(Cazenovia, NY – Feb. 2012) St. Peter’s Episcopal Church will host its 36th annual Winter Festival Art Exhibition Feb. 9 through 12 at 12 Mill St., Cazenovia. An opening night reception will be held from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Feb. 9; show hours are Feb. 10 from noon to 6 p.m., Feb. 11 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Feb. 12 from noon to 3:30 p.m.
The event, sponsored by Cazenovia Arts, is free and open to the public.
For more information, call (315) 558-8310 or email BCW13035@gmail.com.
Cazenovia Public Library news
(Cazenovia, NY – Feb. 2012) Until March 31, visitors to the Cazenovia Public Library Art Gallery can enjoy “Keeping Up Appearances,” the latest collection by local artist Elizabeth Cummings Monroe. There will be an artist’s reception Friday, Feb. 10, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Cazenovia Public Library Art Gallery.
Monroe uses watercolor, inks and acrylic paint interchangeably. She begins a painting with transparent watercolor in order to achieve a luminous quality and then moves to ink and acrylic for opacity and contrast.
“My current body of work features my usual unconventional abstract style in which I have now incorporated the human figure,” Monroe said. “I am constantly mesmerized by the human body, and in the past I painted people in a more realistic style, a style that I do not particularly enjoy. Now, I have found a way to incorporate a hidden world into my abstractions. The addition of a figure or groups of figures in my painting gives an immediate focal point for my viewer, and the painting becomes a mystery, story or puzzle to solve.”
The Cazenovia Public Library is open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. weekdays and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays. Free transportation is available through CRIS-CAT for Cazenovia, Fenner and Nelson residents over 55 and ambulatory. Just call 655-0612 between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. three to five days in advance. More information about this or other library events, call 655-9322 or visit cazenoviapubliclibrary.org.
(Hamilton, NY – Feb. 2012) From Feb. 6 through April 3, the Picker Art Gallery at Colgate University will host installations by renowned artist Ann Hamilton (annhamiltonstudio.com).
Hamilton is recognized internationally for the sensory surrounds of her large-scale multi-media installations; her ephemeral environments create immersive experiences that poetically respond to the architectural presence and social history of their sites.
The exhibition will examine consistent threads that deal with gesture, the senses and the body, voice and language, time and duration and history and community. Videos will be juxtaposed with pinhole images — some taken from within the artist’s mouth — and some made on the Colgate campus by members of the Colgate staff and student body.
The videos tend to display essential actions monotonously repeated — pouring, reaching, unraveling, polishing, writing, drawing, erasing, stitching, knitting, breathing, spinning, walking — unremarkable in themselves but made strange either by isolation or by context.
The event is free and open to the public.
The hours are Tuesday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m.
Born in Cuyler, New York, Tom Whitmarsh spent 37 years as an engineer in Alaska. His Exhibit, “Alaskan Art” will be on display at the New Woodstock Free Library through February 29. Whitmarsh is now a resident of DeRuyter.
New Woodstock Free Library news
By Norm Parry
(New Woodstock, NY – Feb. 2012) A collection of works by multitalented and storied artist Tom Whitmarsh will be on display at the New Woodstock Free Library Feb. 4 through 29. There will be a reception for the artist from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Feb. 4.
Originally from Cuyler, Whitmarsh spent 37 years as an engineer in Alaska, where he discovered the northwest coast native wood carving traditions. He added wood carvings to his developing painting pursuits and began selling and exhibiting his works in local Alaskan art shows.
He retired to DeRuyter in 2009. His most recent works include scenes from the local landscape.
Though he had very little formal art training, Whitmarsh’s paintings and carvings show an engineer’s eye for detail and structure. His wood pieces are visually dramatic and arresting. His paintings express his close connection with the mysteries of the wilderness and the harsh realities of life in the great outdoors.
“We are delighted to present this truly iconic collection of works by our new neighbor Tom Whitmarsh, who has chosen to settle here in retirement,” said library exhibits Chairwoman Nancy Edwards. “The scope and variety of this collection is truly remarkable. Some of the works are of imposing size and all are strikingly original.
