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

Jaden Demarest | Without Saying

May-June 2026

How do you communicate? How do you
receive information? Through the English
and ASL alphabets, insects interacting
with one another, and humans
performing knowledge-based tasks, we
see a variety of options. Here,
communication becomes something we
see, feel, and embody, without saying a word.

About the Artist

Jaden Demarest was born and raised in Ithaca, NY, and remains in the area today. By trade she is a Shop Technician for the Digital Design and Fabrication Studio in the Cornell College of Human Ecology. By craft, Jaden experiments with natural dying and printing processes through larger than life sculptures. Through the school of Continuing Education at Cornell, Jaden has participated in the Print Media course, both Intro and Advanced. The skills, techniques and interests she developed have propelled her consistent life’s work into the current day. She resonates primarily with techniques and materials derived from the natural world. Most of the work created uses cyanotype, anthotype and collected flora in human, house and insect figures. Gaining inspiration from her alternative education, craft mindset and desire to bring the outdoors in, Jaden creates work with her inner child at the forefront. Remembering the days of having to climb every snow pile as her family took walks. Picking up insects, dead or alive and grasping them until she got home to place them in a shoebox for later inquiry. Picking flowers and leaves, leaving them in heavy art books for months or years until they have molded. In viewing the work Jaden shares with her audiences she dreams they get close to the natural prints and are lost in every detail.

Artist Reception

Please join us for a reception celebrating the work of Jaden Demarest, Saturday May 16th, 2026, from 10:30 am to 1:30 pm.

Art Workshops

Jaden will teach two art workshops in June, stay tuned for details!