EFR Talent Showcase

Zoe – Artist

Zoe is a 19-year-old Syracuse University student in the Inclusive U program. She began her artistic journey by drawing places she had visited and things around her as her muse. Progressing in her use of acrylic, charcoal, and pencil she eventually moved on to watercolor painting.  She is super excited and is studying history, painting, and ceramics this fall. When Zoe is not creating she enjoys swimming, hiking, camping, music, and traveling to Vermont and Myrtle Beach, SC. Zoe’s art has been nominated for scholastic awards and has even been chosen to be displayed in local libraries. Find out more about Zoe here.


Jeffrey Johnson- Artist, Author, Vocalist

Jeffrey Johnson, a Seneca Falls native relocated to Syracuse, NY in 2007. Jeffrey enjoys drawing, his preferred mediums being markers, pencils, and watercolors. Jeffrey is a self-published author of two books of black and white drawings. Jeffrey also performs several times a year with the Midler Melodies. His hobbies include bowling, jigsaw puzzles, attending live concerts, and bird watching. Find out more here!


Nicole – Artist

For the past two years, I’ve dedicated myself to the art of acrylic pouring. This journey has been an exploration of color, fluidity, and spontaneity, allowing me to create vibrant and dynamic compositions. Each piece is a unique experiment. I’ve watched many videos on acrylic pouring and taken classes to learn the secrets of the craft. In addition to acrylic pouring, I also enjoy making collages and writing poetry. Through collages I piece together fragments of images from magazines and decorative paper, creating new narratives and visual stories. Poetry allows me to express my ideas and emotions, adding another layer to my creativity. Inquiries about purchasing Nicole’s art can reach out to her at: opal7moon@gmail.com. See more of Nicole’s work here!


Alex Lupole – Artist

Alex Lupole is a 34-year-old person who loves working at EFR and in his spare time is a digital artist. He uses a digital paint-by-numbers app called “Oil Painting” on his iPad to create his artwork. It is a free app that can be found on iPhones, iPads or Androids. Over the past few months, Alex has created over 40 digital paintings.  Find out more about Alex here.

Our organization is filled with artistic and creative people who are looking for opportunities to showcase their talents. We’re delighted to start spotlighting some of these amazing people. If you know of a talented individual or DSP who needs to be highlighted, email us at melsbree@contactefr.org.


Taylor Donovan – Artist

Taylor Donovan is a 23-year-old woman from Cicero. A fan of  Vincent Van Gogh’s “Starry Night,” Taylor has been in art club since 2019. She enjoys creating art through classes at Arise and experimenting with mediums, such as acrylic, pastels, and diamond art.

Her focus has been concentrated on diamond art lately; she works on them daily and whenever she gets an opportunity.  Her advice to anyone trying out diamond art for the first time is to not start assembling the diamonds in the middle of the pictures but to start on the edges to avoid getting stuck on the paper.  Find out more about Taylor here.

Our organization is filled with artistic and creative people who are looking for opportunities to showcase their talents. We’re delighted to start spotlighting some of these amazing people. If you know of a talented individual or DSP who needs to be highlighted, email us at melsbree@contactefr.org.


Joel Miner – Writer

Joel has always had an active imagination all his life. He puts that imagination to use writing short stories. Many of his inspirations come from movies and television. Joel enjoys traveling too so some of his writing inspirations come from travel shows. Find out more about Joel here.


Rachel Rennie – Artist

Rachel Rennie, 24 of North Syracuse, NY Rachel enjoys expressing herself through music and singing, and recently found new ways to do so at the EYE Studio in East Syracuse. It was here that she found a place where she could learn and create new things in a physical form through materials, such as clay, oil paints, and acrylic melding……..Find out more here!


Sheala Burks – Writer

Sheala Burks is a 42-year-old writer from Syracuse. It was Sheala’s mom reading to her that began her love of stories. She remembers specifically her mom reading her a story about a curious bunny who found an egg.  This would be the start of Sheala’s passion for reading fiction and the beginning of her dream to become a writer…….Find out more here!


Matthew Preston – Diamond Artist

Matthew Preston, 37 of Syracuse recently decided he needed a break from his video games. He wanted something new and different from his regular hobbies. He was hoping to find something that would combine his passions and interests but also be relaxing. While perusing the internet, he found Diamond Art and he was hooked…...Find out more here!


Tomas Fredenburg Artwork

Tomas Fredenburg, 31, of Fulton, works in spray paint, colored pencils, and markers as his primary medium of choice. He paints and draws whatever inspires him at the time.  He started drawing when he was very young and became more involved in art once he took classes in high school.  Find out more here!


My Crimson Star Magazine

“My Crimson Star Magazine” formerly known as “My Crimson Magazine” was founded by Jason McCann, CEO in 2015  in Pennsburg, PA.   My Crimson  Magazine is a reviewing platform that was inspired by Jason, and his deep love for concerts, movies, food, music, restaurants, fashion, and the LGBTQ community.   Find out more here!