“Our community will have the opportunity to enjoy the unusual and fascinating works Tom has brought with him from his long sojourn in Alaska. Tom Whitmarsh the man and Tom Whitmarsh the artist are both people you’ll love to meet. This is one of Tom’s first big shows in New York, and it’s a must-see event for those who appreciate unusual art and native creativity.”
For more about Tom Whitmarsh and samples of his works, visit midyork.org/newwoodstock; for more information on any library event or service, call 315-662-3134, or visit the library web page. Find and “Like” the library on Facebook.
Norm Parry is library director for the New Woodstock Free Library. The library is open Monday through Friday from 1 to 5 p.m., Monday and Wednesday evenings 7 to 9 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Pictured are Victorian Valentines from the Madison County Historical Society’s collection.
Madison County Historical Society News
By Sydney L. Loftus
(Oneida, NY – Feb. 2012) Make-your-own Victorian Valentine Workshop for children between the ages of 8-12 on Saturday, Feb. 11 at the Madison County Historical Society
Valentine’s Day has roots in several different legends that have been observed for centuries. One of the earliest familiar symbols of Valentine’s Day is Cupid, the Roman god of love, who is depicted as a young boy with a bow and arrow.
In the Middle Ages, romantic sentiments were exchanged through verse or melody. The first paper valentine was exchanged between the imprisoned Duke of Orleans in 1415 who passed his time composing romantic verses for his wife. Early valentines were handmade with stylized written verse and decorated with colored inks.
By the 1800s, valentines were manufactured in black and white that were hand painted with hearts and cupids. In the 1850s, fancier valentines were decorated with lace, ribbons, silk, satin, and gold leaf. By the turn of century, valentines were made entirely by machine.
Everyone knows that Valentine’s Day is celebrated on Feb. 14, a day when valentines and gifts are exchanged between loved ones. In the tradition of Valentine’s Day, the Madison County Historical Society will have a make-your-own Victorian Valentine workshop for children between the ages of 8-12 on Saturday, Feb. 11. There is a nominal fee of $5 per child to cover the cost of supplies.
The workshop will be held during two sessions at the historical society located at 435 Main St. The first session is from 10 to 11:30 a.m. The second session is from 12:30 to 2 p.m. Reservations are required as space is limited to 12 children per session. The deadline to register for the make your own Victorian Valentine workshop is Feb. 3.
For more information contact the society at 315-363-4136, 315-361-9735, or visit mchs1900.org. An adult must accompany each child attending the workshop.
Sydney Loftus is the executive director of the Madison County Historical Society.
(Earlville, NY – Jan. 2012) The Earlville Opera House Arts Center opens two new exhibits for the New Year. Come and see the new works in Repulsing Attraction and Urban Illusion. As the days are now at their shortest, we spend more of our time in the dark. It is the perfect time to come and see these new exhibits that are inspired by the things that are closest to us in the dark: our bodies and our homes.
In the East Gallery, the photography of Kari O’Mara’s explores the human body as a canvas in Repulsing Attractions. In the West Gallery Heejung Cho presents her unique interpretations of habitat in Urban Illusions.
Hamilton artist Kayla Cady continues in the Arts Cafe Gallery, with new works added to her exhibit her abstract acrylic paintings in “View.”
The three exhibits run from Jan. 28 through Feb. 25 and the admission to the galleries is free.
Gallery Hours are Tuesday-Friday, 10am-5pm and Saturday, 12-3pm and for all EOH performances. For more information, call 691-3550 or visit earlvilleoperahouse.com.
The Earlville Opera House is on East Main Street in Earlville at Route 12B.
Cazenovia College news
(Cazenovia, NY – Jan. 2012) The Cazenovia College Art Gallery in Reisman Hall opens Thursday, Jan. 26 with a Sabbatical Returns Exhibition that features work by Cazenovia College professors recently returned from sabbatical leave.
The exhibition includes the work of Corky Goss, professor of studio art; Karen Steen, professor of fashion design; and Anita Welych, professor of studio art. A reception, free and open to the public, on Jan. 26, from 4 to 5:30 p.m., will include lectures by the professors. The show runs through Feb. 17.
