Falcon Gallery: Invitation to Wonder - A Solo Exhibition by Steven Kenny & Artist Talk

The Floyd Center for the Arts is proud to present Invitation to Wonder, a solo exhibition by acclaimed contemporary painter Steven Kenny in the Falcon Gallery.

Through surreal and technically masterful oil paintings, Steven Kenny invites viewers into a world where the human figure and elements of nature merge together in striking and unexpected ways. Inspired by Renaissance and Baroque painting traditions while firmly rooted in contemporary art, Kenny’s work explores identity, perception, transformation, and humanity’s complex relationship with the natural world.

Rich with symbolism and layered meaning, the exhibition encourages reflection and introspection while balancing realism with imagination. Birds, flowers, branches, insects, and other natural forms become extensions of the human experience, creating dreamlike compositions that blur the boundaries between biology, consciousness, instinct, and environment.

Kenny’s artistic approach is deeply informed by his study of Old Master painting techniques and his time spent studying independently in Rome during his final year at the Rhode Island School of Design. His work carries the dramatic lighting, refined detail, and classical influence of European painting traditions while addressing contemporary questions about human nature and modern existence.

Born in Peekskill, New York in 1962, Steven Kenny first gained national recognition as a freelance commercial illustrator in New York City, working with clients including Sony Music, Time Magazine, Microsoft, AT&T, and United Airlines. Since transitioning fully into fine art in 1997, his award-winning paintings have been exhibited throughout the United States and Europe and are included in numerous museum and private collections around the world.

Invitation to Wonder offers visitors an immersive and thought-provoking gallery experience that celebrates both technical mastery and imaginative storytelling. The exhibition invites viewers to slow down, observe closely, and discover new meanings within each carefully constructed composition.

The Floyd Center for the Arts also invites the public to attend a special Artist Talk with Steven Kenny on Saturday, June 13 from 1–2 PM in the Falcon Gallery. This free event offers an opportunity to hear directly from the artist about his creative process, influences, symbolism, and the ideas behind the exhibition.