Video Transcript: Art haus SYR hosts new exhibit and offers visibility for local artists
Desiree Robinson: The art haus gallery is currently hosting “Love Story.” The exhibit features works of Path Soong and Jeff Gordon, a creative couple whose legacy is celebrated through their creations. But local art has not always been easy to find in downtown Syracuse. This gallery opened in 2020 to give artists a place where their work can be seen and experienced by the community.
Michael Schwarzer: We felt a strong need to have an independent gallery here in downtown Syracuse, because there was none.
Robinson: Schwarzer says when he and his partner moved downtown, it was hard to tell where local artists were or how their work was being shown.
Art haus was built on the idea that emerging artists deserve to be seen. That need is real in Syracuse and many creators are searching for opportunities to show their work.
Lucian Kauseleis: Being able to have your art seen is probably the most important thing when you’re starting out as an artist, especially if you’re trying to make it your career. I’m pretty much a strictly traditional artist, and I don’t really use any digital platforms for making my own art, which means that I often have a disadvantage compared to digital artists because they can easily post high quality images of their art when I can’t.
Brody Shuffler: As a freshman especially there’s a lot of people who have worked up before you. And even if you did good work in high school you kind of have to work your way up again and earn the respect of people above you. So even for good photographers it does take a few years or a semester to really get in that cycle.
Robinson: Seeing work displayed physically, whether in a hall or gallery, gives young creators more visibility than just posting online.
Schwarzer: I think it’s amazing that some artists have never seen their work be displayed in a gallery space or in a setting. It is a different experience once you remove the work from the studio and display it in a certain way.
Robinson: Art haus hopes to give more local artists that experience and inspire others to open creative spaces downtown. The current exhibit is on display until Jan. 3.
In Syracuse, I’m Desiree Robinson, NCC News.
SYRACUSE, N.Y (NCC News) – A new exhibit inspired by love is lighting up downtown Syracuse. “Love Story” features the works of creative couple Path Soong and Jeff Gordon. Their colorful paintings, drawings and prints are on view through Jan. 3, 2026. For local artists, the gallery offers more than just something to look at.
The gallery opened in 2020 to give emerging and regional artists a place to show their work. Michael Schwarzer, principal at Art hauls SYR, says the absence of artistic spaces inspired him and his partner to open one.
“We felt a strong need to have an independent gallery here in downtown Syracuse, because there was none,” said Schwarzer.
Visual artist at Syracuse University, Lucian Kauseleis, highlights the importance of visibility.
“Being able to have your art seen is probably the most important thing when you’re starting out as an artist, especially if you’re trying to make it your career,” they said.
Lucian works mostly with traditional media and doesn’t use digital platforms, making the gallery space critical for exposure. Student photographer Brody Shuffler adds that even as a young creator with experience, getting that visibility takes perseverance.
“Even as a freshman, there’s a lot of people who have worked up before you. And even if you did good work in high school, you kind of have to work your way up again and earn the respect of the people above you. So even for good photographers, it does take a few years or a semester to really get into that cycle,” said Shuffler.
He emphasizes that physical displays give young creators a certain visibility that online platforms cannot.
Schwarzer says that the gallery experience is like no other.
“I see it in their eyes. I think it’s amazing that some artists have never seen their work be displayed in a gallery space. It is a different experience once you remove the work from the studio and display it a certain way,” said Schwarzer.
The exhibit runs through Jan. 3, 2026. Artists interested in submitting their work can email the gallery’s curator at marianna@arthaus-syr.com with a short introduction and images of their work.