Hundreds of artists have entered the Southern Tier Biennial (STB) over the last twelve years allowing the creation of exhibitions that showcase the vitality and diversity of contemporary art in the region, and the 2017 STB promises to deliver another exceptional exhibition.

This year’s jurors, Tullis Johnson, curator and manager of archives at the Burchfield Penney Art Center in Buffalo, New York, and nationally recognized fine artist Thomas Paquette from northwest Pennsylvania, reviewed submissions of 165 works from over 60 artists. They have selected work that continues the tradition of presenting a diverse group of artists for this regional survey of contemporary art in the nine counties of New York State’s Southern Tier.

The exhibiting artists are: Satyavani Akula (Elmira, NY, oil painting), Ellen Bahr (Alfred, NY, archival pigment print), Fay Bleier (Limestone, NY, oil painting), Gwendolyn Brown (Ellicottville, NY, oil painting), Judson Brown (West Valley, NY, oil painting), James Colby (Lakewood, NY, digital giclee), Schuyler Dawson (Alfred, NY, sculpture), Audrey Kay Dowling (Westfield, NY, block print), Jacqueline Fischer (Alfred, NY, sculpture), Mary Ann Fritz (Machias, NY, fiber art), Susan Forrester-Mackay (Fredonia, NY, oil painting), Barbara Fox (Little Valley, NY, oil painting), Lindsey Glover (Trumansburg, NY, digital print), Hall Groat II (Endwell, NY, oil painting), Anthony Hanakovic (Endwell, NY, oil painting), Theresa Heinz (Cuba, NY, mixed media), David Higgins (Corning, NY, mixed media), Dale Inglett (Alfred Station, NY, mixed media), Kellin Jansen (Alfred, NY, painting), J.W. Johnston (Whitney Point, NY, photography), Heather Kanazawa (Kennedy, NY 14747, painting), Susan Kendrot (Windsor, NY, monotype), Medis Kent (Findley Lake, NY, fiber art), Ashley Kerr (Alfred Station, NY, sculpture), Mark Kirsch (Jamestown, NY, dye print), Jennifer Miller (Westons Mills, NY, oil painting), Barbara Mink (Ithaca, NY, painting), James Mullen (Endwell, NY, linocut), Richard Nolan (Johnson City, NY, wood), Catherine Panebianco (Jamestown, NY, photography), Serena Preston (Belfast, NY, drawing), Eileen Proto (Olean, NY, gelatin silver print), Nicole Shields (Randolph, NY, mixed media), Jeremy Speed Schwartz (Wayland, NY, animation), Christine Sullivan (Elmira, NY, oil painting), Hannah Thompsett (Allentown, NY, ceramic and fiberglass), Chris Walters (Corning, NY, photography), Mikel Wintermantel (Allegany, NY, oil painting), Celeste Withiam (Trumansburg, NY, drawing), Hope Zaccagni (Alfred Station, NY, oil painting), Stephanie Zwyghuizen (Jamestown, NY, linocut print). Artists’ statements and photographs of their work are on the STB website, www.southerntierbiennial.com.

A four-color catalog will be produced to highlight the exhibition. Jurors Johnson and Paquette will select a Best of Show winner and three Honorable Mention winners. The Best of Show winner receives $1,000 and will have a solo show in the Fall of 2018 with a four-color printed catalog and up to $1,000 for professional development (workshops, training, etc.), and up to $1,000 for show expenses. Honorable Mention winners each receive $500.

The dual exhibition will open at 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 23, at the Olean Public Library Art Gallery for light refreshments and presentation of the awards followed by an Art Party at 4:30 p.m. at the Center Gallery at Jamestown Community College on North Union Street in Olean serving hors d’oeuvres, drinks, and featuring live entertainment by The State Street Ramblers. Both receptions are free and open to the public. The STB is produced by the Cattaraugus County Arts Council, in collaboration with the Olean Public Library, Jamestown Community College, and the Cattaraugus Region Community Foundation, made possible by an endowment from the estate of F. Donald Kenney.