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��Ӱֱ�� State College Hinkle Memorial Library Gallery will mount an exhibit by local artist Alice Sereghy Deres, Monday, March 8, through Friday, April 16, 2010.

Deres was born and raised in Tarrytown, a first-generation American, whose native language is Hungarian. Deres says, “My mother’s flamboyant “Zsa Zsa” gene was passed on to me as well as my father’s sense of humor---a great combination!”

Deres says “art was always an interest growing up in the Hudson valley in a diverse cultural atmosphere where influences and inspirations abounded and my interest in art was encouraged.”

Additionally, she notes, “A love of the outdoors was instilled early and has been a big part of my life and work--many [of my] inspirations come from the natural world. Backpacking throughout the United States and living in the moment have afforded me many opportunities to ‘do and view.’

Deres attended NYS College of Ceramics at ��Ӱֱ�� University School of Art and Design and majored in ceramics and glass but “quickly became interested in all the arts.  Graduate work was completed at SUNY Geneseo and Syracuse,” she notes. Deres has also taken and instructed various workshops through the years.

“The love of learning has been a constant throughout my life,” Deres says.

“I started teaching in the public schools and still here [Arkport Central School] after 33 years. Teaching was a natural selection as I started to teach [my] peers as early as 14 years of age, as well as instructing the elderly and the mentally and physically challenged.”

Throughout the years, Deres’ works have been shown in various galleries and group shows in New York and Virginia. Recently she was the featured artist for the Wellsville Art Association. In addition to the Hinkle exhibit, Deres is also exhibiting throughout Livingston, Wyoming, and Allegany counties.

“My business is located at the whistle stop shop in Angelica,” she adds.

On a more personal note, Deres says, “I recently received the ‘gift of sight’ as I had cataract surgery and am able to ‘see’ clearly for the first time in my life---since age four, I have been sight impaired, so this has opened up a whole new world [for me]. As a result, my recent work has dealt with color, metamorphs of mediums, turning ordinary into extraordinary. My mad scientist side is steering me in the direction of taking traditional mediums to new heights and beyond the mundane [to the] very exciting.

“So my journey continues---painting, laughing, discovering, inspiring, creating, nurturing, questing!”

The exhibit can be viewed during the Library’s regular hours: Monday – Thursday 8 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday from 1 to 7 p.m.; and Sunday from 1 to 11 p.m.