Alumni

SUNY Ulster Celebrates Alumni Hall of Fame Inductees

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group portrait of Alumni Hall of Fame receipients

April 17, 2026 – Stone Ridge, NY – SUNY Ulster honored distinguished alumni from the classes of 2020, 2021, and 2023 during a special Alumni Hall of Fame induction ceremony held April 1. The event included an unveiling in the Clinton Hall lobby followed by a reception at Kelder House.

The ceremony recognized alumni whose professional achievements and community contributions reflect the college’s mission and values.

“Celebrating the unveiling of the Alumni Hall of Fame plaques honoring the Classes of 2020, 2021, and 2023, as part of Community College Month, was an evening filled with pride and purpose. Time and again, I hear stories from our alumni across the community of perseverance, achievement, and how their experiences at SUNY Ulster transformed not only their own lives, but the lives of their families,” said Alison Buckley, Ed.D., President, SUNY Ulster.

2020 Alumni Hall of Fame Inductees:

  • Dr. Lynn May Brown (1973–1975), Liberal Arts: Math and Science, senior regulatory affairs executive
  • Scott Davis, P.E. (1988–1991), Engineering Science, professional engineer and business leader
  • John A. DeGasperis, Esq. (2000–2002), Individual Studies, attorney and business leader
  • Robert R. Jacobsen, Esq. (1996–1998), Business Administration, attorney and business leader
  • The Honorable Kenneth J. Ronk, Jr. (2003–2006), Humanities & Social Sciences, government and civic leader
  • Ambassador Beatrice Wilkinson Welters (1970–1972), Humanities & Social Sciences, government and civic leader

“As former Chair of the Ulster County Legislature, I share immense pride in supporting SUNY Ulster’s core mission of providing higher education and making it accessible for all residents in Ulster County, and as an alumnus and an Alumni Hall of Fame inductee, I proudly reflect on my time at SUNY Ulster and how it shaped my professional trajectory. I commend, and am grateful for, the support and the work faculty and staff do each and every day to deliver the public good of education while changing lives. SUNY Ulster stands for accessibility, opportunity and promise, not only for individuals but our community as well, and will continue to do so well into the future,” said The Honorable Kenneth J. Ronk, Jr.

2021 Alumni Hall of Fame Inductees:

  • Dr. Lawrence Barrett (1982–1984), Communications & Media Arts, college president and civic leader
  • Cheryl D. Bowers (1983–1987), Business, bank executive and civic leader
  • The Honorable Manna Jo Greene (1973–1976), Nursing, nurse, government and civic leader
  • Lisa I. Pacht (1994–1998), Liberal Arts, school administrator
  • Dan Reinhard (1970–1972), Humanities & Social Science, sports broadcaster and global procurement manager

2023 Alumni Hall of Fame Inductees:

  • The Honorable Kevin R. Bryant (1989–1991), Business/Individual Studies, government and civic leader
  • Victor Cueva, Esq. (2007–2010), Humanities & Social Science, attorney and immigration advocate
  • Brian Turner (1997–1999), Criminal Justice, law enforcement professional
  • Candice Van Dyke (2003–2005), Humanities & Social Science, professor and chief diversity officer

“To be inducted into the SUNY Ulster Alumni Hall of Fame is both humbling and deeply personal. Returning as a Professor of English and serving as Chief Diversity Officer, I am reminded daily of the transformative power of this institution and the responsibility we share to build a more equitable and inclusive future,” said Candice Van Dyke, Professor of English & Chief Diversity Officer.

The Clinton Hall lobby unveiling highlights the honorees’ accomplishments and serves as a permanent tribute to their legacy within the SUNY Ulster community.

“SUNY Ulster contributes $96 million annually to the local economy, and the impact of our alumni is deeply woven into the strength and vitality of our region. Their success, leadership, and continued contributions keep the College relevant, vibrant, and firmly rooted in the hearts and minds of our community,” added Buckley.

