Among the great books, magazines, movies, and more at the Ulysses Philomathic Library, there is a show of collage art by Tom Butler. These works incorporate a variety of media including found natural objects such as feathers, wood, rocks, metals, and paint. These abstractions explore elements of design, space, lines, and shapes such as in the piece entitled “Birthday.” The work features dark black paint on a light background, a feather emerging from the black shape, stacked rocks, and a small red splatter of paint. Butler reveals that the composition is a reflection of his birthday as September 11th . Butler is also inspired by Billy Collins’ poetry, the history he has taught and studied, places he has visited and the works of other artists.
Tom Butler is a retired history teacher and school administrator who moved to Tompkins County in 2010. He teaches a wide variety of courses at Lifelong in Ithaca and sings with the Trumansburg Chorus.