1. Sarah Gordon | Happy Hour | $50
Graphite and colored pencil on paper

Artist Statement:
At the end of the day, we reach 5′ o clock at some point. It’s time to unwind and let loose a little from the stressors of the day. These fun times may include a few drinks and a few friends, and it usually winds down by the end of the night. However, for some, including loved ones of my family, happy hour is a few hours long with many many drinks. The dopamine and smiles linger with the booze practically overflowing from the tables and spilling to the floors. At some point the simple notion of a happy hour turns more into a happy ‘high’ that needs to be reached again and again and again… to get the same happy feelings. At some point, the happiest person at happy hour was the liquor seller while you are long gone in the illusionary, gay state. But if happy hour is every hour, when do you come down from your high? When do you rest and stop the fun? I guess you never stop and the party is never over… since it’s always 5’o clock somewhere.

2. Sarah Gordon | What You Don’t See | $75
Acrylic paint on canvas

Artist Statement:
Pain is a very physical thing. It can be a bump or scrape. It could be very prominent or happen on rarely. It can result in needing band aids or maybe even an E.R. visit. Though pain can be very physical it can also be internal. Pain that lingers from memories and reminders often can often bring a sting worse than a cut. The most interesting aspect of this is that internal pain is can be virtually invisible. Screams from the pain of memories, guilt tearing through your heart, and agony making your stomach turn. On the outside you’re fine, calm, and collected. The inside, however, shows a mentality which is falling apart. Thoughts racing and heart racing, you can’t help but remember the past and yearn for its return.

3. Anne Snyder | My Story | $350.95
Mixed media on Bristol

Artist Statement:
I create art because I cannot not create art. I grew up in a family of artists and have always made art. Recently I made a wildlife series and most recently I’ve been focused on portrait painting. It challenges me. I plan on continuing to make art, exhibit art, and to sell art, too. I continue to submit my work locally and nationally. Creating art comes naturally to me and I mostly find it calming. I enjoy teaching art and sharing my knowledge with others. I have been expanding my watercolor knowledge and techniques at a monthly art class that I started taking last year. Previous to this I had mostly used acrylics. In addition to exploring watercolors, I am moving towards more sustainability in my art and with using materials with less chemicals and environmental impact. After more explorations of watercolor and watercolor techniques, more work on portraits I plan on making a series of large animal paintings. Art is a necessity. All around us are works of art from nature or in everything designed by human beings. Art makes us think and feel emotions we may have not experienced otherwise. Art can do anything to relax us and turn out minds off to calling us to action in the form of activism. Art means all this to me and more. Art also serves as a form of communication and connection Art communities can connect us to others. Art means the world to me and it’s one of my greatest joys in life to share my art with others.

4. Janet Mikolajczyk | The weight of this sad time we must obey | $125
Digital collage

Artist Statement:
I used my own photographs and found images to create the digital collage. I used the text from King Lear, “the weight of this sad time we must obey.” 

5. Amelia Golec | Sprinkles | $100
Colored pencil and acrylic paint on watercolor paper

Artist Statement:
Colorful and inviting, just like sprinkles on a cupcake, pills can pull you in. They can feel reliable when you have mental health issues, a possible ‘fix’ or way to manage your feelings. But at what cost? My aunt, Jamie Lallathin, died of a drug overdose of her sleeping pills after years of attempting to manage her depression with various types of medications. She had attempted suicide with her medications several times throughout my life. Pills just seemed to sprinkle themselves into her life everywhere.

6. Janet Dodrill | Julia Through The Leaves | NFS
Gouache paint

Artist Statement:
In 2024, I assembled a book of portraits of Julia and asked other artists to participate. I alone did 12 portraits for the project. A copy of it was given to her mother and father, and closest friends at her memorial. Also on display were all the original portrait artworks, over 60, from around the world. This image is based on a photo I found on her Facebook page, not the usual selfie but more of a less seen, contemplative and reflective view, and a bit challenging to capture.

7. Janet Dodrill | Julia Head Turn | NFS
Acrylic paint

Artist Statement:
See above