Ten Salus community members are showing off their artistic talents during the third annual Community Expressions Showcase, currently on display in the D’Arrigo Family Gallery, located within the Hafter Student Community Center.
The show will run through March 18 and features artwork from members of the Salus community in addition to family and friends. From paintings to photography to body modification pieces, this year’s showcase contains a wide array of artistic forms and styles.
This year’s participants are:
Brittany Bishop is the partner of Abigail Possinger, ‘21AUD . “Kaleidoscopes” grew out of a sense of unease and longing for expression as a result of a series of acquaintance deaths. Each piece uses elements of the person’s life, as well as their death to come together in intricate designs and patterns. The intermingling of elements represents how life and death are intertwined in everyday existence.
Vito Cosmo is a friend of Lisa Lonie, executive assistant to the President. Vito was diagnosed with “Early-Onset” Parkinson’s disease in 2012 at the age of 49, but his diagnosis has not slowed him down. He is active with the The Parkinson Council, Inc. in Bala Cynwyd, Pa. where he serves as treasurer. All proceeds from his paintings sales go to the Parkinson Council. To date, Vito has raised over $5,000 from his paintings sales, and with his wife Rosanne and their daughter Sabrina has raised over $80,000 for the Parkinson Council.
Marietta Dooley is the director of the Learning Resource Center (LRC). All of Marietta’s photos were taken on campus over the past year, raising awareness in the Salus community that despite its suburban setting, the campus is shared with a large variety of wildlife. Two of Marietta’s photographs were awarded at the 2018 Pennypack Ecological Restoration Trust Photo Contest, and will be displayed at the Trust in the spring.
Alison Finkelstein, MA, CCC-SLP/L is a clinical educator at the Speech-Language Institute (SLI). She uses photographs as inspiration for her watercolors.
Denise Love McDaid is the mother of Moira McDaid, the administrative assistant in the Office of Finance. Her work has appeared in exhibits and galleries throughout the Philadelphia area over the last 30 years. She uses clay with patina and bronze as her primary mediums, but also works with other materials. Her pieces range from life-size sculptures to busts and wall-hangings.
Abigail Possinger ‘21AUD "I have always been interested in tattoo artistry and specifically how I could design tattoos and art that would pique the interest of healthcare professionals,” she said. “The medical field is constantly changing and the acceptance of body modification, which in the past has faced a lot of scrutiny, is redefining what we consider professional. In a world of strict dress codes, I want these pieces to stand out and show off the sense of uniqueness we can all have."
Elynne Rosenfeld, MFA is the director of the D’Arrigo Family Gallery. She is affiliated with Third Street Gallery, ARTsisters, and is a past president of Artists Equity. Her abstract paintings contain elements of symbols used in her Reiki practice – hands-on complimentary healing technique. “These are miniatures of my larger paintings that can be seen on my website,” she said of the work currently in the show. “Beginning with a printed reproduction, they are detailed with acrylic paint and colored ink pen.” More of her work can be found on her website: elynnerosenfeld.com.
Eric Smith, MA, CCC-SLP, clinical educator at the Speech-Language Institute (SLI), explained that his artwork being displayed were photos taken with his Android smartphone last year in Philadelphia.
Macy Zhelyazkova is the communications and publications coordinator in the University’s Office of Communications. Her mixed media work displayed is a departure from her usual photography.
Jennifer D’Arrigo Zuckerman is the wife of Brian Zuckerman, the chief of staff and counsel at Salus. The D'Arrigo Family Gallery is also dedicated in honor of her family.