Greg Cochenet's work is a creative remnant, much like the agrarian structures that inspired him; it is the product of observation and experience with the juxtaposition of rural and urban landscapes. Growing up in an average Midwestern city, surrounded by agriculture, agrarian icons became his vernacular of self-expression. As urban sprawl altered his home, he expressed his feelings about this change through dilapidated sculptural vessels, influenced by silos, barns, and grain bins. Transplanted to the urban East Coast, his work has evolved to be a reflection of, rather than a reaction to, the transformation of his Midwestern home.

About the Artist
A native of Waukesha, Wisconsin, Greg is a ceramic artist and educator whose work is influenced by rural Midwestern culture and architecture that is disappearing amidst urban sprawl. Greg earned his B.A. from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater in 2000 and his M.F.A. from Southern Illinois University Carbondale in 2004. His work has been exhibited throughout the United States in an array of exhibitions. Greg Cochenet is a professor of ceramics at Southern Connecticut State University in New Haven, Connecticut.

Composed entirely of junk mail painted with gouache, colored pencil, and neocolor crayon, Kristi W. Colbert’s work explores the wonder of place, as familiar and quietly transportive landscapes, seascapes, and cityscapes emerge from reclaimed paper fragments. In both its process and aesthetic, the work is brought to life through dualistic synergies. It is painterly and sculptural; deconstructive and reconstructive, realistic and abstract; intricate and unfussy. It is a record of places traveled and a map to what lies ahead. And, situated in a time of such global upheaval, it is an energetic manifestation of hope and repair, transforming simple scraps into something whole again. In all, Kristi’s work is a gentle reflection on place, restoration, and the beauty that can emerge from what might otherwise be overlooked.

About the Artist
Kristi W. Colbert (she/her) is a mixed media artist specializing in painted paper collage – a medium she wandered into experimentally as a means of breaking out of her perfectionism and into her creative freedom.
With a B.A. in Studio Art and Geology from Colgate University, a M.S. in Leadership from Northeastern University, and nearly 20 years experience working in various sectors of education, Kristi returned to her lifelong passion for art in earnest at the onset of the pandemic. Now working from her home studio in Leverett, MA, she draws inspiration from her surroundings – daily life in the Connecticut River Valley as well her travels and wanderlust beyond. Her work has been exhibited in Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, and Michigan, recognized by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, featured in Gillette Stadium and the Massachusetts State House, and has a fast growing body of collectors near and far.

COMMUNITY CALL
We invite artists to submit work for an exhibition celebrating humor in all its forms — witty, sarcastic, absurd, ironic, playful, and delightfully unexpected. Comic Relief explores how art can make us laugh, smirk, question, and see the world from a slightly off-center point of view.

2D and 3D works that incorporate humor, satire, exaggeration, parody, or visual punchlines are welcome. Whether subtle and dry or bold and outrageous, we encourage creative interpretations of the theme. All media are invited, including painting, drawing, sculpture, photography, printmaking, ceramics, and mixed media.

Submission Form

The Farmington Valley Arts Center invites artists working in clay to submit functional ceramic cups, mugs, and drinking vessels for our first annual juried cup show in the Fisher Gallery.

Exhibition Dates: May 2–30, 2026
Opening Weekend: May 2 & 3 (12–4 PM), during the CT Clay Crawl
Guest Jurors: Erika Novak & Stephanie Haines

Submission Deadline: March 31, 2026
Up to three entries per artist. No entry fee.
All work must be functional, food safe, and for sale.

Accepted work must be delivered by April 18, 2026.

Submit your work using the form below and email image(s) of your work to: Ceramics@Artsfvac.org
Please title each image file with the artist’s name and entry number (Example: JonnyMuggleton_1.jpg)

Submission Form