02/27/2026
Serene, macabre, and scientific—all words that describe the wide array of works produced by Lee Brown Coye, an artist whose work is now featured at a special exhibition at the Destiny USA Mall in Syracuse. The model featured in the exhibition, "The Blue Whale Coffee House," is inspired by the coffee houses of colonial New England and New York.
In the fall, Oscar Brown ‘26 dove into Coye’s world of art, operating as the Research Lead for the exhibition. He worked closely with archives in the Onondaga Historical Society and Colgate’s Special Collections and University Archives to unravel the artist, his work, and the mysteries of “The Blue Whale Coffee House.”
Coye, who worked in Hamilton and spent much time on Colgate's campus, was a Central New York-born artist who today is remembered for his macabre illustrations for prominent horror stories, yet throughout his career depicted the history and culture of Central New York. Coye’s “The Blue Whale Coffee House” is now on display through a collaborative effort by Picker Art Gallery, the Onondaga Historical Association, and Syracuse University. Read more about the project here: https://www.cnyhistory.org/programs/lee-brown-coyes-the-blue-whale-coffee-house/.
