Featuring more than 130 paintings and five sketchbooks, ATLAS offers an intimate look at Rey’s recent five-month expedition across 14 countries and 22 UNESCO World Heritage sites. The exhibition, a rich source of knowledge, blends illustrated journal entries with new paintings, drawings, and ceramic works inspired by his travels, alongside selected pieces from earlier series that chart his evolution as both artist and educator.

Each piece serves as both a record and a reflection — moments of observation transformed into meditations on culture, place, and the fragile relationship between people and the natural world. Rey’s meticulous brushwork and layered compositions reveal an artist attuned not only to the aesthetics of landscape but also to the environmental stories they hold.

“Art has the power to help people see the world differently,” Rey has often said of his work. “I want to create a space where beauty draws you in — but understanding keeps you there.”

Born in Cuba and raised in Western New York, Rey’s perspective has always been global yet grounded. Over the years, he has become internationally recognized for his unique ability to merge artistic expression with scientific research and environmental advocacy. His past projects have explored themes such as the contamination and restoration of waterways, the preservation of endangered fish species, and the cultural histories embedded in the landscapes we inhabit, connecting us to a broader world.

Matt Mateos Matt Mateosian Illustration The Alberto Rey “Atlas” Exhibit is currently on display at the Marion Art Gallery, SUNY Fredonia, through Nov. 21. The educational exhibit features paintings, sketchbooks, pottery, and stories inspired by a five-month trip around the world, by Alberto Rey and his wife, Janeil.ian IllustrationThe Alberto Rey “Atlas” Exhibit is currently on display at the Marion Art Gallery, SUNY Fredonia, through Nov. 21. The educational exhibit features paintings, sketchbooks, pottery, and stories inspired by a five-month trip around the world, by Alberto Rey and his wife, Janeil.

That commitment to environmental education is just as evident outside the gallery. As an Orvis-endorsed fly-fishing guide, Rey leads workshops that combine art, ecology, and the meditative rhythm of casting a line. He frequently offers free classes for children and adults, teaching stream ecology, fly-tying, and fly-fishing to connect people — especially young learners — to the outdoors. I was fortunate to spend a day fishing with Rey several years ago, and my memories of that trip are etched into my personal atlas of best days on the stream. His approach is rooted in humility and accessibility. Those who have met him describe an artist whose easygoing nature and passion for sharing knowledge make him as comfortable in a classroom or on a streambank as in a museum.

In ATLAS, that generosity of spirit comes through in every sketchbook and canvas. Many of the journal pages are filled with handwritten reflections, maps, and studies of light and texture gathered during his recent travels. The works capture not only the visual splendor of places like Morocco, Japan, and Italy but also the underlying questions of how humans engage with history, nature, and cultural heritage.

Rey’s ability to navigate between the scientific and the spiritual has made his work resonate with audiences worldwide. His paintings, often grounded in realism, transcend the documentary to become meditations on time, loss, and renewal. Whether depicting a quiet river bend in Chautauqua County or a sacred site halfway around the world, Rey’s work invites viewers to look more closely–and care more deeply, fostering a deep emotional connection.

As both a professor at SUNY Fredonia (recently retired) and a practicing artist, Rey continues to model what it means to live a life of purpose and curiosity. His students often note how his global perspective enriches his teaching, challenging them to see connections between creative expression, environmental science, and social responsibility.

ATLAS is not just a retrospective — it is a living record of Rey’s ongoing exploration. It celebrates not only where he has been, but where his questions continue to lead. The exhibition reminds viewers that art can serve as both a map and a compass, guiding us through the complex terrain of our shared planet.

For visitors to the Marion Art Gallery, the experience promises more than an exhibition–it’s an invitation to journey alongside one of Western New York’s most dynamic and internationally acclaimed artists. Through ATLAS, Alberto Rey continues to prove that the most meaningful explorations begin not in distant lands, but in the curiosity and care we bring to the world around us.

The Marion Art Gallery is located at SUNY Fredonia through November 21, 2025. Gallery Hours are Tuesday-Thursday noon to 4 p.m., Friday-Saturday noon to 6 p.m. For more information visit www.fredonia.edu.