Ashley Favata photo: The Cummings Art Gallery is hosting the “Reclaimed, Reused, & Repurposed” art show through the remainder of the term. During the Christmas break, it will be open by appointment only.

Mercyhurst University Cummings gallery will be the site of “Reclaimed, Reused, & Repurposed” art show. Local artists reclaim and repurpose found objects to create new works that are now on display.

It will be open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. and Saturday & Sunday from 2-5 p.m. The gallery will be available during Christmas Break by appointment only.
There will be a “Gallery Talk” by Suzanne Proulx during which she will discuss her work, on Thursday, Nov. 21 at 6 p.m. in Zurn 114 followed by an artist reception from 7-9 p.m.

The displayed pieces were curated by Professor Dan Burke. Featured works are by John Bavaro, Ron Bayuzick, Amara Geffen, Brian Pardini, Suzanne Proulx, Fran Schanz, Deborah Sementelli and Jesse & Ricardo.

Francis T. Schanz graduated from Mercyhurst University and earned a Master of Fine Arts in sculpture from Edinboro University. Schanz uses new and old material and found objects and combines them to take on new life.

He’s showing “Earthling,” which incorporates bean bag chairs, children’s plastic outdoor toys, tubes and wire to create a brand new landscape.

Art professor of Edinboro University, John Bavaro is known for his drawings and paintings of fish, dinosaurs and other wildlife. He is also known for his iPad and iPhone works that have been included in national and international exhibitions and he is the founder of the International Association of Mobile Digital Artists.

Bavaro’s exhibit will be “Bluegill” which stands in the likeness of a fish.

Ronald Bayuzick was a former high school art teacher and is known by Erie residents for his large sculptures in Erie’s Bayfront Convention Center and on the campus of Edinboro University. As an abstract expressionist his surroundings have always strongly influenced his work.

This influence can be seen in the mixed media works incorporate found metal, found objects, steel, paint and old wheels to create abstract forms.

Brian Pardini graduated from the University of Notre Dame and attended Mercyhurst University. He created his piece from driftwood found throughout the year.

“I collect hundreds of pieces of driftwood every year. Among them are a large number that suggest figures in motion,” he says.

“Whether trees grow in ways that lend themselves to animated movement or my eye is caught by those particular shapes, I’m not sure.

But I am certainly amazed by what the earth creates and the lake soaks, tumbles, smooths and washes ashore.”

Deborah Sementelli teaches classes at the Neighborhood Art House, the Erie Art Museum, Lifeworks and Teaching Artist residencies through Arts Erie’s Arts in Education program.

Sementelli’s “Mail Order Bride” repurposes about two dozen Priority Mail envelopes to create an 1880s period bustle ensemble.

The dress was made and is presented on Sementelli’s mother’s adjustable dress form. “The Triple G Onion Setee” is an enormous pillow constructed from and stuffed with onion bags.