Central New York Artist Initiative

The Central New York Artist Initiative builds upon the Everson Museum of Art’s ongoing support of the region’s vibrant arts community. Launched in January 2022, the Everson CNY Artist Initiative is a competitive program that highlights the multi-faceted talents of regional artists. Each year, Everson curators select artists to display their work in solo exhibitions at the Museum. Selections are based on the innovative quality of the work, how the work aligns with the Museum mission, and its relevance to the community. The Everson CNY Artist Initiative is made possible with support from Terry and Bill Delavan.

Tal Placido: On view January 24 – March 29, 2026

Tal Placido is a multidisciplinary artist, currently working at the intersection of painting, material research, and cultural memory. Placido’s large-scale abstract paintings draw from personal myth, intuitive process, and historical research. With a background in music, fashion, and design, Placido brings a multi-dimensional sensibility to her visual work, shaped by both instinct and inquiry.

Ann Clarke: On view April 4 – June 6, 2026

Ann Clarke is a celebrated fiber artist originally from Rochester, NY. Clarke’s newest series, Interior Landscapes, includes large-scale rugs installed on walls for museum visitors to contemplate. Dreamlike images of trees challenge us to consider the vulnerability of our wooded landscapes. Oversized, empty chairs remind us of the consequences of loss—of both people and the environment in which we make our homes.

Renqian Yang: On view June 13 – August 16, 2026

Renqian Yang is an artist and Associate Professor of Ceramics at SUNY Oswego, New York. She earned her BFA from the Sichuan Fine Arts Institute, China (2009), and her MFA from Syracuse University (2014). Her work explores the balance between dualities—restraint and freedom, memory and loss, dislocation and belonging.

Rich Harrington: On view August 22 – October 25, 2026

Rich Harrington’s work examines how popular culture shapes identity, referencing toys, games, teaching materials, and icons from his youth. Using painting, sculpture, video projection, and assemblage, he reassigns familiar images and texts to reveal alternative narratives, creating intersections of memory, meaning, and belonging.