Mentoring relationship recognized in art exhibition

For 41 years, abstract painter Sheldon Berlyn guided and inspired students and faculty at UB, teaching undergraduate and graduate students, and serving in administrative posts in the Department of Art.

Berlyn’s service and tribute to the university continues, this time with an art exhibition —  “Makers & Mentors” — that celebrates the mentoring process and showcases the accomplishments of several former students whose careers were shaped while studying at UB.

The exhibition — at the Rochester Contemporary Art Center, 137 East Ave., Rochester — opens with a reception from 6-9 p.m. Feb. 5. In conjunction with the exhibition, Berlyn will give an artist’s talk at 1 p.m. Feb. 6.

Besides Berlyn’s work, the exhibition features the art of UB alumni Russell Floersch, MFA ’83; Juan Perdiguero, MFA ’92; Kathleen Sherin, MFA ’85; and Gerardo Tan, MFA ’92, all of whom worked closely with Berlyn during his tenure at UB and have gone on to distinguished careers as artists.

“Webster defines ‘mentor’ as a trusted counselor or guide; a tutor or coach,” says Berlyn, who now lives in Penn Yan. “I was a mentor/professor for 41 years,” from the time he joined UB in 1958 until his retirement in 1999.

During Berlyn’s 41 years at UB, he was a professor involved at all levels of the art department curriculum. He taught painting, drawing and design in the undergraduate and graduate programs. As director of graduate studies from 1985-1992. He organized and conducted graduate seminars, and served as an adviser and mentor to many students. Berlyn also recruited graduate students and was an adviser to teaching assistants. Later, he was director of undergraduate studies from 1992 until his retirement as an emeritus professor in 1999.

“Makers & Mentors” recognizes that relationship that benefits professors or administrators — the “mentors” in Berlyn’s show — as well as the careers of students — the “makers.” All artists featured in the show were Berlyn’s graduate students in painting and earned their MFAs at UB. Graduate students in art chose three faculty members to form a committee of advisers, of which Berlyn was one member.

“They have all pursued careers as artists with distinction,” Berlyn says of his former students. “Several have become mentor/teachers as well.”

Berlyn says his four co-exhibitors gave the same answer when asked to display their work in this show.

“Each responded, ‘I would be honored to do so,’” Berlyn says. “I am pleased to say that I have great respect for the four artists who will be showing their mature and varied works along with mine. They each have forged distinguished careers as artist/teachers and deserve recognition.”

Berlyn fondly recalls the years from 1980 to 1999 when, he says, teachers and students came together at UB “to study and develop,” calling them “vital and stimulating.”

“The university and the art department faculty provided an environment focused on professional training and intellectual inquiry,” Berlyn says. “Because teaching art is most effective as a tutorial activity, it also encourages bonding and friendships.

“So it has been these many years,” he says. “This ‘band of artists’ will reunite in this exhibition not as student/teacher, but as creative professionals at the top of their game.”

The exhibit runs through March 13. For more information, call (585) 461-2222.