Four Artists Awarded Solo Exhibitions in The Everson’s Growing CNY Artist Initiative
SYRACUSE, N.Y. — After reviewing a record number of applicants, the Everson Museum of Art (the Everson) is pleased to announce the 2026 selections for the CNY Artist Initiative! The program, launched in 2022, builds upon the Everson’s ongoing support of the region’s vibrant arts community by awarding four artists the opportunity to hold a solo exhibition at the Museum with corresponding programming such as artist talks, workshops, and more.
“We’re proud to showcase these artists and celebrate the incredible talent found right here at home,” said Director & CEO Elizabeth Dunbar. “Their creativity fuels our region, and uplifting their work is one of the most meaningful ways we can strengthen our community and ensure the voices shaping our future are heard.”
Selections are made based on the innovative quality of the work, its alignment with Everson’s mission, and community relevance. The 2026 artists, selected from a competitive pool of 91 applicants, work in diverse media, including painting, fiber art, ceramics, and mixed media. This is the largest number of applicants the Everson has received since the program’s inception.
“The number of artists who apply to the CNY Artist Initiative is staggering, and we’ve seen an amazing growth in the Initiative since 2022,” said Steffi Chappell, Director of Curatorial Affairs. “This year’s applicant pool made it very tough to choose the finalists, and we are thrilled with the four artists we’ve selected for 2026. They reflect the incredible artistic talent in this region.”
The four selected artists are:
Tal Placido (January 24-March 29, 2026) — 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 (April 4-June 6, 2026) — a fiber artist whose work in previous years has been about aging and empathy. 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 (June 13-August 16, 2026) — Yang’s work explores the balance between dualities — restraint and freedom, memory and loss, dislocation and belonging. Rooted in her migration between China and the U.S. and influenced by Daoist philosophy, Yang sees contradictions not as conflicts but as coexisting forces: a body suspended between languages, cultures, and unresolved belonging. Using hand-building, slip casting, and paper clay, she creates fragile yet enduring forms that merge geometric and organic shapes, echoing the tension of structure and chaos.
Rich Harrington (August 22-October 25, 2026) — Harrington’s work examines how popular culture shapes identity, referencing toys, games, teaching materials, and icons from his youth to create fun but provocative autobiographical works of social commentary. Using painting, sculpture, video projection, and assemblage, he reassigns familiar images and texts to reveal alternative narratives, creating intersections of memory, meaning, and belonging.
High-resolution images are available upon request.
Programming details will be announced in early 2026. Learn more about the Everson Museum of Art and its upcoming exhibitions and programs, at everson.org.
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About the Everson: The Everson Museum of Art is a cultural landmark dedicated to the collection of American art and fostering dynamic encounters with modern and contemporary art. As a museum of firsts, the Everson has continually innovated, creating a vibrant space where art inspires curiosity, lifelong learning, and community connection. With over 10,000 works of art, including paintings, sculpture, drawings, video, and ceramics, the Everson remains a vital cultural anchor in downtown Syracuse.
Media Contact:
Kaziah Searles | [email protected]
Everson Museum of Art
401 Harrison St
Syracuse NY 13202
315-474-6064
Tal Placido
your life you like it well, 2024
Acrylic, gouache, oil stick, oil pastels, and graphite on antique textile, 60 x 60 inches
Courtesy of the artist
Ann Clarke
Surprise Eye Portal, 2025
Knotted wool, cotton, and silk, 29 inches diameter
Courtesy of the artist
Renqian Yang
Urban Mindspace 6, 2023
Porcelain with underglaze and glaze, 10 x 9½ x 11 inches
Courtesy of the artist
Rich Harrington
Hiding in plain sight, 2023
Acrylic on canvas, 36 x 36 inches
Courtesy of the artist