Photo Caption:
From left: SUNY Ulster President Alison Buckley, Ed.D.; Dr. Lynn May Brown ’75; Candice Van Dyke ’05; Brian Turner ’99; Scott Davis ’91; The Honorable Manna Jo Greene ’76; and The Honorable Kenneth J. Ronk, Jr. ’06.

SUNY Ulster Dedicates Memorial Bench Honoring Founding Trustee Emeritus Kenneth Davenport

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Davenport memrial plaque

October 31, 2025 – Stone Ridge, NY – SUNY Ulster has honored the legacy of Trustee Emeritus Kenneth Davenport with the dedication of a handcrafted stone bench on the Vanderlyn Quad at the College’s Stone Ridge campus. The memorial bench, complete with an engraved plaque, commemorates Davenport’s enduring contributions to the institution and the community it serves.

Davenport was appointed to the inaugural Board of Trustees in April 1962 by the Ulster County Board of Supervisors (now the Ulster County Legislature) and was later elected as the Board’s first permanent Chairman. A key figure in the founding of Ulster County Community College, he served through August 1968 and was later named Trustee Emeritus in recognition of his exceptional leadership and steadfast dedication.

His commitment extended beyond governance. In 1965, SUNY Ulster broke ground on its Stone Ridge campus—165 acres of farmland donated in part by the Davenport, Leggett, and Van Winkle families. Davenport’s role in this milestone reflects both his personal and professional commitment to expanding access to education in Ulster County.

 “Our father, Trustee Emeritus Kenneth Davenport, was the first permanent, unanimously elected Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Ulster County Community College,” shared the Davenport family—Bill and Tildy Davenport, Barbara Brinig, and Andrea and Mark Skwarek. “Together, we remember his profound commitment to education, exemplified through his dedicated service as a founding Trustee. We are honored to commemorate his lasting legacy with this bench on the Stone Ridge campus.”

SUNY Ulster President Alison Buckley, Ed.D., reflected on Davenport’s legacy:

“Here at SUNY Ulster, we believe every student deserves access, support and opportunity. Trustee Emeritus Kenneth Davenport’s foresight laid a foundation of community, commitment and care that still serves our students today. This bench stands as a tangible symbol of that legacy—reminding us of our heritage, inspiring our present, and guiding our future.”

For more information, please contact Deborah Kaufman (845) 687-5261.

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SUNY Ulster and Ulster Community College Foundation, Inc. to Hold Annual  Homecoming Reunion on October 18

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Press Release

October 14, 2025 – Stone Ridge, NY – SUNY Ulster and Ulster Community College Foundation, Inc. will host its annual Homecoming Reunion on Saturday, October 18 from 1-5 p.m. on the Stone Ridge campus.

Get ready to walk down memory lane as the SUNY Ulster Alumni society welcomes alumni, families, and friends back to campus. Whether you graduated last year or decades ago, Homecoming 2025 is the perfect opportunity to reconnect with classmates, relive favorite moments, and see how our campus has flourished. The afternoon will be packed with activities for all ages, combining food, fun, and celebration in a display of true SUNY Ulster spirit.

Event highlights include:

  • Men’s Basketball Showcase
  • Art Exhibition
  • Lawn Games & Family Activities
  • Crafts, Music, and more

“We are thrilled to welcome alumni and their families back home to SUNY Ulster,” said John DeGasperis, Esq. ‘02 Ulster Community College Foundation, Inc. Board Chair. “This is a wonderful opportunity to reconnect and celebrate the vibrant SUNY Ulster community as well as network among peers.”

SUNY Ulster president, Alison Buckley, Ed.D., shared, “Homecoming is always a special time to celebrate the heart of who we are as a college – our students, alumni, employees, and community.  Homecoming is a celebration of connection: to each other, to our community, and to the impact SUNY Ulster has had on so many lives.  We are proud to welcome our alumni back to where their journey began and to celebrate the same pride and purpose that unite us all.  It’s a moment to reflect on our shared history and to look ahead with pride and optimism on the future we are building together.”

