The Syracuse University alumnus made this concept a reality on Dec. 11, when she opened Eve Galleria in East Syracuse.

Eve Galleria is a three-minute drive from campus and exists in a red barn where there are many pieces of art hanging on the walls. The gallery offers gourmet coffee, pastries, gift items and free Wi-Fi. It also serves as a space for community and special events. 

Originally from Brooklyn, Troncone came to Syracuse for an undergraduate degree and eventually ended up staying in the area. She has been in the area for 20 years.

‘After going to ‘Cuse, I realized I wanted to stay up here,’ she said. ‘I had family here and had some opportunities.’

Troncone, the sole employee of the store, said she hopes the space will enrich the artistic culture and community in Syracuse.

‘There is a lack of art and spaces for art around here,’ Troncone said. ‘As an artist, interior designer, semi-architect, I wanted people who aren’t your typical artists to have a place of their own and to be able to show their work, too.’

According to Troncone, there aren’t any limitations to the type of art pieces that can be shown in Eve Galleria. Because of her experience as an art teacher, she said, she recognizes not everybody has to be a professional artist to create work.

‘You’d be amazed by what people can create when they are given the tools necessary,’ Troncone said. ‘Working as an adult educator, you find everyday people who have professions that have nothing to do with art that are very creative, and the way people execute themselves through art is amazing.’

Through her experience as an artist, interior designer and art teacher for the BOCES and Syracuse Say Yes to Education programs, Troncone said she is dedicated to enriching the community through art and would like to expand to SU. She said she hopes tostart doing workshops with SU students in the summer.

Another idea she has is to hold a cancer fundraiser at the gallery and show the artwork of children with cancer, she said.

Eve Galleria is versatile, Troncone said.

‘This is a great space for the community, anyone is welcome here. You can curl up and drink your coffee, do work and use Wi-Fi,’ she said. ‘This can be anyone’s outlet, this whole place is my outlet for art.’

Published on February 2, 2011 at 12:00 pm