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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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