Let the Place Speak: A Conversation with Cheryl Agulnick Hochberg

It’s always a gift when life comes full circle. In this episode of Art & Cocktails, I had the joy of sitting down with my former professor and incredible artist Cheryl Agulnick Hochberg.

Cheryl is a painter and printmaker whose work explores the layered stories of place—the people, ecology, wildlife, and land that shape our world. She begins each body of work as a stranger to her subject, spending time walking, listening, and observing, letting the land and its rhythm speak before stepping into the studio. Her practice spans painting, printmaking, installation, and public art, each format honoring the unique character of the places she’s come to know.

Her work has been shaped by an impressive list of artist residencies, including Ucross and Jentel Arts in Wyoming, Summerlake in Oregon, Guttenberg Arts in New Jersey, the Guanlan Printmaking Base in China, and most recently, the Ratamo Center in Finland. Cheryl’s prints have been exhibited both nationally and internationally, and her studio practice was recently featured in the Smithsonian Channel’s ArtNation series.

For nearly three decades, Cheryl taught at Kutztown University, where she served as Professor and Chair of the Art & Art History Department. She retired in 2018 with Professor Emeritus status and has since embraced full-time studio life.

In our conversation, we talk about her transition out of academia, the freedom (and challenges) of starting over, and what it means to build a creative life on your own terms. We reflect on our time working together during my student years and explore what it takes to sustain a meaningful practice—especially in a world full of noise, pressure, and shifting expectations.

Whether you're just starting out or reimagining what comes next, Cheryl’s story offers a grounded, honest, and healing perspective on what it truly means to be an artist.

👉 Learn more about Cheryl at www.cherylagulnick.com