Art Gallery

Michael J. Guli was born in Bath, New York on April 28, 1948. Mike’s passion for the fine arts grew from an early age and after graduating from high school, he went on to attend the renowned School of Visual Arts in New York, where he found his form in acrylics. During this time he studied under such greats as Joseph Raphaele, Byrne Hogarth and Frank Viner, and attended workshops in artists’ studios including that of Frank Stella. In 1968 Mike transferred to Adelphi University where he graduated with a degree in Art Education.

Prior to graduating, Adelphi hired Mike to oversee and teach an open classroom program where students could enjoy the atmosphere of an artist’s studio while furthering skills in their chosen art form. As Assistant Director of Arts and Crafts, Mike taught painting, photography, pottery, leather crafting, and any other of the fine arts that a student wanted to explore. Mike soon became the Arts and Crafts Director and went on to become the Assistant Program Director, responsible for the Ruth S. Harley University Center Gallery and Exhibition Spaces as the gallery curator.

In 1976, Mike moved to the front range of Colorado. To support his growing family through his art, Mike put his energies into designing and making leather pieces. For the next 30 years, he focused on producing “wearable art.” His leather works are on display at notable museums across the country. With his children grown, Mike returned to his first love, painting in acrylics from his studio in the mountains west of Fort Collins, CO. He has been a featured artist with the Fort Collins’ Annual Studio Tour, and his works are in the private collections of John and Charlotte Whatley, Terry Conn, and Susan Marie Frontczak, to mention a few.