The future gets a Y2K-inspired makeover in a new art show opening this weekend at ARTicles Gallery (1234 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. St. N.). On Saturday, August 1, from 5 to 7 pm, Paths Like Past shows off a new body of work by local artist Vanessa Cunto.
The artwork feels both familiar and futuristic. Cunto reimagines traditional Pennsylvania Dutch folk icons in a hyper-realistic chrome style, creating pieces that capture the shiny optimism of the Y2K era while exploring what progress could look like in the years ahead. Beyond the fun nostalgia factor, Paths Like Past asks a big question: What could the future look like if technology progressed without working against the natural world?
ADVERTISEMENT
Looking back, thinking ahead
This exhibit was created through a 2026 Individual Artist Grant awarded to Cunto by Creative Pinellas, in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts in recognition of America’s 250th anniversary. Cunto explained the inspiration behind the series:
“America has always branded itself around the promise of a better future, and it is central to the country’s identity. The Y2K era was one expression of that quintessentially American optimism, with the belief that technology and progress would deliver something better for everyone. This project looks back at that moment and asks what it would mean to carry that same hopefulness forward but redirect it. Not toward unchecked technological growth, but toward a future that works with the natural world…”
If you remember the excitement of the year 2000, you’ll feel right at home with Cunto’s large-format drawings. The chrome finishes and futuristic details capture a time when the future was imagined in shiny silver and endless potential. Whether you remember the sound of dial-up internet or know the period through boy bands and butterfly chairs, the artwork offers a fresh take on the possibilities of the millennial era.
Large scale, fine detail
Beyond the show’s big ideas, Cunto’s technical skill is hard to miss. With a background that includes a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Florida and 15 years’ experience as an art director and stylist, Cunto creates her highly detailed graphite drawings using graphite powder and specialized papers. Her process results in an impressive level of realism, giving each piece a strong sense of depth and texture.
The scale of the works adds to their impact. Up close, it’s easy to appreciate the intricate detail that goes into each drawing, transforming familiar folk symbols into something entirely new.
Visit this weekend
Paths Like Past will be on display from August 1-4 at ARTicles Gallery, with the opening reception this Saturday evening from 5 to 7 pm. For more Y2K-inspired visuals and details about future exhibitions, follow Vanessa Cunto on Instagram.
