Forest Hall studios recently featured three artists in their 2024 spring and summer art exhibition. These three notable artists include Hollywood photographer Phillip Caruso, Chilean painter Jaime Palacios and Manhattan-born sculptor Jonathan Shapiro, each of whom possess not only unique artistic mediums but also captivating stories and backgrounds in which their work is grounded.

Each artists’ works are displayed in their own respective sections accompanying the stories behind each artist’s approach to art, which further reflects their artistic diversity and uniqueness.

The first display, Caruso’s “Hollywood Euphoria,” was inspired by his father’s career as a cameraman and is a testament to the power of visuals as a form of art. He credits his proximity to celebrities to the advantage of being involved with the company Imagine Entertainment early on in his career, a choice which led him to meet actor Robert DeNiro and other infamous figures who are featured in his photography works.

Shapiro’s “In My Tree” includes sculptures partially inspired by his rescue dog, Nina. He cites her survivor spirit along with the calm and wilderness of the forest as the driving force behind his creations. 

The final collection of pieces are by Palacos, also known as “Chino,” a Chilean artist whose painted works accompany few words, leaving them open to a variety of interpretations. He calls this collection of works “Origins” because he feels that as his art matures over time, he is becoming more in touch with his beginnings.