Depicting the Everyday Exhibition marks the 150 years of fine arts education through a new exhibition at the Bernard and Louise Palitz Gallery in Manhattan. The Depicting the Everyday: A Legacy of Fine Arts Education at the Art Students League opens with works that reflect both historical and contemporary artistic practices.
The Depicting the Everyday Exhibition is open through February 9, 2026, giving visitors months to explore its curated selection drawn from the Art Students League and Syracuse University Art Museum collections.
Origins & Legacy
The story of this exhibition begins with the founding of the Art Students League in New York and the establishment of fine arts education at Syracuse University. The College of Fine Arts at Syracuse first conferred a degree in painting in 1873, and by 1875, the Art Students League opened with its first student cohort.
Over the decades, more than 200,000 artists have been trained under the philosophies of the League, emphasizing creative freedom and exploration of everyday themes.
What the Exhibition Offers
This exhibition showcases a broad range of subject matter — from urban scenes and domestic life to intimate portraits — reflecting how artists interpret the ordinary.
Among the featured works is “Arrival VII” (2018) by Morton Kaish ’49, which combines vivid color and personal symbolism to revisit daily life motifs.
Special Events & Gallery Talk
On October 29, 2025, a reception and gallery talk will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Palitz Gallery. Esther Moerdler (curatorial assistant of the Art Students League) will give insights into the exhibition’s themes and the League’s storied tradition, followed by a Q&A.
Attendance is free and open to the public, with light refreshments provided.
Why Depicting the Everyday Exhibition Matters
By focusing on everyday life, this exhibition underscores how foundational fine arts education has always been about seeing the ordinary in new ways. It offers both historical perspective and contemporary relevance.
For students, artists, and art lovers, the Depicting the Everyday Exhibition is an invitation to reflect on artistic lineage, pedagogy, and how tradition adapts in modern practice.
