Congratulations to the 2026 Southern Finger Lakes Artist Fellowship recipients!
• Kathye Arrington
• Bridget Bossart van Otterloo
• Randee Spruce
• Erica Unterman
These four fellows were selected by a peer panel who reviewed 36 outstanding applications from local artists. Read below for more details.
Kathye Edwina Arrington is an accomplished fine and graphic artist and experienced teaching artist whose work centers on multicultural education and youth engagement. Her artistic practice and instructional approach emphasize cultural awareness, creative expression, and inclusive learning through visual art traditions. Kathye primarily works in oil, watercolor, pastel, ink, acrylic, gouache, pencil, crayon, and multi-ethnic media like Mudcloth, but remains open to learning and exploring new art forms.
Bridget Bossart van Otterloo paints and teaches workshops in the Southern Tier and Finger Lakes Region of New York State. She has a degree in Studio Art from Houghton University and studied at the Florence Academy of Art in Florence, Italy. She maintains an active studio practice and exhibits her work in several venues around New York State, most recently in the Three Americans exhibit at the Arnot Art Museum. Bridget works from her light-filled home studio, where her subjects include still life, flowers, plants, portraits and landscapes painted in oils and watercolor. Learn more about Bridget and view her work at www.bridgetbossartvanotterloo.com.
Randee Spruce is an Onöndowa’ga (Seneca Nation, Heron Clan) artist and independent curator with a current installation at the New York Historical and a permanent installation at the Corning Museum of Glass. The way she believes she contributes to her local Seneca communities is by giving inspiration to those around her to contribute to the need of revitalizing Seneca art forms, ceremonial practices, and language. She has used her influence through her past position as Curator at the Onöhsagwë:de’ Cultural Center to uplift and give other Seneca artists opportunities to showcase their work to the community and the general public. Learn more and view Randee’s work at www.randeespruce.com.
Erica Unterman, known as “Unterwoman,” is a professional studio artist and educator with expertise in hot and cold glass, ceramics, sculpture, and fiber arts. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Tyler School of Art and Architecture. In 2022, she established Aubergine Glass & Jewelry in her Corning, N.Y. studio, offering custom pieces, classes, and repair services. Erica actively engages with the Finger Lakes community, showcasing her work and teaching at various events. With a commitment to artistic growth, she continuously experiments with new materials and techniques, ensuring her creative expression remains innovative and impactful.
Photos provided by the artists.
The SFLX Artist Fellowship is supported and funded by The ARTS Council’s Endowment allowing for investment in local artists in perpetuity. Thank you to all our Endowment Contributors.
