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Art in Motion: Catching a Glimpse of Elyse Gambino

Tuesday, November 5, 2024

Categories: Blog, Community

For Elyse Gambino, art is more than just a profession—it's a lifeline. During challenging times, it has been a source of solace.  “It has been the one thing that’s always been with me… it has been a lifeline in that, in my darkest periods like Covid and just kind of the untethered nothingness, I tethered myself to something very specific,” said Gambino.

It's not just about showcasing her talent but also about sparking joy and curiosity in everyday life. She believes that art has the power to transform mundane moments into something special, making public spaces more vibrant and engaging. 

Her inspiration often comes from the Rust Belt, where the blend of old and new elements profoundly influences her creative direction. She finds beauty in unexpected places and incorporates humor into her work, making it relatable and enjoyable for everyone. The pandemic also shifted her focus, leading her to create more colorful and absurd pieces, including vibrant depictions of drag queens.

Trained in drawing and painting, Gambino is moving towards a new medium to bring her ideas to life that is fueled by her desire to explore new creative possibilities and bring art into unconventional spaces. 

“I have been in an exciting transition space of moving toward working in exclusively fiber, but it still feels to me like it’s drawing and painting. So, thread feels like a drawn line, and layers of transparent fabric feels like layers of paint,” said Gambino.

Gambino, finds immense inspiration in connecting with the community through her art. Her artwork is featured on billboards and a CATA bus moving across the region. This unique approach allows her to reach a broader audience, encouraging people to slow down and truly appreciate the beauty around them. 

“I think we are so encouraged to be extremely busy and to be on the go…artwork, even if it’s moving, can encourage people to slow down and to listen and notice…and that’s when we get back to, like, connecting to each other as humans,” said Gambino.

Through her featured piece featured billboards and buses, Gambino continues to inspire and engage the community, proving that art can thrive in the most unexpected places and bring people together in appreciation of the world around them.

Catch one of Elyse Gambino’s bubbly pieces of art on one of CATA’s buses. The Arts Council of Greater Lansing and CATA’s partnership showcases Capital City Region’s local artists through the Art in Motion campaign.

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Art in Motion: Lucy Synk is Keeping it REAL with her Artwork Displayed on CATA's Bus

Tuesday, October 29, 2024

Categories: Blog, Community

Drawing inspiration from all sorts of things in the world, Lucy Synk’s artwork can focus on realism or plunge into the world of fantasy. Her passion and commitment to the creative world is part of an extensive and personal journey.

Even though her artistic style has evolved over the years doing a variety of training in different art mediums including portraiture and still life, she has always had a passion for art.   

“I’ve always been drawing and painting my whole life. It was just sort of a given that this is what I was going to be doing, and I just love painting,” Synk said. 

For Synk, creating art is more than a profession; it’s a meditative and spiritual endeavor. The complexity of her pieces helps her navigate her own personal challenges and emotions.   

“It can be therapeutical, especially if I’m playing with mixed media or a still life or a palette knife. And the more complicated pieces do kind of give me a purpose in life. They help me connect to people,” Synk said.  

One of Synk’s most exciting artworks, Farmers Market, is displayed on one of CATA’s Art in Motion buses. Inspired by jigsaw puzzles, this masterpiece is meaningful as it seeks to accurately represent a more diverse America. Shifting the narrative was her priority when creating this work to be more inclusive.

“I really think it’s important to try to image a diverse America in a positive way. There’s a lot of anger going on right now, and rightfully so, but I wanted to sort of picture what is we’re working towards, what it is we’re hoping for,” Synk said. 

Farmers Market

In a world rife with negativity and conflict, Synk’s art serves as a beacon of hope. She hopes to instill a strong sense of joy among the everyday activities that people of different backgrounds share together. 

“Not only rejoice in diversity but rejoice in life. Seek the beauty that’s hiding in plain sight,” Synk said.

With a keen eye for realism, Synk’s artistic journey is a testament to the power of creativity to foster an inclusive community. Through her vivid artwork, she reminds us to envision the beauty in diversity and a better future for our world.

Keep your eyes peeled for Lucy Synk’s beautifully realistic art scene on one of our CATA buses. The Arts Council of Greater Lansing and CATA’s partnership have helped display Capital City Region’s local art scene through the Art in Motion campaign.

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Art in Motion: Threading Through Town with Jennifer Taggart Wilson

Monday, October 21, 2024

Categories: Blog, Community

Jennifer Taggart Wilson in front of her Art in Motion CATA busJennifer Taggart Wilson’s journey to being a fiber artist shows that it is never too late to rediscover old passions. After a 25-year career as a forensic scientist, to becoming a celebrated fiber artist, Jennifer has captivated the community with her large-scale yarn portraits. Her work, now displayed on a CATA bus and billboards, shows her dedication and unique artistic approach.

Taggart Wilson’s artistic evolution began with a passion for creativity, which she had set aside for a career in forensic science. “I’ve always been an artist, ever since I was very young, but I kind of put it on the back burner for a while. I had a different career, but I always come back to it.” After retiring from working at the state police a little over a year ago, she decided to rekindle her artistic flame.

She started with pet portraits and discovered a desire to focus on creating amazing depictions. “That’s what I am drawn to do, is to try to create a likeness and a face out of, now yarn, which is kind of challenging.”

To make these pieces, Taggart Wilson has mastered the punch-needle technique. This is a method that involves using yarn to create intricate designs on stretched cloth and has become her signature artistic style. Her creative process is meticulous and inspiring. It starts with a sketch of her ideas, then moves to building frames to support her pieces.

Taggart Wilson believes art “is meant to inspire people, but also to enrich our lives. I personally just love surrounding myself with artwork that makes me happy, that inspires me to do more.” She has a deep gratitude for the opportunities provides by the Arts Council of Greater Lansing and CATA, which have allowed her and other artists to share their work in a unique way with the broader community.

Taggart Wilson’s story is a testament to the power of following one’s passion and the impact that art can have on both the creator and the community. Her journey from forensic science to a fiber artist is a reminder that it is never too late to pursue your dreams and make a meaningful difference through creativity.

Check out Jennifer Taggart Wilson’s fantasy world on one of CATA’s buses. The Arts Council of Greater Lansing and CATA’s partnership showcases Capital City Region’s local artists through the Art in Motion campaign. 

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