Earlville Opera House Art Galleries are proud to present the second-round of 2026 visual artist exhibitions opening on Saturday, May 9. (Submitted photos)

EARLVILLE - Earlville Opera House Art Galleries are proud to present the second-round of 2026 visual artist exhibitions opening on Saturday, May 9, from 1-3 p.m.

This series boasts the work of three incredibly talented artists representing diverse and unique forms of woodworking and sculpture in the third dimension.

Come join us in celebrating amazing original artwork, also browse in our Artisan Gift Shop and visit the 1892 historic Landmark Theater.

This round of exhibits is up through July 2. Gallery openings and visits are always free and open to the public. Artist Talks begin at 1:45 p.m. on opening day in the East Gallery.

Bruce E. Webster, A Legacy in Wood

Highlighted in our East Gallery is Bruce E. Webster with his show "A Legacy in Wood", a retrospective exhibition showcasing a select collection of over 40 years of furniture making. Bruce is a designer and crafter of fine wood furniture and object d’art. He states, “As you observe the varied pieces of work, some things to be aware of: Selection and placement of the wood regarding the grain structure, texture, and color; Natural shapes that emulate movement in nature; The marriage of function and form; Balance and sense of movement.”  
According to Bruce, he gives the viewer shape, texture, balance, and proportion, but the wood selection and placement are where the beauty lies. He says the smell of wood when it’s being worked is intoxicating, sharing that his first experience was with walnut that my grandfather was working on. “All wood species have a distinctive and interesting odor when worked, and if you visit a wood shop, you will understand. That experience with walnut has had a large effect on my artful world, and every time I mill wood it makes me happy. My education was for the teaching field and my years in that profession were great. The students I experienced gave my work great joy. For creative reasons, I became an independent woodworker and developed my skill set and design skills on the job. My business was the White House Cabinet Shop in Sherburne, NY.

Both my sons, Jeff and Mike, joined me and still run the shop. Many of the pieces you will see in this exhibit were creative whims and challenges. I used them as a demonstration of my abilities.” Come celebrate this lifetime of fine craftsmanship.

Linda Kays-Biviano, From Clay to Character: Featuring Woodland Spirits

Our West Gallery boasts the talents of Linda Kays-Biviano, showcasing her exhibit “From Clay to Character: Featuring Woodland Spirits”. Linda is a New York–based sculptor and character artist known for her hand‑ sculpted fantasy figures that blend storytelling, folk art tradition, and imaginative realism. Working primarily in polymer clay and resin, she creates one‑ of‑ a‑ kind and limited‑ edition characters inspired by woodland folklore, whimsical narratives, and the hidden personalities she imagines living just beyond the edges of everyday life. As the founder of Linda Kays Studios, Linda has developed a distinctive artistic voice centered on expressive faces, richly textured surfaces, and thoughtfully constructed costuming. Her work often reflects themes of guardianship, wonder, nostalgia, and connection to nature, inviting viewers to rediscover a sense of childlike curiosity and emotional storytelling through sculptural form.  
In addition to her studio practice, Linda is an educator who teaches character sculpting and polymer clay techniques in community arts settings and private workshops. She is passionate about helping others transform raw materials into expressive characters, emphasizing both technical skill and creative confidence. Her sculptures are collected by enthusiasts of fantasy art, folk art, and handcrafted figurative work, and are known for their warmth, personality, and narrative depth. Linda lives and works in Norwich, NY where she continues to expand her imaginative world of woodland spirits and story‑ driven characters.

As stated by Linda, “My work begins with a simple question: who might be living just beyond what we can see? I have always been drawn to the idea that the natural world holds quiet personalities, guardians, watchers, and whimsical spirits that exist in harmony with the forest and the seasons. Through sculpture, I bring those imagined beings into tangible form. Each character starts as raw clay and slowly evolves into an individual with its own presence and story. I focus intensely on facial expression, posture, texture, and costuming because these elements create emotional connection. I want viewers to feel as though they have encountered someone rather than something—to sense a personality, a mood, or even a narrative moment captured in time.
My artistic process combines traditional hand sculpting with mixed materials such as fabrics, fibers, and hand‑ painted finishes. The tactile nature of these materials is important to me; it reinforces the idea that these figures are handcrafted storytellers rather than manufactured objects. Many of my characters reflect themes of protection, resilience, wonder, and humor—qualities that mirror the human experience. Ultimately, my goal is to create work that invites imagination and emotional response. When someone smiles, feels comfort, or invents a story about one of my characters, the sculpture has fulfilled its purpose. These woodland spirits are reminders that creativity, curiosity, and magic are not limited to childhood—they remain available to us throughout our lives if we are willing to see them. For more information visit www.lindakaysstudios.com 

Lawrence Kinney, The Light Between Dimensions

Showing in our Arts Café is “The Light Between Dimensions”, an exhibition by Buffalo sculptor Lawrence Kinney.  Lawrence grew up in small rural towns plus a few cities throughout Central New York. His first love as a young artist was nature, stating “flowing shapes and rich colors led me to interpret the world around me through paper, wood, plaster, and eventually less traditional mediums. I am above all a sculptor who combines different sets of materials depending on their function, physical properties, and the extent to which I can manipulate them.” 

