Born upstate New York in 1952, John Van Alstine grew up in the southern Adirondacks Mountains. After attending St. Lawrence University, Kent State University (BFA 1974) and Cornell University (MFA 1976) he joined the faculty at the University of Wyoming, Laramie and later the University of Maryland, College Park to teach drawing and sculpture. In 1986 he left teaching and moved to the NYC area to pursue studio work full time. In 1987 he purchased a 19th century industrial complex on the banks of the Sacandaga River and returned to the Adirondacks where he now lives and works in the restored historic structure.

Van Alstine's work has been exhibited widely in this country (including over 45 solo exhibitions) as well as in Europe and Asia. He has completed many major large scale outdoor, site-specific commissions and is currently working on a 35' tall piece for the new Indianapolis Airport. A   hard cover book, BONES OF THE EARTH, SPIRIT OF THE LAND, recapping the first 25 years of his work was released in 2001.

Van Alstine's work is held in many private and public and corporate collections in this country and Europe.

The 2007-2008 Williamson Memorial Artist-in-Residence will be painter Vera Klement of Chicago, Illinois. She was born in 1929 in Danzig, now Gdansk, Poland, and studied at the Cooper Union School of Art and Architecture. Her many solo exhibitions include the Daum Museum of Contemporary Art, the Fort Wayne Museum of Art, Fassbender Gallery, the Chicago Cultural Center, and most recently Alfedena Gallery in Chicago. She has received grants from the Pollock-Krasner Foundation, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the John Simon Guggenheim Foundation. Her paintings, a mix of figuration and abstraction, are rich in poetic effect. Often presented in diptychs, they pair floating symbols and human forms with enormous abstract canvases that roll with emotion. Dore Ashton writes of her work, "It is rare to find a painter who has followed so affectionately, so cogently an inherent feeling for continuity; who can take a tradition (the near tradition of the Abstract Expressionists) and work out of it into fresh territory. Klement has developed a clear voice full of resonances."

Portfolio and artist's statement.

Tanya Synar specializes in Sculpture involving a variety of media both alternative and traditional. She has an extensive background in metal casting, including iron, and is currently focusing on video installation. “Video is a medium that enables me to establish a dialog with movement and time. It has allowed me to focus on perception as a primary consideration in my visual language.” Her research interests involve exploring perception relative to the landscape and crossing over into the sciences. She has won numerous awards including an Illinois Arts Council Grant and has exhibited nationally and internationally. Her most recent project titled “Deception Pass” is based on a marine navigation channel in Washington State and is made possible by the support of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in their Pacific Hydrographic Branch in Seattle, WA. More about this exhibition.

To be announcced

Portfolio and artist's statement.

To be announced.

Portfolio and artist's statement.

One of the highlights of the year for student artists is the ISU Juried Student Exhibition, an annual tradition. Featuring the work of ISU's talented graduate and undergraduate students this spring competition showcases work from the various creative studios on campus and draws the best out of students. Last year, over four thousand dollars in awards were handed out to student artist. Come by this year to see who will win "Best of Show."

MARSHALL HYDE: THURSDAY, MARCH 6, 5:30 P.M.

Portfolio and artist's statement.