Admission is free, but registration is encouraged. To RSVP and learn more, visit SUNYUlsterHomecoming.com

About the SUNY Ulster Alumni Society

The SUNY Ulster Alumni Society fosters lifelong relationships between the College and its alumni through events, mentorship, and engagement. Homecoming is one of the Society’s signature events, celebrating the impact of SUNY Ulster and the memories that bring us back together. If you attended SUNY Ulster at any point in your academic journey, we encourage you to join the Alumni Society.

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SUNY Ulster Presents “time Again” an Exhibit of Drawings, Paintings, and Sculpture by Marie Mastronardo and B. Robert Johnson at the Muroff Kotler Visual Arts Gallery

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SUNY Ulster Press Release

October 7, 2025 – Stone Ridge, NY – The Muroff Kotler Visual Arts Gallery at SUNY Ulster is proud to present “time Again”, a two-person exhibition featuring the diverse works of Marie Mastronardo and B. Robert Johnson. The exhibit runs from October 16 through December 4, with an opening reception on October 16 from 4-6 p.m. This exhibition is sponsored by the Ulster Community College Foundation, Inc.

“time Again” brings together selected works of Johnson and Mastronardo on the 50th anniversary of their first exhibition together at the Muroff Kotler Visual Arts Gallery in 1975.

“time Again” images by Marie Mastronardo and B. Robert Johnson

Marie Mastronardo is showing sculptures, sculpted in clay, coil built, and some done in plaster reliefs. Voluminous, yet fragile, her pieces take shape one thin coil at a time from the ground up and evolve into free-flowing figurative vessels and sculptures. Ms. Mastronardo holds a B.A. in art from Hunter College followed by a year’s travel in Europe, a decade long association with the Art Students” League, studying drawing with Marshall Glasier, painting with Julian Levi, and sculpture with John Hovannes. She has participated in both solo and group shows in New York City and upstate New York.

Robert Johnson is a multidisciplinary artist who describes his paintings and drawings as geometric landscapes and interpretations of the natural world, balancing realism and abstraction to represent the essence of beauty that nature possesses. Mr. Johnson holds a B.F.A. from Pratt Institute and is the Director of Graphic & Printing Services at SUNY Ulster, designing award-winning visual communication publications for the promotion of the College. In addition, he serves on the Exhibition Committee for the Muroff Kotler Visual Arts Gallery, was a past board member of the Art Society of Kingston, curated the city-wide outdoor Sculpture Biennial in 2011, and has been making art cars for the Kingston Artists Soapbox Derby since 1999.

“time Again” reflects both artists’ life-long commitment to art making and the way art invites the viewer to return, reconsider, and see their work anew.

For more information, please contact Chris Seubert at seubertc@sunyulster.edu.

About the Muroff Kotler Visual Arts Gallery

The Muroff-Kotler Visual Arts Gallery at SUNY Ulster serves as a center for creative activity at the College and within the community. It also functions as an environment for teaching, performing, and exhibiting.

About the Ulster Community College Foundation, Inc.

Since 1976, the Ulster Community College Foundation has been committed to advancing student success, academic excellence, and community impact at SUNY Ulster. Rooted in a mission to bridge opportunity with action, the Foundation has awarded over $8.5 million in scholarships to more than 8,700 students. Each year, the Foundation offers almost $1 million in scholarships, enabling students to pursue degrees across disciplines ranging from Nursing and STEM to Business and the Arts. The Ulster Community College Foundation’s impact extends far beyond scholarships. The organization invests in cultural enrichment, academic innovation, teaching technologies, and student-centered programming. The Foundation also plays a pivotal role in alumni engagement, donor cultivation, and positioning SUNY Ulster as a hub of innovation and opportunity in the Hudson Valley.

