GO ART! Hosts Triple Exhibition Reception
GO ART! Hosts Triple Exhibition Reception Featuring Mary Beth Kushner, Ed Hallborg, and GO ART! Annual Members & Staff Showcase
Batavia, NY — December 10, 2025 — Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council (GO ART!) invites the public to a special evening of creativity and community with three exhibition receptions on Thursday, December 18, 2025, at the historic GO ART! building, 201 East Main Street, Batavia, NY. Guests will experience a vibrant celebration of artistic diversity, featuring individual exhibitions by Mary Beth Kushner and Ed Hallborg, alongside the Annual Members & Staff Showcase.
Featured Artists Mary Beth Kushner — Batavia Rotary Club Gallery
Self-taught contemporary artist Mary Beth Kushner presents a collection rooted in the philosophy that “the process is the purpose.” Her instinctive, layered approach combines acrylic paints, inks, mixedmedia gel sticks, and aerosol paint to create works that invite viewers to pause and reflect.
Kushner’s art is deeply informed by her background as an Occupational Therapist, where she spent over 20 years inspired by human connections and the resilience of the human spirit. Having faced life-altering illnesses herself, she draws upon inner fortitude to create pieces that resonate with emotion and contemplation. Now a self-employed interior/exterior professional painter, Kushner has reconnected with her love for fine art after more than a decade away from juried exhibitions, offering audiences a renewed vision of her creative journey.
Ed Hallborg — Tavern 2.o.1 Gallery
Western New York–based studio artist, theatre designer, educator, and musician Ed Hallborg brings his innovative sculptural practice to the Tavern 2.o.1 Gallery.
Hallborg’s work, which he calls Cement Painting, transforms cement applied to wooden panels into lowrelief sculptures he refers to as Glyphs. His artist statement emphasizes the interplay of material and meaning: by reimagining cement as a medium for symbolic expression, he bridges painting and sculpture. Hallborg’s Glyphs invite audiences to explore texture, form, and interpretation, reflecting his multidisciplinary background and commitment to experimentation.
GO ART! Annual Members & Staff Exhibition — M&T Bank Gallery & Main Stage
The M & T Bank Gallery will feature GO ART!’s annual members and staff exhibition, a signature event that has become a beloved tradition. This showcase highlights work in all media created by GO ART! member artists, wrapping up the year’s programming with a celebration of creativity and community.
A special feature of this juried exhibition is its award component, which includes the GO ART!
Chairwoman of the Board Choice Award, honoring artistic excellence among participating members and staff.
Gallery Curator and Education Director for GO ART! Jacqueline “Jackie” Swaby says, “This triple reception is a true celebration of artistic diversity. Mary Beth Kushner and Ed Hallborg each bring deeply personal and innovative practices to our galleries, while the annual members’ exhibition reflects the collective spirit that makes GO ART! such a vital hub for creativity. We invite the community to join us in honoring these voices and to experience the joy and contemplation that art inspires.”
Event Details
• Date: Thursday, December 18, 2025
• Time: 6:00 – 8:00 PM
• Awards & Artists’ Talk: 6:30 PM
• Location: GO ART! 201 East Main Street, Batavia, NY
• Admission: Free and open to the public
• Exhibition Dates: Through January 31, 2026, during regular gallery hours
About GO ART!
For over sixty years, the Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council (GO ART!) has been dedicated to developing the cultural life in Genesee and Orleans Counties by facilitating the creation, presentation, and experience of art, heritage, and traditions. We offer galleries for artists to showcase their work, as well as various classes, workshops, and children’s and teen programs for residents of Genesee and Orleans Counties. We believe that art is valuable and want to promote it in the community as much as possible, as is reflected in our mission “to inspire a creative, inclusive community through the power of arts, culture, and traditions.” Funding for GO ART! is made possible in part with support from the New York State Council on the Arts with support from the office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature. Additional funding for GO ART! comes from the Genesee and Orleans County governments, foundations, private donors, and members. For more information about GO ART! Please visit goart.org.