This exhibition presents powerful and evocative works of the most successful painters, sculptors and media artists of the Capital Region and those who aspire to be. Each of them work at their art every day while balancing other careers or family. Many donate work to raise funds for the arts and other civic causes. Some have started galleries, many teach, some run non-profits, some changed careers to make more time for their art. All are awake, vital and form the arts community that we all enjoy. The artists invited are ones whose work I have long admired but have not yet had the privilege of showing at the Fulton Street Gallery. Others have long been active with us and I have watched their growth as they have taken on challenges such as these. In this exhibition, 40 artists have put themselves out there for you to better know them and their art.

In a show where every work of art is indeed a self portrait, there is no doubt that these artists know who they are and have chosen media that best expressed that. Some of the work may differ slightly from what you might mostly associate a particular artist with. Others blended older and newer methods. And if you are familiar with the art scene at all, you will know some artists alone by their style. Few want to sell these pieces but some will let them go to make way for new “diary chapters.” Most completed their piece within the last few months ( or some cases, days.) Others have been working on their pieces for years. All the work is personal and perhaps, more truer to who the artist really is. In some cases, this new piece has been the catalyst for a whole new series of work. Whether these artists have chosen to expose themselves a little or a lot, peeling off some or all layers, allowing you to know a little more about the artist behind the work and perhaps gaining more understanding about their motivations in doing the work, this art is accessible — as art should be.

We are asking to take some time and try to match the artist to their work, get to know your regional artists a little more. And become involved in your area art scene. Perhaps, do your own self-portrait. It is a wonderful way to get a little insight and a record of who you are right now, what is important to you, what makes you you.

I began the Fulton Street Gallery in 1997 to create the community I wanted to live in and found I knew only a small percentage of the extraordinary numbers of talented people artists who reside in this area. I am still discovering incredible people who are involved in or simply “love the arts.” The need to find peers, people to admire and respect was the impetus for my involvement in the arts. In doing so, I have discovered a wonderful extended family which helps keeps me “alive and vital.”

Thank-you for a great five year run at Fulton Street Gallery and hopefully another 25, for we have really just begun our mission.

Colleen Skiff
Founder–Director–Curator
Fulton Street Gallery
May 21, 2003