When St. Joseph’s University, New York senior Gisela Cotrone ’26 first set out to paint a series of local landscapes for her senior exhibition project, she hoped to highlight the often-overlooked beauty of Long Island’s natural scenery. Her work not only achieved that goal but also caught the attention of Dawn Lee, professor of art on the Long Island campus and curator of the Omni Gallery in Uniondale. Lee selected Cotrone’s paintings for the current exhibition at the Omni Gallery, Conversations with Nature, which features five artists depicting Long Island through the changing seasons.
“The inspiration behind my senior work stems from a desire to reflect nature’s beauty and complexity within my compositions,” Cotrone said. She explained that time spent in local parks and ponds helped her notice the fragile yet chaotic balance of the environment. With each piece, she tried to capture fleeting seasonal moments, guided by photographs she took during her walks outdoors.
One of the four paintings included in the exhibit, August in the Park, holds special significance for Cotrone.
“It was the first painting of the series,” she shared. “When I first started this painting, I struggled to the point where I wanted to give up and start something completely different. I kept pushing myself to complete the piece, and soon it slowly started to come together. After completing this piece, I felt a sense of pride and determination to keep painting.”
Being included in a professional gallery alongside established artists has been a milestone for Cotrone.
Cotrone’s paintings are currently on display at the Omni Gallery in Uniondale, NY.
“As an undergraduate student, the experience made me feel like all my hard work from the past few years has finally paid off,” she said.
The recognition helped her overcome doubts about whether her art was good enough for public exhibitions and gave her renewed encouragement to continue painting.
“Gisela’s paintings inspired me to focus on local landscapes by Long Island artists that depict Long Island scenery in all seasons for this exhibit,” said Lee. “Although I do feature emerging to established artists, it is unusual to include work by such a young artist, but Gisela’s work is exceptional. Her painting is beautiful and she connects with her subject in a very personal manner.”
Cotrone credits the art department at St. Joseph’s with shaping her growth as an artist. In addition to the guidance she received guidance from Lee, she was exposed to professional artist practices, helping her discover professional paths in art. She also gained practical experience through her two and a half years in the campus work study program where she developed skills in exhibition curation, assisting in teaching and artist collaboration.
“These experiences have not only deepened my understanding of the art world but also strengthened my confidence in pursuing a career in the field,” she said.
As she looks ahead, Cotrone is eager to keep painting and hopes to one day participate in an art residency.
“Having my work showcased in a professional gallery fills me with excitement and fuels my passion to keep pursuing a career in the arts,” she said. “I would love to explore the possibility of an art residency someday, immersing myself in new places and experiences while fully dedicating time to the practice I love.”
Conversations with Nature will remain on display at the Omni Gallery until January 10, 2026. Alongside Cotrone, the exhibit features works by establishes Long Island artists, Ross Barbera, Shain Bard, Donna Corvi and Deborah Katz.
