Press Release

FLCC Fine Arts Gallery 34 Presents Works of Michael Gayk in "Sculpture"
February 20th, 2003
By: Megan S. Backer

CANANDAIGUA, N.Y. (Feb. 20, 2003) - The Fine Arts Gallery 34 at Finger Lakes Community College presents the works of Michael Gayk in "Sculpture." Located on the first floor of the Canandaigua campus, 4355 Lakeshore Drive, the Gallery will host the exhibition March 6 - 28, 2003. An opening-day reception will take place at 1 p.m.
Gayk, of Sodus, works primarily in metals, including steel, pewter, bronze, and brass. His show at FLCC will include plastics and cast latex as well as metals, and it will introduce Gayk's interest and research in kinetic systems that use digital and analog electronics. To describe his work, Gayk said, "I use disembodied elements of the figure to represent sites of past experiences and memories. These memories are metaphors for truth, identity, and the role of the fictional self and the myths that are used to build our psychological and physiological awareness."
In addition to his work as a studio artist, Gayk currently works as a professional welder/fabricator. His previous experience includes teaching courses, mostly in jewelry, at the University of Washington in Seattle and at the Center for Creative Studies in Detroit. Gayk has also worked in a variety of positions that utilized his creative skills in both industrial and artistic settings.
Exhibitions of Gayk's work have taken place in Seattle; Washington, D.C.; and several cities in Michigan. Private collections of his work are housed in Detroit at the Polk Corporation and the Center for Creative Studies and in Canandaigua at FLCC.
Gayk earned a master of fine arts degree from the University of Washington and a bachelor of fine arts degree from the Center for Creative Studies in Detroit. He took courses in sculpture and drawing at FLCC and in photography at Mohawk Valley Community College in Utica.
Gallery 34's hours are Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free. For more information about Fine Arts Gallery 34 or the Gayk exhibition, contact the Office of College Relations at [phone], ext. 7231.