation and rebirth following COVID lockdowns. The pièce de resistance, which tied the design and its meaning together, came from Maya Angelou’s work: “And Still I Rise.”

“I just thought it was such a beautiful sentiment of talking about Black joy and telling a story other than the common portrayal of [the] trauma of minorities in media,” he says. “Being a person of color myself, it resonates with me...I love to hear about the joy of Black and Brown communities.”

Zagyva agrees, saying that she hopes the community will see the murals as a starting point for public art and civic pride within Syracuse.

“I think we need something uplifting, something that celebrates our communities and gives us hope moving into the future,” she says.

And Valenzuela says that within Syracuse’s community, public art will add to the city’s culture and change the way people see art within their daily lives.

“After I’m done with it, it’s no longer my piece of artwork,” says Valenzuela. “It now belongs to the city itself. And so, once that’s in their minds, everyone will have a more beautiful, colorful life.”

SCENES

From the top, Valenzuela at work on his Westside mural. The completed piece was celebrated at an event on July 28. A tribute to Syracuse basketball heroes on East Onondaga Street was completed this past spring.

PHOTO BY AMY BLEIER LONG

My parents instilled in me from a young age that working hard, having good values, showing empathy and caring about others was what’s important. I am grateful to have had the opportunities I did growing up and feel a responsibility to give back to help anyone who didn’t have the same.

I set up a donor-advised fund at the Community Foundation to facilitate my giving and contribute to our community’s greater good. I believe that by helping to provide career pathways for young adults, we can work towards breaking the cycle of generational poverty early on. Everyone deserves the chance to be successful, no matter the circumstance they’re born into.

My wife, Heta, and I believe that if you make small acts of kindness a part of your day to day life, then it will be built into who you become. We have taught our children that giving should encompass all forms—gifts of time, talent and treasure. Our fund serves as a way to engage them in philanthropy and the decision-making process of where our money goes and where we volunteer our time.

GIVING FOR THE GREATER GOOD:

JEFF KNAUSS

Read more of Jef’s story at cnycf.org/Knauss

Jeff Knauss with his family

UP SMILES

BY SUSAN KENNEDY

It’s 43-year-old Marta Farias’ first-ever visit to the dentist. She sits in the waiting room in pain from a broken tooth, yet she’s smiling with relief and gratitude. Dentist Robert Frangio, a volunteer with Amaus Dental Services in Syracuse, just examined her mouth and will extract the broken tooth — all for free. “I feel good because somebody cares,” says Farias.

Caring is what Dr. Frangio does best. You feel his sense of calm and consideration the moment you first meet the smiling, bright-eyed dentist, deacon, husband, father and grandfather. “He’s a kind soul,” says his dental assistant Cindy Johnson. Frangio is one of seven dentists, three hygienists and numerous assistants and administrative personnel who volunteer through Amaus to provide free dental services for adults across Central New York. “These are financially fragile people,”

says Frangio of their patients. “The underinsured or uninsured. The single moms, the refugees, the immigrants, the homeless, the elderly, people living paycheck to paycheck. They have nowhere else to go.”

They can come to Amaus. Frangio began volunteering at the clinic after retiring from his private dental practice about eight years ago. He retired just as he completed training to become a deacon in the Catholic Church; he is now director of deacon personnel in the Diocese of Syracuse and helps with services at Holy Family. Yet Frangio knew he still had more to give. “My hands don’t shake, my eyes see well,” he says. Of his dentistry skills, he thought, “There’s a unique gift here that can still be shared.”

Frangio says he’s always been close to his faith. He says Jesus’ mission on earth was to heal people and to serve those

Dr. Robert Frangio with Marta Farias, left, and her friend Rosangel Bompart, right, after Farias’ first-ever dental exam. Bompart says she’s brought at least six friends to see the dentists at Amaus Dental Services.

A CNY dentist brings hope, health and happiness to a community with nowhere else to go SERVING

EAST

ESPEJOS: CLEAN

BY CHRISTINE QUINTANA SPANISH TRANSLATION AND ADAPTATION BY PAULA ZELAYA CERVANTES DIRECTED BY MELISSA CRESPO

MAR

29 – APR 16

OUR TOWN

BY THORNTON WILDER DIRECTED BY ROBERT HUPP WORLD PREMIERE MAY 3 - 21

TENDER RAIN

BY KYLE BASS DIRECTED BY RODNEY HUDSON

PHOTO BY SUSAN KENNEDY

Since its founding in 2014, Amaus Dental Services has provided more than $700,000-worth of free services to the community, serving nearly 700 people each year, according to the group’s founder David Dasher.

who were very poor. “And so, I say, ‘If it is good enough for Jesus, then it better be good enough for me!’” he laughs. And it is good enough. The 30 hours each week he spends at Amaus and in his diocesan role bring him joy. “It has given me energy and purpose.”

When coming for an appointment at Amaus, Frangio wants people to feel they are given every bit of attention, dignity and the rights a patient at a private dentistry practice would have. The office looks just like a private practice with three treatment rooms, modern x-ray technology and medical charts. Amaus is primarily funded by The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Syracuse. Since its founding in 2014, Amaus Dental has provided more than $700,000-worth of free services to the community, says founder David Dasher, serving nearly 700 people each year with the help of dentists like Frangio. “He’s committed and compassionate, which is what you need with patients who may be anxious about coming to the dentist,” says Dasher, a retired dentist himself.

Frangio’s servant’s heart, on rare occasion, gets weary and he’d rather, for instance, sit with his wife of 37 years and enjoy one more cup of coffee. But a patient has an appointment. He goes to help. To serve. One recent patient got up from the dental chair, looked into the mirror and cried tears of joy.

“That’s gratitude,” says Frangio. “That’s all I need. That smile, even through tears, is thanks enough.”

For more information, to schedule an appointment or to volunteer: Amaus Dental Services, 259 E. Onondaga Street, Syracuse, 315-8026741. The entrance to the practice is located at the back of the parking lot next to the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception rectory.

“There is such a need out there. The amazing people who come in, and those who work here, these are my heroes.”

Dr. Robert Frangio

Institute for Human Performance

Millions raised for research

Upstate Golisano Children’s Hospital

Over $62 million raised for children since 1977

Upstate University Hospital

Over $3 million in annual donations

Madison Irving Over $6 million to be raised for Golisano Center for Special Needs

Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Funding for adult and pediatric patient services

Nappi Longevity Institute

Future home for brain health research

Joslin Diabetes Center Campaign raised money in 1995 to bring

Upstate Foundation

Heliport Funded the frst helipad

Upstate Cancer Center

Five years consistent annual fund giving

Where your gift impacts the health of the entire region

Since 1976, The Upstate Foundation, Inc., has been a beacon of hope as a public charity where those with philanthropic intent give to support Upstate Medical University and beyond. We partner for impact in the following areas:

•Patient health care

•Education of future health care providers

•Scienti c research

•Community health and well-being

Thanks to generous supporters of the Upstate Foundation, world-class health care is provided; scienti c research e ects current and future medical care; scholarships for students in various areas of health care education can continue; and our Central New York community at large receives services such as Upstate’s Housecalls for the Homeless program, which provides medical care to the homeless living in the streets and shelters of Onondaga County.

Over its 46-year history, the Foundation has had the distinct pleasure of working with those who give philanthropically with an altruistic desire to help

others—which is truly a re ection of their values. The Foundation o ers a variety of ways you can achieve your charitable goals, by using vehicles such as donor-advised funds and charitable gift annuities; supporting an existing fund or endowment; or creating your own!

While giving during one’s lifetime is both rewarding and impactful, the option to leave a legacy gift upon death can be a signi cant message one leaves to family and community. Dr. Leslie Kohman, chief wellness o cer at Upstate Medical University, is leaving a gift that will live in perpetuity. (Be inspired by her story in this edition.)

By working with members of the experienced Upstate Foundation team, they can help you connect your passion and philanthropic goals for the bene t of others.

To read Dr. Kohman’s complete story, www.UpstateFoundation.org/LegacyGiving

For more information call Upstate Foundation at 315-464-6490.

PATIENT CARE

RESEARCH

EDUCATION

COMMUNITY HEALTH & WELL-BEING

Good news THE SEEN

Syracuse Stage Annual Gala

With a theme of Together Again, Syracuse Stage’s Annual Gala closed out the 2021-22 season and celebrated live theater and the return of in-person audiences to performances. The evening was held at Springside Farm in Pompey, with local food trucks Birdsong Café, Liehs & Steigerwald On Wheels, Elbita’s Cocina and Toss & Fire Pizza, an open bar and signature drink by Oh My Darling and desserts by Crave Dessert Studio. Buried Acorn Brewery hosted a craft beer tasting. Patrons and supporters enjoyed entertainment provided by Stringdom and Creatrix, plus lawn games and a bonfire. A silent auction, open to gala attendees and the public, featured items such as exotic travel opportunities, specialty gift baskets and restaurant packages. The gala raised more than $100,000. Proceeds support educational, artistic and community engagement programming at the theater.

2.

3. Leigh Ann and Ryan Benz from Oh My Darling, Syracuse Stage season partner, provided drink and food service at the event.

Syracuse University VPA Dean Michael Tick, Alyssa Campbell, director of equal opportunity, inclusion and resolution services, and Denise Dyce, director of labor relations.

1. The crowd enjoys the evening’s closing entertainment by CREATRIX at Springside Farm.

4.

5. Syracuse Stage Artistic Director, Bob Hupp, shares remarks with event attendees.

6. Michael Leonard, Bea González, Syracuse Stage trustee, and Mark Steigerwald.

7. Jerome Daniels and Cora Thomas, Syracuse Stage trustee, enjoy the celebration of the return of live theater.

8. Local brewery Buried Acorn provided a beer tasting tent for the evening

Christine Corbett of David’s Refuge, Carolyn Hendrickson of Upstate Medical Foundation, José Miguel Hernández Hurtado of La Joven Guardia del Teatro Latino, and Enrique Vega Alonso.

Junior League Centennial Celebration

The Junior League of Syracuse belatedly celebrated its centennial in June. Founded in 1920, the organization is dedicated to improving Syracuse by supporting community-focused initiatives through volunteerism and financial assistance. Eleven organizations were designated as 100th year signature projects, including Vera House, Sleep in Heavenly Peace, On Point for College and Access CNY, to highlight the group’s commitment to community partnerships. The event, sponsored by G&C Foods, took place at The OnCenter Nicholas J. Pirro Convention Center and featured a happy hour, plated dinner, awards ceremony, silent auction and dancing.