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Ulster Community College Foundation to Hold Soiree for SUNY Ulster October 9, 2025

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SUNY Ulster Press Release

September 25, 2025 – Stone Ridge, NY – Ulster Community College Foundation will host its annual fundraising event on Thursday, October 9, 2025, at Diamond Mills Resort & Spa in Saugerties at 5:30 p.m. This event is open to the public with tickets available at www.sunyulster.edu/soiree.

The fundraiser and recognition event honors individuals, organizations, and businesses in support of student success. Bringing together community leaders, alumni, donors, and friends of SUNY Ulster, this event is a celebration of the power of higher education as it raises funds for student scholarships and programs.

This year’s soiree will feature an awards presentation honoring those whose contributions embody SUNY Ulster’s spirit of community and service and include:

  • Your Promise – Their Future Award: Eli Basch, Esq. & Susan Raymond Basch ‘74 (posthumously) — recognizing donors whose substantial gifts are transformative.
  • #BeLikeAnita Award: Bill Calderara — recognizing community members who lead by example and dedicate personal time to bettering others.
  • Outstanding Graduate of the Last Decade (G.O.L.D.): Alejandro Duran-Sanchez ‘19 — honoring a recent graduate who has distinguished themselves through volunteerism, professional growth, and philanthropic values.
  • Caring for the Community Award: Tony Marmo — for exceptional dedication to the well-being of the community.
  • Anne R. Donovan Award for Faculty & Staff: Dr. Mark Stewart, PhD — for members of the campus community who go above and beyond in their service to SUNY Ulster’s mission.

“Our Soirée is more than a fundraising event — it’s a celebration of the people whose vision, generosity, and commitment make SUNY Ulster what it is,” said John DeGasperis, Esq. ‘02 Ulster Community College Foundation, Inc. Board Chair. “We’re thrilled to honor this year’s remarkable individuals, and to continue supporting our students through their generosity.”

SUNY Ulster president, Alison Buckley, ED.D. shared, “The Soiree is a meaningful evening that shines a light on the incredible generosity of our community, the commitment of our honorees, and, most importantly, the life-changing opportunities that our Foundation provides for our students. Together, we are investing in futures, building pathways to success, and strengthening the Hudson Valley through education.”

The evening will include a cocktail reception, fine dining, live music, auctions, and presentations from individuals whose lives have been shaped by SUNY Ulster and the Ulster Community College Foundation. Early reservations are encouraged as seating is limited.

For more information, please contact the Foundation office at foundation@sunyulster.edu or 845-687-5283.

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SUNY Ulster Holds Alumni Art Exhibition June 26 – July 24

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Alumni art

June 18, 2025 – Stone Ridge, NY – SUNY Ulster is pleased to present a celebration of work by our valued alumni at the Muroff-Kotler Visual Arts Gallery from June 26 through July 24. The opening reception will take place on June 26 from 4-6 p.m. This exhibit is made possible by the Ulster Community College Foundation, Inc.

The opening reception will take place on June 26 from 4-6 p.m. This exhibit is made possible by the Ulster Community College Foundation, Inc.

Open to all alumni, the show is curated by John DeGasperis, Esq. a founding partner at New York Injury Law, LLP, Chair of the Ulster Community College Foundation Board of Directors, and SUNY Ulster alumnus, ‘02.

The exhibit features work in a variety of media by over 20 alumni. The artists included in this exhibit graduated from SUNY Ulster from 1971 through 2021 and represents those who were art students as well as those who were in other programs. The artists include:

    • Ronald Augustine
    • Gülnar Babayeva
    • Savannah Baker
    • Luke Benicase
    • Catherine Christiana
    • Allison Constant
    • Kat Farrell
    • Marielena Ferrer
    • Patti Gibbons
    • Sam Goldberg
    • Paul Harden
    • Bob Johnson
    • Dave Kahen
    • Hunter Larson
    • Michelle Moore
    • Christopher Nostrand
    • Cassiopeia Ottulich
    • Keldon Polacco
    • Chelsea Stingel
    • Dianne Valdivia
    • Kerri Vitek
    • Calico Withall

The Muroff-Kotler Visual Arts Gallery at SUNY Ulster serves as a center for creative activity at the College and within the community. It also functions as an environment for teaching, performing, and exhibiting.

