Seligman Center opens exhibit of late local artist Charles De Cesare

A local resident, the late Charles De Cesare (1954-2019) was an artist, designer, and visionary whose talents touched on all facets of creative work.
Receiving his BFA from the The School of Visual Arts, Charles maintained his contemporary multi-media art practices while simultaneously working as a designer and creative director in the high fashion world of New York City.
In addition, he played in a Punk/New Wave band named the Lab Adults who performed at clubs in Brooklyn and Manhattan.
Curated by his family, the art of local artist, Charles De Cesare, will be exhibited at the Seligmann Center at the Citizens Foundation in Sugar Loaf from May 3-31 in the lower gallery.
The exhibit is free and open to the public.
Charles was a multimedia artist whose work placed a strong emphasis on painting and illustrative techniques in combination with found materials. He used collage and bricolage principles to merge his processes to create a narrative visual language within his work.
Equal part writer and musician, his songs poetry and prose expose a poetic lineage which can be seen in his paintings, sculptures, collages and assemblages.
This poetic usage of found materials, techniques and subjects, unfold like verse with him often describing his creative process of being like that of a symphony or opera, consisting of many parts forming in different places and coming together in song.
Charles work had spiritual characteristics and influence while still being strongly grounded in the physical world. He created a vision of the everydayness depicting the contemporary human condition and the longing for something more.
Charles' wife, Catherine Pierson De Cesare, and his children, Elliott De Cesare and Rikki Valentine De Cesare, selected works for the exhibit.
"We are so pleased to share Charlie's works, and showcase his talent for our community.", said Catherine Pierson De Cesare.
"Charlie was a vital part of the arts and culture community, and an avid supporter of the Seligmann Center at the Citizens Foundation," Christa Orsino, VP of Development and Community Relations at the Citizens Foundation said, "We are grateful to be able to feature the talent and art of one of our own."
The Art of Charles De Cesare will be on display during May at the times noted above.
For more information on this exhibit, please contact the Citizens Foundation at (845) 469-9459.