THE DAN SEKELLICK VISUAL ARTS GALLERY
This month, we are pleased to present the illustrations of Laurel McKinstry Petersen.
Illustrator Laurel McKinstry Petersen has lived in the Capital District since 1984. She earned her bachelor of arts degree with a concentration in fine arts at SUNY Cortland. Laurel has worked in the printing/communications industry for over 30 years, first as a pre-press technician and then as a production coordinator.
Laurel currently works for the Russell Sage College Nutrition Science Department as an office coordinator. She creates illustrations and graphics for the department’s communication materials and is currently enrolled in the RSC Art + Extended Media program.
Laurel is a member of the Bethlehem Arts Association (where she serves as secretary) and a member of the Colonie Art League. Laurel’s work has won many awards.
In addition to writing and illustrating her own children’s books, Laurel illustrated the Stray Cat Stories series by author Faye Rapoport Depres and A Mix in Your Dish, a children’s book on nutrition by Dr. Nina Marinello.
Laurel’s work has been on display at a variety of local venues including: Uncommon Grounds, Sand Lake Center for the Arts and Kimble Farms in Lenox, MA. Currently she is exploring digital collage techniques using mixed media and Adobe software.
NEW GALLERY HOURS
Gallery hours are Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
If you see our “OPEN” flag outside the building during other hours, please come on in. We are closed Mondays.
Hours are subject to change.
Gallery News
Father, son forge photography legacy from Hollywood to the 'Shadows' of NYC (Katherine Kiessling, Times Union)
Upcoming Exhibits
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July 2026: Selected Works” by Art Brod
Selected Works is an exhibition of abstract paintings by Art Brod. Some of the paintings reflect a longstanding appreciation of the style of Jackson Pollock, while others more directly reflect either observations of nature or respect for geometric form. Each of the featured large-scale works has been chosen by the juror and/or exhibit curator for inclusion in one or more art shows within either Upstate New York or southern Vermont within the past three years.
Art is a lifelong resident of Rensselaer and Washington Counties. He is an active member of several regional art organizations including Cooperstown Art Association, The Fenimore, Southern Vermont Art Center, Lower Adirondack Regional Art Council, Colonie Art League, Paul Nigra Center, Greenwich Art & Library Alliance and East Bank Arts Alliance (EBAA). He has also exhibited on occasion in joint shows with his wife Judy Ellers, regularly at their gallery Whipple City Studio in Greenwich, and previously at SLCA as a member of EBAA.
As a graduate of Averill Park High School and the RPI School of Architecture, Art is pleased this exhibition is both occurring throughout the same month as his 60th high school class reunion and in SLCA’s gallery named for Daniel Sekellick, a fellow alumnus of the School of Architecture.
In celebration, Art has scheduled a late afternoon closing reception for Selected Works on Friday, July 24, and Art and Judy are sponsoring SLCA’s free public concert that evening by their friend Rockabilly Hall of Famer Marty Wendell and His Tour Band.
Submissions
The gallery accepts proposals for art shows throughout the year. Submit your work.
We are also accepting submission forms for A Still Small Voice 4U’s Juried Art Show.
This year’s theme is “Democracy is the people’s voice.” Submit your work through this form by June 12.
Juror selection will take place July 3.
Artists will be notified July 17.
Installation, reception and juror selection prizes will take place Aug. 1.
Have questions? Email us.