Holiday Art Show sets up exhibits
in Spencerport storefront

The Suburban Rochester Art Group (SRAG) is planning a Holiday Gallery Show at Struck Floor Fashions, Village Plaza, in Spencerport. The show opens on Tuesday, October 28 and runs through December 24. SRAG will host an opening reception with refreshments and time to meet the artists on Thursday, October 30 from 5 to 7 p.m.

Between 15 and 20 artists will present their art in this show, and many of them will demonstrate their skills while minding the gallery. The group offers a wide range of talent from watercolors to acrylic to oil painting, from still life to landscapes to portraits and animal paintings. All artists are local and the group routinely donates a portion of the sales to a charity. This year the charity will be the Open Door Mission.

SRAG is a non-profit local art club established in this area in 1956 "to promote interest in art and hone the skills of member artists through demonstrations, discussions, group shows and other events in the community." (Mission Statement). The late Margaret Woodbury Strong was one of SRAG's most loyal patrons, never missing the opening of a show while she was alive. The gift to a charity at each show is the group's way of giving back to the communities in which they have received space to meet and show their work.

Artists from SRAG have won many awards, are professional artists and several teach in local high schools. SRAG has sponsored the former downtown Rochester Seven Artists Gallery, has presented 22 years of exhibits at the Sibley's Ward Gallery and has participated in every annual Curbstone Art Show once given by the Rochester Chamber of Commerce. Currently the group continues with voluntary hanging of paintings in public places such as restaurants, senior living establishments and hospitals. SRAG members also donate time and materials for art classes at local nursing homes and have provided monetary awards to graduating art students at some local high schools.

Members of SRAG include Juanita Link, Lauretta Kirk, Nina Rupp, David Braun, Louise Steward, Peggy Piscitello, Anne Jurgens, Christine Whiting, Lisa Wagner, Tracie Doerner, Grace Simonetti, Helen Bellanca, Mike Graves, Diana Furman, Carole Leicht and Bobbi Prince, who is chairperson of this show.

Artist Mike Graves says, "The timing of the SRAG show prior to Christmas provides the opportunity to give a unique gift for the holiday season ... unique in that the gift will be on the wall and be a reminder of the thoughtfulness of the giver year round, and unique in that all of the paintings are one of a kind, and many are of local subjects."

Nina Rupp, who has been a member of SRAG for almost 20 years, says, "I think anyone visiting the store (Struck Floors) will be pleased with the variety of art."

Lisa Wager, who is new to the group, says "The thing I enjoy most about SRAG would definitely be the artists they bring in for the demonstrations at the end of each meeting. They are so inspiring. Plus, it is wonderful to find camaraderie with fellow artists. They always get you thinking outside the box."

New members are welcome to join by calling membership secretary Juanita Link at 392-3231. SRAG meets twice a month on the second and fourth Wednesdays at 6:46 p.m. at the Greece Town Hall. The meetings are open to the public.