From 'Donut Art' to bronze sculpture

Monroe woman’s reputation as an artist continues to expand Middletown — As each semester unfolded during her SUNY Orange career, art student Meghan Maney’s work received more and more exposure. Like many of her classmates, she started by having her creations included in exhibits in the Harriman Student Gallery. Then her work moved to Orange Hall Gallery as part of the annual student art show. But Maney quickly demonstrated a remarkable depth of artistic talent, and that’s where her SUNY Orange experience veered away from many of her classmates. Last September, her quirky design was among nine finalists in a “Donut Art” competition sponsored by Dunkin’ Donuts’ to commemorate its 60th anniversary. Maney’s work was featured on posters in more than 1,500 regional Dunkin’ Donut restaurants throughout the tri-state area. The Monroe resident is once again among the eight finalists in the 2011 Dunkin’ Donuts competition. Upcoming NYU exhibit Maney was one of two SUNY Orange students to receive the prestigious and rare Meritorious Scholarship: Sculpting in Wax and Casting in Bronze. Under the direction of internationally renowned sculptor Gregg Wyatt, whose bronze sculpture “Soaring American Eagle” graces the courtyard of the State Department in Washington, D.C., Maney received intensive hands-on training in the procedures of casting and pouring bronze at Wyatt’s studio in New York City. As part of the program, Maney created her own bronze sculpture cast at the Modern Art Foundry and will have it included in an exhibit that Wyatt has planned at New York University this fall. Wyatt was so impressed with Maney’s work that he renewed her scholarship for 2011. Proving she is a well-rounded artist, Maney had a creative print design selected this summer to adorn the cover of a pamphlet that will be given to visitors at the Zane Gray Museum in Lackawaxen, Pa. “Meghan is a shining example of what our students can accomplish,” says Mark Strunsky, chair of the College’s Arts and Communication Department. “We are proud to call Meghan an alumna. She is an extraordinary young artist, and I am confident that she will enjoy a bright future. She has already achieved some remarkable creative triumphs.” 'From every teacher’ Maney, who graduated this past May, was both an artistic and academic standout at SUNY Orange. She earned an Outstanding Scholastic Achievement in Art award after demonstrating a diverse set of skills in media that included painting, sculpture, computer design and three-dimensional creations. “I tried to take as much as I could from every class and every teacher,” Maney explains. “The teachers have real experience in the art world, not just as professors but as artists, and I tried to absorb every bit of knowledge I could from their stories, instruction and example.” She does not intend to immediately transfer to a four-year art school. She is going to work toward building a successful artistic career now. Mike Albright is Director of Communications at SUNY Orange. This article originally appeared in the “Carillon,” SUNY Orange’s college magazine. The teachers have real experience in the art world, not just as professors but as artists, and I tried to absorb every bit of knowledge I could from their stories, instruction and example.” Meghan Maney