Embrace

Embrace is on exhibit from May 1 - August 1. Reception May 31 from 1pm - 3pm outside Dearlove Hall on the SUNY Adk campus.

Ronn’s latest sculpture, Embrace, differs from many of his past creations.  Not only is it one of his largest pieces to date - standing over 8 feet tall and weighing in at around 850 lbs - Embrace is a project that will end up challenging Ronn’s process from inception to reception.

Challenge #1: the grant

The funding for Embrace was made possible by a generous community arts grant from Lower Adirondack Regional Arts Council (LARAC), funded through the New York State Council on the Arts.

In October of 2025, we decided to follow through with something we had talked about multiple times before: apply for an art grant. Neither Ronn nor I had written a grant before, and I have to admit it felt intimidating even as someone who has long been a writer. The process turned out to be neither overly complicated nor difficult; it merely required thoughtful, concise writing. With the support, guidance and encouragement from LARAC’s Community Outreach and Grant Director, Kori Albrecht, and Executive Director Phil Casabona, the grant-writing challenge was a rewarding learning experience. In receiving the grant, Ronn accepted the challenge to his process and presentation as an artist.

Challenge #2: the location

Access to art is an important component of community culture. Our goal was to choose an exhibition site that would allow as much public access to the art as possible. In the spirit of the grant which encourages artists to work with a project that promotes growth, we sought to reach beyond the usual and familiar gallery setting. We decided to make a cold-call proposal for the sculpture to be exhibited on the SUNY Adirondack campus. 

The idea to install sculpture on the SUNY Adirondack campus aimed to reach beyond the typical art gallery population. At the same time, we rationalized that an artistic exhibit would draw people to SUNY Adk who might otherwise not set foot on campus. This collaboration would also enable Ronn to connect with the art education program including professors and aspiring student artists. Our proposal to Rebecca Pelchar, Chair of Arts, Media & Culture Division and Curator of the SUNY Adirondack Art Collection, turned out to be the right decision.  We are very grateful to Rebecca for her support of and collaboration with this project.  Her knowledge and guidance have been invaluable.

Challenge #3: the fabrication

Art has the power to unite opposites. Ronn’s work has always been a connection between his urban upbringing and love for nature; a combination of the fragile and the strong, bringing together steel and glass. Ronn was inspired to create a piece symbolizing community and connection. He also aimed to go bigger. While staying true to his commitment to the repurposing of discarded steel and glass, Ronn worked to produce a body of work that came together outside of his normal process. 

While most of his work results from spontaneous sketching with no fixed point of inspiration, this project was inspired by Ronn’s desire to engage and connect community. Creating sculpture from a predetermined theme challenged his typical method and presented an opportunity for artistic growth. The concept for Embrace was born from focused, early morning sketching which often began at 4am. The sculpting process began with the cutting of steel plate sourced from a Vermont scrap yard.

Challenge #4: the reception 

The life of an artist is not lived solely behind the scenes, in the studio. Artists attend opening receptions and are often asked to speak about their work. Ronn will tell you that he hates speaking in public.  It is something he struggles with and, at the same time, wishes he didn't. Yet, as part of this opportunity to grow, he will be giving a brief artist talk.

A reception to celebrate the culmination of this grant-funded project will be held on Sunday, May 31st from 1pm - 3pm, on the Lower Quad outside of Dearlove Hall. We hope you come to see the installation, meet Ronn and hear what he has to say about the inspiration for and process of creating Embrace.

Embrace was made possible with funds from the Statewide Community Regrant Program, a regrant program of the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature and administered by the Lower Adirondack Regional Arts Council.