NEWSLETTER
Opening Reception: Thursday, August 27 | 5:00–7:00 p.m.
Exhibitions on View: August 27 – September 24
Rochester, N.Y. – The Genesee Valley Council on the Arts (GVCA) is pleased to present two exhibitions opening on Thursday, August 27, with a joint public reception from 5:00 to 7:00pm. Both exhibitions will remain on view through September 24, 2026.
Above & Below, an Exhibition by the Arts Underground Clay Group
Since 2009, the Arts Underground Clay Group has gathered weekly in the basement studio at GVCA. Members have cultivated not only their artistic practices but have found creative collaborators amongst each other.
Above & Below explores the dual creative lives of the group's artists. Each participant will display ceramic works created in the basement studio, representing the "below" alongside examples of the many artistic pursuits they practice "above." These include painting, jewelry and metal arts, fiber arts, mixed media, public art, teaching, sculpture, and more.
The exhibition features artists Carol Nickol, Louise Michaud, Patrice Case, Kim Binaghi Lee, Susan Swanson, Sonni Olbert, and David Thelen. Together, they celebrate the richness of artistic exploration and the creative bonds formed through years of working side by side.
Lichens as Muse, An Exhibition by Gloria Betlem
In a concurrent solo exhibition, Artist Gloria Betlem presents Lichens as Muse, an exploration of one of nature's most overlooked yet extraordinary life forms.
With a passion for revealing the hidden beauty of the natural world, Betlem transforms her own macro photographs of lichens into vibrant pastel paintings. By enlarging these tiny organisms far beyond their actual size, she invites viewers to discover intricate colors, patterns, and forms that often go unnoticed in everyday life.
"There are approximately 20,000 species of lichen worldwide," says Betlem. "My interest in lichens began as inspiration for my artwork but grew into a deep appreciation for the important ecological roles they play and the remarkable lessons they offer."
Neither plant nor fungus alone, lichens thrive through a remarkable symbiotic partnership. Their ability to flourish, even in the harshest environments, serves as a powerful metaphor for collaboration, resilience, and interconnectedness. Through her artwork, Betlem encourages viewers to slow down, look closely, and appreciate the extraordinary beauty and significance of these miniature worlds.
The public is invited to attend the opening reception on Thursday, August 27, from 5:00–7:00 p.m. Come meet the artists, and celebrate two exhibitions that explore creativity from distinctly different perspectives: one honoring the power of artistic community and shared practice, the other revealing the hidden wonders of the natural world.
Location: Genesee Valley Council on the Arts, 4 Murray Hill Dr., Mount Morris, New York 14510 These exhibitions are free and open to the public.
GVCA Hours:
Monday | Sunday Closed, Tuesday 11am - 5pm, Wednesday | Friday 11am - 4pm, Thursday
11am - 7pm, Saturday 11am - 3pm.
###