1. Blooms and Blossoms set up a photo booth at the event.

2. A sweet way to mark the occasion.

Amahl

3. Guests mingle during the cocktail hour.

4. After a delay of two years, guests were able to celebrate the centennial of the organization in person.

5. Patti Giancola Knutsen, left, and Lisa Alford.

United Way Day of Caring

Over 850 volunteers from local companies helped out at more than 85 nonprofits in Onondaga County, including the Samaritan Center, the Food Bank of CNY, Hillside, Meals on Wheels of Syracuse, Mary Nelson’s Youth Center, Clear Path for Veterans, Vera House and more. The event was part of a celebration of the United Way of CNY’s 100th anniversary. Left, CNY Magazine editor MJ Kravec, Advance Media Senior Director of Marketing Lindsay Marlenga and CNY Magazine editor Amy Bleier Long helped clear out invasive species at Schiller Park.

Perspective, color and value are more than elements of art

BY NICHOLAS COURGI

Art is a form of storytelling, and when the stories told offer a limited perspective, or one’s access to being able to tell stories is restricted, our capacity to understand our community is diminished.

Local artists of color find that sustainable opportunities to live and work as artists and receive support, access and funding do not exist here to the extent that they should. Through two organizations, Black Artist Collective (BAC) and Black Latino Asian Artist Coalition (B.L.A.A.C.), creatives and activists are effecting their own change.

Qiana Williams, Cjala Surratt, Alice “Queen” Olom, Jaleel Campbell and Martikah Williams founded BAC in June 2019. The quintet saw a void in terms of who was receiving funding for artistic endeavors. Only three cultural institutions — Community Folk Art Center, La Casita Cultural Center and the Paul Robeson Performing Arts Company — in Syracuse were actively discussing issues that centered Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC).

BAC leaders recognized that increased advocacy was needed in a city and region where Black community members have not only been historically excluded from many artistic spaces but are still largely in the dark as it relates to the transparency of arts and economics. Even

though there are investment initiatives, systemic barriers have historically limited BIPOC artists’ knowledge of and access to resources, funding, career paths and exhibition spaces.

The simple mission of BAC is to provide a safe space for Black artists and creatives of color. BAC’s work centers a group that is often left out of the picture or used as a surface-level move toward diversity, equity and inclusion rather than unpacking and addressing systematic injustices within institutions.

Evan Starling-Davis, a narrative artist, curator, producer and member of BAC, was drawn to its advocacy work. He saw a group of community members dedicating their efforts and time to create equitable spaces and opportunities for Black creatives to thrive. He says there’s no reason why restorative practices shouldn’t be in effect; organizations should be asking themselves how they take true accountability and repair harm to the communities they take up space in. “How are we (institutions) giving back to the community and not just expecting them to invest in our organizations? How are we investing back into them (the community) with no hidden agendas on what we get in return,” he says.

According to Surratt, BAC members see art as advocacy, intervention and interruption. “Advocacy is about visibility through programs, events, professional development. We are also adamant about artists being properly compensated for their work. We also push for equitable allocation of funding for Black and Brown artists and organizations. BAC interrupts the status quo and speaks to the issues of exclusion and systemic barriers that have kept historically excluded artists from accessing opportunities. Intervention: We are focused on identifying issues and are creating sustainable systems that help Black and Brown artists succeed,” she says. A critical focus is engaging with and influencing policy.

BAC has hosted a variety of public events including virtual and in-person Black History Month Showcases in collaboration with Community Folk Art Center; Fete Noir: A Celebration of Black Joy; a concert with Syracuse Community Choir to honor Jackie Warren-Moore and Juneteenth celebrations at the Inner Harbor, featuring vendors and a film screening. The group organized Black businesses and creatives’ involvement at vendor events such as Shop Small Sunday at Salt City Market.

Membership in BAC affords artists access to workshops, classes and professional development opportunities. This year, BAC became a 501(c)(3) — Surratt calls it a game-changer — which allows the organization to

Blondean Young, founder of B.L.A.A.C.

more easily seek local, regional and federal grants to fund additional professional development, programs, workshops and scholarships. A $15,000 grant secured last fall from the Central New York Community Foundation was instrumental in advancing the events and programming of the group.

Surratt says BAC’s short-term goals include hosting a regional conference with other like-minded advocacy groups to use their collective energies to build sustainable and effective systems of support, providing additional grants education for artists, and hosting more workshops and events.

Artists interested in joining BAC can reach out through the group’s Facebook or Instagram channels. “Value the art you do, make sure you show up for yourself and find mentors,” Surratt advises. Art lovers can support their work through donations, merchandise purchases, as well as sharing events through social media and attendance at those functions.

As an actress, director, producer, writer and singer in Los Angeles, New York City and now, back in her hometown of Syracuse, Blondean Young also saw a lack of diversity in the arts spheres she was in. That observation, along with a helpful quality she inherited from her mother, inspired her to start B.L.A.A.C. in February 2020.

The multi-hyphenate’s experiences led her to found B.L.A.A.C. to create opportunities and representation for BIPOC in the Syracuse arts and theater communities.

In the role of executive director, Young’s goal is to provide a safe and welcoming space for actors, writers,

“My advice to anyone is to never stop being yourself. Embrace everything about you and know that what you bring to the table is authentic.”

Harmony Hodges, then 4, of Syracuse, enjoys painting at the Community Folk Art Center’s booth during the first “On The Reel Film Fest and Pop-Up Market” hosted by BAC at the Inner Harbor in June 2021.

Right, back row from left: Martikah Wiliams, Samantha Turnquest, Evan Starling-Davis, Cjala Surratt, Jaleel Campbell. Front row from left, Brandan Meyer, Kassandra MelendezRamirez and Qiana Williams.

directors and visual artists of color and ensure creative pros are paid for their time and talent. And while the mission is to broaden the scope of how people of color are portrayed and involved in film and theater projects, B.L.A.A.C. works with anyone, with no exception for race, religion, age, orientation or gender.

B.L.A.A.C.’s staff includes a director of community outreach and an administrative assistant. They have partnered with many Central New York artists, and local organizations such as CNY Arts, Boys and Girls Club, Wunderbar and CNY Uniforms Plus have supported their work and provided venue space thus far.

Since its inception, B.L.A.A.C. has organized two Black History Month Celebrations, an Asian American Pacific Islander Festival, pop-up shops and wellness workshops. In February 2021, the group released a film, “The Colors of Shakespeare,” which reimagined the bard’s work in modern times; a link to the performance can be found on B.L.A.A.C.’s website. In August, they shot a web series called “In My Dreams” to be released on the site and social media this fall.

This fall and next spring, B.L.A.A.C. will produce pop-up playwriting showcases. The fall event is open specifically to area college students, the spring showcase is open to all; local writers are invited to submit original work. Six plays will be selected for each round and after the performances, there will be an opportunity for the playwright to receive feedback from the audience. Young and her team

Opposite page, Crave Dessert Studio cookies at the Freedom Fest hosted by the Black Artist Collective.

Performer, writer, director and producer Blondean Young is the founder of Black Latino Asian Artist Coalition (B.L.A.A.C.).

Clockwise from top, Freedom Fest attendees enjoyed a story hour by guest reader and illustrator Melquea Smith, hula hoops, and Elbita’s Cocina food truck. PHOTOS

also offer beginner and intermediate acting classes, audition prep and scene study classes for children 11-17 and adults.

Though the events B.L.A.A.C. has held so far have been successful, it’s still struggling with funding since it is not yet a 501(c)(3). Young welcomes support of their events, social media channels and through a GoFundMe page.

Young is optimistic about the future of B.L.A.A.C. and its impact: “My advice to anyone is to never stop being yourself. Embrace everything about you and know that what you bring to the table is authentic. If someone wants to start a coalition, my advice is to do it. Even if you face any setbacks or experience some pushback, remain true to your values and it will work out in the end.”

She would like B.L.A.A.C. to be able to travel and film movies and theatrical productions in different states and countries. Her immediate goal is to provide more jobs for artists of color and

give BIPOC artists a platform that they deserve and is long overdue. “For years, we have been in spaces where we have felt unwelcome, unwanted and unsafe. It’s time for that to end,” Young says.

Young also strives to do more outreach by providing resources to people in need, organizing food donations or partnering with local groups like the Boys & Girls Clubs of Syracuse.

The arts are just one way for a community to express itself and engaged support for the Black Artist Collective and Black Latino Asian Artist Coalition will help them fulfill their goals.

“Artists are generous in the gifts that they offer society,” Surratt says. “Art is unique in that the work, regardless of medium, can be a conduit for unpacking challenging conversations. Through the gesture of an artist’s hand, body, or words we are invited to see, experience, and engage in ways that can lead to understanding.”

For more information:

Black Artist Collective facebook.com/blkartistcollective @bac_cny on Instagram

Black Latino Asian Artist Coalition blaacproductions.com facebook.com/Blaacproductions @b.l.a.a.c on Instagram

A still from B.L.A.A.C.’s production of “The Colors of Shakespeare,” a short film re-imagining Shakespeare’s work in modern times with a diverse group of performers. PHOTO

CLASS ACTION

On the set of American High, CNY’s biggest film studio

BY GABRIEL VEIGA

“We’re rolling!” shout several crew members outside a Liverpool high school.

It looks like a real high school, with classrooms, brick walls, an auditorium and a locker room. But it also has a costume department, a camera room, a dailies room and several production offices. You could jump through the locker room’s fake drywall without hurting yourself.

This is American High, the biggest film studio in Central New York. A recent studio tour was interrupted by cries of “Action!” and “Cut!” as filming was under way for “Miguel Wants to Fight” in this fake school that used to be a real school.

“Miguel has never been in a fistfight, and his friends realize he’s never been in a fistfight,” American High President Will Phelps says when describing the movie, the 15th made here in just five years. “And now he feels the pressure to get in one. Otherwise, he will be that guy who’s never been in a fight.”

Miguel is a film buff whose fighting regimen is inspired by Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan and characters from “The Matrix.”

“It will be interesting to see him go on this journey of learning how to fight via movies,” Phelps says. The film, directed by Emmy Award winner Oz Rodriguez (“Kenan”), stars Tyler Dean Flores, Imani Lewis and Raúl Castillo.

Before American High was founded, nobody thought about

filming high school movies in Central New York. “For the first year or two, everyone thought we were crazy,” Phelps says. “We had to convince them that we weren’t.”

