Ithaca College

Hosted by the Center for Faculty Excellence, Fine Artists at Five continues with short presentations/concerts by Paloma Barhaugh-Bordas (Wednesday), Dara Engler (Thursday), and Nicholas Walker (Friday). Join us at 5PM at

https://ithaca.zoom.us/j/489986662?pwd=QUZDL1BXeHRDUHkwVkwraW92dkEzUT09

 Paloma Barhaugh-Bordas is a visual artist whose work adapts and appropriates the vernacular of the many regions she’s called home and traces the self-conscious search for cultural roots as a first-generation American. She states, “I construct landscapes that situate who I am in relation to where I am. My work, spanning print media, begins with photographs and drawings, often of plants, especially the houseplants that have traveled with me over the past decade, which have grown twisted and gnarled, recording in their own way the geographies we both have occupied… Like my plants, I am connected to my origins even in a foreign land, a fact which may only be visible to those who look like me or share my experience.… I am a first-generation Latinx American, raised by women who are survivors, providers, and experts in assimilation, with complex interpersonal relationships. Our shared history has influenced my education, work, opportunities, and continual search for a homeland, and my work shows our tradition of making a home by connecting with the land and growth.”

Dara Engler is a nationally recognized painter who has been included in numerous solo and small group exhibitions, juried exhibitions and private collections. Writing about her recent work, A Pirate’s Guide to Animals and Animus, Ms. Engler states, “My paintings are portraits of an alter ego, often rooted in exaggerations of my own experiences. Their loose narratives are allegorical, embracing human foible and the humor that comes with it. My interest in the figure lies in facing these awkward obstacles. My pirate-y anti-hero is full of curiosity and combative reverence for her natural environment. She is tracking animals, skinning squirrels, and learning to tie nets. Despite her adventurous nature, the pirate is subject to an awkward and fumbling learning curve. She approaches tasks in the least efficient way possible. As in any allegory, her trials are emblematic of our daily struggles.”

Nicholas Walker is an accomplished musician who brings a broad range of training and experience to the double bass: classical and jazz, modern and baroque, solo recitals and chamber ensembles. His enthusiasm and aptitude transcend arbitrary musical boundaries, and his exuberant and versatile performances have made him a sought-after performer in many styles. From 1995 to 2005 Walker worked as a freelance musician and band leader in NYC. He has been featured on two dozen CDs, three as a leader, and he has frequently been heard on NPR's Performance Today. Walker has played with many jazz masters, he has given solo bass recitals on four continents, and he has performed at music festivals worldwide. In addition, he is an inventive composer, who features the string bass in solo, chamber music, and improvisational contexts.