For Immediate Release
October 31, 2025

Suffolk County Community College Presents "James J. A. Mercer: Without Thinking" at the Michael J. Grant Campus in Brentwood

Untitled, 2024, oil on canvas, 28 x 28” is a sample of the work that will be on display at James J. A. Mercer: Without Thinking at Suffolk County Community College’s Sagtikos Art Gallery on the Michael J. Grant Campus in Brentwood from November 19, 2025 - January 26, 2026. For a hi-res image, visit: https://photos.app.goo.gl/XBB1N5Lx2x8hfEQw8

Suffolk County Community College is pleased to announce “James J. A. Mercer: Without Thinking”, an exhibition of paintings and animations by New York-based artist James J. A. Mercer. The exhibition will be on view from November 19, 2025, through January 26, 2026, at the Sagtikos Art Gallery, located in the Sagtikos Arts and Science Building, Room 150, on the Michael J. Grant Campus in Brentwood.

An Opening Reception will be held on Wednesday, November 19, from 12:30 to 2:00 p.m. During the event, James J. A. Mercer will offer a presentation about his work, providing insight into his creative process and sharing behind-the-scenes perspectives on his artmaking practice. Light refreshments will be served, and all are welcome to attend.

“Without Thinking” will feature Mercer’s enigmatic animations and paintings, which explore the intersections of perception, memory, and abstraction. Mercer’s work often bridges traditional and digital media, evoking both the spontaneity of gesture and the precision of animation.

James J. A. Mercer is a New York-based artist working in painting, drawing, and animation. He received an MFA from Columbia University and a BFA from the Rhode Island School of Design. His work has been exhibited at Meliksetian Briggs, Picture Theory, the Roswell Museum, Pioneer Works, and The Drawing Center. Mercer’s collaborative animations with artist Yifan Jiang have been shown at theInternational Film Festival Rotterdam, Slamdance, and the Eyeworks Festival.

Gallery Hours:

Monday – Friday: 12:00 – 4:00 p.m.

Saturday, December 6 & Saturday, December 13: 10:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Other hours available by appointment.

Admission: Free

For additional information, please contact the Sagtikos Art Gallery at (631) 851-6380.

About Suffolk County Community College

Suffolk County Community College is the largest, most comprehensive community college in the State University of New York (SUNY) system, enrolling more than 26,000 students in over 100 degree and certificate programs. With approximately 145,000 alumni, Suffolk County Community College is dedicated to meeting the demands of regional employers. The college has built an extensive track record of successfully training and educating its students through pathways from high school to college and into careers.