Born in Rochester, New York in 1957, Stu Chait is a life long artist. Influenced by his great-grandfather, architect Charles W. Eldridge, Stu realized that art is integral to architecture, and continued to study drawing, pastels, and watercolor, while pursuing his architectural degree.
After graduating with High Honors from the School of Architecture at the University of Tennessee in 1979, Stu returned to Rochester with his wife Cindy. While establishing his award winning architectural practice, Stu's desire to return to fine art continued to grow. Studies with noted art instructor Gail Kellogg further fueled his love of watercolor and a passion to create art. An opportunity to study with internationally renowned abstract artist Steve Carpenter has challenged Stu to delve into uncharted subject matter, techniques, and applications. As Stu's work progresses, he continues to be inspired by structure and form in both architecture and nature. Challenging the context and techniques of watercolor, Stu's work is provocative and sublime.
These explorations have resulted in numerous area and regional shows and awards. In addition to his acceptance to the online galleries of the internationally known Architectural Record, Stu has been highlighted in feature articles in national painting journals. In 2011 Stu was named a Finalist in the Abstract/Experimental Category of The Artist's Magazine 28th Annual Art Competition. Most recently Stu was accepted into the Arena Art Group, the foremost group representing abstract and contemporary art in upstate New York. Constant demand for Stu's unique watercolor techniques led to him being hired as the first adjunct studio faculty of the new Architecture Program at the Rochester Institute of Technology, in addition to teaching several watercolor seminars to fellow artists and architects alike.
Selected Competitions |
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| 42nd Annual Adirondacks National Exhibition of American Watercolors, The View Center for Arts and Culture, Old Forge, NY | 2023 |
| International Shades of Green Competition, Camelback Gallery Scottsdale, Az. Finalist Award | 2023 |
| Oklahoma City Pre-qualified Artists Pool Oklahoma City, Oklahoma (each noted separate awards) |
2014, 15, 16, 2017-20 |
| University of Nebraska Medical Center Buffet Cancer Center (Shortlist), Omaha, NE | 2015 |
| Exelon/Constellation – Baltimore Headquarters (Shortlist), Baltimore, MA | 2015 |
| Oklahoma City Pre-qualified Artists Pool Oklahoma City, OK | 2014-15 |
| 3rd Annual Juried Members Exhibition: The Arts and Cultural Council Gallery, Rochester | 2013 |
| Art Roc NY 2013 Showcase JGK Galleries | 2013 |
| Miami Watercolor Society Annual Competition Miami, FL | 2012 |
| Annual Abstract Competition My Art Contest | 2012 |
| We Are One Bridge Gallery University of Rochester | 2011 |
| 1st Annual Juried Summer Exhibition | 2011 |
| Arts and Cultural Center Gallery Rochester | 2011 |
| The Artist's Magazine 28th Annual Art Competition | 2011 |
| Genesee Valley Plein Air Painters Annual Show | 2008-09 |
| Genesee Valley Plein Air Painters Under Open Skies Exhibition | 2008 |
| Genesee Country Village Museum John L. Wehle Gallery | 2008 |
Selected Solo Exhibitions |
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| Canvas Impressions, The Little Cafe Rochester, NY | 2024 |
| Sans Brushes, Nu Movement Studio Rochester, NY | 2023 |
| Of Gatherings and Asterisms Etched in Stone Geisel Gallery Legacy Tower Rochester, NY |
2018 |
| Americana Winery Interlaken, NY | 2014 |
| Bausch + Lomb Global Optics Center, Rochester, NY | 2013-14 |
| First Federal Open House, First Federal Plaza, Rochester, NY | 2013 |
| A Seasonal Consideration, Red Tail Ridge Winery, Penn Yan, NY | 2013 |
| Vis Exemplum, Nature's Patterns | 2012 |
| Arts Council For Wyoming County Perry, NY | 2012 |
| Triptychs - Evolving Acts and Gestures Black Radish Studio | 2012 |
| Journeys on Canvas, A Discovery of Freedom Chait Fine Art Gallery | 2011 |
| Structural Spontaneity The Arts and Cultural Center Gallery | 2010 |
| Vinifera Chait Fine Art Gallery | 2010 |
| The Landmark Society of Western New York Inside Downtown Tour | 2009, 2007 |
| Chait Fine Art Gallery | |
Selected Group Exhibitions |
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| Blue The Mill Art Center and Gallery Honeoye Falls, NY | 2023 |
| For Love of Art Exhibition The Mill Art Center& Gallery Honeoye Falls, NY |
2021 |
| Member's Spring Exhibition The Mill Art Center& Gallery Honeoye Falls, NY |
2021 |
| Instructor – Student Exhibition The Mill Art Center& Gallery Honeoye Falls, NY |
2021 |
| Arena Art Group Celebrates 70 Years in Making Bevier Gallery, Rochester Institute of Technology |
2021 |
| Arena @ The Mill The Mill Art Center & Gallery Honeoye Falls, NY |
2019 |
| Hues of Hope Invitational Norchar Gallery Rochester |
2017 |
| Rotating Arts Program Bausch + Lomb Global Optics Center Rochester |
2017 |
