The third annual Saints Preserve Us!, an art show of contemporary ex-votos, altars, and

shrines, will be on exhibit Friday October 20 through Saturday October 28 at The Yards, 50-

52 Public Market Way, Rochester. Hours are Friday October 20, 6:00 to 9:00 pm; Saturdays

10:00 am to 2:00 pm; and by appointment.

More than twenty artists are represented in this wide-ranging show which includes painting,

installation, collage, photography, assemblage, sculpture, video, and textile art.

According to organizer and curator Cielo Ornelas MacFarlane, “Many pieces in this year’s

show are about using spirituality and religion as a lens to view ourselves: to commune with

ourselves, to commune with the departed, and to commune with the universe. It’s always

exciting to see the diversity of the responses that we get to our call for art!”

Works on display include Noli Me Tangere, a mixed media collage by Rivkah Simcha. The

piece is an ex-voto to the mystery of growth, and the grief that comes with recognizing that the

passage of time is irreversible. Jina Park’s mixed media pieces, Untitled and Teared Up reflect

upon the state of religion today and current events.

Cronan Saint Ronan Kobylak offers two paintings, Main Church Window of the Temple of the

Magpie and Madonna Crudelis. Their work often incorporates themes of nature, magic, and

mysticism, drawing on the symbolism and iconography of pagan and folk traditions. Through

their art, Cronan seeks to explore the connections between spiritual traditions and contemporary

queer experiences.

Other artists represented are Erica Bryant, Emily Collins, Emily Harper, Kendall Hooper-

Marsh, Suzanne Jacobs, an0th3r.l0p3z, Beth MacFarlane, Laurie MacFarlane, Paola Macas

Betchart, Dina Noto, Molly O’Riley, Ruben T Ornelas, Cielo Ornelas MacFarlane, Alexis

Plastow-Sanchez, Paul Porell, Martha Schermerhorn, Char Smith, Harold Taddy, and

Katharine Torgersen.

The opening of Saints Preserve Us! is Friday October 20 from 6:00 to 9:00 pm. The show runs

through October 28 and can be viewed on Saturdays from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. The show can

also be viewed by appointment; please email saintspreserveusartshow@gmail.com to schedule.

Saints Preserve Us! is organized and curated by Cielo Ornelas MacFarlane, Laurie MacFarlane

and Martha Schermerhorn.

More about The Yards: The Yards Collective offers a space for community engagement and the

networking of Rochester’s art scene, a platform for creative individuals to learn real world skills.

The Yards offers studio spaces, residency programs, hosts First Friday exhibitions, curated

showcases, workshops, public critiques, and private rentals in the Gallery space and Lounge.