Rochester Artists Create “Urban Alchemy” at O’Keefe Ross Gallery

Rochester artists Magnus Champlin and Richard Colón will host the mixed media art exhibit, “Urban Alchemy,” at the Patricia O'Keefe Ross Gallery, located in the Joseph S. Skalny Welcome Center at St. John Fisher University. The exhibit opens on Monday, Feb. 26.

Curated by Richard Glaser, a well-known entrepreneur and community activist in Rochester, the exhibit is a love letter to Rochester, exploring how two artists see the exceptional where others might see the mundane—finding magic in graffiti on a dumpster or the flock of crows roosting on trees. 

“When I was invited to curate and produce an art exhibit for Fisher, I was asked to feature Rochester and build bridges between the University and the city. The campus is six miles from downtown and much further from the urban core in other ways,” Glaser said. “This challenge would involve a certain ‘alchemy’ and I immediately thought of my friends and talented creatives, Richard and Magnus. Their adoration for the city runs deep throughout their artistry and they also have demonstrable success educating and inspiring young people.”

Champlin is an illustrator and creative with a design studio located in downtown Rochester. With a head full of random factoids, and a sincere wish to create unusual and captivating pieces to inform and delight, his work goes from the small to larger-than-life.  His work can be seen in various places throughout Rochester, from the illustrated signage at the Seneca Park Zoo and murals in the Museum and Science Center, to fun art drops left for people to find. Aside from his creative work, Champlin is on various boards and projects to help strengthen the local communities in Rochester.

Colón is a street photographer born and raised in Rochester. His main focus has been to capture the beauty of urban streets and the architecture that Rochester has to offer as well as views that most have rarely seen. His work has been featured in Coffee People Magazine as well as at Ugly Duck Coffee. He also released his first ever photo zine, “Vibe-ography,” in 2022. He is the founder and curator of Behind The Glass Gallery, which showcases work by underrepresented artists in the heart of downtown, and he is a member of the steering committee for ROC Arts United.

The exhibit includes a selection of Colón’s photographs juxtaposed next to large- and small-scale murals and installations created by Champlin. There is also a gold-framed blank canvas for gallery attendees to add their own art. Three more canvases will be placed on campus and in Rochester, creating a connection through the shared experience of making art.

“I am proud of how we created something new, refreshing, and positive for the Fisher community,” said Glaser. “I also believe this project will reverberate throughout Rochester since it is open to the public and will feature elements that will engage the city.  Our future is bright and full of gold.”

Gallery hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. It is free and open to the public.