| Explorations: A Visual Conversation The Dyer Arts Center Rochester Institute of Technology Rochester | 2016 |
| Early Spring Invitational – Corks and Contemporary Tones on Park Ave! Norchar and Banas Galleries Rochester | 2017 |
| Arena at R Gallery R Rochester |
2014 |
| Intersections of Form, Color, Time and Space (Duo show) The Dyer Arts Center Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, NY |
2014 |
| What's New With Arena, I Square Visions Gallery, Rochester, NY | 2014 |
| Arena Visions, The Geisel Gallery Bausch + Lomb Tower, Rochester, NY | 2014 |
| Arena at St. John Fisher, O'Keefe Ross Gallery St. John Fisher Coll. Rochester, NY | 2013 |
| 6 X 6 Rochester Contemporary Art Center | 2013 |
| Connections University Gallery, Rochester Institute of Technology | 2013 |
| RoCo Members Exhibition, Rochester Contemporary Art Center | 2013 |
| Essential, The Gathering Art Show On Broadway Dacia Gallery New York City |
2012 |
| The Arena Art Group Exhibition | 2012 |
| Williams-Insalaco Gallery 34 Finger Lakes Community College | 2012 |
| 4 Expressions Black Radish Studio | 2012 |
| Fall - Winter Art Exhibition Tap and Mallett | 2011 |
| Annual Studio Exhibition The Steve Carpenter Gallery and Art Center | 2010-11 |
| AIA Rochester Architects as Artists Exhibition | 2010-11 |
| The Arts and Cultural Center Gallery | 2010 |
| Gallery 821 3rd Anniversary Show Gallery 821 | 2010 |
| The Advocacy Center Night of Hot Jazz and Cool Art | 2010 |
| The Memorial Art Gallery | 2010 |
| Rochester Art Supply Invitational High Falls Art Gallery | 2011-12 |
| AIA Rochester Architects as Artists Exhibition Bausch and Lomb Gallery | 2009 |
| Featured in Architectural Record Online Galleries | 2009 |
| Land, Sea and Sky Exhibition High Falls Art Gallery | 2008 |
| Circle Exhibition High Falls Art Gallery | 2008 |
| Fall Showcase Cascade Art Center | 2008 |
| Our Town Exhibition High Falls Art Gallery | 2008 |
| Steve Carpenter Gallery and Art Center Invitational | 2008 |
| The Steve Carpenter Gallery and Art Center | 2008 |
Publications |
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| "Meet Artist Stu Chait: Creating Abstract Watercolors Inspired by Architecture and Nature" North Chili Neighbors Magazine | 2021 |
| "Artists to Look Out For" Starry Nights | 2014 |
| "Art | Intersections: Form, Space, Time + Color" City Newspaper | 2014 |
| "Rochester artists converge thoughts and expression at NTID Dyer Arts Center" RIT University News | 2014 |
| “Rochester area artist Stu Chait to exhibit at Red Tail Ridge Winery” Rochester Democrat and Chronicle | 2013 |
| “RIT’s University Gallery presents ‘Connections’ exhibit” RIT University News | 2013 |
| “JGK Galleries' Art Roc Show 2013 Showcase"City Newspaper | 2013 |
| "Local Color” Rochester Magazine | 2013 |
| Everything Is Art Special Edition | 2012 |
| ART SPOTLIGHT Hospitality Design | 2012 |
| GALLERY SPOTLIGHT Metropolitan | 2011 |
| "Architect Stu Chait Turns To More Abstract Art" Westside News | 2011 |
| GALLERY SPOTLIGHT Rochester | 2010 |
| GALLERY SPOTLIGHT Metropolitan | 2010 |
| ARTIST SPOTLIGHT Rochester Democrat And Chronicle | 2010 |
| ARTIST SPOTLIGHT Judson's Plein Air Outfitters | 2010 |
| ARTIST SPOTLIGHT Phil Levine Workshops | 2009 |
| ARTIST SPOTLIGHT Rochester Democrat And Chronicle | 2007 |
| "The Art of the Summer House" Rochester Magazine | 2006 |
| "Art Glass Is It Art, Or Is It Glass? Why Not Both?" GGW Vignettes | 2004 |
| "Designer Furniture: Is There A Difference? Advice From The Experts" | 1989 |
| City Newspaper | 1989 |
Teaching, Demonstrations & Workshops |
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| The Mill Art Center & Gallery Honeoye Falls, NY | |
| Adjunct Professor: Master of Architecture Program, Rochester Institute of Technology | |
| Chili Art Group, Rochester, NY | |
| Penfield Art Association, Rochester, NY | |
| Pittsford Art Group, Rochester, NY | |
| Creative Wellness Coalition, Rochester, NY | |
| AIA Rochester | |
Non Exclusive Representation |
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| DAC Hospitality Atlanta | |
Private Individual & Corporate Collections: CA, CO, FL, GA, IL, MA, NY, PA, TN, VA, New Zealand |
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| Architectural Foundation of Greater Rochester | |
| All About Home Care | |
| The Veteran's Outreach Center | |
| The Advocacy Center of Rochester | |
| AIDS Rochester | |
| The Center For Disability Rights | |
| Aurora House | |
| Ronald McDonald House of Rochester | |
Personal |
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| Born November 11, 1957, Rochester, New York | |
Education |
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| B. Architecture w/ High Honors | |
| School of Architecture University of Tennessee, 1979 | |
Awards |
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| 1st Prize AIA Rochester Membership Directory Cover Contest | 2018 |
| Finalist The Artist's Magazine 28th Annual Art Competition | 2011 |
| Judge's Award Annual Show Genesee Valley Plein Air Painters | 2008 |