CEO Jeremy Garelick, whose credits include directing “The Wedding Ringer” starring Kevin Hart and script revisions on “The Hangover,” had been wanting to create a film company like American High for a while. “The goal was just to make low-budget high school comedies because those are the movies that I loved,” says Garelick.

But that required the right location.

“I needed a high school that looked like a John Hughes high school,” he says. “The idea was to turn it into a film studio. And I had been searching for the right high school in a tax incentive area.”

Then Garelick and Phelps, his producing partner, heard about just such an area: upstate New York.

“I discovered that there was a tax incentive at the time, and it was 40 percent below the line,” he says. “And I immediately Googled ‘schools for sale in upstate New York,’ and I saw this school, which was like the perfect school.”

In 2016, Garelick and Phelps flew from Los Angeles to Liverpool to see the building formerly known as A.V. Zogg Middle School. They made an offer on the spot.

Left, scenes from American High films on Hulu include, clockwise from upper left, “Plan B,” “The Ultimate Playlist of Noise,” “Crush,” “Big Time Adolescence” and “The Binge.”

PHOTO BY GABRIEL VEIGA AND COURTESY OF HULU

Already having bought a number of different high school comedy screenplays, Phelps and Garelick moved to Liverpool ready to make their own movies.

American High struggled for the first year as the duo tried to prove to the film industry how serious they were. “Everyone knew that we could make a good movie, but they didn’t know about making it in upstate New York,” Phelps says.

Phelps and Garelick had been making films in Los Angeles and were carving a path for themselves there. So, when they began saying they wanted to let it all go and start making movies in Syracuse, people in the industry questioned the move.

“It’s off the beaten path,” says Phelps. “[Syracuse] is not really a well-established film destination and we had a pretty established footing in LA but pivoted to do this.”

But Syracuse has proven itself to be an ideal destination. Phelps says that filming here has been mutually beneficial for the studio and Onondaga County. He notes the affordable location fees, the diversity of locations in CNY, the pool of skilled film production professionals and the helpful county staff have made productions here successful, while the county gains the

Opposite page, the building formerly known as A.V. Zogg Middle School in Liverpool now serves as the facade for American High.

This page, the studio’s founder Jeremy Garelick, right, directs actors in a scene for the movie “The Binge.”

jobs and money American High brings to the area.

In 2017, Phelps and Garelick began shooting “Holly Slept Over,” starring Nathalie Emmanuel (“Game of Thrones”) and Ron Livingston (“Office Space”). American High had its first high school comedy in the can.

“We weren’t turning back. It was kind of like burning the ships, right, where there’s no retreat, we’re doing this,” says Phelps.

Next came “Banana Split” and “Looks That Kill,” followed by “Big Time Adolescence” starring Pete Davidson and Jon Cryer; “Sid Is Dead,” directed by Eli Gonda, is coming soon.

“Big Time Adolescence” went to Sundance in 2019 but wasn’t released for general audiences until much later after protracted negotiations.

“Then we had three movies released during the pandemic,” Phelps says. “And they all crushed and got high Rotten Tomatoes scores and were in the ‘top 10 comedies of the year’ kind of thing. And then people realized, ‘Oh, wow, not only are they making movies rapidly, at a good price point in upstate New York, they’re also making really, really good movies.’”

Hulu released “Big Time Adolescence” and was sufficiently

“I discovered that there was a tax incentive at the time, and it was 40 percent below the line. And I immediately Googled ‘schools for sale in upstate New York,’ and I saw this school, which was like the perfect school.”

Jeremy Garelick, CEO of American High

impressed to sign an eight-picture first-look deal with American High.

“Obviously, in terms of financing, it is incredibly nice to have that security blanket,” Phelps says of the Hulu deal. “And it’s also nice to know that you have distribution. A lot of times if you’re in the indie world, you shoot a movie for however much money. And then you’re kind of left out in the wind, just hoping that someone buys it or hoping that it does well at a festival.”

Viewers can now stream most of American High’s movies on Hulu, including “The Binge,” “Plan B” and its latest release, “Crush,” an LGBTQ+ rom-com that stars Rowan Blanchard and Auli’i Cravalho.

Different movies require different sets. As I sat down with Phelps for an interview at American High, he told me that the room we were in had served as a hotel while shooting “Crush.”

“We needed a hotel with a hotel room,” he says. “And normally those aren’t too hard to find for filming. But the way the schedule shook out, we couldn’t afford to move locations to a hotel. So once again, we decided we’d build one.”

By “once again,” Phelps was referring to the large hospital wing American High had already built in the high school.

“We saw through our different movies that it was clearly a trope within high school movies that kids are getting hurt,” Phelps says. “So, our production designer, Kathrin Eder, did an amazing job.” Eder gutted three classrooms and installed hospital flooring and signage, automated doors, and built out surgery, recovery and visitation rooms.

Last winter American High shot its first Christmas movie, “The Binge 2: It’s a Wonderful Binge.”

The original “The Binge,” directed by Garelick, is a comedy set in the future, where the consumption of alcohol and drugs is only allowed one night a year. The film follows three 18-year-olds as they prepare for this Binge day.

Jordan VanDina, who wrote both “Binge” films and directed the sequel, says the goal was to turn “The Purge” into a comedy. He wasn’t confident the movie would get made, but it did, starring Vince Vaughn.

“It felt like summer camp to me,” VanDina says. “Everyone was just around each other. The cast and the crew, we’d all go out to dinner, and everyone would know us. ‘You’re making that Vince Vaughn movie.’ It was just cool.”

Now American High is giving VanDina his directori-

Clockwise from above, hallway, classroom and auditorium at American High and a sign on the director’s office for the most recent film.

al debut with “The Binge 2.”

“It’s a great place,” he says. “If you want to work in movies or any part of it, it’s a great way to learn and see it all go down. And they’re super willing to give people a chance.”

VanDina says Garelick pushed for him to direct and let him have that chance. But directing your first feature film does come with its challenges.

“It was so hard,” VanDina says. “Writing, I’m just by myself. I’m like, ‘Here you go. You figure it out.’ But now [as director], I had to figure it out.”

What’s next for American High? “We have a good thing going now at four movies a year, but we want to try and figure out how to do more,” Phelps says. American High is expanding the brand.

The studio wants to get into television with a “Freaks and Geeks”-style comedy series to provide consistent work, Phelps says. Animation is on their minds as well.

“We want to expand beyond just film into a number of differ-

ent avenues,” he says. In addition to an established in-house record label to compose its own music for films, the studio is branching into apparel and video games.

The studio also facilitates the production of third-party films in Central New York via its Syracuse Studios arm; “The Night House” is among the films it has produced. Syracuse Studios offers budgeting, accounting and legal services, a skilled crew of local technicians and artists, and a large inventory of lighting, electric and grip equipment. It has also created a film academy, a non-profit organization that trains crews for projects across the region.

Next August, American High will host a film festival in Liverpool to highlight emerging and established filmmakers. The event will feature screenings, panels, performances and parties.

Basically, the studio wants to do everything.

“We want the brand to be synonymous with young, rebellious, fun, funny just a fun brand,” Phelps says.

TELEVISION EXPERT LOOKS FOR THE PROFOUND IN THE MUNDANE

BY MADELYN GEYER | PHOTOS BY RILEY UTLEY

On the fourth floor of the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications sits Professor Bob Thompson’s office. Officially called the Bleier Center for Television and Popular Culture, the lightfilled space is less an office and more an archive and museum, packed with trinkets, props, posters, VHS tapes and DVDs from every American television show you can think of (and many you probably can’t).

A sun-faded “America’s Next Top Model” DVD is crammed next to a vintage Pez dispenser on wooden shelves, with a handful of “Simpsons” figurines a few spots down. An anatomically correct doll of Archie Bunker’s infant grandson sits under a huge “Laverne & Shirley” poster, which faces three mounted flat-screen televisions on the main wall, each playing different programs. Thompson and I sit on firm green couches, sipping soda on a warm Tuesday afternoon. I ask him if the televisions are ever switched off; I’m shocked when he replies that they are, at the end of the day.

Within five minutes of meeting me in his office, he’s regaling me with a story of a poster mounted on a wall in the back room. The image is a Baskin-Robbins marketing campaign featuring the kitschy celebrity-fest “The Love Boat.” The show’s popularity birthed a “guess the favorite flavor of each character” crossover in the early 1980s. “My mom, toward the end of her life, saw that poster at a Baskin-Robbins, got them to take it down, got it framed and gave it to me,” Thompson says, admiring the nostalgic image.

Thompson is the founding director of the Bleier Center and a professor of popular culture and television at Syracuse University, a position he has held since 1991. He supplements his classes on TV history with a lunchtime tradition known as Tuesdays with Bleier, a catered weekly screening. He’ll vigorously pause the featured episodes throughout the screening, explaining the significance of what’s about to happen. He dislikes spoiler warnings and refuses to dole them out.

Born in the suburbs of Chicago in August 1959, Thompson buzzed around in an idyllic childhood, complete

with siblings named Barbie and Ken. “It’s a good thing I wasn’t named Skipper or Trixie,” he jokes. If he had to compare his childhood to any one television show, Thompson says he would pick “Leave it to Beaver.”

The show is known as one of the standard middle class-utopia kind of family shows. His own upbringing was working class, “But I used to watch that in reruns, and it very much resembled a lot of my experiences,” he reflects.

He describes peaceful memories of sitting in front of the television with his family right before bed, watching episodes of “M*A*S*H” and “You Bet Your Life.” The shows playing in the

background lulled everyone into a pleasant suburban bliss for an hour. An introverted child, he found refuge in books and being indoors. This still stands. He says that if he had it his way, he would simply read and never leave his house.

Thompson was the first in his family to attend college, matriculating at the University of Chicago from 1977 to 1981. Art history was his initial major, but “it’s just that I ended up looking at a very contemporary art form, television, as opposed to my original plans just to look at 15th-century paintings.” After observing the television habits of his bookish college friends who became militant over their “The Love Boat” viewing sessions,

Thompson’s office is an archive and museum, packed with memorabilia, box sets, trinkets, props and posters.

Thompson sought the answer to his question, “Why do smart people watch dumb television?” He’s been answering it ever since.

“Television was still the flying nuns, the talking horses. It had a reputation of being the boob tube, the idiot box. I wanted to figure out that in fact it wasn’t dumb, we just had to come up with new ways of looking at it. Now, even by traditional standards of judging art, television exceeds the cinema or the novel in some people’s eyes.”

