As a child growing up in Chautauqua, I wanted to be a dancer and a clothing designer.  Then I noticed that the world was troubled and thought I should figure out what it most needed and do that.  Art didn’t seem to be the answer.  So I had a conflict.  Then I heard “Beauty is truth and truth beauty…”  After much reflection I found deep meaning in that perspective, and went to art school, graduating in 1969 from the San Francisco Art Institute, earning a BFA with a major in sculpture.  For the next many years between then and now I have had a variety of businesses centering around artistic expression.  In 1992 while living in New York City, I started Cynthia Norton Designs, designing and producing hand-painted clothing for high-end stores and sophisticated private customers.  Now once again living year-round in Chautauqua, with a studio in my home, I do craft shows, open studio events and other shows such as this one at CVA.