The gallery and exhibition are free and open to the public. For more information, contact Chris Seubert at seubertc@sunyulster.edu.

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SUNY Ulster’s 61st Commencement on Saturday, May 24, 2025

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2025 Commencement

May 20, 2025 – Stone Ridge, NY – SUNY Ulster will proudly celebrate its 61st Commencement Ceremony on Saturday, May 24, 2025, at 10 a.m. in the Senate Gymnasium on the Stone Ridge campus. Presiding over the event will be President Alison Buckley, Ed.D., who will confer degrees and certificates upon 143 graduates during the ceremony.

The Class of 2025 comprises 340 students in total. Of those, 288 will receive associate degrees, and 81 will be awarded certificates. The graduating class spans generations—its youngest members are three 17-year-olds, and its oldest is 65.

Of the class, 51 students will graduate with highest honors, and 112 with honors, 8 students will receive the President’s Medal of Highest Honor for maintaining a perfect 4.0 GPA, 52 graduates are members of Phi Theta Kappa, the national honor society, 15 students are recipients of the President’s Challenge Scholarship, who will receive the Darlene L. Pfeiffer Medallion of Excellence, and 6 are recognized as College Scholars.  14 nursing students will receive their pins as part of the ceremony.

Each participating graduate will receive six guest tickets, and the Senate Gymnasium will open for seating at 9:00 a.m. For friends and family unable to attend in person, the event will be livestreamed and available on the college’s website  and on the SUNY Ulster YouTube channelr.

The keynote address will be delivered by Elliott Auerbach, former New York State Deputy Comptroller and current Director of the Ulster Community College Foundation, Inc. A dedicated steward of education and opportunity, Mr. Auerbach has devoted nearly five years to advancing the Foundation’s mission, championing scholarship initiatives that have profoundly enriched the lives and futures of our students.

Representing the student body, Deli Smith, this year’s Student Trustee, will serve as the student speaker. Smith is graduating with an Associate Degree with High Honors, is a member of Phi Theta Kappa, and was recently honored with the 2025 Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence. They plan to continue their education at SUNY Oneonta.

Introductions will be made by Jenn Zell, Chief of Staff & Secretary to the Board and Alison Buckley, Ed.D., President. Other participants include Grand Marshal James Hobbs, Professor of Psychology; Faculty Marshal Candice Van Dyke, Interim Vice President for Academic Affairs & Dean of Faculty; Deborah Briggs, Board of Trustees Chair; The Honorable Peter Oberacker, NYS Senator; The Honorable Peter Criswell, Ulster County Legislative Chair; Dr. Mark Stewart, Assistant Professor of Engineering & Academic Senate Chair, Rebecca Mercado, ESC Counselor & Staff Assembly Co-Chair, and John DeGasperis, Esq., Ulster Community College Foundation, Inc. Chair.

The invocation and benediction will be offered by The Rev. Gregory Simpson, Ph.D., SUNY Ulster Trustee and Pastor of Nauraushaun Presbyterian Church.

Musical performances will feature the College Chorus, under the direction of Janet Gehres, and the Old Capital Brass, directed by Victor Izzo, Jr.

Security Notice: Guests are advised that large bags and backpacks are not permitted. Large purses and diaper bags will be subject to inspection, and strollers must be left in designated areas.

SUNY Ulster looks forward to honoring the achievements of its graduates with family, friends, and the community in attendance.

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Alumni Art Exhibit – Call for Artists

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The Muroff-Kotler Visual Arts Gallery is pleased to present a celebration of work by our valued alumni.