After his bachelor’s came a master’s and doctorate in radio, television and film from Northwestern University. Then it was off to teach at SUNY Cortland from 1986 until he became an adjunct at Syracuse in 1990. Former Newhouse Dean David Rubin — whom Thompson describes as “the best boss I’ve ever worked for in any job I’ve ever had” — hired him full time in 1991.

“He was an unconventional thinker, extremely bright and Mr. Television,” Rubin says of their first meeting. “You could already tell how much television he had consumed.” Rubin sensed he would be good in the classroom. Thompson has been here ever since, educating thousands of students on the importance of pop culture and how it has shaped America.

Every topic that Thompson discusses interests and excites him; his verbose insight covers everything from plastic pink flamingos to the pilot of “The Sopranos,” which he calls “one of the most perfectly executed hours of television. I mean, there isn’t a frame of that that isn’t exactly as it should be.”

His office feels like an outward reflection of his passionate and restless demeanor. There’s always something new to watch in the era of endless television options, and Thompson consumes seemingly all of it, although he admits to watching some at 1.3 speed to get through everything. He doesn’t recommend doing that with scripted dramas.

Thompson is many things: professor, lover of television, pop culture expert, family man and wholly quotable source for journalists (be -

tween 10 and 60 interviews a week, he says). He’s wildly intelligent, rattling off facts and observations about Conan O’Brien, “American’s Funniest Home Videos” and “The Bachelor” as he takes me on a tour of the office. He’s also an unpredictably and deeply philosophical evangelist of academia, finding worth in formally dismissed areas of study.

He’s been fighting for years for the significance of pop culture and television in academia. “For literally the first 10 years of my career, most of the professional time in my day was arguing with colleagues, reporters, English professors for the legitimacy of taking television seriously in the academic environment,” he reveals. Television itself finally backed his argument, becoming a widely respected medium starting with “Hill Street Blues” in the 1980s and continuing into its own golden age filled with “The Sopranos,” “The Wire,” “Breaking Bad,” “Six Feet Under” and more. Thompson advocates for TV shows and works of pop culture that are deemed trash by critics, cherishing their significance in society. “Judge Judy” is not high art, he agrees, “but what ‘Judge Judy’ is doing needs to be taken seriously, because hundreds of millions of people have spent hour after hour after hour over the course of decades watching that show, when they had other choices.”

His ultimate philosophy became the importance of knowing society through its high and low signifiers. “We’ve got to understand the wars that have been fought, the presidents who have served,” he says. “But we’ve also got to understand our cheeseburgers, our lawn ornaments and our sitcoms. In many ways, most Americans are much more intimately involved with the culture of their cheeseburgers, their sitcoms and their lawn ornaments than they are with the official stuff of history.”

Madelyn Geyer is a recent graduate of the Goldring Arts Journalism and Communications Program at Syracuse University’s Newhouse School of Public Communications.

“He was an unconventional thinker, extremely bright and Mr. Television.”

David Rubin, former Newhouse dean

EYES IN THE SKY

BY DANIELLE BENJAMIN

Sure, you’ve walked through Green Lakes State Park and hiked the trails at Chittenango Falls, admiring their natural beauty. But have you ever seen these unique places from above the tree line, enjoying the same views the birds do?

In the era of smartphones, everyone has become a hobby photographer. But a select few individuals have taken it to another level through drone photography. By showcasing area landmarks and neighborhoods through new heights and unexpected angles, these locals have reenergized the way we see Central New York and remind both residents and visitors of the allure of the region.

Aiden McGuire, Nic Phelps, Ben Verrette, and Kate and Sebastian Ibañez are just a few of the local photographers and videographers who have taken to the skies. Specializing in natural landscapes, concrete jungles and special events, these artists are able to capture CNY and offer views we’ve rarely seen before.

“Flying my drone changes my perspectives of Central New York each and every time I take flight,” Aiden McGuire says. “I’ve always been a believer in [Syracuse]… And seeing it from high above has only reinforced that belief that we have something extraordinary in Central New York.”

Left, Kate and Sebastian Ibañez photographed in the Adirondacks, capturing the leaves changing color.

McGuire’s work has not only changed his own opinions of the area: his photography has inspired students to attend Syracuse University and prints of his images hang in homes across the country. A common thread among the photographers is that their vignettes bring a sense of pride and nostalgia to Central New Yorkers and those who no longer live here but retain a connection with the area.

According to Ben Verrette, “If someone is willing to hang a picture of mine in their house or business, that is cool to me.” A banker by day and photographer on the weekends, Verrette says that “the drone adds a really good extra element.” His unique shots have regularly been featured by local news publications. Most recently he was able to capture aerial photos of the classic cars during the Syracuse Nationals.

Kate Ibañez uses drone photography as a way to introduce her Chilean husband and their children to the natural wonders of New York state. While Sebastian and the kids are seeing some of these areas for the first time, Ibañez gets to rediscover them from entirely new viewpoints. Together, the four of them get lost in the beauty of CNY, exploring through their own eyes and then reliving it through the drone footage.

After nearly 15 years and 1,500 hours of flight time in the U.S. Air Force, Nic Phelps now spends his time in the skies by sending his drone to capture beloved local landmarks in new contexts. Based in Remsen, some of his favorite spots to shoot are in Utica, like the golden dome on the Bank of Utica and the smokestacks of Saranac Brewery. Phelps’ birds-eye-view photos were featured on a local radio station’s social media in a series

Above, Nic Phelps captured a bird’s-eye view of the crowd during a Saranac Thursdays concert series event at Saranac Brewery.

Above, The Ibañezes uncovered a shipwreck in Skaneateles Lake.

Left, the Utica Club sign and city skyline by Nic Phelps.

called “Can You Guess This CNY Landmark?” The selected photos challenged listeners to look at places from unexpected angles.

Anyone can walk along a road or trail and capture a photo. But a drone allows the operator to reach a variety of altitudes and discover aspects of the terrain that are less recognizable from below. Phelps explains, “When you’re walking on the ground, through trees, you notice hills — but you don’t notice hills. With the drone you really notice them. You find ponds and streams you didn’t know about.”

The Ibañezes had a similar experience in Skaneateles. While flying their drone over the lake, they discovered a shipwreck just off the pier. But when they were standing on the pier, just a few feet away, they hadn’t known it was there. “We had photographed the pier probably 50 times and the reflection of the water made it impossible to see until that one angle,” Kate Ibañez says. The couple says they often get comments like, “We’ve never seen Skaneateles like that!” when people view their work. And that’s exactly what the couple is going for.

McGuire agrees, “I’m literally changing people’s perspectives of Syracuse, and that’s my goal.” He adds that a person once shared a photo he took with the caption “beautiful view of New York City.” The uncommon angles capable only with a drone truly challenge people’s perception of what they’ve always taken for granted — sometimes even confusing Syracuse for the skylines of Manhattan.

But beautiful pictures aren’t all that these photographers capture. Verrette was able to track the progress of the recent Amazon warehouse construction in Liverpool. He was also invited to New York City to work on a project for ESPN, capturing an event from above the crowds. The Ibañezes have helped farmers measure soil moisture and count their crops by running their drone images through special software. Once, they even helped someone find a lost dog.

Aerial photographs and videos allow us to appreciate what we have through a new lens and reframe our thinking on life in Central New York. “Your perspective will either be your prison or your passport,” says McGuire.

Top and above, the dazzling New York State Fair at sunset and Chittenango Falls as photographed by Ben Verrette.

For more information:

AIDEN MCGUIRE: aiden.media & instagram.com/aidenmedia

NIC PHELPS: bleediniris.com & instagram.com/bleedinirisphotog

BEN VERRETTE: instagram.com/benverrette

KATE & SEBASTIAN IBAÑEZ: skandrone.squarespace.com & instagram.com/skan_drone

Above, a unique angle on the National Veterans Resource Center and Syracuse University campus by Nic Phelps.

TRY IT!

If you are inspired to try drone photography for yourself, these fellow photographers all recommend it! But before you get started, here’s some advice:

1. Know the rules and regulations about where you can and can’t fly. The last thing you want is to get in trouble for flying somewhere drones aren’t allowed. Follow in these photographers’ footsteps and read up on the FAA regulations for drones; consider earning a drone pilot license. The laws also regulate what type of imagery can be sold for commercial use.

2. Take care of your equipment but know that drone crashes are inevitable. It WILL happen, even to the most skilled photographers.

3. Have fun! The best part of drone photography is seeing places in a new way and sharing your individual perspectives with others.

Striking views by Aiden McGuire. Opposite, Upper Onondaga Park. This page, clockwise from top, the Equitable towers behind the top of the JMA Wireless Dome, looking down State Street and the water tower in Franklin Square.

FALL FAIRYTALE

CNY vendors made magic at celebrity chef Anne Burrell’s October 2021 wedding

BY ALAINA POTRIKUS | PHOTOS BY KERRI LYNNE COLE

Food Network celebrity chef Anne Burrell has dined at the world’s finest restaurants.

But when she returned to her hometown of Cazenovia for her October 2021 wedding to Stuart Claxton, she turned to Central New York vendors to create her perfect day.

“They have eaten and drank and celebrated in some of the most culturally rich cities in the world,” says wedding planner Megan Hiltbrand of MLH Events, who assembled an all-star team to execute Burrell’s fall wedding weekend.

“But they definitely wanted to support the local economy and highlight what amazing professionals we have in the area.”

Burrell, a Cazenovia native who cooked in top New York City restaurants before rising to fame on the Food Network, wanted to share the beauty of fall in Upstate New York with her guests.

The couple had spent the early days of the coronavirus pandemic with Burrell’s family in Cazenovia. Burrell even filmed cooking segments from her mother’s kitchen, and Claxton popped the question during a date night there in April 2020.

They chose Windridge Estate — known for its 80 hilltop acres with panoramic views of Oneida and Cazenovia lakes — for their venue, and brought on Hiltbrand to curate their big day. The bride arrived by horse and carriage, a fairytale moment made possible by JK Percherons of Moravia. The couple exchanged vows under an abundant arbor of orange roses designed by Whistlestop Florist of East Syracuse.

For dinner and dancing, guests moved into the property’s 200-year-old barn, restored with “just the right measure of rusticity,” says Hiltbrand.

Stuart Claxton and Anne Burrell celebrated with 129 guests at Windridge Estate Red Barn 20.

Instead of using pumpkins and gourds, Hiltbrand turned to seasonal produce to create abundant tablescapes brimming with golden heirloom tomatoes, full bunches of kale, turnips and carrots and sprigs of rosemary and basil.

