At UPL, we believe that displaying art enhances the library experience for our patrons, staff, and volunteers. When we see art in our community spaces, we’re inspired to engage with it and make art of our own. We seek to exhibit the work of diverse voices that reflect the communities in which we live.

Currently Showing

Don Ellis | Finger Lakes and Harriet Tubman

January - February 2026

About the Artist

My bio is best appreciated by noting my life and art today. They center on community, place, friends, family, and my art practice. 

A succession of careers stepped me further and further into art practice until I retired to a career of art alone. 

I enjoyed dairy farming, forestry, avionics, architecture, more architecture, teaching, and software development. Took a few years. Now I paint.

Whether figurative or abstract my paintings reflect the human condition — passionately.

My continuing Migration Series and my attention to Harriet Tubman bring this passion to painting and drawing.  My Abstracts build feeling through colors and forms that generate a sort of joyful complexity, or occasionally, a joyful simplicity.  “Color must be felt.”

Don Ellis
don@donellisartist.com

Visit me: https://www.donellisartist.com

Follow me: https://www.instagram.com/donellisartist

Artist Reception

Please join us for a closing reception celebrating the work of Don Ellis, Saturday February 7th, 2026, from 10:30 am to 1:30 pm. Don will give a gallery talk at 12:30 pm. All are welcome!