~post by Annamarie DiRaddo, Indiestry intern

    Elody Gyekis, State College’s female artist of multiple mediums, is making a place for herself. Gyekis, 2009 alumnus from The Pennsylvania State University, has completed various projects working with ceramics, sculputures, paintings, photographs, textiles and community-based murals. These murals give residents the opportunity to come together and make a decision on what the image will represent about the community in which they live. Then, residents are able to paint sections of the mural in much the same way as in children’s “paint-by-numbers” workbooks.

    Gyekis learned this community mural technique during her participation in the Philadelphia Mural Arts Program and has since integrated her own methods to the project. She now has three murals, one in Harrisburg, PA.; Williamsport, PA.; and in Millheim, PA. She is also planning a mural for Allen Street in State College, PA., that will hold the theme “Dreams Take Flight.”

    “It’s a challenge to define myself in art, but I know I enjoy working with my hands,” Gyekis said.

    To view Elody Gyekis’ work, check out her Web site at elodyg.com.