GIRARD ART WALK 2025

Born in Erie, Pa, Lisa Bane lives & works in New Stanton, PA. Her goal with each portrait is to capture the essence and character of the subject in her paintings; to create a portrait painting that is both realistic and artistic. Her work is held in private collections across the United States, Canada, and South America. Lisa is a member of Oil Painters of America, the Portrait Society of America, the Greensburg Art Center and the Pittsburgh Artist Registry.

An independent fine artist Since 1977, Mary Hamilton specializes in oil, and acrylic paintings with a strong background in watercolor. She also creates jewelry in sterling silver featuring Lake Erie beach glass and driftwood. She enjoys repurposing items to incorporate into individual pieces of jewelry and artwork. She is represented in galleries in Pittsburgh, Erie, New York and Annapolis. At present she has her own working studio and gallery, located in Girard, Pennsylvania.

Brian D. Payne is a visual artist, specializing in water media painting. His passion for color and expression drives and motivates him to paint full time as a professional artist. He also shares his techniques and expertise during his Art With Brian painting classes. A graduate of the Art Institute of Pittsburgh, Brian has been a professional artist for over 30 years, and is a current member of the Pennsylvania Watercolor Society. He is inspired by nature, color, organic textures, and his local surroundings.

Yvonne Conley was born in Eldred, PA and attended Edinboro University, receiving a Bachelor of Science in Art Education in 2002. She then went on to receive her Master of Education in Educational Leadership from Edinboro University in 2009. She has taught fine and graphic art to students ranging from middle school to high school age groups in Erie and Crawford Counties. Since 2007, Yvonne has been teaching in the Girard School District and recently started another painting instruction position at Topsy Turvy in Erie, PA. She has participated in the Jay and Mona Kang Art Show & Sale for the Barber National Institute, which is one of the region’s largest and diverse Art Shows. Yvonne’s inspiration for her art comes from life experiences – a moment that happened, an encounter with nature, a look or an occasion that calls for attention. She can capture the attention to what she wants even if it’s a tranquil glass of bright colored wine. She sees it as a privilege to take something from God’s creation and share her interpretation of it through her art.

Mary is a graduate of the Art Institute of Pittsburgh. Early in her career she was employed in the graphic art field. Eventually she moved on to pursue her love of watercolors and to discover acrylic painting. Mary’s style is realistic. She has spent many happy hours outdoors where she finds an abundant source of subject matter. Living along the shores of Lake Erie where there are four seasons challenges her to interpret her surroundings into her work while remaining true to the light, color and form that shape those times of year. Mary has participated in many local art shows, art auctions and charitable events. She has been a Chalkwalk Artist for Celebrate Erie, as well as, a selected artist for the Leap Frog Lake Erie Art Project and was among the artists featured in the book “The Ribbiting Tale”. Her latest project was being one of the four women who designed and painted the Girard mural on Myrtle Street. Mary’s work is represented by the Kada Gallery, the Tom Ridge Nature Center Gallery, Glass Growers Gallery, Cartwheels Gallery, AZ and the Painted Finch Gallery. Mary is a Signature Member of the Pennsylvania Water- color Society and a member of the Northwestern Pennsylvania Artist Association.

The product of an immigrant Latino family, a cancer survivor, a first generation college graduate, and small business owner, Gaby Reyes (They/Them) is a queer artist based in Erie, PA. Gaby’s life was forever changed when they were diagnosed with thyroid cancer at 17 years old. Having done multiple rounds of radioactive iodine treatments, isolation, and having dealt with severe bouts of depression, Gaby was declared cancer free November 30th, 2017. Wanting to do more with their second chance at life, Gaby created Melancholy Clothing Brand, a clothing brand that advocates for self-love, personal growth and mental health awareness. By hand screen printing garments that share messages of hope and healing, Melancholy creates a safe space to be vulnerable about one’s mental health journey and in return offers a cup of compassion in a society that is often very harsh.