June 26 – July 24
Gallery Hours: Tuesday – Thursday 11 am – 3 pm

Calendar

  • Exhibition Dates: Thurs. June 26 – Thurs. July 24
  • Submission Deadline: Fri. May 16
  • Delivery of Artwork: Mon. June 2 & Weds. June 4 Noon – 5 pm
  • Opening Reception: Thurs. June 26, 4-6 pm
  • Pick up/Return of Artwork: July 28, 29, 30

Call for Entry

The Department of Fine and Visual Art and the SUNY Ulster Foundation invites all SUNY Ulster alumni to submit work to be included in the 2025 Alumni Exhibition. Alumni can submit up to three pieces for consideration.  All artwork must be original and all media are acceptable.

Eligibility

Open to all SUNY Ulster alumni. Works must be completed after graduation, preferably within the last three years. Artwork may be 2-dimensional, 3-dimensional, video-based, or installation/site-specific.

Entry to this exhibition implies agreement on the part of the sender to the conditions set forth in this prospectus.

Media/Specifications

All work accepted for the show must be ready to hang, be self-supporting on a pedestal or the floor, be prepared for viewing on a monitor, or be ready for display in another specified manner.

Three-dimensional or installation work may include up to 2 additional detail images. Artists submitting video artwork must submit a 5 minute clip of the video for review. Potential final acceptance of video work will be determined after viewing the full video.

Submission Format

  • All works must be submitted in .jpg format.
  • Submissions will be accepted online only; any submitted work that differs from the digital entry guidelines below may be disqualified.
  • All image files must be named exactly as follows: Lastname_Firstname_Titleofwork.jpg
  • IMPORTANT: The names of your image files must not contain spaces or special characters ( – / . # etc). Underscores _ are fine.
  • Files must be 72 dpi and no more than 600 pixels on its largest side
  • Email files to: Gallery@sunyulster.edu Please include “Alumni Exhibition” in your subject line.

Delivery of Work

Selected artists are requested to provide a current artist statement to accompany exhibited artwork addressing where you are in your career. Additionally, selected artists are requested to provide information for promotion (3 images, contact information, website, and social media contact).

Accepted work may be delivered in person or shipped postage paid by the artist in appropriate packaging for artwork that is reusable upon return shipment.

Deliver or ship work to arrive between June 2 and 4 to:

SUNY Ulster Community College,
℅ Muroff-Kotler Gallery,
491 Cottekill Rd,
Stone Ridge, NY 12484

  • Shipped artwork will be returned in the packing that it arrives in and must contain information (prepaid shipping label…) for return
  • All artists/lenders are responsible for transportation of the work to and from SUNY Ulster
  • C.O.D. deliveries will not be accepted
  • PLEASE: NO PACKING POPCORN

Presentation

Wall-mounted work: Not to exceed 5’ in height or width, and 60 lbs.

Installations: May not alter the character of gallery walls, ceiling or floor.

Pedestals will be provided for 3-D work.

All works must be ready to install. 2-D work must be framed under plexiglass or glass (with exception of works on canvas) and wired with the necessary hanging device attached. Unframed works should be shipped with the appropriate hanging equipment and installation instructions.

The juror or Program Coordinator may withhold works that are misrepresented by digital submission or that are not adequately prepared for display.

The Muroff-Kotler Visual Arts Gallery at Invites Alumni to Submit Artwork for Exhibition

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The Muroff-Kotler Visual Arts Gallery at SUNY Ulster Invites all Alumni to Submit Artwork for June 26 to July 24 Exhibition

April 29, 2025 – Stone Ridge, NY – SUNY Ulster’s Muroff-Kotler Visual Arts Gallery invites all alumni to submit their creative work for a juried exhibition from June 26 – July 24, 2025. The deadline for submissions is Friday, May 16.

In addition to being an alumnus of the College, artwork must be completed after graduation, preferably within the last three years. Artwork can be two or three-dimensional, video-based, or installation-specific. Alumni can access the full Call for Artists on the SUNY Ulster Blog, which includes submission formats, how to deliver work, and presentation requirements, among other important details.

