Spotlight Artists & Jeweler

Alburn Sleeper

Known locally as The Aurora Silversmith, Al is a life-long resident of East Aurora where he raised his two sons, and still lives with his wife of 55 years. He is a Master Roycroft Artisan (sine 1977) and is the only Roycroft Artisan to have rights to both the single and double “R” as his maker’s mark. He creates in a one-person studio, located in the basement of his village home.

As a teen, he was inspired by the works of Walter U. Jennings, an original Roycroft Artisan. Al specializes in the Arts and Crafts Style and creates fine jewelry, home accessories and also accepts special commission works in copper, sterling silver and 14K gold.

Al’s hand-made creations have been available in the Roycroft Gift Shop through three owners. The majority of his jewelry is available at the West End Gallery, and most of his copper works can be found at the Schoolhouse Gallery, as well as online.

David Cabin

David Cabin, the jeweler and custom designer at The Jeweler’s Studio has over 25 years’ experience as a goldsmith, silversmith, diamond and stone setter and jewelry designer.

David started his career as an apprentice under a European trained goldsmith and silversmith. He completed jewelry courses through the Gemological Institute of America, and also studied jewelry design in college. Throughout the years, David has studied and perfected many old world designing skills, but continues to learn new and innovative techniques. He was recently featured in a jewelry trade magazine for being one of the first jewelers in the country to own and operate a state of the art German TIG welder.

In 2005, Dave and his wife Rachel opened up a retail location called The Jeweler’s Studio. The business was founded on the vision of educating their customers, so that they could fully understand their choices, make an informed decision, and thereby getting the best value for their purchase. At The Jeweler’s Studio they recognize the true importance of a jewelry purchase for individuals and couples.
David is true craftsman and jewelry expert.

Japhy Czysz (AWS '02)

My days as a serious artist began during my time as a student at AWS. Artistically, that was the most productive time in my life so far – from kindergarten through 8th grade, when every day involved illustrating a main lesson book, painting in watercolor, sculpting clay, working with wood... this list could go on and on.

These were all daily activities, and were simply accepted as part of school. It was only once I was in public high school that I realized being an active artist would need to become my own choice if it were to continue. I did continue to paint, through those slightly difficult times and then through my time at SUNY Fredonia. I graduated 3 years ago with a BA in Environmental Art.

Since then, I have continued to paint portraits of nature which often come from life, and are then put through the many and often thick filters of my imagination. The results are paintings which show the nature of the world, as well as the nature of my mind at any given time.

I have created paintings from a hike on the trail from NY to Mt. Katahdin in Maine, others from Cattaraugus Creek right down the road, and still others from my stay in Southern Arizona's National Forests this past winter. I have loosely represented a variety of places in paint. My goal is to show the beauty of the world; to show how fantastic it is to my eyes, and how much I love its harmony. When we share our views, we know what matters to our fellow humans, and we then feel obligated to uphold our common values. I want as many people as possible to care for the Earth as I do, and to realize that all of our actions are important and have a deep impact.

Matthew Palmo

Matthew is a lifelong resident of Western New York. He grew-up in Orchard Park and now resides with his wife and son on a local farm outside of East Aurora. He is a self-taught artist, and believes his lack of formal training contributes to an individualized approach to his work which results in a different type of painting. He began painting in his twenties when he discovered he could present his view of the world through his art. Many of his paintings are surreal landscapes which present exaggerated color and glowing foliage. Often his work has themes of a spiritual nature and good versus evil. Matthew continues to be inspired by his wife and son.

Matthew was a resident artist of redFISH Art Studio in East Aurora for over three years, and has had numerous shows at local galleries and gift shops. In September, he exhibited at the Echo Art Fair at the Central Library downtown, and he will have an exhibition at the Project 308 Gallery in North Tonawanda in April.

Sandy & Rob Starbird

Sandy and Rob Starbird have been creating beautiful and unique metal wall hangings and sculptures for 5 years. Their desire to make this art started as a hobby, and 1 year later they began to do the high-end art shows of WNY. Their work was so well received that it has blossomed in to a full time business. Their 1st store, STARBIRD CONCEPTS, just opened at 201 Main Street in East Aurora. Sandy and Rob's continued passion for their artwork is driven by the joy and sheer delight that it brings to their customers. "If you can imagine it, we can make it!"

Sharon Morgante

Sharon Morgante is a Western New York artist who currently resides in East Aurora. She has traveled to Italy, lived and worked in New York City, and has explored many regions of the United States, all of which have inspired much of her work. Her main artistic focus has been historical architecture and the natural world, trying to push the boundaries to find uniqueness in perspective for paintings and drawings. She believes capturing an element from a different vantage point may change a person’s‚ own perspective, thereby creating new interest and excitement.

With a Fine Art and Graphic Design degree from Daemen College in 2003, Sharon has held various Graphic Design positions across the state, as well as exhibited locally the past several years. Currently, she works as a freelance graphic designer, creates her paintings and drawings, and teaches art to children and adults through workshops and private lessons.