“It was like we were wandering through a Tuscan market with a wicker basket, pulling all the produce that really seemed to speak to us,” says Hiltbrand, who arranged for the produce to be donated to Caz Cares after the reception.

A collection of votive and pillar candles cast a romantic glow for guests seated at long farmhouse-style tables. Place settings included tortoise-shell handled knives paired with more rustic silverware and stoneware plates.

“We had a good time mixing and matching the different options to create something that was totally unique,” she says.

Burrell’s request for orange bridesmaid dresses also informed the decor — and inadvertently gave a nod to Syracuse’s favorite color. Claxton, a Scotland native who works in ad sales marketing at Univision, wore orange Nike high-tops with his black Ralph Lauren tuxedo; floral arrangements included orange flowers; and the showstopping wedding cake — designed by “Cake Boss” Buddy Valastro — had orange frosting.

But it was the food that impressed celebrity chef guests including Alex Guarnaschelli, Marc Murphy and Jeff Mauro.

The reception dinner was catered by the Cider Mill’s Diamond Catering. Owner Dan Seeley says it was “a challenge and an honor” to serve the celebrity chef bride, who helped create and perfect the menu.

“Anne Burrell has made pasta millions of times for the Food Network,” he says. “For me to make a ravioli for her, it was a monumental task. I wanted it to be perfect. For her, the food was more important than picking the right dress.”

Other Central New York restaurants were also part of the lineup. The rehearsal dinner featured Ray Brothers Barbecue.

Late night snacks included a taco bar from Papa Gallo, the Glazed and Confused donut truck and caffeine from Soleil Coffee Cart, which offered Irish coffee as the night ended. “We wanted to make sure that everything was exactly what she wanted,” Hiltbrand says of the menu, which received rave reviews from bridesmaid and fellow Food Network star Rachael Ray.

“It was delicious. It was fun. It was joyful,” Burrell later said on Ray’s morning show.

After dinner, guests danced the night away to mixes from Visa Versa Entertainment of Syracuse.

The venue’s White Stone Barn turned into a cigar and whiskey lounge with a speakeasy vibe, and a 1977 vintage VW bus from Snapshots Photo Booth was tricked out in full rock ’n’ roll decor, with the slogan “Til Death Do Us Party.”

“By having a couple of different options for entertainment, each guest gets to have their own unique experience,” Hiltbrand says.

To open the dance floor, a balloon drop followed the couple’s first dance. The night ended with a sparkler send-off, documented by Kerri Lynne Photography and Gabrielle Fordham Films.

“It was dreamy and magical and it was everything that I wanted,” Burrell recalled on Ray’s show. “It makes me weepy thinking about it.”

“And

Photographer Kerri Lynne Cole recalls that the celebrity couple radiated joy throughout the day, despite the rainy weather. “When they said their vows, they were tearful and funny,” she says.

as soon as they were pronounced husband and wife, they both shouted for joy, with their arms raised in the air.”

ON THE MENU

STARTER: Roasted cauliflower steak with cauliflower puree, crispy shoestring potatoes with creme fraiche, and caviar.

PASTA: Goat cheese and pumpkin ravioli in a sage butter sauce, with frizzled Brussels sprouts leaves, toasted pumpkin seeds, and pumpkin seed oil.

ENTREE: Duo plate of braised short ribs with a celery root-and-parsnip puree, and herb and potato-crusted halibut on a bed of spaghetti squash, with Tuscan kale and pistachio pesto.

DESSERT: Brown butter ice cream with white chocolate ganache, almond shortbread and local apples. A six-tier wedding cake with orange details was created by “Cake Boss” Buddy Valastro.

At an appearance on “The

Show” after

raved about the Diamond Catering team and the menu. “We definitely didn’t think we’d get a shoutout on national TV. She gave us tremendous feedback after the wedding and sent us some very thoughtful gifts and a beautiful letter,” says Dan Seeley.

“It was dreamy and magical and it was everything that I wanted. It makes me weepy thinking about it.”

Anne Burrell

Rachael Ray

the wedding, Burrell

VENDORS

VENUE: Windridge Estate, Cazenovia, @redbarn20_windridgeestate

PLANNER: Megan Hiltbrand, MLH Events, @mlh.events

FLORIST: Whistlestop Florist, @whistlestop_florist

PHOTOGRAPHER: Kerri Lynne Cole, @kerrilynnephotography

CINEMATOGRAPHER: Gabrielle Fordham, @gabriellefordhamfilms

DJ: Visa Versa Entertainment, @vvepsyracuse

BED & BREAKFAST: Mary’s Meadow at Fernwood Farm, Cazenovia, marysmeadowbb.com

HORSE AND CARRIAGE: JK Percherons, “JK Percherons” on Facebook

STRING QUARTET: Opus Black String Quartet, facebook.com/opusblackstringquartet

CATERING: Diamond Catering, @diamondcatering_syracuse

TABLETOP RENTALS: Petunia Rose China, @petuniarosechina

CALLIGRAPHY: The Adirondack Ink, @theadirondackink

TENT: Auburn Party Rental, @auburn_party_rental

VW BUS PHOTO BOOTH: Snapshots Photo Booth, @snapshots1000islands

FOOD TRUCKS: Glazed & Confused, @glazedsyr

Papa Gallo, @papagallotacotruck

Soleil Coffee Cart (now Salt City Coffee), @saltcitycoffee

The couple’s choreographed first dance to “On Top of the World” by Imagine Dragons included a balloon drop. “The whole dance was playful, fun and joyful, just like the two of them,” photographer Kerri Lynne Cole says.

#goodlifeCNY

We live in an amazing community, with unique restaurants with their own menus of special foods, stunning outdoor parks and trails and so many things to do. Our four beautiful seasons bring different adventures and influence how we dress, eat, travel, shop, exercise, gather and celebrate.

It’s a place with so many job opportunities. Like other communities in the U.S., CNY has companies struggling to fill open positions. That’s why CenterState CEO, along with Onondaga County and several local companies, are working together to make sure more people outside our region know about what makes CNY a great place to build a life, career and family.

CenterState CEO has partnered to market our community, showcasing its low cost of living, easy commutes, all its attributes and the many job opportunities and career paths our local companies have to offer. We need to make sure people outside Central New York know what a great place it is to live their best lives.

CenterState CEO, the region’s business leadership organization, is leading several initiatives to help address Central New York’s growing shortage of available workers. They’ve partnered with Onondaga County and several other companies to underwrite a campaign to market Central New York to candidates who live outside the area. They have also partnered with Advance Media New York to create an all-in-one resource for those companies to help sell the area.

The project includes a multimedia marketing effort and a website that provides potential new Central New Yorkers everything they need to know about the region and to entice them to join us in the Good Life. Check out the website at www.goodlifeCNY.com. It’s filled with stunning videos, photos and enticing stories about our home. Share

it with friends or family who are considering relocating, and employers looking for their next new hire.

Advance Media New York is telling the CNY story through a multimedia marketing campaign, illustrating the beauty of our area, its abundance of jobs, easy commutes and countless entertainment and recreational options in a central location.

Among the website’s many features is a job board for hiring managers and job seekers that pulls jobs from rapidly expanding companies in Central New York. It lets job seekers share information about their experience and career interests, giving participating employers access to a qualified pool of candidates interested in finding employment in the region. It can be accessed from the Good Life CNY site or by linking directly at https://careers.goodlifecny.com.

In February, SUNY Upstate Medical University Hospital and SOS Syracuse Orthopedic Specialists joined the marketing initiative, so we can market CNY to healthcare professionals across the Northeast.

These local companies are working together with CenterState CEO and Onondaga County to support this initiative and promote CNY:

Making good

CNY SCOUT • FARM TO TABLE • ART PROFILE

TOKEN OF ART APPRECIATION

Savvy art collectors can now find the work of Syracuse artist Jaleel Campbell on the blockchain.

Campbell was sought out by Sunday Night Collective, a brand that helps creatives (especially artists of color) translate their work into non-fungible tokens (NFTs). NFTs are distinct digital files that are sold or traded on market sites using cryptocurrency. NFTs have different functionality, from a static image to varying levels of interactivity; some even include exclusive access to an event or a related physical object.

He produced 26 works in two collections: Blonde

Ambition, influenced by his love of fashion, and In Secrecy, which focuses on part of his creative origin story – his interest in playing with dolls when family and society told him he shouldn’t.

For artists like Campbell, exposure to a new audience is a big draw. Buyers get the bragging rights of owning a unique piece and the cachet of holding those pieces in their digital portfolio, known as a wallet.

Connecting with Sunday Night Collective gave Campbell the creative jolt he’d been looking for, “It helped me create some of my strongest pieces,” he says.

For more information: visit https://foundation.app/@jaleeljblige

PHOTO COURTESY OF JALEEL CAMPBELL

Making good

Breaking Boundaries

Bringing modern art to a diverse audience

BY JACKIE PERRIN

What do popping, locking, krumping and hip-hop moves have to do with advancing the mission of a contemporary and modern art museum? Street dance, a language expressed through high-energy movement, is popular with a young and underrepresented audience — a potential new group of modern art enthusiasts that the Everson Museum of Art hopes to attract with a week-long residency by Versa-Style Dance Company.

The Everson is known as a “museum of firsts,” from its status as the first museum dedicated to the collection of American art to the cutting-edge sculptural design of its present building by famed architect I.M. Pei. In addition to up to 12 featured exhibitions annually, the landmark institution offers a vibrant lineup of hands-on educational opportunities — the most recent include classes in current trends like tufting and resin art, and new and expanded summer art camps.

This fall, a series of street dance presentations will be added to the museum’s schedule. Made possible by grant funding from New York state, Los Angeles-based Versa-Style’s October

For more information: everson.org

A multiethnic troupe of artists, Versa-Style is known for teaching school groups about types of dance pioneered by people of color. The Los Angelesbased group brings its art to the Everson in October.

visit to the Everson will include three components, says Museum Director & CEO Elizabeth Dunbar.

The first is a full-length, 90-minute paid performance open to the public on Friday, Oct. 14. On Saturday, Oct. 15, the museum will host a free family-focused event, which will include opportunities for attendees of all ages to learn and try out dance moves. Versa-Style Dance Company instructors will also offer a series of 60-minute lecture performances exclusively for Syracuse City School District sixth grade students. The series, to be presented to some 2,000 students during the school day, will feature engaging presentations on the history of hip-hop dance and lively choreographed performances.

