Artist-in-Residence
Mount Vernon Artist-in-Residence
The Mount Vernon Area Arts Council launched the Artist-in-Residence (or AIR) program in Spring of 2023. The Council hopes to increase awareness of the visual arts with this professional recognition that complements the sister program of Poet Laureate by bringing these arts for free to the area community.
The artist’s responsibilities will in part include creating and displaying an original creative artwork at an MVAAC-sponsored event and organizing at least one community outreach program to celebrate visual art each year of the appointment.
The artist will be recognized as the Artist-in-Residence with an annual stipend of $500 with a materials support amount of $250 per annum. In addition, the AIR will receive a complimentary artist booth at the Lincoln Highway Arts Festival in September and the support and promotion by MVAAC. The AIR is a 2-year appointment.
Sarah Fitzgerald has been selected at the inaugural Artist-in-Residence, beginning Spring of 2023. She has displayed her artwork at the Lincoln Highway Arts Festival and the Cole Library gallery as part of her Artist-in-Residence duties. She has also started a series of meet-ups for local artists and creatives. More info about these events are below.
2023-2024 Artist-in-Residence, Sarah Fitzgerald
Sarah Fitzgerald, Mount Vernon artist and retired elementary art teacher makes art inspired by her surroundings. Originally from Illinois, Sarah moved to Mount Vernon in 1980 to pursue a BA at Cornell College. She left town for a few years but returned and stayed.
Her interest and concern for nature affects the way she sees and interacts with her closest worlds—her backyard, her neighborhood, her town. As an elementary teacher, Sarah experienced a lot of joy; being able to “foster young minds” was something she found deeply fulfilling. But these days she focuses on her own art, which she considers an important self-discovery tool. For Sarah, art is therapeutic and allows her to process thoughts and feelings in a safe and productive way all the while experimenting. Currently, she is working on an Instagram series (@sarahlynnfitzgerald) in which she draws figures that fit into her surrounding environment. For Sarah, art is entirely autobiographical. “When you’re making art, the first person you’re making it for is yourself.”
Creatives Connect
The first Creatives Connect meet-up was held on February 4th, 2024 at the Cole Library.
Join us for the next Creatives Connect on Sunday March 3rd and Sunday, April 7th from 2:00-4:00pm at the Cole Library, Room 108. Bring a project or piece of artwork you are working on to share or just come for the community. All are welcome.
Photos from the first event are below.
Artist-in-Residence Gallery Show
2023-2024 Artist-in-Residence, Sarah Fitzgerald held an artists talk and opening of her show, “Fanciful Vignettes” on Sunday, January 21st at the Cole Library Gallery. Her artwork will be on display through the first week of March, 2024. Photos of the event are below.
