Skip to main content
  • Home
  • About
  • Faculty Experts
  • For The Media
  • ’Cuse Conversations Podcast
  • Topics
    • Alumni
    • Events
    • Faculty
    • Students
    • All Topics
  • Contact
  • Submit
Arts & Culture
  • All News
  • Arts & Culture
  • Business & Economy
  • Campus & Community
  • Health & Society
  • Media, Law & Policy
  • STEM
  • Veterans
  • University Statements
  • Syracuse University Impact
  • |
  • The Peel
  • Athletics
Sections
  • All News
  • Arts & Culture
  • Business & Economy
  • Campus & Community
  • Health & Society
  • Media, Law & Policy
  • STEM
  • Veterans
  • University Statements
  • Syracuse University Impact
  • |
  • The Peel
  • Athletics
  • Home
  • About
  • Faculty Experts
  • For The Media
  • ’Cuse Conversations Podcast
  • Topics
    • Alumni
    • Events
    • Faculty
    • Students
    • All Topics
  • Contact
  • Submit
Arts & Culture

Argentina Trip Inspires Staff Member’s Artistic Creations

Wednesday, June 1, 2016, By Kathleen Haley
Share
On My Own Time Awards Reception 2016

Kirstin Guanciale, staff member in the Payroll Service Center, was given the Most Popular award for her artwork at the On My Own Time awards reception in May. Photo by Steve Sartori

Along with her two sons grown, Kirstin Guanciale took time for herself, for a little adventure and some self-discovery.

Guanciale, a senior payroll specialist in the Payroll Service Center, traveled to Argentina last fall for a volunteer opportunity in which she worked with seniors in a community center.

Along with enjoying her time engaging with the men and women, the experience allowed her to learn a different type of art and gain some new perspectives. The new skill garnered her the vote of Most Popular artwork at the campus’s On My Own Time exhibition in May.

Kirstin Guanciale and friend

Kirstin Guanciale poses with a community member during a trip last fall to Argentina, where she volunteered at a senior center.

“The people were incredibly generous and incredibly full of joy,” Guanciale says. “I think I took back more from the people than I gave.”

Guanciale had always wanted to travel since she was in college, but raising a family with her husband, Tony, put things on hold for a while. More recently, with both sons, Jamie and Lane, in college, she decided to take the time to pursue traveling and tie in volunteering.

Guanciale invited her former college roommate, Ginny Moccia, to travel with her to Argentina. They signed up with an international volunteer website, which placed them in a small village, Ville Allende.

They spent the first two days in Buenos Aires and then traveled to Ville Allende, where they stayed for two weeks in a hostel setting. The two friends went to the senior center each day to spend time with the community members—engaging them through crafts, having conversations and taking part in special events, such as a special Mother’s Day party.

“It was just so lively and so much fun,” Guanciale says. “It was a simple setting, but there was so much life and joy there.”

It also became clear quickly that personal relationships are especially valued in that culture. “If someone walked in a room, they gave every single person a kiss,” Guanciale says. “It didn’t matter if you knew the person or not; that human connection is very important to them.”

Guanciale would often spend time with a retired art teacher. “She was always painting or drawing. I was an art major as a freshman in college, so I gravitated to that,” she says.

“We would sit together and she showed me a technique she used. She outlined flower petals on a heavy cardboard-like paper. She used tools to carve up edges around the picture, creating an outline that became three-dimensional,” Guanciale says. The raised pieces are then painted.

Guanciale with others at art table

Kirstin Guanciale and a community member, Kristol, display their artwork during Guanciale’s trip to Argentina.

“She encouraged me to try it and I just kind of took to it and kept with it until I finished the piece,” Guanciale says.

Guanciale, who draws and paints, also is interested in photography and focused her lens on the many dogs that roam the village. “There are dogs everywhere; they coexist with the people,” Guanciale says. “I took a ton of pictures of the dogs, which I might make into a collage.”

This spring, when she saw the posting for the On My Own Time exhibition for faculty and staff in the Noble Room at Hendricks Chapel, she decided to submit the artwork she created in Argentina. “I had always seen it every year, but I just hadn’t the time to really create anything,” Guanciale says.

Her piece, “Floración Argentina,” was voted the Most Popular by visitors to the Noble Room.

“I was surprised. It was really nice to be honored that way,” Guanciale says.

Her future plans are to continue with art and pursue traveling. Her oldest son is headed to the Peace Corps and, at some point, she and her husband hope to meet up with him, possibly in Romania or Greece.

“Definitely I want to do more trips—that’s my life dream,” Guanciale says.

Kirstin Guanciale at waterfalls

Kirstin Guanciale visited Iguazu Falls during her trip to Argentina.

 

  • Author

Kathleen Haley

  • Recent
  • Syracuse Views Fall 2025
    Monday, August 25, 2025, By News Staff
  • University’s Human Dynamics Programs Realign to Strengthen Collaboration and Community Impact
    Monday, August 25, 2025, By News Staff
  • Falk College of Sport Driving Innovation and Excellence in Sport-Related Industries (Podcast)
    Monday, August 25, 2025, By John Boccacino
  • 2025 Welcome Week in Photos
    Monday, August 25, 2025, By News Staff
  • School of Architecture Announces Fall 2025 Visiting Critics
    Monday, August 25, 2025, By Julie Sharkey

More In Arts & Culture

University’s Human Dynamics Programs Realign to Strengthen Collaboration and Community Impact

Over the summer, four academic disciplines focused on preparing students as professionals in the human, health and social services fields (formerly housed in the David B. Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics) transitioned to new academic homes across the…

Falk College of Sport Driving Innovation and Excellence in Sport-Related Industries (Podcast)

David B. Falk College of Sport Dean Jeremy Jordan looks at the academics of sport through four lenses: business, human performance, technology and community well-being. Innovation and novel ideas drive all those areas in this first-of-its-kind college to focus on sport-connected…

2025 Welcome Week in Photos

Welcome Week festivities were held last week, as new members of the Orange community had the chance to explore all Syracuse has to offer. From moving in to their residence halls to swaying to the alma mater for the first…

School of Architecture Announces Fall 2025 Visiting Critics

Each semester, upper-level architecture students participate in the visiting critic program that brings leading architects and scholars from around the world to the school. Five studios will be held on campus this fall. Ashley Bigham & Erik Herrmann (Outpost Office)…

Heartfelt Gift Recognizes Accomplished Alumna and 3 Generations of Orange

William Pelton and Mary Jane Massie have created the Barringer Pelton Public Service Graduate Scholarship to honor their niece, Jody Barringer ’95, L’98, G’08 (M.P.A.), and support future public servants. After working for a few years as an attorney focused…

Subscribe to SU Today

If you need help with your subscription, contact sunews@syr.edu.

Connect With Us

  • X
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Youtube
  • LinkedIn
Social Media Directory

For the Media

Find an Expert Follow @SyracuseUNews
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Youtube
  • LinkedIn
  • @SyracuseU
  • @SyracuseUNews
  • Social Media Directory
  • Accessibility
  • Privacy
  • Campus Status
  • Syracuse.edu
© 2025 Syracuse University News. All Rights Reserved.