(SUMMIT, NJ) -- The Gallery at the Summit Free Public Library will present Impressions of Alaska, a twenty-piece exhibition by New Providence artist Zenia Olesnyckyj, from May 1 through June 30, 2026. The exhibition is presented by the Visual Arts Center of New Jersey's Members' Committee and the Summit Free Public Library. Admission is free and open to the public during regular library hours.
Zenia Olesnyckyj’s work explores the joy of discovery and experience of wonder through a painterly perspective, and captures the dynamic interplay of colors, textures, and energy in her surroundings. In landscapes carved over millennia, Ms. Olesnyckyj seeks patterns and shapes that may otherwise go unnoticed – a chance to escape deeper into the complexities of unspoiled nature. Inspired by the intricate art and culture of the Tlingit, the indigenous people of the Pacific Northwest Coast, Olesnyckyj weaves her own newfound connection into her mixed media pieces. Collectively, the works in this exhibition represent a visual and mental shift in perspective: a reimagining of her relationship with the natural world.
"I wanted to bring the grandeur and intimacy of Alaska back with me — not just in photographs, but in textures and layers that could communicate what it felt like to be there," said Olesnyckyj.
Born in the Bronx, Zenia Olesnyckyj is a multidisciplinary artist currently based in New Providence. She holds both a B.A. degree in Fine Arts Education and a M.A. degree in Printmaking from Montclair State University. She spent the first part of her career as an art educator at several institutions until she transitioned to a position in accounting. Now retired, she dedicates herself fully to her artistic practice, embracing diverse media including photography, collage, hand embroidery, printmaking, painting and metalsmithing. For Olesnyckyj, art creation fulfills a fundamental need, constantly driving her to explore and express her distinct vision
The Gallery at the Summit Free Public Library is located at 75 Maple Street in Summit, New Jersey. Admission is free and open to the public. Gallery hours are Mondays-Thursdays from 9:00am to 9:00pm; Fridays & Saturdays from 9:00am to 5:00pm; and Sundays from 1:00pm to 5:00pm.
