Patricia O'Keefe Ross Gallery

About the Gallery

Dr. Robert “Bob” Ross ’61 made a generous planned gift in 2011 to name the gallery in honor of his beloved wife, Patricia O’Keefe Ross. Over her 26-year career, she empowered hundreds of adult learners to discover their potential. She dedicated herself to promoting confidence within working adults seeking a formal education. The gallery stands as a symbol of O’Keefe Ross’s creativity in fostering learning and education. 

Located in the Joseph S. Skalny Welcome Center at St. John Fisher University in Pittsford, N.Y., the Patricia O'Keefe Ross Gallery allows all visual arts media. The modest gallery features natural lighting.

Gallery Submissions: Call for Artists

Fisher always seeks submissions from emerging to professional artists for solo or group shows and special programming to address contemporary issues. Before proposing an exhibition, please review our floor plans carefully to understand the scale of the space.

Gallery Exhibition Proposal Required Materials

Submit all required materials in a single PDF. You may email the proposal as an attachment or as a Google Drive link with open permissions. Please be patient as you wait to hear back from our committee. 

Send proposals to Melissa Wilkinson, gallery manager, at mwilkinson@sjf.edu.

Required Materials

  • Brief Exhibition Narrative 
  • Artist’s Statement
  • Biography
  • CV (no more than three pages) that includes your art education, exhibitions, awards, and bibliography. For curated exhibitions or for group artist exhibitions, please also include artists’ resumes 
  • 10-15 images of work with corresponding information list
  • The image list must include the title of the work, artist’s name, date, dimensions, medium(s), and any special installation requirements.
  • Any potential University offerings you may be interested in as an exhibiting artist (e.g., workshop, public talk, gallery talk, demonstration).

Exhibition Proposal Narrative Details

Your narrative should include the following:

  • Title of your exhibition.
  • Your name, and identify yourself as a featured artist or curator.
  • Specified solo or group exhibition. If group, include the names of the artist(s). 
  • Preferred dates of your proposed show.
  • Your contact information.
  • A description of the concept or theme of your proposed work.
  • An explanation of any special equipment or other requirements you may need to present this proposed exhibition. Please note that no major modifications will be made to the space, and works cannot be hung from the drop ceiling. 
  • Indication on whether the accompanying images are the complete works for the proposed exhibition or are representative images only. 

Digital Images for Exhibition Proposal

Include all digital images in your single PDF. Images should be clearly labeled with the title, media, scale, and date.

Artwork for Gallery Exhibits

Artists are responsible for the cost of delivery and return shipping for their work and their travel expenses. Some artists will be offered a modest stipend if chosen for exhibition depending on programming and distance. All works must be traditionally wired and prepared for proper handling and hanging. The University does not insure artworks in these galleries. The gallery has entry and exit surveillance, and doors are locked from 5 p.m. to 9 a.m.