Lawrence further explains his sculptures pair together translucent plexiglass with other forms:  
  “I am interested in how their color, shape, and response to light unify to imply a sense of space, if not movement through it. Combining solid planes of bent and brushed metal, fluorescent acrylic panels, and painted solid surfaces speaks to my sense of how, at the most basic level, our view of the world can be broken down into basic shapes whose appearance and color change at different angles, with different light, depending on the objects surrounding them. The works hint at architecture, organic or geometric forms, or the viewer’s own experience.”  
A sculptor for more than 40 years, Lawrence’s career encompasses the completion of studies through Munson-Williams Proctor Institute (now Pratt Munson-Williams) and the State University of New York at Buffalo. A Rumsey award as an undergraduate allowed Kinney to study the art and architecture of Spain. As an adjunct lecturer at SUNY at Buffalo, Lawrence taught undergraduate courses in structural development and three-dimensional design. He has had exhibitions in Buffalo, NY, Erie PA and New York City, and has gained several awards for sculpture. Permanent installations can be found at Artpark (Lewiston, NY), Buffalo State University, King Condrell’s Candy and Ice Cream (Buffalo), Fantasy Island Theme Park (Grand Island, NY-now closed), and Sunset Galleria Mall in San Juan, Puerto Rico. 

In 2013, Lawrence co-founded the University Heights Arts Association, which along with 142 members, serves 4600 children and families per year throughout WNY through several community programs: ARTpartnering Exhibitions, ARTcovz® Dispensers, ARTskills Services, ARTgardens, and ARTmembers. Lawrence designed and fabricated the UHAA-St. Andrew Sculpture Garden which opens seasonally. Since its inception, the UHAA has produced 81 exhibitions, and 124 community programs.  
  Lawrence has produced more than 300 sculptures for public spaces and businesses in addition to more than 400 indoor fine art sculptures. In 2001, he produced a 13 ft. diameter, abstract sculpture in honor of Mary G. Ross, the first indigenous, female rocket scientist, which was acquired by Buffalo State University following the 2001 Pan-American Exposition. His 7 ft. 4 in. sitting sculpture, “Billie Bison,” invites visitors to be photographed alongside the character, which sits in front of King Condrells Candy and Ice Cream (Kenmore, NY) alongside “Strawberry Girl,” which he produced in 2022. “Spalted Device,” an outdoor abstract wood sculpture permanently installed on the grounds of Artpark, (Lewiston, NY)—where it continues to evolve each year through Lawrence’s revisions—won the “Edges ‘08” sculpture competition. In 2019, he was commissioned to produce a life-size cement pig which serves as the cornerstone of Farmer’s Garden in Riverside, NY. For more information, visit https://www.lawrencekinney.com/ 

Earlville Opera House

Earlville Opera House annually presents 12-15 solo exhibitions of regional and national contemporary visual artists in all media. Galleries also feature annual group shows highlighting talents of regional artists as well as an annual exhibition of contemporary and traditional quilt artists. Curators may propose group exhibitions. If you would like to submit your proposal, please follow the guidelines on our website. More information on our exhibiting artists can be found at  www.earlvilleoperahouse.com  or by calling the Opera House at 315-691-3550. 

This current round of exhibits is on display until July 2. Gallery hours are Tuesday – Friday 10-4pm and Saturdays 12-2:30pm. 

Earlville Opera House Arts Center is located at 18 East Main Street in the charming Village of Earlville and is wheelchair accessible. The 1892 National Landmark Theater is equipped with a hearing loop provided by Hamilton Hearing LLC. Please check our website for information on our programs and services, also like us on Facebook and Instagram.

EOH events are made possible in part with support from New York State Council on the Arts with support from the Office of the Governor and NYS Legislature.
Special thanks to Golden Artist Colors for their support of our Visual Artist Program, and to Jewett’s Cheese House, Nazzitto’s Wine & Liquors, Tasteful Temptations by Kimmie, The Local Culture and Hamilton Harvest Winery for being our Hospitality Sponsors.

- Information from the Earlville Opera House