Brianna Bernas, “Breathing In and Out”, April 24–May 30, 2026

Dealing with the mental and emotional exhaustion that comes from high anxiety, perfectionism, and living in perpetual fear due to past negative experiences has been a process of positive but also painful change over the past few years. From putting on a display of stability to breaking down the next moment, this work captures my experience of learning to live with and accept the lack of control over the body and mind when in a state of panic.

From strain to regrowth and the tiny moments of light peering through the darkness, there can be beauty found in both the good and bad in life. This series of woven and felted pieces looks to the body and nature for symbols of adaptability and strength to challenge notions of emotional resilience and what it means to be “soft” in the face of hardship.

Artist Bio

Brianna Bernas is an Art and Design B.F.A. double major in Fibers and Art History and a member of the Muriel A. Howard Honors Program at Buffalo State University.

Her work spans a vast variety of mediums, ranging from weaving, wet felting, needle felting, dyeing, sewing, screen printing, pencil and pen and ink drawing, painting, and mixed media sculpture. By combining skill sets in each field of study and learning new techniques and new media, she is constantly growing as an artist. Through highlighting social injustices, drawing connections between the past and present, and depicting themes related to nature or her personal experiences, she sees strength and beauty in the places, people, and experiences that are perfectly unique because of each crack or mend in their seams. The act of physically forming a piece of cloth or any other art object from scratch, building a living story through only threads or tufts of wool, is healing, empowering, and allows us to form a deeper appreciation of everyday objects around us.

She is a recipient of numerous artistic and academic awards, including the Dorothy Zautner Buley Weaving Fellowship, Dr. Margaret E. Bacon Best in Studio Award, and Nancy Belfer Fiber Design Scholarship at Buffalo State University. Her historical research on Late Medieval and Early Renaissance tapestry weaving techniques has been supported by grants allowing her to study tapestries at The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Her dedication to understanding the importance of textiles and other art forms in the context of sociopolitical events, as well as the personal emotional stories behind their creation and tumultuous lives, has inspired her to pursue a future in textile conservation.

Born and raised in Buffalo, New York, her work has been displayed at Buffalo Arts Studio, Hallwalls, Buffalo Book Arts Center, and the Larkin at Exchange Building, and can frequently be seen at the Czurles-Nelson Gallery.

Press Release available here.