Community Projects
Art & Vintage Markets
Typically set in warehouses or vacant storefronts, the Salt Market reimagined the local handmade scene, showcasing artists and makers from Syracuse and beyond. The market also featured live music performances and delicious offerings from local food vendors, creating a vibrant and immersive shopping experience. Briana, along with her friends Vanessa Rose, Courtney Rile, and Stasya Erickson, joyfully organized and ran the event for seven successful years, fostering a strong creative community.
The Pepper Market featured wares $30 and under for an affordable holiday shopping experience. Briana and the team hosted two Pepper Markets.
The Funky Flea began as a fundraiser for the Syracuse Public Arts Task Force, to raise money for community art events and public art. The annual summer market quickly became a favorite place to shop for vintage and handmade wares, featuring over 70+ vendors, along with food trucks, and acoustic live music. Concept creator, Theresa Barry, and Briana hosted 5 markets, mostly held at the Everson Museum Plaza.
Salt City DISHES Dine In. Sustain Happenings. Enliven Syracuse.
Briana Co-Founded and launched Salt City DISHES with like-minded doers, Rachel Somerstein and Stasya Erickson. DISHES brought together the Syracuse community to share a delicious meal, listen to one another’s suggestions for innovative community-based projects, and vote on the project that had the most potential. The first place winner took home a $2,000 grant—funding raised by attendance ticket sales—to realize their project ~ and returns to the following DISHES dinner to tell us about how it went (or is going.)
Alongside Briana’s role as Co-Director overseeing 5 events, she served as the Creative Director for many dinner and spinoff events. The program ran for 9 years!
OTS8: One Take Super 8
Along with a couple of really good friends, Briana and her husband, Jason, took over managing the ‘OTS8 Syracuse’ event, producing a very successful series for seven years. Each event called for up to 30 participants—could be an amateur, professional, or first time filmmaker—to shoot a new Super 8 film, collectively have it processed and (Jason would) reel together the films for an in person, public live viewing using a Super 8 projector.
Lock Alley Mural
In 2014, Briana and the ECHO team had the opportunity to paint a large mural on the wall behind their business. They designed a vibrant, abstract pattern inspired by the breathtaking sunsets visible from their creative space next door. The mural not only celebrated these views but also infused the alleyway with color and energy.
This project was generously funded by their neighbor, the owner of the Turning Point, with special thanks to Biscotti Italian Bakery for approving the artwork on their building.
In 2021, Briana returned to restore a large section of the mural that had been vandalized by graffiti artists.
MOG Mini Outdoor Gallery
In 2017, Briana, in collaboration with the Westcott Neighborhood Association, won the “Westcott Street Design Competition.” Her concept introduced “MOGs” (Mini Outdoor Galleries) to the Westcott business district—similar to Little Free Libraries but showcasing small-scale art installations by local artists.
Two MOGs were installed in 2018, with unique stands designed and built by Brendan Rose.
The first, still on display, is located at Petit Library on Victoria Ave., featuring artwork by Kate Palermo.
Another was placed near the Community Garden on Harvard Ave., with artwork by Deborah Rose. Unfortunately, this MOG was vandalized in 2021 and later removed by the city.
PATF Public Arts Task Force
During her two-years as Co-Chair of Syracuse’s Public Arts Task Force*, Briana helped launch several permanent public art projects, including Rack Pack, a series of artistic bike racks installed throughout Syracuse, NY. She also played a key role in organizing successful temporary art initiatives such as Funky Flea, artERIE, the annual Snow Show: PATF Exhibition, and the annual Creek Float.
In addition to these larger projects, the collective spearheaded numerous one-time community art events, including Jungle Jam, 1000 Seed Bombs, PARK(ing) Space, Five + Dime Fundraiser, Art Strong, Typewriter Poetry Show, ArtHappening, and more—fostering a dynamic and engaging public arts scene in Syracuse.
*then “40 Below PATF,” currently “AdaptCNY PATF”