The Tradition Bearers
Rooted in the Southern Tier’s historical and contemporary traditions, The Tradition Bearers showcases the traditions of community members in Chemung, Steuben, and Schuyler counties.
A series of more than 30 photographic portraits, The Tradition Bearers is a celebration of those who seek to create community. They honor and serve, create and innovate, explore and cultivate, comfort and care, march and unite, lead and steward, and more. By practicing and carrying forth their traditions, they affirm community making as essential to sustaining the dynamic place we call home.
This project is part of a continued response to the normalization and elevation of the intolerance and divisiveness that seek to reinforce and legitimize hatred and that act in antithesis to the common good.
Informed and shaped by the community, The Tradition Bearers was created through a collaborative approach to ensure a respectful reflection of the people found within. Participants are grounded in their environment, highlighting the context with which they carry on their tradition. Each portrait is exhibited concurrently in libraries in Elmira, Corning, & Watkins Glen and presented uniformly in size to eliminate any sense of hierarchy.
The Tradition Bearers is on exhibit until the end of the year at Southeast Steuben County Library in Corning, NY, Steele Memorial Library in Elmira, NY, & Watkins Glen Public Library in Watkins Glen, NY. An opening reception was held Thursday, November 3, 2022 from 5-7pm at Southeast Steuben County Library in Corning, NY.
An artist talk can viewed here:
The Tradition Bearers is made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature, administered by fiscal sponsor The Rockwell Museum.
Participants
Portraits
Zaman Marwat, Imam & Director, Islamic Association of the Finger Lakes
Tarrah Seaver, Baker & Founder, Laurabelle's Cupcakery
Laura Rowley, Bookmaker & Publisher & Kevin Basl, Author, Veteran, & Facilitator, Warrior Writers
Lizz & Matt Glenn, Farmers, Muddy Finger Farms
Willie Owens & Troy Council, Founders, Program of P.E.A.C.E. (Positive Education Always Corrects Errors)
Jess Hoffman, Cheesemaker, Sunset View Creamery
Oren Steinitz, Rabbi, Congregation Kol Ami
Gigi Alvaré, Artist, Educator, Founder, Alley Art Project
Eric Biribuze, Engineer, Corning Incorporated & Founder, STELA Inc (Science Technology Entrepreneurship Leadership Academy)
Nick Craig, Iron Pourer, Kennedy Valve
Rafael Grigorian, Ballet Master
Shannah Warwick, Fashion & Textile Designer and Founder, BlckBts
Shawn Wandell, Chipper & Grinder, Kennedy Valve
Eric Bresett, Hydrant Assembler, Kennedy Valve
Maria Bentley & Greg Taft, Sugarmakers & Founders, Maple Marrow at B&T Farms
Adrian McGrady, Flutist
Alan Tremblay, Apiculturist, Tremblay Apiaries
Ken Osika, Fish Culturist, New York State Fish Hatchery in Bath
Olivia Tate, Pilot, Harris Hill Soaring Corporation
Chief Frank Brzozwski, City of Hornell Fire Department
Krystal Jubilee, Director of Nurse Education, Corning Community College
Eileen Collins, NASA Astronaut and USAF Colonel (Ret)
Toshiyuki Shimada, Musical Director & Conductor, Orchestra of the Southern Finger Lakes
John Paul Passmore, Teacher & Queer Advocate
Clarence "Bucky" Geter, Gospel Musician
Beverly, Chris, & Abby Stamp, 3 Generations Winemakers, Lakewood Vineyards
Dora Leland & Louise Richardson, Social Justice Warriors
Douglas Allan, Theoretical Physicist & Senior Research Associate, Corning Incorporated
Kate Makitra, Clerk, USPS
Courtney DeRusha, Preservation Mason
Connie & Louise Sullivan-Blum, Lesbian Scofflaws
Rodi Rovner, Glassmaker, Teaching Artist, & Founder, Hands on Glass