UTICA, NY — [Sept, 1 2026] — 4 Elements Studio, the community arts center founded in 2008 by ceramic artist Vartan Poghosian, today announced Audrey Taylor as its new Executive Director, succeeding Dana Kelsey, who will continue with the organization as Director of Education.
The leadership transition comes as 4 Elements Studio launches A Common Element, an ambitious $50,000 Mohawk Valley Gives campaign supporting arts access, exhibitions, public art and community programming. Mohawk Valley Gives, the region’s community giving week, runs September 14 through 18.
The campaign has already received a major boost from UpMobility Foundation, which has approved a $25,000 grant, including $20,000 earmarked for a 2:1 match for online donations during Mohawk Valley Gives. In addition to its $50,000 fundraising goal, 4 Elements hopes to welcome at least 20 new donors through the campaign.
Funds raised will support general operating needs across the organization, with emphasis on keeping classes and workshops affordable, compensating teaching artists fairly, advancing physical accessibility upgrades, developing a new public art partnership with the City of Utica at Edward J. Hirt Park, and supporting the Mohawk Valley Art Legacy Program, Exhibition Program and other signature initiatives.
“I am honored to join 4 Elements at such an exciting moment and to work alongside Vartan, Dana and this incredibly committed team of teaching artists,” Taylor said. “4 Elements covers a surprising amount of programming ground while meeting some very specific needs in our community and this campaign reflects both the breadth of what we do and where we want to grow.”
The public is invited to celebrate the launch of A Common Element and meet Taylor at a free community kickoff and giving event from 5 to 8 p.m. Monday, September 14, at 4 Elements Studio. The event marks the opening night of Mohawk Valley Give, includes live music and art, and will also serve as the opening reception for The Standing Roots, a new exhibition by artist Kathleen Ann Donovan.
Taylor is originally from the Appalachian foothills of East Tennessee and earned degrees in sculpture from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and Cranbrook Academy of Art in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. She began her career in New York City as a studio manager for multiple artists while continuing her own studio and exhibition practice.
Taylor was first introduced to the Utica area in 2008 as an Artist-in-Residence at Sculpture Space. She later spent a decade at Munson and Pratt Munson College of Art and Design as Community Arts Director, where she developed non-credit community art classes and designed and directed the artist-in-residence program. Taylor has served on the 4 Elements Studio board since 2022.
Taylor is available for interviews prior to Mohawk Valley Gives. Members of the media are also invited to attend the September 14 kickoff for interviews, photography and video.
About 4 Elements Studio
Founded in 2008 by ceramic artist Vartan Poghosian, 4 Elements Studio is a community arts center in downtown Utica, New York, engaging approximately 3,000 community members each year through exhibitions, opening receptions, public events, workshops, classes and studio programs. A central part of the organization’s mission is providing sustained arts programming for individuals with disabilities and other underserved members of the community. Signature programs include Bead by Bead, Silk Road Artisans, the Senior Arts Program, Creative Connections and the Mohawk Valley Art Legacy Program.
Learn more at 4elementsstudio.org.
PHOTO: Audrey Taylor, Executive Director of 4 Elements Studio.
Photo credit: [Sarah Smith/4 Elements Studio]
