Featured Mohawk Valley Artist: Maria Vallese

Mohawk Valley artists beautify spaces in cities, towns and villages throughout the region’s six counties. This week’s Featured Mohawk Valley artist is Maria Vallese!

If you’ve lived in the Mohawk Valley for a little while you’ve likely come across some mural, painting, or special space created by this weeks local featured artists.

About Maria Vallese

Maria Vallese is an illustrator and artist living in Central NY. She is a 2010 graduate of Rochester Institute of Technology with a B.F.A. in Illustration.

Maria specializes in color-saturated artwork and illustrations, inspired by landscapes, building architecture, interesting places and people, pop-culture and a little bit of nostalgia.

Retro Sorrento

In 2009 Maria founded Retro Sorrento, which combines her art and freelance illustration business with her handmade designs.

Maria has worked with businesses locally, nation wide, and internationally to develop illustrations for brands and products. She also takes on private commissions for murals, building illustrations, event posters and more.

Some of Maria’s notable clients include Saranac Brewery, Annie’s Homegrown, The Mohawk Valley Garlic and Herb Festival, Stowe Cider, and Utica Coffee Roasting. You can also find Maria’s work on buildings throughout the Mohawk Valley, most notably her 1,500 square foot mural at Players Theatre in Utica, in coordination with Utica Monday Night.

The Art Thing Collaborative Team

Maria is one of the many local artists who contribute in many of the events and installations spearheaded by The Art Thing Collaborative. Marie has participated in the Art War challenge during the Mohawk Valley Gives University Kickoff event, and was a major contributor to the Stone Soup Community Mural Project in Herkimer, NY!

Holiday Open Studio on December 21, 2025

Maria can be found at many of the local markets and vendor fairs across the area during the holiday season. Additionally, Retro Sorrento will hold its 2025 Holiday Open Studio on December 20 and 21, 2025! You can join Maria at her studio where there will be some exclusive merchandise and prints available along with works in progress on display. Maria will be there to answer your questions about her work and what she offers. You can connect with Maria through her social media and website.

Many thanks to Maria for  sharing her creativity, artwork and inspiration with our Mohawk Valley community!