During February and March of 2011, the Regional Gallery Directors' Forum - a loosely organized group of local gallery leaders - initiated "Thaw," a series of exhibits held at more than a dozen participating galleries in the Greater Rochester area. The goal was to celebrate the sweet onset of spring, to afford regional gallery directors the opportunity to get out and see their colleagues' shows, and to bring greater attention to the exhibitions held by some of the smaller or further-from-the-city art venues. Each spot showcased the work of one artist or a group of artists, offering a vast range - from literal, to emotional, to spiritual - interpretations of the "thaw" theme.

"Thaw" will be taking place again in February and March 2012, and based off of the success of the first go-around, more galleries and institutions are participating. For a list of the shows you can expect this February and March, see the sidebar to this article. In the meantime, read on to learn about changes to "Thaw," to the Directors' Forum itself, and the implications that the still-evolving organization could have on the Greater Rochester visual-arts scene.

The biggest change for this year's edition of "Thaw" is a loosening of the overall theme. Not every gallery represented in the Directors' Forum participated in "Thaw" 2011, as some spaces plan their exhibits several years in advance. So in an effort to include more galleries in the project, interpreting the idea of "thaw" was not mandatory for inclusion in 2012. For example, the "Wizard of Oz" exhibit at National Museum of Play is included this year, and is arguably the loosest interpretation of the theme.

The slackening of the theme might seem odd, and leave the shows no different from standard gallery openings over the course of a couple of months. Consider, though, that "Thaw" serves as more than a collection of shows under a thematic umbrella - it is another way to spread awareness to the public about what local art institutions have to offer.

When Kathrine Page, then-director of the Davison Gallery at Roberts Wesleyan, founded the RGDF in 1997, her vision was "to create a group of people who could gather regularly to network, freely share ideas, offer support, and encourage gallery/museum best practices," she says. She initiated "Thaw" in 2011 with the aim of creating "an area-wide collaboration of galleries who would band together and display art in a variety of media and expressions all based on one, united theme," she says.

Page hoped "Thaw" would generate awareness of the Rochester art scene and its many talented artists, build community within the RGDF, and that the Rochester community "would realize that we are a stronger and more viable art scene when we work together than when we remain isolated individuals or isolated gallery spaces," she says.

As a result, Page says that the RGDF saw an increase in membership during and after last year's "Thaw" events, and there was another recent surge of new members as preparations for this year's series sped up. Although there are no exact numbers, organizers estimate that roughly 60 individuals are currently participating in the Forum, representing almost as many local spaces.

Another major change for "Thaw" 2012 is in its leadership. In the summer of 2011, Page left her job at Roberts Wesleyan for a position as gallery manager of The Glass Menagerie Gallery in Corning. To replace her as head of the RGDF, Page chose Cynthia Hawkins, a recent transplant from Pennsylvania who serves as director of galleries at SUNY Geneseo, and has a masters degree in museum studies from Seton Hall.

"I felt like I was handing over my child, whom I would no longer be able to take care of," says Page. "It was difficult, but, unfortunately, I had to do it."

As director of the Forum, Hawkins is able to offer expertise and insight gained from her background in museum studies to the other organization directors. The public also benefits from the mutual advice and support that participating directors offer one another, in that each venue can offer stronger shows. She says that she benefits from the organization in that the meetings - held at a different art venue each month - as well as the "Thaw" exhibits, draw her away from Geneseo to other areas of the city.

For Hawkins, the meaning of "Thaw" has evolved to not just be about the onset of springtime, but "ideally, about a new beginning," she says. Each participating venue links up with the regional group to showcase their new offerings. The purpose of the Forum is to encourage best practices in Rochester's galleries, to increase audiences, and to lean on one another for advice and support.

In looking back, Page lists the challenges of running the RGDF as including getting busy members to accept additional responsibility, and the constant communication and follow-up necessary to get members to carry out what is requested of them. The benefits include the educational resources offered by the group, and the "addictive" enthusiasm of others.

"It was fun for me to see other gallery directors soak up ideas and tips from others like a sponge," says Page. "I think there is a semblance of interest, and I hope a growing interest and in what we are doing: networking, dialogue, and mutual support that was not there before."

I've heard it from a prominent Rochester artist that trying to organize art folk can be likened to trying to herd cats. Hawkins echoes the challenges that Page expressed, noting that it can be difficult to delegate responsibilities with a project like "Thaw" since everyone, including herself, is so busy running their spaces, teaching, and continuing to create their own artwork. She says that the Directors' Forum may move toward having a committee of directors instead of just a single guiding force, but many members like the informality of the group and a board of directors is not necessarily desired by everyone.