A multiethnic troupe of artists, Versa-Style is known for teaching school groups about types of dance pioneered by people of color. According to its mission statement, the company “seeks to empower underserved and marginalized groups worldwide through the movement and culture of hip-hop dance.” The group’s focus is on messages of diversity and inclusion, accomplished in part through creating relatable experiences and inviting active audience participation. The goal of the residency is to offer something for everyone, including young people who might not typically have an art museum on their radar.

“We all have a moment, for the most part, where we can think back to — Soul Train, or hip-hop of the ’90s, breakdancing of the ’80s, and up to the latest and greatest street dance culture. I think this will appeal to audiences of a variety of ages and backgrounds,” says Dunbar.

The idea to bring Versa-Style Dance Company to Central New York originated from the Everson staff’s desire to fully utilize the facility’s Hosmer Auditorium, which recently underwent a $1.3 million renovation.

“We completed the construction before COVID hit. We want to use that space and bring it to life,” says Dunbar.

Museum organizers have ambitious plans for the state-ofthe-art presentation space, which features a new 8000-lumen projector, audio system and a 44-by 19-foot sprungfloor stage.

“It is beautiful. It is ready to be used by many different groups for many different pieces,” she says.

It’s all part of a robust engagement effort, the goal of which is to make art more accessible to everyone in Central New York. “We want to share with our community art that is boundary-breaking and defies categories,” says Dunbar.

She says that high-energy Versa-Style, which bridges many audiences and types of art, will introduce Central New Yorkers to dance in a new way.

Modern art doesn’t need to be confined to the walls of a

traditional gallery, says Dunbar.

“The museum has been evolving for many years, through a recalibration of our programmatic offerings, including not only exhibitions, educational programs and engagement activities, but also through physical space.”

Non-profit Versa-Style Dance Company was a perfect partner to help the museum make valuable connections, says Dunbar. “Their mission in many ways is aligned with ours — to engage the community and bring the arts to un-

derserved areas, and to engage and educate young people.”

The Everson prides itself on providing a variety of experiences and exhibitions for its audience, says Dunbar. She hopes that visitors of all ages will take full advantage of the spectrum of opportunities. From a recent interactive auditory guitar installation to a 2023 exhibit on art and basketball, the Central New York museum beautifully illustrates how art can be both surprising and delightful.

“You may come to see one thing and come away having seen many things you didn’t expect.”

Purple reign

Move over apple, the Concord grape could be the new queen of fall when baked into Heart ‘n Hand’s grape pie.

BY MJ KRAVEC | PHOTOS BY ALAINA POTRIKUS

Before the grapes are even ready, Jim Parr of Heart ‘n Hand in Skaneateles is taking phone calls from customers who can’t wait for the sweettart-super-purply taste of the shop’s Concord Grape Pie. “People that get it wish they could get it year-round,” he says. “It’s really difficult to say ‘no’ when people are already asking.”

Grape pie doesn’t come easy — and never before the grapes are ready. Concords are typically harvested in early- to mid-September, making grape pie lovers everywhere wait until flavors peak. “No other grape will do — not Niagara. They don’t have the flavor that you need,” Parr says.

At Heart ‘n Hand, owners Parr, his wife, Donna, and their son, Jake, measure the grapes’ sweetness using a Brix scale. “We like to know how much sugar is in the grape… you want it tart — not like a syrupy sweet,” he says.

Once the grapes are ready, they need to be

prepared while they’re at their peak – that’s when Parr and his small staff go to work “squeezing and popping them right away.” It’s a painstaking process — especially so for such a small staff.

“There’s only three of us and we’re all family, so you can’t really yell at them,” Parr jokes.

Heart ‘n Hand, whose motto is “Pie fixes everything,” makes and sells sweet, savory and seasonal pies including fruit pies such as blueberry, rhubarb, peach blueberry, cherry and more, cream pies such as coconut, chocolate and banana and savory chicken, beef and vegetable pies. The shop also sells a variety of housemade baked goods including cookies, quick breads, scones, biscotti, frosted brownies and cupcakes. Along with their baked goods, customers will find locally made pantry items such as honey, dip and soup mixes, maple syrup, jams and condiments.

In September and October, Heart ‘n Hand offers seasonal pies that include an apple

Call 315-685-5886 to check for pie availability.

Heart ‘n Hand is located at 4463 State Street Road (Route 321), Skaneateles. Visit heartnhandpies.com

Heart ‘n Hand sells a variety of housemade baked goods and locally made pantry items such as honey, dips, soup mixes, maple syrup, jams, condiments and more.

version made with five different varieties of apples, pumpkin, pecan, pumpkin/pecan, apple/grape and Concord grape.

For our September/October issue, Parr offers a family recipe for Concord Grape Pie that’s been handed down for generations and uses locally grown Concord grapes. Use your own recipe for crust. “There’s different things you have to do to a recipe to make it your own,” says Parr. The pie can be topped with a lattice or top crust, but Parr likes a streusel crumble to compliment the tart flavor of the grapes. Heart ‘n Hand makes theirs with butter, flour and white sugar, which gives the streusel a crunchier texture. You can also make a streusel topping with brown sugar. Whichever topping you go with, be prepared for a “laborious process.” Plus, Parr warns, “your fingers are really purple when it’s all done.”

PAIR IT WITH:

Vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, or both

CONCORD GRAPE PIE FROM HEART ‘N HAND MAKES

A 9-INCH PIE, 6-8 SLICES

3 cups Concord grapes ¾ cup granulated sugar

3 Tbsp. flour or corn starch

1 Tbsp. lemon juice

1 Tbsp. butter

Favorite pie crust unbaked

Streusel topping ½ cup white or brown sugar ½ cup flour ¼ cup butter

1. Stem grapes, wash, drain. Squeeze pulp from skins. Set skins aside.

2. Bring pulp to a boil in large saucepan. Simmer for 5 minutes.

3. Remove from heat and sieve to remove seeds from pulp, return to saucepan.

4. Stir pulp and skins together. Blend in flour and sugar. Cook over medium heat until mixture thickens.

5. Add lemon juice and butter.

6. Cool. Fill pie shell and cover with top crust or your favorite crumb or streusel topping.

7. Bake at 350 degrees until lightly browned and bubbly, 40-50 minutes. Cool before cutting.

Making good

Brown bagging it

Local entrepreneur creates an eco-conscious alternative to plastic sandwich bags

BY MJ KRAVEC

The idea came to Beth Race 13 years ago while she was eating lunch at the elementary school where she worked with students with special needs. The mother of two had just seen a presentation about the harmful effects of plastic grocery bags on the environment.

“It really got me in the chest,” she says. “When I went to open up my lunch, there were three or four plastic sandwich bags, along with [those in] my children’s [lunches] and I thought, ‘What about these?’ I started looking around for an alternative that was truly green, but also fit our family’s lifestyle. As a busy family we don’t always have time to rewash everything to be able to use it the next morning because people have practices

and games... So I looked around and couldn’t find anything and I decided to come up with [something] on my own.”

Race dug into research and found that billions of plastic sandwich bags enter landfills every year in the U.S. (about 97 billion, according to 2019 U.S. Census figures). “That would circle the planet 430 times,” Race says about the most current numbers.

Alternatives to plastic sandwich bags such as waxed paper, which is coated with petroleum wax base, paper with no sealants and other non-degradable material wraps, weren’t environmentally friendly or easy options. Race wanted to create something new that allowed people to help the environment without having to make major lifestyle changes.

GETTING STARTED

She began by contacting people she knew who could help — one owned a paper distribution company, another worked as an adhesives expert at SUNY ESF. She told them what she was looking for — material that was biodegradable, earth friendly and sealable. They sent her sample materials so she could test prototypes. Through her research, she found many companies that could provide the materials she needed but finding a production facility that would work with a small enterprise was difficult. “Startups are not something these facilities are willing to invest in,” she says.

Then a friend told her about Alternatives Industry at The Arc Madison Cortland in Oneida.

“She asked me ‘Have you considered The Arc?’ I’ve worked with people who have these challenges and I have a niece who’s severely challenged so all of that’s very close to my heart and I was happy once I started working with them. They really worked with me to try and make it all happen — it’s a great partnership,” she says.

Eco-Baggeez started operations in 2019. The pandemic sidelined much of Race’s initial plans. So to keep the enterprise going, Race pivoted the business and donated her bags to school districts throughout NYS, along with community outreach centers such as Samaritan Center and Salvation Army. Since then, the company has sold a million and a half bags and counting, says Race. To help accommodate higher demands, Marquardt Switches is building a high-volume machine that will help increase production and make more bags per hour than the current method.

WHAT THEY’RE MADE OF

Eco-Baggeez are an environmentally friendly alternative to plastic sandwich bags and suit a busy family’s lifestyle. They’re made of a natural fiber, FDA-approved brown kraft paper that is biodegradable, recyclable, compostable and even microwaveable. With a unique edge-to-edge resealable flap, Eco-Baggeez absorb food’s natural fat, moisture and grease without allowing them to pass through the paper.

They’re ideal for storing fruits, vegetables, nuts, meats, baked goods, sandwiches, burgers and more. Eco-Baggeez are also great for making sin-

Beth Race is founder of Eco-Baggeez, an eco-conscious alternative to plastic sandwich bags.

gle serve popcorn, Race says. “We came upon this by accident — you put a tablespoon and a half of unpopped corn kernels in [the bag] and put that in the microwave. Hit popcorn button and it comes out as a single serving of popcorn.”

In Syracuse, you can find Eco-Baggeez at Nichols, Green Planet, 20|East and Natur-Tyme, online at greenpaperproducts.com, Amazon.com and Walmart.com along with 32 locations outside the Central New York area. For a complete list or for more information, visit eco-baggeez.com.

“It took me 10 years of research and development, while I was working full time at my job, to get to the point where I was very confident that the materials that we were using were all earth friendly and that this was something that we could move forward with and make a difference,” Race says. “We have a focus beyond our product, which we feel could really put a big dent in the single-use plastics problem and we’re happy to help in any way that we can outside of that.”

To find out more: visit eco-baggeez.com 

“We have a focus beyond our product, which we feel could really put a big dent in the single-use plastics problem and we’re happy to help in any way that we can outside of that.”

Beth Race, owner of Eco-Baggeez

Brush strokes

STORY AND PHOTOS BY KATHERINE KIESSLING

Syracuse’s growing public art scene celebrates the history, culture, identity and creativity of the city. Its collection, just waiting to be explored throughout the city, boasts humorous odes to historical inventions, brightly hued murals perfect for Instagram and socially conscious work bridging neighborhoods. From bold new additions to longstanding classics, these works capture a slice of the history, personality and growth of the Salt City.

