The U-Gallery at LAV showcases the work of four remarkable artists: Peter Stevenson, Julia Swartz, Jess Shiner and Ann Benton Yeager
Peter Stevenson is a fine artist and illustrator whose childhood in the rural farmlands near the Brandywine Valley continues to shape his work. Now based in Lancaster, PA, his Biospheres, collection once described as “where Rothko meets Wyeth.” The series explores the horizon line—the meeting place of land and sky—through bold contrasts of color that suggest earth and sky while evoking the energy, rhythm, and emotion of rural life.
Ann Benton Yeager, a native of Millersville in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, carries on a strong artistic lineage as the great-great-niece of renowned American painter Thomas Hart Benton, mentor to Jackson Pollock. An abstract and contemporary artist, Ann specializes in acrylic mixed media, cold wax and oil, acrylic pouring, and alcohol inks, while also exploring watercolor. She is known for her dynamic textures, often using unconventional materials to bring depth, energy, and visual intrigue to her layered, expressive canvases.
Jessica Shiner, a mixed media abstract artist based in Lancaster, PA, layers acrylics and found materials to evoke the textures of decay and erosion. Inspired by peeling paint, oxidized metals, and weathered surfaces, her work reveals the beauty within life’s imperfections. Through this interplay of decay and resilience, Shiner’s abstract compositions reflect the endurance of both human and natural landscapes. Jess perceives profound beauty in life'simperfections, embodying her belief that, “True beauty can emerge from the cracks and crevices revealed by time and misfortune.”
Julia Swartz, a lifelong resident of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, discovered her love of art with her mother’s oil paints. In 1999, after overcoming non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, her perspective and artistic vision were transformed, leading her to embrace impressionism. Inspired by New York’s art scene, she developed a distinctive style marked by bold, textured palette knife techniques. Her work ranges from landscapes to portraits, reflecting both her aversion to repetition and her constant pursuit of new challenges. For Swartz, art is a limitless journey, fueled by passion, resilience, and an enduring love of expression.
Opening First Friday October 3rd with sneak peaks beginning Thursday October 2nd at 10AM.