This year, the leadership of the RGDF has already become a bit of a triad, says Hawkins, with essential support coming from Beth Bloom, who runs the Gallery at Equal=Grounds, and Sabra Wood, of Crocus Clay Works. Hawkins says that Bloom and Wood have been integral in helping her follow up with Forum members regarding "Thaw" plans, and Wood in particular has taken on the bulk of the increasingly important social-media work.

"Although the Forum has been an established group, ‘Thaw' is still a very young show," says Wood. "I'm very happy that the Forum remained committed to ‘Thaw,' and that participation is up over last year. I think that there is so much potential for this collaborative event to continue, to evolve, and be a wonderful coming-together of the arts scene in the winter doldrums."

"We ask that non-First Friday participants have their openings at other times over the two months," says Wood, who is tied to the city-based Hungerford Building during the monthly gallery nights, hosting shows by local artists at Crocus Clay Works. "This means that I actually get to see some of the shows," Wood says, and it also means that the First Friday gallery-hopping crowd can still take advantage of openings at venues outside city later in the months.

Hawkins says that she would like to continue the annual "Thaw" series, though it might take another shape or be called something else in the future. For now, it's a symbol that people can attach to their spaces in order to unify the organization, but it's "still evolving," she says. Hawkins describes the Forum as a great organization that has the potential to illustrate the volume of art in this area, and Rochester as a very engaging, packed-with-artistic-talent, city. In fact, she names it as the best place for the arts that she's lived since New York City. "The arts will only grow here," she says.

"Thaw" 2012 Exhibition Guide

Anderson Alley Artists 250 N. Goodman St. Select days in February and March: Second Saturdays and Arti-Gras. Visit 10 to 15 working artists in their studios, see demos. (Feb 11 & March 10, noon-4 p.m.; March 2, 7-9 p.m.; March 3, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. 737-2627, acwartillery@rochester.rr.com.)

Bertha V.B. Lederer Gallery Brodie Fine Arts, SUNY Geneseo, 1 College Circle, Brodie Hall. Through March 3: "From the Studio: 2012 Faculty Exhibition." (Mon-Thu 12:30-3:30 p.m., Fri-Sat 12:30-5:30 p.m. 245-5813, geneseo.edu/galleries.)

Center at High Falls Gallery 60 Browns Race. March dates TBD: "Roc Thaw: 9 Oil Paintings of a Warmer Rochester" by Jim Mott. (Wed-Fri 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sat noon-6 p.m., Sun 1-5 p.m. 325-2030, centerathighfalls.org.)

Crocus Clay Works Gallery Hungerford Building Door #2, Suite 225, 1115 E. Main St. Through February 25: "Residual Time: Thaw @ Crocus Clay Works," featuring hand-crafted fine jewelry by Seth Michael Carlson. | March 2-31: "Anti Freeze: Thaw @ Crocus," featuring "Creature Comfort" by Giraffe Jumble, a collaborative series of decals-on-vintage-china works by Sabra Wood and Nancy Topolski, and works by Jennifer Buckley. The reception takes place Friday, March 2, 5-9 p.m. (Tue-Wed 5-8 p.m., Sat 10 a.m.-3 p.m., or by appointment. 469-8217, crocusclayworks.com.)

Davison Gallery Roberts Wesleyan College, 2265 Westside Drive. March 5-April 5: "Thaw: Realms and Origins," paintings by Jim Condron and Alberto Rey. A reception will take place Monday, March 12, 5-7 p.m. (Mon-Fri 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Sat 1-4 p.m. roberts.edu.)

Firehouse Gallery at Genesee Pottery 713 Monroe Ave. Through February 24: "Seconds from the Flame," pottery seconds sale. (Mon-Fri 10 a.m.-5 p.m. 217-5183, geneseearts.org.)

Gallery @ Equal=Grounds 750 South Ave. Through February 29: "Tenors: REDUX by Bracketed Exposures," photography by Don Menges, Gil Maker, and George Wallace. | March 2-31: "MUG Shots 2012," a celebration of Equal=Grounds customers, their creativity, and an Equal=Grounds Mug. Opening Friday, March 2, 7-9 p.m. (Tue-Fri 7 a.m.-midnight, Sat-Sun 10 a.m.-midnight. gallery@equalgrounds.com.)

Gallery Salon & Spa 780 University Ave. Through February: works by Adrien Tucker. (Tue-Thu 11 a.m.-8 p.m., Fri 11 a.m.-7 p.m., Sat 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m. 271-8340, galleryhair.com.)

