Studio Place Arts
September 10 - October 25, 2025

Reception; September 20
4:00 to 5:30 pm.

constant continuum, a solo show on the 3rd floor, deeply personal work that includes artist books, sketchbooks, monotype prints, and mixed-media drawings.  This show is both a tribute and an invitation: to consider how grief is carried, how love persists, and how the creative act can bear witness when words fall short. constant continuum opens on the anniversary of my brother Peter's descent into death. Although I have had exhibits concerning my grief over my brother, the works here have not been shown and span the 10 years. Through printmaking, drawing, sewing, writing, and bookmaking, I continue to converse with Peter.
Thanks to Alice Dodge for her insightful review in Seven Days.
Images of the show​

Burlington Airport 
June 18 - September 24, 2025

IMAGES OF THE SHOW

    Inspired by family dynamics and her collection of "artifacts" and old artworks, she transforms books, family letters, surgical masks, used clothing, and photographs into new works of art. The artist sees these objects as memories, and by means of a sewing machine and an etching press, she recreates, redefines, and transforms them into stories.
     Within her sewn collages, Smereka builds "families" of forms as she connects and layers materials in a process evoking the complexity and beauty of familial relationships. Two shapes
featured prominently in the artist’s work are the loop and quarter-almond. For Smereka, the loop references individuals as well as the act of sewing, while the quarter almond represents a part of something that intrinsically makes connections. 
     Smereka conveys the nature of family dynamics through sewing, collage, and everyday materials. Evoking the memories and stories – both told and untold – that form each individual, she captures how our concept of family is constantly evolving through marriage, adoption, divorce, and birth.
                                                                                                      - Heather Ferrell​

I am excited about this solo show opening April 2, 2025 at Axel's Gallery in Waterbury, VT
​Please join us for the opening reception on Friday, April 4 from 6 to 8 pm
Thank you to Mary Gow for her review in the Times Argus
Images of the show can be found HERE
I continue to explore family dynamics and its inherent structure. I am also curious about how some of our human challenges stem from memories we inherit. Genetic studies show that proteins in our DNA are passed down from generation to generation, carrying not only biological traits but also the imprints of emotional experiences (epigenetics.) Our identities are shaped not only by the present but also by our ancestors; their struggles, and histories. Each of my works explores how family can be built, torn apart, and remade. In the process of stitching and using the quarter almond shape (representing an individual), I make connections or don’t. I bring fragments together messily and imperfectly, but always looking for the intrinsic beauty in the ‘dysfunction.’ I transform family letters, photographs, templates, and other studio material in hopes of transcending and perhaps heal unconscious trauma and negative patterns.
Since the election, however, I have felt a strong need to retreat—almost to hide. And I have found myself of the others who need to hide and their struggle. The word "coagulate" came to me for this show and compelled me to focus more on how family is not just a biological construct, but a network of bonds formed by friends, and colleagues. Family is a fluid, ever-evolving entity that constantly shifts and reconfigures. Explore with me what connects us and holds us together.

I am very pleased to have my work on view in The Lorraine B Good Room which is on the 2 floor of BCA - on Church street. It will be on view through May! Thanks to the hard work of the BCA staff - in particular Kate Ashman. The work on view is current work dealing with the theme of family dynamics.
 
My work is inspired by family dynamics, and my collection of 'artifacts', and old artworks. I transform old books, family letters, surgical masks, used clothing, and photographs, rather than preserving them. I see these objects as memories and in some cases, like letters and photographs, they actually are. But, memories do change over time. In light of current scientific findings that show memories are not stored in our brains;  each time you 'recall' a past event you reconstruct or recreate it. I see what I do at the sewing machine and the etching press as recreating, redefining, and transforming stories.

Two shapes that feature in my work: a ‘loop’ and a quarter of an almond shape are used to represent humans. A loop also refers to sewing, which is how I compile my collages, and as a line, that has an inside and an outside. The quarter almond shape I see as a part of something and that intrinsically makes connections.  My interest in family dynamics loops back on itself when I use my family's ephemera. Part of a family's structure is made from memories and stories (told or untold) that have formed each individual. Family relationships are altered and challenged by the introduction of new people through various relationships that include marriage, adoption, divorce, and birth. In my work, as I build 'families', I connect forms (or don’t), and the layers of shapes that ensue speak to the complexity of families and their unique beauty. A family is a constantly evolving form. 

Kevin and I have been elated about our first collaborative installation at the Julian Scott Memorial Gallery, Johnson VT. The gallery, part of the the Dibden Center for the Arts is curated  by Phil Robertson. Thanks to Vermont State University for making this opportunity
​Thanks to Alice Dodge for a fabulous review in Seven Days.
Thanks to Hieke Chaney for her thoughful review in Basement Medicine

This is our artist statement for the show:
fluid dynamics²  is the first fully collaborative effort of partner-artists Susan Smereka and Kevin Donegan. They have lived together and shared studio space for over 5 years but maintained separate and distinct artistic practices. In this exhibit, personal boundaries are blurred as they actively influence one another and challenge each other in the process.
fluid dynamics² reflects on the way relationships – romantic, familial, and friendly - shape us, and take on a life of their own. Within that framework, Susan and Kevin explore their shared interest in the discarded, repurposed, and abandoned aspects of life, and seek to connect their private experience with something universal.  
Click here for more photos of the show.​