Celebrating On the Side Expo on August 4th

Stacey Rowe began teaching herself how to paint in junior high while on a family vacation; and she refuses to acknowledge the year because she looks a lot younger than her actual age. Rowe eventually received instruction in the form of what her father describes as “two useless art degrees” from Nazareth College – specifically, a Bachelor and Master of Science. During her time not spent at drunken lacrosse parties, Rowe honed her painting skills under the guidance of artist and professor, Kathleen Calderwood, where she explored color, archetypes, symbolism, and mythology. Primarily influenced by the Expressionists (Kirchner, Munch, Ensor, VanGogh), Rowe also acknowledges the impact of Klimt, Kahlo, Clemente, Warhol, and Matisse on her work. Fun fact: she accidentally stumbled upon Matisse’s grave (under an olive tree) while wandering the grounds of the Cimiez Monastery in Nice, France. A self-proclaimed “museum nerd,” she somehow manages to find herself in a gallery even in the most tropical of destinations.

With a wild palette and whimsical recurring characters, Rowe juxtaposes everyday life with fantasy, resulting in dream-like scenes laden with hidden meanings and macabre, yet funny, undertones. She primarily works in acrylic and draws inspiration from her own life events, local personalities, celebrities, and pop culture. Rowe has participated in the annual 6 x 6 and Member exhibitions at RoCo, but credits On the Side as being particularly influential in resuscitating her art, which had fallen to the wayside following her mother’s death in 2000. She enjoys exhibiting her work alongside her industry peers and seeing their hidden talents. Primarily known as an editorial writer and PR/marketing strategist, Rowe also considers herself a humorist and believes that characteristic is where her two creative worlds collide.

Rochester Contemporary Art Center and the Rochester Advertising Federation joined forces once again this year to host the second Annual Gallery Exhibit “On the Side” exhibit, showcasing the RAF members’ pet projects, labors of love, and dirty little secrets.  Everyone’s got a little something on the side, so come see ours, up close and under the spotlights of RoCo.  Join us in celebrating all sides of our Rochester creative community for our Opening Reception from 6-9pm, Thursday, August 4th.  Complimentary appetizers and a cash bar will hosted by Rochester’s very own: The Daily Refresher.  Those in attendance will be entered to win a pair tickets to this year’s Rochester Advertising Awards Show at the Rochester Convention Center.  Can’t make it, don’t sweat the small stuff, our show will be up until the 14th.

Special thanks to our sponsors: Optic Sky Productions, Dixon Schwabl, City Blue Imaging Services, Brandtatorship, Rich Brainerd Studios, James Farley

List of contributing artists:

Lissa Mathis   |   Caleb Parker   |   Stacey Rowe   |   Joseph Mayernik   |   Nick Vernetti      Marshall Statt   |    Amy Moore   |   Bob Charboneau   |   Kieran Redmond
Brian Moore   |   Judy Livingston   |   Rich Brainerd   |    Hank Shaw   |   Chad Bockes      Tony Zanni   |   Desiree Moore   |   John Myers   |   Sarah Wisbey   |    Ann McAllister      Connie Ehindero   |   Elise Barnard   |   Matt Calabrese   |   Shannon “Shea” Hookway       Hilary Miller   |   Matthew Ehlers   |   David Fortman   |   Kurt Pakan   |   Kurt Brownell