Hungerford Urban Artisans 1115 E. Main St. March 3-10: "Flux2," a showcase exhibit, with work from each participating artist in the Hungerford. Reception Friday, March 2, 6-9 p.m. (Saturdays 11 a.m.-3 p.m. facebook.com/huastudios.)

Image City Photography Gallery 722 University Ave. March 21-April 15: "High School Show" and "Thaw." Image City Gallery partners will present works within the theme of Thaw during the High School Show, which features images by students from 18 high schools. (Wed-Sat 11 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sun noon-4 p.m. 482-1976, imagecityphotographygallery.com.)

JGK Galleries 10 Vick Park A. Through March 23: "Photocentric," exhibition featuring the cast glass work of Joshua Hershman and the combination photography with slumped glass of Carrie Zeller. (Tue, Thu, Sat-Sun 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Wed 4-8 p.m. 734-6581, jgkgalleries.com.)

Lockhart Gallery SUNY Geneseo, McClellan House, 26 Main St., Geneseo. Through March 8: "Flora and Fauna: Narrative through Iconography." (Mon-Thu 12:30-3:30 p.m.; Fri-Sat 12:30-5:30 p.m. geneseo.edu.)

Mercer Gallery Monroe Community College, 1000 E. Henrietta Road. Through February 24: "Luvon Sheppard: Allegorical ‘Visual Relationships.'" | March 2-30: Alfred Quiroz "Jingoisms," socio-political and personal satirical works that tackle American wars as well as the way in which the world "war" is overused. Gallery talk Friday, March 2, at noon; opening reception March 2 7-9 p.m. (Mon, Wed, Fri 10 a.m.-5 p.m. & Tue, Thu 10 a.m.-7 p.m. 292-2021, monroecc.edu/depts/vapa/mercer/about.htm.)

Nazareth College Arts Center Gallery 4245 East Ave. Through Mar 10: "Enlightened Earth: The Ceramics Invitational." (Wed-Sun 1-8 p.m. 389-5073, naz.edu.)

Nazareth College Colacino Gallery 4245 East Ave. Through Mar 3: DeLucia & Winkie. (Wed-Sat noon-5 p.m. 389-5073, naz.edu.)

Shoe Factory Co-op 250 N. Goodman St., Studio 212. Through February 25: "Unconditional Love: Cats & Dogs," World Spay Day art exhibit | March 2-28: "Follow Your Bliss," solo show featuring landscapes, illustrations, and imaginative paintings by Phil Bliss. Reception Friday, March 2, 6-9 p.m. (Wed-Sat noon-5 p.m., second Saturdays noon-4 p.m. studio212@shoefactoryarts.com, shoefactoryarts.com.)

Strong National Museum of Play 1 Manhattan Square. Through May 13: "The Wizard of Oz" traveling interactive exhibit. Special events: Saturday-Sunday, February 11-12: make valentines with the Tin Man; Saturday-Sunday, March 24-25: Wizard of Oz Weekend; Friday, April 6-Sunday, April 15: School-Break Week in Munchkinland. (Mon-Thu 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Fri-Sat 10 a.m.-8 p.m., Sun noon-5 p.m. 263-2700, thestrong.org. $10-12.)

Studio 34 Creative Arts Center and Gallery 34 Elton St. Through March 31: "Feel the Heat! Artists Who Work Hot, Hotter, Hottest." February artist in residence: Joe DeVito (glassblowing); March artists in residence: Peggy Zukaitis (glass blowing) and Patricia Roach (metals artist). (Thu-Fri noon-8 p.m., Sat 10 a.m.-4 p.m. 737-5858, studio34beads.com.)

Visual Studies Workshop 31 Prince St. Through March 18: "The Aesthetics of Atrocity: Survivors," Rochester-based refugees tell their story of survival of the 2004 Gatumba massacre in Congo through numerous audio and written testimonies, a documentary video, and portraits of survivors by first-time photographers and Banyamulengue youth survivors Sandra Uwiringiy'imana and Alex Ngabo. Free lectures and screening events February 8, 22, 29, and March 7, and 14, all events at 7 p.m. at VSW's Auditorium. (Thu 5-8 p.m., Sat-Sun noon-5 p.m. 442-8676, vsw.org.)

Williams-Insalaco Gallery 34 at FLCC, 3325 Marvin Sands Dr., Canandaigua. Through March 9: "Sue Coe: 30-Year Retrospective Exhibition in Prints." (Mon-Thu 8:30 a.m.-9 p.m., Fri 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m., Sat-Sun noon-5 p.m. 394-3500 x7369, gallery34@flcc.edu.)