There is a grand community of artists in Syracuse – some well-known, some at the creative fringe, and others whom we have yet to discover. One of our aims on the Connective Corridor is to seek out these folks and highlight their endeavors. For the next several months, we will follow Briana Kohlbrenner and her trials and triumphs as an up-and-coming regional artist. Consider this an insider’s look into one local artist’s life.

Briana Kohlbrenner grew up in Brooklyn and was reared by a family of artists. Her step-father came from Belgrade, Serbia, and he owned a screen-printing business in a dilapidated warehouse he’d converted into his factory space. From a young age, she was surrounded by artists and tagged along to art shows and events in Manhattan. Both the influence of her family and a childhood spent in a neighborhood with the industrial features of a big city have shaped how she works as an artist today. “I love turning odd places into beauty,” Briana reveals.

Creating art is something Briana has been doing since elementary school, when she began winning awards. Seeing her talent, she was encouraged to study photography at the High School of Art and Design in Manhattan. Following this, she attended The University of Buffalo and studied art history and gallery studies. Interning in contemporary galleries, she fell in love with the role played by a curator. Briana’s current path began while visiting London, when a family friend told her, “you can’t be an artist, work with artists, and work at a gallery [all at the same time].” This sentiment stayed with Briana and after college, she focused her talents and worked as a visual merchandiser for 10 years in Burlington, Vermont. Then in 2003, she moved to Syracuse with her husband and worked as the visual curator for H & M, designing window displays and setting trends for the stores.

After six years she was ready for a change, and she made it her goal to open a hand-made arts store. In November of 2009, this dream was realized in the form of Craft Chemistry on N. Salina Street. Part of the reason she opened her business here is because the beauty and uniqueness of the neighborhood reminded her of home. The store – which is part retail and part gallery, with a local artist highlighted each month – offers “indie art you wouldn’t find anywhere else.” Briana designs a lot of the work showcased in the store and considers herself a functional artist, mostly working on commercial or public art. In all of her work, she hopes to inspire people and show that there are endless possibilities in their community.

“All the things that I’ve been through in the past two years have been building up courage and bravery,” Briana shares. She is hopeful for what the next year will bring and knows for certain that it won’t be boring. Check in next month to hear about Briana’s adventures with the Salt City Urban Art & Craft Market, which returns for the second year on Saturday, October 23.