Steven Berger
Steven Berger has been a lifelong artist. He graduated with an A.A. in Visual Communications in 1989 from the Art Institute of Pittsburgh and with a B.F.A. from Rochester Institute in Technology in 1996. Soon after graduation from RIT, Steve opened his own successful jewelry store in Lakeville, New York; he later relocated to Geneseo. After 15 years as a jeweler, he went back to college (University of Rochester) to earn his B.S. and become a registered nurse. Steve currently works as a nurse at Groveland Correctional Facility in Sonyea, NY.
Nevertheless, his interest in visual arts never faded. After taking a course on Printmaking with the Memorial Art Gallery in Rochester, NY, he was hooked. He transformed his downstairs living space into a printmaking shop and began to create his own unique designs. Years of jewelry crafting, including chasing techniques and engraving, carried over naturally to the art of printmaking.
Steve is inspired by nature right in his own backyard and surrounding areas. Western New York is filled with waterbirds and songbirds and unique tree formations. All of these have been targets of his work. When Covid hit, he began toying around with walnuts. When they are sliced open, each has its own unique face. Thus began the “W(e’re) al(l) nuts” series, including a tribute to Zoom meetings. After a high number of requests, these prints were sent to friends and family across the country as a humorous way to connect to them. Art, after all, is an important communication tool. Ultimately, Steve sees his artwork as a way of melding contemporary designs using traditional techniques.
