Live Art at GEM Fest

Anthony Richichi is an award-winning painter, illustrator, and author from Upstate New York who has showcased his work in museums and national art publications throughout the world. His publishings include artwork for over two dozen children’s books with Saratoga Springs Publishing where he’s won numerous national book awards including the Outstanding Creator Awards “2023 Artist of the Year” and “2024 Publisher of the Year” where he stands as Art Director. Some of his other books include his award-winning Colorworld series which he wrote and has recently been adapted into a live-action theater play that had its world premiere in January 2025 where he stands as the playwright and Art Director. 

Anthony also works in the theater, film, and music industries where he’s painted and created artwork for clients such as Marvel, 20th Century Fox, FX Network, Hasbro, and his award-winning music group, Lock 9. Most recently he was commissioned by the City of Glens Falls to paint an Adirondack Chair that is being permanently displayed in Japan’s Saga City Hall as part of their 30th Anniversary of the Sister Cities program. Other paintings of his can be seen on permanent display at the historic Wiawaka House, the oldest women’s art retreat in the United States, where he has portraits of Georgia O’Keeffe and Alfred Stieglitz, as well at Glens Falls’ Muralgarten at the Shirt Factory where he was a featured 2023 muralist.

 Hannah Williams is a full-time artist, muralist, and public art advocate based in Upstate New York. For over a decade, she has operated her own successful mural business, creating large-scale public and private murals. Her work has been exhibited in galleries throughout New York State and featured in various publications and magazines. Hannah is mostly self taught, but has taken courses from local artists and at SUNY Adirondack, where she received the Glens Falls Foundation Art Scholarship in 2011. She also worked as a scenic artist at Adirondack Studios from 2016–2017, contributing to projects for 20th Century Fox World in Malaysia. Through her mural practice and consulting work, Hannah is passionate about using public art as an economic tool to strengthen local economies and create meaningful impact to communities. 

Alexandra Scoville is an artist/illustrator based in the 518. She is primarily known for her technicolor space ladies and surreal alien landscapes which have been exhibited at Albany Barn, LARAC'S Lapham Gallery, 518 Craft, Upstate of Mind, GEM Fest, Rock the Dock Music Festival, Charles R. Wood Theater, and Paint Cohoes Gallery & Studio.

 Stephanie Vaus is a local artist currently residing in the feral forests of Thurman, NY. Painter, poet, dreamer, disciple of the earth, Stephanie finds whispered inspiration from the natural world. Through close observation and energetic kinship, she attempts to capture the elusive mysticism of surrounding phenomena in her paintings and writings. Like Persephone, celebrated queen of the underworld and Greek goddess of springtime, Stephanie feels a personal presence in both realms: the mysterious and macabre shadow and the glittering golden dawn. This duality of spirit is a theme that will be continuing to develop in her future works. 

I am a self taught Americana Visual Artist merging surrealism and realism in a whimsical but precise manner. My artistic expression followed an adult Severe Traumatic Brain Injury near Philadelphia PA. I was in need of great care including not only memory but speech and reading comprehension therapies. I was transferred through the support of siblings and my Mother, to my birthplace, Glens Falls NY, allowing healing to begin.

The downward emotional and energetic whirlwinds of personal loss stripped the foundation of my comfortable and successful life which I had known. Exploring the corridors of life’s darkness later would catapult me to an explosive and a more brilliant life with much deeper purpose and determination. Cafe’s , coffee shops and soup kitchens would be where I would begin to create and become new again. I became aware, believed, trusted and merged with the explosively powerful and peaceful source of creative ever present energy.
Mediums currently explored include Acrylic, charcoal, graphite, pastel and even a hint of creative technology. Philosophically, my body of work falls in the realm of rumination, contemplation and spiritualism. Unspoken and unseen visual signposts occasionally appear through my work enlightening viewers to connect with something deeper and richer beyond the physical realm.

Much of my work is donated during community events, schools, churches, theatre, music venues and non for profit agencies.
thruhishands@gmail - www.rodneyallenbentley.com

Dave Globerson is an award-winning painter and illustrator based in Glens Falls, New York. He has built a diverse career painting everything from pet portraits and children's books to beer labels and monsters, expertly capturing a full range of emotion. Lighthearted yet deeply meaningful ~and occasionally dark~ his work is frequently commissioned as gifts or lasting tributes to beloved companions, fond memories, and illustrated visions.