The Faculty Exhibition Comes to a Close

Colorful images every way you turn, soft music playing overhead, people looking around
eagerly, talking and laughing. These were the sights and sounds of the closing ceremony of
Iona College's Faculty Art Exhibition Gallery. The Exhibition, which opened on Sunday, October
18, bid its farewell on the afternoon of Thursday, December 3. The Brother Kenneth Chapman
Gallery inside of the Iona College Arts Center was filled with paintings and pictures produced by
faculty members Kenneth Chapman, Sheila Kriemelman, Stanley Lapa, Ryan Seslow, and
Robin Tedesco.

Each of the faculty members who presented their pieces had different artistic styles. The pieces
ranged from acrylic and enamel paintings to pastels and watercolors. All of the pieces were
unique, personal, and lit up the gallery with color and flair.

Chapman's paintings were done mostly in acrylic and enamel. They featured religious imagery,
as well as numerous abstract images. Kriemelman's paintings were done mostly in watercolor
and charcoal. One of her most fascinating paintings was "Beauty in a Broken World," which
featured images of her granddaughter dancing. Kriemelman's granddaughter is mentally
challenged, but her uniqueness, beauty, and grace is depicted through the painting. Lapa's art
featured many pastels and giclee. He focused on fall leaves and other nature images. Tedesco
used oils for all of her images and depicted abstract shapes and numerous different colors.

The most unique piece out of the gallery was Seslow's "The Immediacy of Overstimulation."
This piece took up two walls of the gallery and featured an array of colors, shapes, sizes, pop
art, and props. Overstimulation was clearly the inspiration for the piece, because it was
brimming with shades, textures, hues, and decorations. The piece was reminiscent of the
1960s Andy Warhol period because of its bright colors and interesting, zany features.

In addition to the artwork itself, the artists' statements were made available at the front of the gallery, which gave background information on their respective lives and work. Those visiting the gallery were able to read statements from Chapman, Kriemelman, Seslow, and Tedesco. 

Brother Chapman is a member of the teaching order of the Christian Brothers, the founding religious order of Iona College. The source of inspiration in his life and his images is the literal word spoken by God to Israel as well as the Incarnate Word. He gives much thanks and praise to the Creator for his artistic gift.

Kriemelman is a professor of drawing, painting, and art history at Iona College and Mercy College. "My work has always been an expression of my core self.  Whatever is happening in my life expresses itself in the work." Her unique and beautiful work can be seen in private, corporate, and public collections in the United States, Australia, and London.

Seslow is a multidisciplinary artist living and working in New York. He is a professor of fine arts at four colleges in the New York area. Seslow's work in various mediums can be seen both nationally and internationally.

Tedesco is both an artist and educator in New Rochelle. Her abstract oil paintings on wood panels utilize many layers of color and reflect her experience living in Italy and now in New York.  She has taught all levels of drawing and painting for twelve years and currently teaches art appreciation in New York and Rome.

The Faculty Exhibition displayed the great talents of the Iona College Fine Arts department. Students, other faculty, and the public were able to enjoy the stunning visual sights that the community of artists had to offer. Even a viewer with no prior knowledge of art would be able to walk out of the Faculty Exhibition with a fonder appreciation for the arts.

Gallery Director Madalyn Barbero Jordan was very pleased with the exhibition. "I think this Faculty Exhibition was a success. We have some beautiful new work from our art faculty members and many of the works complement each other. Because the faculty was involved, I think the number of students who visited the gallery increased. The art and desert closing reception was filled with students, faculty, and staff and was a great way to end the semester!"

- Reported by Karla Barone and Christina Fernandes, students in Introduction to Journalism (Natalie Redcross, PhD).