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Virtual Studio Chats: Paths Less Traveled
May 5, 2021 @ 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm

What does it mean to pursue a passion for art in today’s dynamic work environment? Is a contemporary art career confined to paint and canvas? In support of the 30th Anniversary of the High School Juried Show, this breakout discussion series challenges the notion of the starving artist to celebrate the range of empowering, impactful creative arts applications a young person – or anyone looking for a career change – may pursue.
Join us virtually each Wednesday evening in May to discover the unique, inspiring journeys taken by an exciting array of speakers who creatively incorporate artistry into their daily work-life. From international textiles to environmentally-conscious caskets, there are no limits to what these candid conversations will explore!
Registration
- Registration is complimentary and limited to 100 attendees per event.
- There is a separate registration form for each virtual event – see individual registration links below.
Recorded Sessions
If you can’t attend the live event or the event has reached capacity, don’t worry! The Friday following each live session, we will be populating our website with the event recording so you can watch it at a time that is convenient for you.
Closed captioning will be provided courtesy of Skidmore College.
The Fabric of Our Lives | Wednesday, May 5, 6:30-7:30pm EST | Zoom
Uncover a whole new dimension of textiles and fashion. Learn from three dynamic female entrepreneurs who create wearable art, while also finding inventive ways to honor, reflect and give back to the environment and their communities.
Virginia Fretto, Designer + Owner + Mama, Razimus Jewelry
Betsy Olmsted, Founder + Textile Artist, Betsy Olmsted
Fahari Wambura, Owner + Creative Designer, Fahari Bazaar
Moderated by: Yvonne McEachron, Founder, layered. design, LLC
A Closer Look at Life | Wednesday, May 12, 6:30-7:30pm EST | Zoom
Explore the arts in this life and beyond. Both the arts and sciences help us better understand the world around us. Join us as we chat with one artist whose award-winning work supports better health outcomes in this life, and an innovative wood crafter whose eco-friendly creations promote environmental sustainability in the end-of-life space.
Cortney Gusick, Founder, Pāhiki Eco-Caskets
Yana Hammond, Medical Illustrator + Art Director, The ATLAS Program
Moderated by: Sarah Bachinger, Artist + Photographer, Narrative Terrains
Creative Family Fusions | Wednesday, May 19, 6:30-7:30pm EST | Zoom
Join us as we chat with the exceptional, high-energy mother-daughter trio currently making waves with their handcrafted wearable poetry. These fun-loving women fuse their cultural heritage with their breadth of creative experiences to construct fine jewelry with unique, whimsical, and reverie-like designs while simultaneously managing all that goes on in building a powerhouse brand.
Leslie Tcheyan, Founder + Mother + Boss, Of Rare Origin
Octavia Giovannini-Torelli, Founder + Sister + Bossier, Of Rare Origin
Thea Giovannini-Torelli, Founder + Sister + Bossed, Of Rare Origin
Moderated by: Megan Diehl, Culinary Arts Instructor, SUNY Adirondack
Community-Building Power | Wednesday, May 26, 6:30-7:30pm EST
Discover how the arts can inform community, connection, and social justice. Hear from the Curator of the Arts Center of the Capital Region and founder of regional arts network The Art Sheet, as well as a prominent Schenectady-based artist and fashion brand creator as they speak on the arts as a catalyst for change across communities.
Belinda Colón, Curator, The Arts Center of the Capital Region
Raè Frasier, Owner + Creator, Art Money
Moderated By: David Howson, Executive Director of the Arts Administration Program, Skidmore College, Board Member, The Hyde Collection
A special thank you to our sponsors, as well as The Hyde Collection’s Board of Trustees and Innovators Council for making this event possible.
Glens Falls National Bank and Trust Co., Skidmore College Arts Administration Program, Silverwood Galleries, Palette Cafe and Saratoga Paint and Sip Studio, Work Development Institute, Romeo Toyota