Tioga Arts Council and Cloud Croft Studios presents IF YOU KEEP A STAR IN A CAGE, an immersive art experience by Jess Petrylak. From June 6 – 29, 2025, visit Cloud Croft Studios – Barn and Schoolhouse, 1003 Sanford Rd., Owego to for this immersive art experience.

OVERVIEW
IF YOU KEEP A STAR IN A CAGE is an immersive blend of visual art, live performance, poetry and music, unraveling the complexities of fame, control, and identity in the digital age. Examining the tension between adoration and captivity, audiences will be confronted with echoes of pop culture’s most scrutinized figures–women who were worshiped, devoured and discarded in real time. Through an empathetic lens, this work seeks to humanize these icons, challenging viewers to see beyond the headlines. This is not about nostalgia; it’s about survival and redemption.

ABOUT JESS PETRYLAK
Jess Petrylak (b. 1995) is a multi-disciplinary artist working in installation, poetry and mixed media. She holds a BFA in Painting and Drawing from Purchase College and an AS in Visual Communications from SUNY Broome. Using found objects, gel pens, nail polish, rhinestones, glitter, and river water, she transforms overlooked materials into layered tactile expressions. Petrylak lives and works in upstate New York.

ARTIST STATEMENT
Jess Petrylak explores the cultural landscape of the early aughts, focusing on the complex interplay between fame, identity and personal grief. Drawing inspiration from iconic figures like Britney Spears, her work delves into themes of feminine martyrdom, mysticism, and ritual, capturing the tension between public persona and private struggle. By portraying these elements through a refined aesthetic, she aims to illuminate the hidden dimensions of fame and its impact on personal identity, blending glamour with a profound exploration of resilience and transformation.

PLEASE BE ADVISED
This installation is recommended for audiences 18+ because it explores adult themes that some may find triggering. IF YOU KEEP A STAR IN A CAGE grapples with topics of contemporary life that include sexuality and sexual exploitation, gender and LGBTQIA+ identity, family struggles, body image and shaming, drug use, and mental health.

IMPORTANT DATES:
• Exhibiton Opening: Friday, June 6, 2025, 8-10PM
• Exhibition Opening - After Party: Friday, June 6, 2025, at Leonardo’s, 34 Lake St., Owego
• Generative Poetry Workshop: June 11, 2025, 6-7:30PM, Cloud Croft Studios - Schoolhouse
• Tribute Concert + Y2K Party: Saturday, June 21, 2025, at Cloud Croft Studios