Juried by guest curator and alumnus, John A. DeGasperis, Esq. ‘02, this event is made possible by the Ulster Community College Foundation, Inc.

Questions can be directed to Chris Seubert, Chair of the Art Department at SUNY Ulster, at seubertc@sunyulster.edu.

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About the Muroff-Kotler Visual Arts Gallery

The Muroff-Kotler Visual Arts Gallery serves as a center for creative artistic activity at the College and for the outside community. It also functions as an environment for teaching, performing, and exhibiting.

The College’s permanent art collection enriches the cultural climate on campus by making additional works of high artistic achievement available to students and the community. In this manner, the collection serves as a permanent visual reference source.

The College believes that the acquisition of artworks and the presentation of different art exhibitions assist the College community in setting standards for judgment and perception.

Alumni Call for Artists

Meet Michelle Moore

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image of floral fabric designed by michelle moore

Michelle Moore is a SUNY Ulster alumnus and now an adjunct faculty member at SUNY Ulster. Here is her recent interview with Bold Journey Magazine:

Michelle, appreciate you making time for us and sharing your wisdom with the community. So many of us go through similar pain points throughout our journeys and so hearing about how others overcame obstacles can be helpful. One of those struggles is keeping creativity alive despite all the stresses, challenges and problems we might be dealing with. How do you keep your creativity alive?

Creativity like all things in life needs nurturing and care. There will be periods of high activity and periods of dormancy. I have learned that when I am in either state that I have to be mindful that it will not last forever.

The creative mind needs rest in order to come up with new ideas and be to be inspired. The only way to keep it thriving is to listen, and give it what it needs when it needs it.

On the other side of that is when the “creative spark” hits, I know I have to act on it, and move the idea forward in order to keep my advancing my work.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

Hi! I am an Artist, Surface Designer and Art Educator located in the Hudson Valley region of New York State.

I am currently focused on the use of natural dyes using homegrown flowers and botanicals for textiles and artwork. I spent the last ten(ish) years experimenting with this craft and have honed in on the specific area of hammered flowers and leaves on cloth and paper. Over that time I have worked with major retail brands to bring naturally dyed goods to the commercial market. I have designed natural dye kits that have been sold across the US, and have taught many workshops to share this art form with others.

Over the last few years I have been writing a book about my hammered flower process that is due to publish at the end of the year. Keep an eye out!

I also teach art courses at my Alma Mater – SUNY Ulster. I teach courses in drawing, 2D Design, graphic design foundation.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

  1. Digital design. I decided early on in my artistic journey that it was as important if not more to learn how to Floral wall hanging use CAD programs, as well as create my own website in order to showcase my artwork. We live in the world of tiny screens and limited attention spans. You need to grab your viewers attention quick, and the best way is through great photos and presentation of the work your invested so much time creating.
  2. Stop comparing yourself. This is indeed a learned “skill”. It doesn’t matter what everyone else around you is doing. Just keep focused on what you are doing and it will in time evolve organically the way it i supposed to. Everything good takes time, energy, and consistency. Keep chipping away.
  3. Don’t focus on what you “don’t know”. I think the biggest challenge sometimes is getting started. We often think we don’t know enough to make progress. The truth is that you need to start somewhere. Be curious, make mistakes, lean into the process. The more experiments you do, the more knowledge you will gain.Keep at it. It gets easier.Continuing to show up for yourself is best quality you can have.
How can folks who want to work with you connect?

Yes, I’m always looking for new ways to share my work with the world!

I’d love to do collaborations with my hammered flower art specifically.I’d love to work with an eco friendly stationery or home goods brand to bring these designs into the retail market in small batches. I also would love to work with a fashion designer to create a really beautiful hammered flower garment for something special.

I’m also looking to exhibit more of my original artwork this year.

More flowers on everything!

Contact Info: