About Celeste  

This city has long been run by a few, for the sake of a few. I want a Utica that works for all of us. 

I originally moved to Utica to teach at Hamilton College. I fell in love with my South Utica neighborhood through Café Domenico. It was there that I made my first Utica friends and imagined myself putting down roots here. I think of the Café as my gateway to Utica, and I bought a house right up the street.

I currently teach classes on society and politics at SUNY Polytechnic Institute. I also own a small business, Celeste Friend Designs, where I design, produce, and market my own line of sterling silver jewelry. Through my business, I have been engaged in the local arts community, and for years I have been a member of Cazenovia Artisans, a regional arts gallery and cooperative. I operate my business out of Four Elements Studio in downtown Utica, where I have a bird’s-eye view of City Hall. 

My work has made it clear that the arts drive the economy, and there is great potential to transform South Utica into a successful arts district. I’m lucky to live where Genesee Street intersects Emerson Avenue. Just a short walk from my doorstep there are restaurants, a café, a gallery, and a theater. 

This is my first time seeking elected office. My vision is to build a brighter Utica with less potholes and more flowers, where there are places for people to congregate and there is no shortage of arts and culture programming. I’m running to create a robust democracy in Utica where citizens are active in their government, politicians pick up their phones, and the process is transparent. 



Early voting begins on October 26th and Election Day is November 5th.

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Contacts

Email:   celeste4utica@gmail.com
Phone:      315-725-5987
​Facebook:  Celeste Friend For Utica Common Council