	Alburn Sleeper Known locally as The Aurora Silversmith, Al is a life-long resident of East Aurora where he raised his two sons, and still lives with his wife of 55 years. He is a Master Roycroft Artisan (sine 1977) and is the only Roycroft Artisan to have rights to both the single and double “R” as his maker’s mark. He creates in a one-person studio, located in the basement of his village home. As a teen, he was inspired by the works of Walter U. Jennings, an original Roycroft Artisan. Al specializes in the Arts and Crafts Style and creates fine jewelry, home accessories and also accepts special commission works in copper, sterling silver and 14K gold. Al’s hand-made creations have been available in the Roycroft Gift Shop through three owners. The majority of his jewelry is available at the West End Gallery, and most of his copper works can be found at the Schoolhouse Gallery, as well as online.
	David Cabin David Cabin, the jeweler and custom designer at The Jeweler’s Studio has over 25 years’ experience as a goldsmith, silversmith, diamond and stone setter and jewelry designer. David started his career as an apprentice under a European trained goldsmith and silversmith. He completed jewelry courses through the Gemological Institute of America, and also studied jewelry design in college. Throughout the years, David has studied and perfected many old world designing skills, but continues to learn new and innovative techniques. He was recently featured in a jewelry trade magazine for being one of the first jewelers in the country to own and operate a state of the art German TIG welder. In 2005, Dave and his wife Rachel opened up a retail location called The Jeweler’s Studio. The business was founded on the vision of educating their customers, so that they could fully understand their choices, make an informed decision, and thereby getting the best value for their purchase. At The Jeweler’s Studio they recognize the true importance of a jewelry purchase for individuals and couples. David is true craftsman and jewelry expert.
	Japhy Czysz (AWS '02) My days as a serious artist began during my time as a student at AWS. Artistically, that was the most productive time in my life so far – from kindergarten through 8th grade, when every day involved illustrating a main lesson book, painting in watercolor, sculpting clay, working with wood... this list could go on and on. These were all daily activities, and were simply accepted as part of school. It was only once I was in public high school that I realized being an active artist would need to become my own choice if it were to continue. I did continue to paint, through those slightly difficult times and then through my time at SUNY Fredonia. I graduated 3 years ago with a BA in Environmental Art. Since then, I have continued to paint portraits of nature which often come from life, and are then put through the many and often thick filters of my imagination. The results are paintings which show the nature of the world, as well as the nature of my mind at any given time. I have created paintings from a hike on the trail from NY to Mt. Katahdin in Maine, others from Cattaraugus Creek right down the road, and still others from my stay in Southern Arizona's National Forests this past winter. I have loosely represented a variety of places in paint. My goal is to show the beauty of the world; to show how fantastic it is to my eyes, and how much I love its harmony. When we share our views, we know what matters to our fellow humans, and we then feel obligated to uphold our common values. I want as many people as possible to care for the Earth as I do, and to realize that all of our actions are important and have a deep impact.
	Matthew Palmo Matthew is a lifelong resident of Western New York. He grew-up in Orchard Park and now resides with his wife and son on a local farm outside of East Aurora. He is a self-taught artist, and believes his lack of formal training contributes to an individualized approach to his work which results in a different type of painting. He began painting in his twenties when he discovered he could present his view of the world through his art. Many of his paintings are surreal landscapes which present exaggerated color and glowing foliage. Often his work has themes of a spiritual nature and good versus evil. Matthew continues to be inspired by his wife and son. Matthew was a resident artist of redFISH Art Studio in East Aurora for over three years, and has had numerous shows at local galleries and gift shops. In September, he exhibited at the Echo Art Fair at the Central Library downtown, and he will have an exhibition at the Project 308 Gallery in North Tonawanda in April.
	Sandy & Rob Starbird Sandy and Rob Starbird have been creating beautiful and unique metal wall hangings and sculptures for 5 years. Their desire to make this art started as a hobby, and 1 year later they began to do the high-end art shows of WNY. Their work was so well received that it has blossomed in to a full time business. Their 1st store, STARBIRD CONCEPTS, just opened at 201 Main Street in East Aurora. Sandy and Rob's continued passion for their artwork is driven by the joy and sheer delight that it brings to their customers. "If you can imagine it, we can make it!"
	Sharon Morgante Sharon Morgante is a Western New York artist who currently resides in East Aurora. She has traveled to Italy, lived and worked in New York City, and has explored many regions of the United States, all of which have inspired much of her work. Her main artistic focus has been historical architecture and the natural world, trying to push the boundaries to find uniqueness in perspective for paintings and drawings. She believes capturing an element from a different vantage point may change a person’s‚ own perspective, thereby creating new interest and excitement. With a Fine Art and Graphic Design degree from Daemen College in 2003, Sharon has held various Graphic Design positions across the state, as well as exhibited locally the past several years. Currently, she works as a freelance graphic designer, creates her paintings and drawings, and teaches art to children and adults through workshops and private lessons.

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