The PIGTACULAR! Artists

One of the things that makes PIGTACULAR! so totally spectacular is our group of highly talented artists. These fabulous folks have created designs that are truly amazing. Who are these people? Below are brief biographies of the artists who make PIGTACUL! possible:

The Hog Wild Team — AVILA's beautiful pig, Avilna, is being created by the Hog Wild Team. On the team are Ray Decker, Rosemary Fie, Marion Ku ritz, Jim Leonard, Anna O'Connor, Alfred Richter, and Blanche Rowan. Vilna will be on display at the Pig Pen in Crossgates Mall. Proceeds from the auction of the artistic porker will go to the Catholic Charities Housing Office.

Janet Watkins — Janet Watkins will be painting Candy Kraft's pig "Truffles".  She is the former Janet Knaggs of the Knaggs farm and trucking business in the western part of town near the reservoir. Janet now lives in Corning, NY with her husband Jim and 3 sons.  She paints on old milk cans, saws etc. She does some commercial work as signs and banners but her real passion is painting murals for children .  Candy Kraft is very pleased to have her, a native Guilderlander, as their artist.

M. Edith (Edie) Cannizzo is a self-taught artist. She is the Co-Senior Coordinator/ Arts and Crafts Director for the Town of Niskayuna Recreation Department. In her position at the Recreation Department she enjoys bringing art to all ages. She has been commissioned numerous of times over the years to do private and commercial murals. Her grandest adventure was a curved wall for the Pediatric Surgery Unit at Albany Medical Center. Edie came to do Liza’s Legacy Pig for Singers Jewelry thru her affiliation with Nanci Beryl at Peaceful Acres (www.peacefulacreshorses.com). You may request to view picture of her work by e-mailing Edie at tcannizzo@nycap.rr.com.

Norine Molloy is the talented artist decorating the pig for Abby Rose Boutique. Norine has a B.A. from Syracuse University, School of Visual Arts/Illustration. She has free-lanced in and around Albany for the past twenty five years and has been a substitute teach in the Guilderland School District. She owns "Whatever Jewels," which are individually designed and handcrafted jewelry. These are featured at Abby Rose Boutique at 1789 Western Avenue in Guilderland. Norine resides in Guilderland with her husband and four children.

Arlene Ableman is the artist for the PIGTACULAR! pig sponsored by NBT Bank. Her pig is titled "Pig E. Bank" and is sure to be and popular pal. Arlene is a resident of Guilderland, New York and is a certified teach of the One Stroke method of decorative painting. Although she has painted on surfaces wide ranging as canvas and mailboxes, we have heard that this is her first pig! Arlene works in a variety of media, including oil and pen and ink.

Carol Barre is decorating the artist for McKownville United Methodist Church's pig. Carol graduated from the College of St. Rose with a degree in Studio Art. She paints in her own studio and has a faux and mural painting business. Carol has participated in the Vanguard Showcase Homes many times. The "Pastoral Pig" will be on display at the McKownville United Methodist Church at 1565 Western Avenue.

Valerie Ross is talented artist who is creating the "Pork Stork" for the Foundation of New York State Nurses. She has a Master's Degree from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York and a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Mount Saint Mary's College in Emmitsburg, Maryland. Valerie has extensive experience in art and is currently a graphic designer in Guilderland. Her favorite media include pen and ink, stained glass, and acrylics. Much of Valerie's art is inspired by nature.

Valerie is also creating the pig for Dr. Andrew Frank, DMD and Associates. This pig, "Smiles Over Albany" will be on display at the Pig Pen in Crossgates Mall.

The Altamont Free Library has a complete team of PIGTACULAR! artists. The conceptual design artists is Christine Capuano; the "butcher and builder" is Tony Kossmanr; the painters are Pat Spohr and Christine Capuano and the Decorative painter is Joan Bens. Their pig, "Hamlet," will be on display at the Library!

Vicki von Schaaf is the artist for Crossgates' Mall pig "Piggy Longshopping." This exciting PIGTACULAR! pig wil be on display at the Pig Pen inside the Mall! Vicki is the Activity Coordinator at Teresian House and is an experienced artist.

Dorothy Englander is the artist for Buddy Liza's Beloved Dog, sponsored by Ania Hair Studio and Spa in Town Center Plaza. The charity for this wonderful pig is Liza's Legacy. Dorothy holds an MFA from The University at Albany and a BS from Skidmore College. She has received many awards and grants for her work, which she has exhibited regionally and nationally for twenty-five years.

She is an adjunct instructor in painting at Sage College of Albany, and has trained in Expressive Arts Counseling, attending the European Graduate School in Saas Fee, Switzerland. Ms. Englander was recently awarded a fellowship for a residency at the Contemporary Artists Center in North Adams, MA, and has received a fellowship for a month-long residency in 2006 at the Vermont Studio Center. Be sure to visit Dorothy's Web site at www.dorothyenglander.com.

Dorothea Osborn, received her MFA in painting at New Paltz. She has exhibited her work locally as well as nationally. She has received awards for her work, including first prize in Troys Arts Center Fence Show. Her work has been exhibited in the Hudson Mohawk Regional Art Show. Her work is usually large scale mixed media painting, > > installation, and hybrid pieces. She has taught art to students of all ages and is currently employed teaching art in the Guilderland Central School District where she teaches at Guilderland Elementary School. In addition, she also does custom wall designs, which includes murals and faux treatments. She works in a studio in Glenmont and can be reached at 641-2482.

Christine Johannesen, Match Support Supervisor for Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Capital Region, took on the challenge of decorating the "Big Pig" as part of an annual event the agency sponsors each June on Father's Day for Community Based Matches. Jeremy Johannesen, Executive Director of the New York Kite Enthusiasts (NYKE), helped to host the annual event known as "Kite Day" by providing kite kits which Big's and Little's from all over the Capital Region came to build, decorate and fly. NYKE is an organization dedicated to showing people the magic kite flying and welcomed the opportunity to work with the youth served by BBBSCR. While working on their kites matches were invited to give BBBSCR an outline of their handprint, the 'yellow spots' on the "Big Pig" are the handprints or Big's and Little's who came to Kite Day this past June. Christine and Jeremy Johannesen worked together as a team to see the "Big Pig" was painted. Christine and Jeremy both have experience in the arts but had never been given the opportunity to paint a farm animal before.

Big Pig can be seen at the Cabernet Cafe at 1814 Western Avenue. He is sponsored by Robert J. McNamara Financial Consultants.

This is truly PIGTACULAR!