SUNY Oneonta Artist Unveils

Portraits Of 10 Local Heroes 

COOPERSTOWN – After piles of nominations and months of secrecy, artist Janet Wentworth Erickson will debut her portrait series, “Community Heroes in Portraiture” at a reception beginning at 5:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 9th, at The Farmers’ Museum’s Louis Jones Center.   The public is welcome.

The portraits will be hung at The Fenimore Art Museum.

“Portraiture has been a practice since ancient times,” said Erickson.  “From death masks to selfies, every community wants to capture the likeness of its celebrated citizens.”

Inspired by classical portraits of yore, Erickson took nominations from Delaware and Otsego counties of “unsung heroes,” to honor the community work of those who might not otherwise be seen.

Ten of those nominated were interviewed and painted for classical 30″ x 40″ oil portraits, and many more heroes were photographed to also be a part of the exhibit.

“Painted portraiture on canvas can teach future generations about our values and priorities,” said Erickson. “I wanted people to know that there were heroes all around us.”

Erickson, who teaches art at SUNY Oneonta, received the college’s “Creative Activity” grant for the series, inviting students from Delaware Academy and SUNY to assist her with interviews and images of those chosen to sit for the portraits. “I want to know about their lives and why they were nominated.” said Erickson.  “This painting is a person’s life.”