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Pockets Filled With Hope SCSU!

Pockets Filled With Hope 5x10ft geometric abstract painting installation at Southern Connecticut State University

I have a multitude of projects currently underway, making it difficult to decide which one to share first. Today, however, one particular project took the spotlight.

Public Art Project: Pockets Filled With Hope

I am thrilled to share that my large-scale geometric abstract painting, "Pockets Filled with Hope" (5ft x 10ft), was picked up this morning and is on its way to Southern Connecticut State University School of Business. This monumental piece is part of the prestigious CT 1% public art project, bringing contemporary art to educational spaces across Connecticut.

Watching this painting leave the studio was both exciting and bittersweet. It's always emotional to see a piece you've poured so much into find its permanent home.

About the Painting: Pockets Filled With Hope

"Pockets Filled With Hope" is a 5x10 foot geometric abstract painting that explores themes of optimism, possibility, and forward momentum. The composition uses layered geometric forms and a dynamic color palette to create a sense of energy and aspiration, qualities that resonate perfectly with the university environment.

The title reflects the idea that we all carry hope with us, tucked away in our metaphorical pockets, ready to draw upon when we need it most. For students embarking on their educational journeys, this message feels particularly meaningful.

Installation at Southern Connecticut State University

The painting will be permanently installed at the Southern Connecticut State University School of Business, where it will inspire students, faculty, and visitors every day. Public art installations like this transform institutional spaces into galleries, making contemporary art accessible to broader audiences beyond traditional museum settings.

As part of the Connecticut 1% for Art program, this project demonstrates the state's commitment to integrating art into public buildings and educational institutions. The program allocates 1% of eligible state construction budgets to commission original artwork, enriching Connecticut's cultural landscape.

The CT 1% Public Art Program

The Connecticut 1% for Art program is a state initiative that commissions artists to create original works for public buildings, including universities, government facilities, and community spaces. Being selected for this program is a significant honor and a testament to the power of art to transform spaces and inspire communities.

Gratitude and Community

A project of this scale requires a village, and I'm deeply grateful to everyone who made it possible.

Tamara Dimitri and the CT Office of the Arts for selecting this artwork for the installation and supporting Connecticut artists through the 1% program.

Frame Shop CT for their expertise in preparing this large-scale piece for installation, ensuring it would be protected and presentation-ready.

The professional movers who carefully transported this 5x10 foot painting, treating it with the care and respect it deserves.

Why Public Art Matters

Public art installations serve a vital role in our communities. They make art accessible to people who might not visit galleries or museums, transform everyday spaces into inspiring environments, spark conversations and creative thinking, reflect community values and aspirations, and support local artists and the creative economy.

For students at SCSU, encountering this painting daily offers a moment of visual inspiration, a reminder to carry hope with them as they pursue their educational and professional goals.

Rooted in New Haven

I am truly grateful for the community I have built here in New Haven and across the East Coast. From fellow artists to arts administrators, framers, installers, and collectors, this network of creative professionals makes ambitious projects like this possible.

New Haven has a remarkable arts ecosystem, anchored by institutions like the Eli Whitney Museum, Yale's arts programs, and a thriving community of working artists. Yale's design legacy runs particularly deep for me. Josef Albers chaired the design department there and developed the color theory that continues to shape how I approach palette and composition in large-scale work. I've written about that influence in How Josef Albers Shaped the Way I See Color, and it's a thread that runs directly through a painting like this one.

My own roots here run deep, including a residency at the Eli Whitney Museum that shaped how I think about making work in this city, and a recent exhibition at DaSilva Gallery, The Shape of Things, which brought that work into the New Haven community directly.

As a New Haven-based artist, I'm honored to contribute to Connecticut's cultural landscape through this university art installation, and to carry that community's spirit into public spaces across the state.

Explore More Large-Scale Work

If you're interested in commissioning large-scale abstract paintings for corporate, institutional, or residential spaces, I'd love to discuss your project. Browse my collection of geometric abstract art or reach out to discuss custom commissions.

View Geometric Abstract Art Collection

Inquire About Commissions

Follow along on Instagram for updates on public art projects and studio work.

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