Featured Artist Presentations
David Pell - figurative artist, working in oil, charcoal, and Conté crayon, and a member of IAC - "Drawing Faces"
February 28, 2023
Peter Monacelli - artist, teacher, carpenter, contractor, musician, and philosopher - "The Art of the Sketchbook" and "1,000 Journals Project"
February 28, 2023
As an artist, Peter primarily works in traditional or non-traditional drawing media and keeps daily sketchbooks. Born in Buffalo N.Y, Peter Monacelli was a 26-year-old life insurance salesman when he decided to take art history classes at Monroe Community College (MCC). After earning his Associate Degree from MCC, he earned a bachelor’s degree with a concentration in studio arts from Empire State College. He taught art at MCC where he was promoted to adjunct assistant professor in 2003.
Peter, by trade, is a carpenter. Through his specialty construction company, Monacelli Enterprises, Peter has been involved with many downtown Rochester renovations, including converting Lewis General Tire and Wolting Collision into the Little Theater, and renovating the rehearsal space for the Bucket Dance Theater.
He has had 105 group and 57 one-person art shows since the early 1970s. His commitment to the arts is demonstrated in his gallery showings and his volunteer work for nonprofit agencies. He has been recognized and respected as a “patron of the arts.”
He was inducted into the Monroe Community College Alumni Hall of Fame in 2012 and is listed in Who's Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges. Among his many construction awards, he received the 2014 Betty Strasenburgh Award for Activism in Reshaping Rochester. His artistic awards include SUNY Empire State College Award for Outstanding Contributions to the Arts, 2015.
Peter, by trade, is a carpenter. Through his specialty construction company, Monacelli Enterprises, Peter has been involved with many downtown Rochester renovations, including converting Lewis General Tire and Wolting Collision into the Little Theater, and renovating the rehearsal space for the Bucket Dance Theater.
He has had 105 group and 57 one-person art shows since the early 1970s. His commitment to the arts is demonstrated in his gallery showings and his volunteer work for nonprofit agencies. He has been recognized and respected as a “patron of the arts.”
He was inducted into the Monroe Community College Alumni Hall of Fame in 2012 and is listed in Who's Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges. Among his many construction awards, he received the 2014 Betty Strasenburgh Award for Activism in Reshaping Rochester. His artistic awards include SUNY Empire State College Award for Outstanding Contributions to the Arts, 2015.
Laura Wilder - Roycroft Renaissance Master Artisan - Block Printing
January 24, 2023
After getting her degree in art and spending several years as a graphic designer and commercial illustrator, Laura discovered the designs and philosophy of the Arts and Crafts movement. Inspired, she learned printmaking, and submitted her vintage-style block prints to the Roycroft Renaissance Jury. The jury certified her as a Roycroft Renaissance Artisan, and soon elevated her to Master Artisan.