A chance to meet the artists while enjoying complimentary hors d’oeuvres and drink specials!

Marie & Jay Constanza: Photography & Fine Art Reception

August 4th, 5-7 pm

 

Join us as Jay and Marie exhibit their work in their first joint art show!

   

Jay’s Website: www.jaycostanzaart.com

Marie’s Website: www.mariecostanzaphotos.com

Jay Costanza: 

The changing light of day and the moods it creates are the foundations of my paintings. My pieces usually start with a fundamental sketch, an underpainting in different medium, and then the application of color, in either pastel or oil paint with an emphasis on value, temperature, and harmony.  Painting is a synthesis of my personal feelings of the subject that inspires me.

 

My interest in art began in college when I was studying biology, and I found myself sketching all the animals in my text book.  Like most kids, I loved to sketch and draw, but I spent most of my time involved in sports and enjoying the outdoors.  While serving in the army, I spent two and a half years in Italy. ​​ The scenery around me was beautiful and remained in my mind long after I returned home.

 

I pursued and completed a career in Science Education and Administration, where I frequently incorporated art into my science lessons, which helped my students understand the content  more easily.

 

After I retired in 2015, my passion for art was rekindled, and I have been painting full time ever since, both in and out of my studio.  I enjoy using a variety of art mediums, but I tend to lean towards pastel and oil most frequently.  I am currently exhibiting my work and have won awards in local, regional and national art exhibits.  I was recently juried into the Pastel Society of America and the Fine Arts League of Buffalo. I am also a member of the Rochester Art Club Inc., and I am currently the Vice President of the Pastel Society of Western New York, Inc.

 

Marie Constanza: 

During my career as a high school English and Journalism teacher, I managed an urban community newspaper as a mechanism for my students to learn interviewing, writing, editing and photography skills. As digital cameras were emerging, even unmotivated students were delighted to learn communication skills as they went outside the classroom with a camera around their necks, taking photos of interesting subjects for the articles they wrote.    Later, as the Director of the Career in Teaching Program of the Rochester City School District, I was able to incorporate my photography skills when creating educational videos and booklets to help new teachers and mentors learn best practice skills.

Since retiring from my career as an educator, I have continued to explore the world of photography. My favorite subjects to photograph include wildlife, landscapes, seascapes, and still life. I enjoy seeking wildlife in area parks or when traveling.  I especially like capturing photos of critters with their mates or with their babies as they engage in natural behavior. I also enjoy spending time on the arrangements of common household items for still life images.  In order to continuously learn new photography techniques/ideas, and to network with other photographers, I am a member of the following photography organizations: Photographic Society of America Worldwide (PSA), Image City Photography Critique Group, 31 Days Photography Group, Rochester Area Nature Photography Meetup Group and Camera Rochester Photography Club.

 

In January, 2022 I was invited to become a partner of Image City Photography Gallery, located at 722 University Avenue.  As a Partner I show my work at monthly exhibits.  In addition, I have displayed my work and won awards in local and regional juried shows, and my photos have been published in Life in the Finger Lakes, Upstate Gardener and the Democrat & Chronicle.

Jospeh Accorso Artist Reception

September 1st, 5-7 pm

 

Joseph Accorso studied art in Rochester, NY, then taught art for 23 years. Notable accomplishments include a 50-painting series shown at ARTISANworks in 2011; the official portrait of former Monroe County Executive, Maggie Brooks, in 2015; and the inclusion of his painting, High Falls Spring Runoff, in the 66th Finger Lakes Exhibition at the Memorial Art Gallery in 2019.
Joe has dedicated himself to producing bold, compelling, and beautiful art infused with his distinctive style. He often uses a unique view and placement of forms to generate the viewer’s interest. He hopes viewers appreciate his paintings up close as well as from a distance, all elements together in harmony, in what he calls painterly realism.