Art Opening Reception: Friday, January 3, 2024 / 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm @ 9 Vassar Street

Artwork by Jessica Licciardello

Jessica Licciardello has built a diverse 20-year career as an artist, designer, composer, and musician whose work has been exhibited nationally and internationally, collected in over 15 countries, and featured in Forbes magazine. Holding a BA in Studio Art and Art History from Marist College, her creative journey includes collaborations with National Geographic photographers and serving as Creative Director and Arts & Culture Journalist for BELLA Magazine. Ms. Licciardello’s exhibition at the Cunneen-Hackett Arts Center entitled “8 Minutes to Freedom”, made possible with funds from the New York State Legislature and administered by Arts Mid-Hudson, was inspired by her decision to leave an abusive relationship and by the courage of others who had shared their own stories. “8 Minutes to Freedom marks the moment I decided to leave an abusive relationship that I had been trapped in for far too long,” she expressed. “It had taken me a while to get to the point of making that decision, and when the opportunity presented itself, I was in the basement of my apartment building, doing laundry, with eight minutes left on the dryer’s cycle, and seeing that number, I realized I had only this brief window to act…I told myself, ‘That’s it, this is the moment’ and I gathered my clothes, and with them, I took my first steps toward freedom. That was the beginning of my healing process.”  Ms. Licciardello’s work is driven by her passion to inspire, spread positivity, and connect communities through the transformative power of art. She currently works as a freelance Art Director and Producer for live events around the world, combining her artistic vision with organizational expertise to create impactful experiences as well as shares global art exhibitions on her robust Instagram, inspiring followers to explore diverse artistic practices worldwide.