SYRACUSE, NY.- The Everson Museum of Art presents the first installment of the The Edge of Art: New York State Artist Series, featuring Jen Pepper: that which cannot be held January 30 – April 4, 2010. The series takes the place of the long running Biennial exhibition, which will return in 2012.

“We are excited to present Jen Pepper’s work in the first installment of this new series,” said Debora Ryan, Everson Museum of Art Senior Curator. “She is using the gallery space in a new and exciting way that will invite the viewer to make a personal connection.”

Born in Toronto , Jen Pepper has exhibited in solo and group shows in international and national venues since 1990. Her work is included in the Flatfiles at Pierogi 2000 in Brooklyn , NY and she has been the recipient of granted awards including NEH, NYFA, NYSCA, Astraea Foundation and Saltonstall Foundation for the Arts as well as numerous international artist residency programs. Pepper is an associate professor in the Studio Art + Design program at Cazenovia College . She holds a BFA from The Maryland Institute College of Art and an MFA from The University of Connecticut at Storrs .

Pepper will be creating a site-specific installation, exploring language through an unexpected use of materials and space. Pepper describes her work in her artist statement as suggesting “…that objects and ideas are under constant transformation, randomly blending time, memory, reality and place as a transitional location ripe for imagining, just this side of dreaming.”

For the past 34 years, the Everson has featured Central New York Artists in the Everson Biennial, a juried exhibition traditionally featuring about fifty artists in one group show. This year, the Everson introduces The Edge of Art: New York State Artist Series, four contemporary art exhibitions showcasing the work of artists living in New York State , particularly the Central New York Region. The new format presents small-scale focused exhibitions and site-specific installations of new work. The exhibitions will take place in the Robineau Gallery on the main level of the museum, while collaborative pieces and site-specific installations may be presented in auxiliary spaces throughout the museum including the main Rosamond Gifford Sculpture Court and the Mather Court located on the lower level.

The Everson Biennial will return in 2012 with a multi-venue exhibition showcasing Central New York artists throughout the Syracuse community. The prospectus will be available in the spring.

An Opening Night Reception for Jen Pepper: that which cannot be held will be held January 29, 5:30 – 8 p.m. Guests are invited to enjoy a mix of songs from the 60s provided by DJ Brian Oddo, light hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar before previewing the exhibition. The Opening Night Reception is free for Everson members, $10 non-members.

For more information, visit www.everson.org or call (315) 474-6064. The Everson is also on Facebook, www.facebook.com/EversonMuseumOfArt, and Twitter, http://twitter.com/SKernEverson.