Outside the Box - August 26 - September 23

Featuring artists Ron Becker, JoAnne Dumas, Sejal Mehra, Felecia Montfort

Click Here to view videos of the exhibit on our YouTube Channel

Ron Becker is a professional artist who is mainly known for his realistic landscapes and nature paintings. Working in acrylics and oil, his techniques and skill set are mainly self-taught through experimentation and discovery. Exploring new techniques and ways to work with mediums to express the nature of his heart and soul, Ron focuses on environments that illicit a feeling of calm, serenity, beauty and the divine.

Seeking to expand his creativity, he envisioned an exhibit on social justice issues. The topic of prison reform and justice was inspired through his daughter Amanda’s advocacy, while attending the Silberman School of Social Work at Hunter College. His vision took shape and grew after starting correspondence with Bartholomew Crawford, an inmate in a NYS Correctional Facility. Bartholomew’s writings, recent social unrest related to minorities and those in prison, helped to inspire the exhibit “MY BLOCK.”

After being introduced to each other through Tommy Demonkoff, Director of Arts Programming (at the time) at Riker’s, Ron and Bartholomew formed a trusting friendship, while corresponding with each other. Bartholomew shared some of his writings with Ron, who interpreted them visually. The impact and seriousness of each piece led Ron to explore various mediums and ways to convey the author’s intent. This exhibit is a culmination of their creativity and exploration over that six-year period.

Our environmental waters inspire JoAnne Dumas visually, ecologically and emotionally with their ever-changing atmospheric presence. Light on and through these waters creates colors and shapes mirrored for a unique moment. Seizing and transforming these moments in my work is a creative challenge. I find myself using a variety of media and incorporating these substrates into various two and multi-dimensional pieces.

Ultimately, my final works vary as much as the idiosyncratic water, light and color combinations around me. In this work I used tools in the digital darkroom to capture the tones that I saw through my camera lens and used a metallic substrate to pick up the reflections.

Sejal Mehra’s Engineering Art is a unique and inspiring combination of creativity, engineering, and sustainability. With a mission to change the face of STEM through art, Sejal transforms discarded computer and electronic parts, as well as plastic waste, into stunning works of art that showcase the beauty of science, technology, engineering, and math.

Each piece Sejal creates is a testament to her dedication to promoting sustainability and encouraging future generations of creators to view STEM as a creative field. Her art is not only visually stunning, but it also carries a powerful message about the importance of recycling and reducing waste. Sejal's commitment to her craft has led to numerous accolades and opportunities to showcase her work. Her art has been featured as a Flag around the iconic Rink at Rockefeller Center in New York City, as well as at events such as P.S. 29's Super Science Saturday in Brooklyn and the Maker Faire in Long Island.

Through her Engineering Art, Sejal is making a significant impact on the world by raising awareness about sustainability, promoting the creative aspects of STEM, and demonstrating the beauty that can be found in even the most unlikely of places.

Felecia Montfort - Felecia has spent her life making magical art. Ceramics and painting are her favorite mediums. Her creations range from practical to surreal. She is happiest when she has clay or a brush in her hands. After exploring art in high school, Felecia went on to receive her BA at University of Bridgeport, Connecticut and completed her MA at Adelphi and Post in Garden City enhancing her skills of art set at the University of Texas and Post in NY. Hugh McElroy (well known in the ceramics world) was an enormous influence on her, he showed her how to use plaster to make molds of faces. She started plastering her friends’ faces - they loved seeing their images on her wall. 

A trip to Santa Fe brought a profound interest in the indigenous art of New Mexico. She came home excited to incorporate these new natural elements, i.e.: feathers, beads, rocks, wood, shells, and leather. The art in this exhibit reflects part of her artistic journey in the world of fantasy and surrealism. When she retired, she took classes with Gina Mars (a master in raku ceramics). She has learned so much and continues to learn each day. She hopes you experience the same happiness seeing her art today.