Instruments of Hope Fundraiser

Violins

Please click on the images below to view the full image.

Full of Spirit

by Luchetta Manus

Birches

by Lena Logvina

Bloom

by Lena Logvina

Maintain

by Roberta Rey

Spock2

by Roberta Rey

Music Opens Up the World

by Steven and Susan Kemenyffy

The Unstrung Melody: Crashing Waves

by Sister Margaret Pilewski OSB

Seabreeze

by Sister Mary Andrew Himes

4Seasons

by Joni Porter

Fall Harvest

by Lupe’ Billingsley

Textured Symphony

by Jane Davis

Music in Color

by Vanni the Designer

The Heart of Erie Keeps on Beating

by Susan Wendel

IRIS

by Joyce Perowicz

Voices of Ukiyo-e

by Brad Lethaby

Inspiration

by Jennifer Elizabeth

Bridolin

by Dawn A. Estela

A New Composition

by Joseph Popp

Birdsong

by Bryan Toy

Hey, Diddle, Diddle

by Paige Solomon

Artist Biographies

Lupe’ Billingsley

Lupe’s favorite type of painting is based on photojournalism that portrays scenery and everyday people, in everyday settings. She has used, at various times, charcoal, oil, and acrylics. Some of her teachers have been: Joseph Plavcan, Dan Burke, and Joyce Perowicz. She is pleased to be a small part in the auction-fundraiser.

Jane Davis

Jane Davis paints trees, mostly from the beautiful landscape available in Erie, PA. She works in acrylics and sells her paintings locally.

Jennifer Elizabeth

Jennifer is an Erie born mixed media artist. Her passions include painting, gardening, cooking, traveling Art Museums, and thrift store shopping.

Dawn A. Estela

Native New Yorker transplant, Dawn A. Estela lives in Erie, PA with her husband of 30-something years, their four grown children, daughter-in-law, two precious grand babies and their three Siberian Huskies. Dawn has a profound love for all things creative. She loves exploring different art mediums and practices. You can always find her collaborating with others on creative projects in her studio at PACA. Owner of Estela Studios, located in the heart of Erie, PA, Dawn offers creative services such as Photography, Publishing, Graphic Design, and Creative Workshops.

Sister Mary Andrew Himes

Painting has happened late (rather late) in Sister Mary’s life. Years ago, our Sister M. Joachim worked with her using oil pastel. Actual time spent in this pursuit was minimal, so there was little progress.

About 15 years ago, she began to work with Joyce Perowicz, at Mercy Hilltop Center, and the rest, as they say, is history. Sister Mary’s favorite medium is oil and landscapes, water and snow scenes seem to work well for her. Joyce is an incredible guide, and this has been one of her best life experiences.

Steven and Susan Kemenyffy

Steven was born in Budapest, Hungary and Susan was born in Springfield, MA. They met in graduate school at the University of Iowa and have collaborated the decades of their personal and public lives.

Invited to lecture and exhibit throughout the US, Canada and throughout the world they have always returned to continue creating the gardens at Raku Place.

Brad Lethaby

Brad Lethaby studied illustration at Columbus College of Art and Design, and received a BFA degree in 1978.  He worked as an illustrator/designer for a toy company in Winter Park, Florida and art studios in Chicago, and Erie.

During the following years Brad ran his own illustration and design business. In 2000 he began painting full time.

Brad is quite fond of the late 18th century Japanese ukiyo-e woodcut print designers Torii Kiyonaga, Kitagawa Utamaro and Eishosai Choki. He likes their compositions, subject matter, decorative designs, and simple, limited earth color palettes. He chose and copied (with slight deviations) a section of a print of Choki’s for a composition that fit nicely into the beautiful but challenging shape of a violin.

Lena Logvina

“I find inspiration in my memories from where I grew up.” Logvina, who has been creative her entire life, moved from Kiev, Ukraine to Erie in order to be with family already here. She perfectly captures Kiev's woody hills, ravines, and winding rivers in her work. The Ukrainian artist creates jewelry, sculptures, paintings, and mixed-media pieces.

Lena Logvina and her husband Steve Trohoske are the owners of City Gallery.

Luchetta Manus

Luchetta “Cookee” Manus is a mother of 4 kids and grandmother of 6. She is an author, poet, photographer, visual artist, art teacher, and activist. Luchetta’s art work and writings are in various spaces in the local Erie area where she resides.

Luchetta’s work includes, but not limited to radio, television, plays, and writing books of poetry. Luchetta has visual artwork at Erie's first African American Museum and gallery, The Historical Institute of Culture and the African American Experience for 4 consecutive seasons. Luchetta is a community activist who enjoys helping others and advocating for victims of domestic violence, youth, and other marginalized people.

Joyce Perowicz

Joyce is a Crie artist. She exhibits her work at Glass Growers Gallery, Kada Gallery, and City Gallery. She was happy to participate and donate to the Young Artists Debut Orchestra, a very worthwhile endeavor for young musicians.

Sister Margaret Pilewski OSB

Sister Margaret Pilewski is an Erie Benedictine sister, born and raised in Erie, who has pursued art in photography, and most recently acrylic pouring. Teaching is her greatest ministry.

For 26 years, at the Inner City Neighborhood Art House, she taught clay and served as Program Director.

Her greatest joy is sharing her art process with others and letting go of preconceived ideas for any project; for example, letting the acrylic unfold as it streams through and around the canvas.

Joseph Popp

Joseph Popp is an artist, musician, picture, framer, and museum professional. When offered the opportunity to create a piece for this fundraiser, Joe was very happy to be working in three of his mediums; art, music, and exhibit preparation/framing. Joe spends his semi-retirement continuing to make art, play music, and frame artwork, and create displays for his clients.

Joni Porter

I am a retired occupational therapist using my increased free time to make art. I'm into it all- watercolor, acrylic, glass, cement... It was an honor to paint this violin with acrylic for such a good cause.

Roberta Rey

Roberta is a Graduate of Mercyhurst University by way of the International Institute del Arte in Florence, Italy. Rey’s focus became art restoration, trompe l’oeil and faux finishes.

Her work is found in private homes and businesses from southern California to western Pennsylvania. “In restoration my work must be magically invisible.” Please enjoy her visible work for the amazing students, instructors and supporters of the YADO.

Bryan Toy

Bryan is well known for his humorous illustration, caricatures, and sidewalk paintings. His editorial drawings regularly appear in magazines and newspapers including Education Week and The Erie Reader, where he is the regular editorial cartoonist.

Bryan received his Bachelor of Fine Art from Alfred University in 1987 and his art teacher certification training from Edinboro University, where he also earned a MA in Education. He is a retired art teacher. He lives in North East, PA.

Susan Wendel

Susan discovered her love and talent of painting and drawing after retiring. It’s a common thing that happens to a person when they finally have time to reflect and experiment with an interest. 

Getting married and having children at a young age cancelled the spare time needed to do that earlier in her life, along with her very busy schedule building and running her business, Interiors of Erie, for 40 years. 

After their children were raised and my husband George and I retired, they purchased a winter home in Florida where she joined an art group. That group helped her develop the skills needed to grow as an artist. She also has joined the art group at the Mercy Hilltop Center here in Erie, where Joyce Perowicz guides artists, as they experiment with different mediums and styles.

Vanni the Designer

As an inspiring artist from Erie PA, Vanni has been infatuated with bringing life to art. While studying under Mr. Krol, he has brought his drawing and painting skills to the digital arts realm. With his innovative and trendy art style, Vanni will continue to break barriers and put a heartbeat into digital art for years to come.