By Philo Yunrui Wang
At Einstein Bros. Bagels on SUNY Plattsburgh’s campus, students often come for a quick caffeine fix between classes, but some leave with more than just a cup of coffee — a tiny piece of art. Behind the counter, barista Andrew Circelli, a 2012 graphic design graduate of SUNY Plattsburgh, transforms everyday coffee lids into small, hand-drawn treasures.
It all began this Halloween when Circelli decided to draw 99 dragon faces with cheerful “Happy Halloween” messages on lids for students.
“I just wanted to do something nice for them,” he said. “Chartwells does the decorations and gives out candy, but I feel like it’s not personal. I wanted to show the students that I care.”
That day, his hand hurt from the effort, but the reaction from students made it worth it.
“I remember a couple of people noticed, and it warmed my heart,” Circelli said.
But those 99 lids were just the beginning.
DRAGONS ON LIDS
Dragons are a recurring theme in Circelli’s art.
“They’ve always been my favorite,” he said. “In the West, they’re symbols of greed, but I prefer the ones that are kind — dragons that give you gold or even give you a hug.”
Drawing on lids, however, is no easy feat.
“The material’s not meant for pens. I’ve burned through a lot of them trying to make it work,” he said. “But I’m stubborn, so I make it work.”
Circelli’s designs have become increasingly intricate. He creates these pieces in his free time at home, refusing to let his art interfere with work.
“I don’t risk drawing on lids during work hours,” he said. “I bring them home and then bring them back to give out randomly.”
CARAMEL BUTTON
Circelli’s care for students extends beyond his artwork. If a kiosk malfunctions or an option disappears from the menu, he would notice and take action. There was one student who came in every day for hot chocolate with caramel, but one day the caramel syrup button vanished from the kiosk.
“I told him, ‘I know your receipt initials. I’ll add it for you every time,’” Circelli said. “When the IT guy finally came, I made sure that was the first thing we addressed. And then the student came and he saw it — he had such a big smile on his face.”
These small gestures reflect his philosophy of work.
“Students have enough to deal with. They’re rushing between classes, stressed about their day,” he said. “If I can make them smile, even for a second, then I’m doing something right.”
OLD-FASHIONED ARTIST
Despite his talent, Circelli considers himself “invisible” in today’s fast-moving online art world. The digital art program that Circelli uses was released 20 years ago.
“I still use Flash MX 2004,” he said. “It’s old, but it works. I want to upgrade, but I wouldn’t know where to start.”
Alexjohn Rodriguez, another staff member at Einstein Bros. Bagels, said: “I once saw Andrew stick some doodles of dragons on the trash. I asked him, ‘They’re really nice; can I take them home?’ Now, I keep them all in a book in my backpack.”
Circelli’s hesitance to share his work stems from his modesty.
“People tell me my art’s good, but then I look at artists who do Magic: The Gathering cards and think that my stuff is baby compared to that.”
His love for creating hasn’t faded, even as he juggles the demands of his job.
“Most of my work is doodles and sketches,” he said. “My primary hobby is world-building. I once spent three years figuring out how an organic engine would work for a dragon merged with a fighter jet. It’s all for fun.”
BEYOND TRANSACTIONS
In many ways, Circelli’s art is a quiet rebellion against the transactional nature of food service.
“Most companies want professionalism, not personality,” he said. “But I think it’s important to let students know they’re seen.”
He described himself as a listener rather than a leader.
“I’ll never be the kind of person to run a business,” Circelli said. “But I’m the person who notices when a coworker is struggling and steps in to help, even if it’s not my job. That’s just who I am.”
When management noticed what Circelli was doing, they valued and encouraged the initiative.
“I’m so impressed, and we totally support it,” said Andrew Lipson, director of operations at Chartwells. “Our goal isn’t just to work; it’s to care for the people here.”
‘FROM ME TO YOU’
Circelli has worked at SUNY Plattsburgh’s Einstein Bros. Bagels for 9 years, making him one of its longest-serving employees.
“I’ve seen people come and go. I’ve worked in other places, but I always try to stay here. It feels more personal,” he said.
For Circelli, his job isn’t just about coffee. It’s about connection.
“I want people to remember me, and I want to remember them,” he said. “When I hand them a lid with a drawing, it’s like I’m saying, ‘This is from me to you.’”
So the next time you grab a coffee at Einstein Bros. Bagels, take a closer look at the lid. You might just find a piece of Circelli’s heart — and a dragon, of course — waiting for you.
