Ancestral Tales and Prayers & Plastic

Melissa Dvozenja-Thomas, Interim Executive Director, Arts Mid-Hudson

When visiting a new city, one of the first things I notice is the overall feel of the place. Are there small businesses, restaurants, and art? Public art is incredibly important to our community. It adds meaning and a uniqueness to our cities. The art scene in Poughkeepsie continues to grow and enhance our experiences with the opening of a new gallery and storefront Conveyer/or located on 299 Main Street.

Conveyor, meaning a person that communicates something, aptly describes the artist and owner of the gallery, Suprina. An artivist, artist-activist, Suprina creates work that celebrates community, humanity and points out our need for change. She studied at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia and has an incredible line of work that focuses solely on environmental, social and political issues.

You may have witnessed Suprina’s work without even knowing it. In 2019 and 2020, Suprina designed a program to work on the Sanitation Trucks for the City of Poughkeepsie where she now lives and works. She has painted three garbage trucks with local artists and youth to date. This program is ongoing, and she is scheduled to paint one truck each year.

“This gallery can be different from your normal white box gallery,” Suprina says. “It can be a white box public art space. People who pass by no matter the time of day or night can experience art.” Currently on display, those walking by or who make an appointment can experience, The Sum of Us, where Suprina welcomes an open and honest discussion about the history of America, the good and the bad.

The largest work was inspired by the book “The Sum of Us” by Heather McGhee. It is a large wall of 190 paint can lids all connected. “Here are all of us. Every color, shape, age,” Suprina says. “and look how beautiful we are standing together.” Surpina’s works, which are made from found materials, combine symbolism with the need to address our history, and allows the viewer to consider a perspective possibly different than their own.

Suprina is also teaming up with fellow local artist, Elisa Pritzker, in April at Gallery 40, located at 40 Cannon Street in Poughkeepsie. Gallery 40 is devoted to building community through the representation of local and regional artists. On exhibit will be two solo shows, Ancestral Tales by Elisa Pritzker and Prayers & Plastic by Suprina.

Pritzker, who has exhibited at MoMA, Queens Museum, Skirball Museum-Jerusalem, Dorsky Museum, and Espronceda-Barcelona just to name a few, says her work is inspired by a pivotal trip to Patagonia and the Selk’nam People. “My art is eco-ancestral, intuitive and universally primal. My own iconography invokes the deep mystery of life and the magical power of nature.”

As spring arrives and brings new life to the earth, visit a gallery. Take in the art and allow it to bring new life to your thoughts, perceptions and community.

If you go:
The Sum of Us
By appointment
Conveyer/or 299 Main Street, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601

Two Solos
April 1 - 30, 2023
Reception: Saturday April 1, 2023 from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Monday - Friday: 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Saturday & Sunday: 9:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Gallery 40, 40 Cannon Street, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601