London Ladd depicted Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. giving a speech at Syracuse University in 1961, along with one of his well-known quotes, for half of the mural series under the Taylor Street bridge.

Making good ART PROFILE

“CLINTON SERENADE”

BY CORKY GOSS & CHIP MILLER

The striking mural on the side of NBT Bank is hard to miss exiting I-81 for downtown. Vibrant blues swirl together in a moonlit dream reflected in the Erie Canal. Area artists Corky Goss and Chip Miller’s ode to Syracuse in the early 20th century is a favorite among many.

“You see the mural and you can tell the person really put a lot of care into it,” Syracuse artist London Ladd says. “I love the colors. I love the feel of it.”

“FRANCESCA”

BY JACQUELINE COLELLO

Local artist Jacqueline Colello’s vibrant, multi-story mural makes a splash along North Salina Street. A woman draped in a purple dress practically swings off the side of Francesca’s Cucina Italian restaurant. Owner George Angeloro told Colello he didn’t want something traditional, so she decided to pay homage to the eponymous Francesca, Angeloro’s grandmother, who inspired his love of cooking and who had recently passed away. “Let’s keep it in the family,” Colello remembers telling him. “Let’s keep it behind the actual name. It doesn’t have to be about the meatballs and spaghetti and the food. It can be about where you guys came from.”

She incorporated into the final design Francesca’s favorite color, purple, along with doves and the restaurant’s garden. Colello, who says she came to art after discovering sobriety and God, wanted the piece to feel angelic, as if Francesca’s spirit was looking down from her ivy swing.

A DOUBLE DOSE OF SHOT CLOCKS

Fun fact: The 24-second NBA shot clock was created in Syracuse. In 1954, Syracuse Nationals President Danny Biasone and General Manager Leo Ferris invented the shot clock to stop basketball teams’ stalling tactics and keep the game’s momentum going. Their invention saved the NBA, says longtime Syracuse.com columnist Sean Kirst, now a journalist-in-residence at Le Moyne College.

When Kirst invited former Nats player Dolph Schayes onto a WSYR show in the early 2000s, Schayes said he thought the city should erect a shot clock monument that constantly counts down from 24 seconds. Kirst fell in love with the idea.

“I started writing about it, and a lot of other people bought into the idea,” he says. “Then they just create this goofy monument in Armory Square next to the Armory where the Nats used to play.”

Architect Bob Haley designed the playful monument, which now stands beside the Starbucks in Armory Square, counting down on an infinite loop.

Jon Bocksel painted a pair of shot clock murals on the sides of The Penny Pub in 2016, 11 years after the city installed the shot clock monument. The pieces are simple. Swaths of bold red frame a painted shot clock on each side and backdrop a set of quotes – “You’ve made it!” and “…Till next time.”

Making good ART PROFILE

“LEGENDARY SYRACUSE FIRSTS”

BY JONAS NEVER

Syracuse not only produced legendary basketball technology — it also produced basketball legends. One of the city’s latest murals, a towering black, white and greyscale work created by California artist Jonas Never, honors four of the city’s most historic athlete-activists. Iconic players Manny Breland, Earl Lloyd Jr. and Breanna Stewart join Dolph Schayes on the six-story wall of the Monroe Building in what is one of the Salt City’s largest murals to date. The four were selected for their impact on the sport and for their work championing equality, spanning from the civil rights movement to today.

“WHALES TALE”

BY MIRIAM NELSON

Rising out of Perseverance Park is “Whales Tale,” a large sculpture by Connecticut artist Miriam Nelson on loan by the Syracuse Public Art Commission from Stone Quarry Hill Art Park. The splash of red metal is shaped like a whale’s tail mid-flick. The piece was installed last fall and will be on display until next year. “I’m hoping this will be a longstanding relationship with those folks out there in Cazenovia because they have a wonderful collection, and they don’t have room for all of their collection,” says Kate Auwaerter, preservation planner and public art coordinator for the City of Syracuse.

DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. & FREDERICK DOUGLASS

BY LONDON LADD

Illustrator London Ladd was approached in 2016 to create two large murals on South Salina Street underneath the Taylor Street bridge. The goal was to connect the predominantly Black Southside neighborhood, where Ladd grew up, with the rest of the city. He decided to spotlight two prominent figures who spoke in Syracuse: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Frederick Douglass.

On Ladd’s first day, a group of young boys on their way to celebrate the start of summer vacation at the pool stopped to ask what he was doing.

“It laid the foundation that this is going to be more of an interactive-type project,” he says. Curious people of all ages began stopping by to check out Ladd and the mural-in-progress. Ladd says it felt good to not only connect with the community but give back to a neighborhood that felt neglected through art.

“People wanted to share stories and talk about art, talk about what this is about,” he says.

Making good ART PROFILE

ARMORY SQUARE ART WALK

BY ALLY WALKER

Syracuse local Ally Walker painted one of the city’s newest murals, a colorful series of 18 panels connecting Fayette Street to Walton Street. Building owner Mike Flynn, who commissioned the series, wanted something family-focused and engaging. So, Walker designed an imaginative art walk that includes paint cans pouring out a rainbow, giant blue butterfly wings and a hot air balloon taking flight. Each panel is perfectly designed for selfies.

“The art doesn’t activate until you stand in front of it,” she says. “It’s great on its own, but the viewer can actually make the art into their own however they position their bodies.”

“LOVE LETTER TO SYRACUSE”

BY STEPHEN POWERS

Despite suffering more than a decade of wear and tear courtesy of Central New York weather, the Love Letter bridges remain an iconic part of the city. Big, bold letters spell out brief notes alongside the train bridges running over West and Fayette streets.

“They’re all whimsical,” says Sean Kirst, who wrote an early story on the impact of the messages. “They capture a sense of the seasons.”

As Syracuse winters continue to wear down the bridges and the letters, though, time may be running out for the Love Letters as the city faces the difficult question: What to do with public art when it runs its course?

Galleries

ARTRAGE GALLERY, THE NORTON PUTTER GALLERY

505 Hawley Avenue, Syracuse, artragegallery.org. Open 2 to 6 p.m., Wednesday, Thursday & Friday, noon to 4 p.m. Saturday and by appointment for groups. Reservations required.

Without Courage There Are No Other Virtues:

CAZENOVIA ARTISANS

Robert Shetterly’s Americans

Who Tell

The Truth. For the past 20 years, Robert Shetterly’s Americans Who Tell the Truth portrait series has tried to be a lantern that throws its light forward and back, knowing the truth of the past’s struggles for justice is essential to clearly seeing the obstacles and possibilities in the future. ArtRage Gallery welcomes Robert back with this exhibition of 20 portraits not previously exhibited in its space. Shetterly selects his subjects as “real, complex human beings, whose acts for the common good can be emulated by all of us, any of us.” Runs Sept. 10 through Oct. 29.

Additionally, local environmental activists will be honored in a display of portraits by photographer Marilu Lopez-Fretts in the gallery windows.

39 Albany Street, Cazenovia. 315 655-2225, info@ cazenoviaartisans.com. Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Abstract Views of the Real. Paintings by Linda Bigness explore the hidden surfaces found within the urban landscape. When exploring an area of a city where urban renewal has infiltrated into the deteriorated architecture, time passed is revealed. Demolished walls expose another time and hidden signs of another era. Renewal often brings into the viewer’s vision a time that reflects different cultures and ideas. There is a subtle beauty to be found in the deterioration of our environment and by using various mediums to create the work, Bigness brings out the hidden marks through abstraction of line and color. Opening reception 2 to 5 p.m., Sat. Sept. 3. Light refreshments will be served. Runs Sept. 1 through 30.

Mirror, Mirror: Works by Sally Packard. Mirror, Mirror is an oblique reference to the evil witch’s query in the fairy tale “Snow White.” The mirrors in these pieces are ancillary to the decoration surrounding the mirror. In some instances, the

Rebecca Hutchinson’s “Re-Generation” at Everson.

mirror ceases to function, becoming a part of the overall design, thereby rendering the viewer as a fragmented image. Designer and artist Sally Packard is interested in creating objects that live on the edge between “fine craft” and “fine art.” She does not necessarily acknowledge the categories as separate but recognizes that functionality is often a characteristic of craft. The designer’s background in costume/set design (fine craft) and studio art (fine art) is reflective of this nuance. Opening reception 2 to 5 p.m., Sat. Oct. 1. Runs Oct. 1 through 31.

EDGEWOOD GALLERY

216 Tecumseh Road, Syracuse. 315-445-8111, edgewoodartandframe.com. Open 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday - Friday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. Closed Sunday - Monday. Free. Please wear a mask, observe proper social distancing. Hand sanitizer, gloves and masks are available in the gallery.

Silent Song. Louise Woodard’s nature-based watercolor paintings, also exhibiting her paper sculptures, showing with Susan Machamer’s silver and natural stone jewelry. Runs through Sept. 30. No public reception.

Nothing Gold Can Stay. Dan Bacich’s large-scale acrylic leaf paintings, with Len Eichler’s ceramic sculptures and Shawn Halperin’s nature-themed jewelry. Runs Oct. 7 through Nov. 18. Reception TBD.

EVERSON MUSEUM OF ART

401 Harrison St., Syracuse. 315-474-6064, everson.org. Open noon to 5 p.m. Wednesday and Friday, noon to 8 p.m. Thursday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. Closed Monday -Tuesday. $5 suggested donation.

Helene Starr: Organic Unfolding. Over the past four decades, artist Helene Starr has built a significant body of work around the act of draping clay slabs into soft crenelated forms that evoke fiber, flesh and the natural world. Organic Unfolding marks a return to her work that utilizes curving steel forms that let her array her forms in lyrical three-dimensional compositions. Runs through Sept. 25.

UNIQUE. Coordinated by ARISE, a non-profit agency based in Syracuse, UNIQUE celebrates the artistic talents of Central New Yorkers living with disabilities. The works included in this exhibition eloquently speak to the myriad thoughts, ideas, and feelings that all humans share, regardless of individual ability or circumstance. The annual competition invites submissions of art and literature which are then selected for display by a panel of judges. Runs through Sept. 25.

Rebecca Hutchinson: Re-Generation. Rebecca Hutchinson’s sculptural installations are influenced by the behavioral dynamics found in nature. Her upcoming exhibition at the Everson Museum of Art is focused on the themes of re-generation and observation of natural built systems. Re-Generation highlights Hutchinson’s cultural and environmental research on the industrial legacy of Central New York. Along with its salt mines, Syracuse also possessed massive deposits of soda ash, a material used in the manufacture of ceramics. These materials, in tandem with an influx of European

immigrants with craft and material expertise led to the development of Syracuse China, which quickly grew into one of the nation’s largest dinnerware manufacturers. Runs Sept. 3 through Dec. 31.

Raymon Elozua: Structure/Dissonance. Structure/Dissonance celebrates nearly five decades of work by New York-based artist Raymon Elozua, who first came to prominence in the 1970s with detailed trompe l’oeil ceramic sculptures of decaying industrial landscapes. Elozua’s first major museum exhibition since his 2003 retrospective at the Mint Museum, Structure/Dissonance focuses on three conceptual bodies of work that explore the combined physical properties of three elemental materials: ceramic, glass and steel. Runs Sept. 10 through Dec. 31.

Ceramic Nationals at Everson.

Raymon Elozua: Structure/Dissonance at Everson.

Galleries

The Ceramic Nationals: 1932-1972. In 1932, Syracuse Museum of Fine Arts director Anna Olmsted created a modest juried exhibition of studio ceramics by artists in New York state to honor the late Adelaide Alsop Robineau. Little did Olmsted know that this first exhibition, which was displayed on draped crates provided by a local coffin company, would ultimately prove to be the bedrock upon which the 20th-century Studio Ceramics Movement was built. Response to the first juried exhibition was immediate. Prominent artists lobbied Olmsted to open the exhibition to artists from other states, and the Ceramic Nationals was born.

ONONDAGA HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION

321 Montgomery St., Syracuse. 315-428-1864, cnyhistory.org. Open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. WednesdayFriday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Free but donations encouraged. Check their website for updates.

The Menagerie: Animals in Artwork. The exhibit explores animals as subjects in artwork. Animals have captured the attention of artists in Onondaga County throughout history. Some are wild animals that are integral to the natural landscape. Others are domestic helpers that assist with transportation or supplying food, or loving companions to their owners. The artwork styles range from George Knapp’s traditional early-20th century to Irene Wood’s quirky mid-20th century imagination, and will include wood sculptures created by local artist Juan Taylor.

The Artist’s Assessment: Fred Gardner Paints Central New York. OHA will feature the artwork of the eminent local artist Fred Gardner. Hailing from Jamesville, Gardner (1880-1952) prolifically captured scenes of Central New York during the early- to mid-20th century. Gardner’s eclectic art subjects include houses, animals, farms, trains, a barn raising, transportation and Onondaga Native Americans. OHA’s collection of Gardner artwork numbers almost 25 paintings, many surrounded by his homemade gray frames. OHA will display several of Gardner’s oil and watercolor paintings and drawings in the exhibit.

The Colors of Keck. Henry Keck was an accomplished stained-glass designer, lending his artistic vision to residential windows and Gothic revival churches across the country. He apprenticed with Louis Comfort Tiffany before opening his own stained-glass business in Syracuse in 1913. Exhibit pieces are from the era of Keck’s own company, which produced windows until it closed in 1974. Keck’s Arts and Crafts-style designs set them apart from traditional stained glass. This made him a perfect fit for 1913 Syracuse, where furniture designer Gustav Stickley and architect Ward Wellington Ward’s influence had solidified the city as the center of the American Arts and Crafts movement. Runs through October. Artwork

by Fred Gardner, top, and Colors of Keck, above, at OHA.

Left, Anni Albers at Syracuse University Art Museum.

Below, portrait of Robin Wall Kimmer by Robert Shetterly from Americans Who Tell the Truth at ArtRage.

SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY ART MUSEUM

1st floor, Shaffer Art Building, museum.syr.edu. Open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday – Sunday and until 8 p.m. Thursday. Closed Mondays and University Holidays.

Anni Albers: Work With Materials. Tracing the remarkable career of the artist, designer, writer, and teacher Anni Albers (1899-1994), Work With Materials features over 100 drawings, prints, textile samples, commercial fabrics and rugs from the collection of the Josef and Anni Albers Foundation. With a focus primarily on the extraordinarily productive and varied second half of her long career, the exhibition illuminates her ability to move easily between her work as both an artist and as a designer of functional materials. Through Dec. 11. 

PHOTOS COURTESY OHA, SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY ART MUSEUM AND ARTRAGE

OPEN: Tuesday - Saturday 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Last Admission is at 4:00 PM

Groups of 10 or More Welcome

Anytime by Appointment Ask about Discounted Rates and Meal Packages

Upcoming Events

September 8: Cruise-In / Car Show

September 10: Fundraiser Rummage Show & Attic Finds September 17 - 18: WWII Event & Military Vehicle Show September 24: Fire Truck Show Cars & Coffee

October 1: All-Wheels Show

Vintage Tractor Pull

October 8 - 9: SteamPunk Weekend October 9: FLBCA Flea Mart October 15: Fall Craft Fair October 22:

Vintage Snowmobile Show October 29: Monsters in the Museum

Galleries

Sculpture by Stephanie H. Shih at Syracuse University Art Museum.

SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY ART MUSEUM

Stephanie H. Shih: My Sweetie Has No Pockmarks. The second iteration of The Art Wall Project features the sculptures made by Stephanie H. Shih. Best known for her ceramic groceries, Shih’s work explores ideas of home and nostalgia through the lens of food. Her installation at the museum will feature bags of rice to consider how Asian identity has been flattened through stereotypes and to reclaim this pantry staple as a touchpoint of Asian American identity. Through May 14, 2023.

Flashback

Mini

theater is big step

cinema SCREEN TEST

for

local

BY CHRIS MELFI

In 1968, Herbert Slotnick, president of family-owned Slotnick Enterprises, purchased a 71 percent stake in Carrols Development Corporation — a restaurant chain that Slotnick knew could synergize with his family’s growing movie theater business. At the time of the acquisition, the Slotnicks operated 11 theaters, which included their own drive-in and hardtop theaters. Post-Standard articles from 1969 detailing the Slotnick family’s expansion offer a unique look into Syracuse at the end of the 1960s, and the changing landscape of the entertainment industry and Syracuse itself.

Mini-1 was later known as Cinema East 2. The theater seated 350 people about half the number seated in Cinema East.

Dewitt Drive-In, showing the demand for suburban entertainment was high.

Mini-1 employed a new concept called automated projection, allowing the theater to be staffed by as few as two people: a manager and a cashier. The new cinemas would provide moviegoers with a more intimate, living room-like experience, yet seat 350 people a space much smaller than Cinema East, Mini-1’s neighbor, which could seat nearly 700. Mini-1 would later be called Cinema East 2.

The articles’ author, Dorothy Newer, first had to assure Mr. Slotnick that she, a woman, was indeed the Post-Standard’s business editor. Mr. Slotnick then went on to detail his innovative new line of Mini Theaters, with the first theater opening on Erie Boulevard in September 1969, and two more planned to open in Glens Falls and Oneonta. He commented on how people were starting to look for entertainment closer to their suburban homes, leading to lower attendance at urban theaters. The new theater, called Mini-1, was constructed next to the pre-existing Cinema East Theater and Carrols-operated

For Slotnick, this theater was about cinema finding its own niche apart from traditional theater, while also paying homage to those roots. Murals in his theaters celebrated the bourgeoning cinema industry rather than evoking classical themes as many playhouses do. The theaters were equipped with air conditioning, fire prevention features and Carrols restaurants. Mini-1 opened Friday, September 19, 1969 with a showing of “The Last Summer,” an intense coming-of-age story filmed on Fire Island and given an X rating.

Chris Melfi is Support Services Administrator at OHA.

MIKE INTAGLIETTA

WITH Landmark Theatre Executive Director

BY MJ KRAVEC

We’re bringing the curtains down on our first arts and entertainment issue with a chat with Landmark Theatre Executive Director Mike Intaglietta. We wanted to know what it’s like to work in such a dramatic setting on a daily basis and, of course, is the Landmark really haunted?

What time do you get up in the morning and how do you take your coffee? My alarm is set for 6:45, but I wake up whenever my adorable three-year-old alarm clock (daughter) decides to wake up. I drink my coffee black in the morning. I might go for a sugar-free vanilla latte if I need a boost in the afternoon.

What do you like most about your job? I love working with such a dedicated group of colleagues and volunteers to keep the Landmark thriving. It’s rewarding to know that our efforts enliven our region now, and that we are serving to maintain and improve on such a unique and cherished community treasure.

What’s your favorite season in CNY? I love autumn. The weather gets a little cooler, the leaves start to turn, we start putting apples in everything, we get the MLB playoffs and the start of a new SU basketball season. Plus my favorite holiday is Thanksgiving. Now at the Landmark, fall also usually means the start of a hopefully busy season.

Favorite place to enjoy the great outdoors? It’s remarkable what a tremendous asset Onondaga Lake Park has become. I used to ride my bike down to the park to read comic books when I was growing up in Liverpool, and I would go to picnics at Willow Bay with my whole extended family. Now my wife and I get to watch our daughter play on Wegmans Playground and go for as long walks as her little legs can manage.

What are you binge watching? I am desperate to watch Amazon’s “Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power.” I was introduced to the books while I was in elementary school and have loved them ever since.

The Landmark has quite an impressive lineup for 2022-2023 — What are you most looking forward to?

I have been hearing fantastic things about “Come From Away” since its New York opening. The tour will visit the Landmark on the 95th anniversary of the opening of our building, February 18, 1928. It should be a wonderful synergy: a musical about welcoming people on the birthday of our welcoming theatre.

Any favorite moments that stand out during your time at the Landmark? There are almost too many to mention. Having the opportunity to host Steve Martin and Martin Short was a dream for a comedy nerd like me. Hearing David Byrne try (and succeed!) to get music out of the wildly out-of-tune organ in our musician’s gallery, the unmatched energy of opening night of Disney’s “The Lion King,” the look on young students’ faces as they enter the theatre for the first time, the raising of the marquee sign, taking my parents to sit in the new seats... dozens more.

Since we’re approaching Halloween, we have to ask is the Landmark haunted?

I will tell one story. In the fall of 2015, when I started working for the Landmark, I was closing up after an event. I had already sent the other staff home, the lights had been turned off, and all I had for illumination was my cell phone flashlight. I realized the marquee was still on and went to turn the lights off. The door to the closet with the breakers was open, but when I got about 10 feet away, it slammed shut. Hard. It was probably just a draft. I’m sure it was just a draft. But I didn’t particularly care to stop to think about it as I ran out of the building.