The Cazenovia College Art Gallery in Reisman Hall, 6 Sullivan St., is on the corner of Sullivan and Seminary streets, one block north of Route 20, in Cazenovia. Hours during the academic year are: Monday through Thursday, 1-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m.; Friday, 1-4 p.m.; and Saturday and Sunday, 2-6 p.m. Summer hours vary. All exhibitions are free and open to the public. For information contact Jen Pepper, gallery director, by e-mail to jpepper@cazenovia.edu, or visit www.cazenovia.edu/art-gallery (under Quick Links on the College’s website.)
Upcoming Student Exhibitions:
From February to May, Cazenovia College’s art students exhibit their work, beginning with the Annual Juried Student Exhibition, Thursday, Feb. 23, through March 4, with an opening reception for the students, Feb. 23 from 4 to 5:30 p.m..
The gallery is closed March 5 – 11 for spring break, reopening March 12 with the best work of bachelor of fine arts degree candidates from the divisions of art and design; visual communications; studio art; photography and interior design, from Tuesday, March 12 through May 1.
The Division of Art and Design Program Award candidates’ work will be exhibited from Wednesday, May 2 through Commencement Day, Saturday, May 12.
Chuck Hess as John and Sarah Baidel as Victoria try to appease the always-cantankerous Robby (center) played by John Spiridigliozzi in “Rehearsal Space” by Greg Ellstrom.
(Chittenango, NY – Jan. 2012) In order to do more serious plays and serve as a fundraiser for the Sullivan Free Library and other local organizations in need, the Lions Club is underwriting the costs of the newly introduced “Winterplay,” written, produced and directed by popular Chittenango playwright Greg Ellstrom.
“We are rehearsing in the community room of the Chittenango branch of the Sullivan Free Library,” Ellstrom said. “I wrote the play ‘Rehearsal Space’ as a way to deal with an event that I have always wanted to write about, the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962.”
Ellstrom said having tried and failed in various ways to do that, he decided to write a play in which the event serves as a background to everyday events. Life goes on, even though a holocaust threatens.
The story involves 16 members of a community theatre group rehearsing a production of “Romeo and Juliet” during that week in October. Tickets are $10 and will be on sale at the libraries or can be reserved by calling (315) 687-7332.
“Rehearsal Space” will be presented in the Community Room of the Sullivan Free Library at 7 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Feb. 9 through 11.
Wildlife photographer Eric Dresser to be guest speaker
(Canastota, NY – Jan. 2012) The Great Swamp Conservancy invites GSC members and the public to its annual meeting Jan. 22 at 1 p.m. at the Canastota Public Library. Eric Dresser will be the guest speaker.
Eric is an internationally published photographer who specializes in wildlife and landscape photography from the northeastern United States and Canada. His credits include Adirondack Life Magazine, National Wildlife Magazine, The Nature Conservancy, Birds and Blooms Magazine, US Forest Service, Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society, L.L. Bean Catalogues and many more.
North Country Books recently published a book of Eric’s work called “Wildlife Images of the Adirondacks.” (Check the Dec. 2011 issue of NYS Conservationist Front Cover Photograph: Snowy Owl).
With a lifetime of experience in the field, Eric has developed many strategies for getting up close and personal with his wildlife subjects. Eric will share his nature photography via PowerPoint presentation and follow up with a book signing of his most recent book: “Wildlife Images of the Adirondacks.” His love and passion for our natural world can be seen in his photographs.
To view his work, visit NBNP.com.
Election of officers, year in review and goals of 2012 will be discussed. Refreshments will be served.
For more information, email gscincny@centralny.twcbc.com or call (315) 697-2950.
Think Local
By Chris Hoffman
(Sherburne, Earlville, NY – Dec. 2011) Looking for extraordinary gifts for the special people in your life? The Earlville Opera House’s Holiday Sale provides the perfect setting to do just that. With more than 65 local and regional artists displaying their work, it’s nearly impossible to not find something that strikes just the right note.
The artists, as well as their art, are one of a kind. Joseph Steiner was a professor at Syracuse University, but after retiring, his grandchildren inspired him to make handcrafted wooden toys and games. All are made with durable hardwoods, painted with craft paint and sealed with natural shellac. They are beautiful and safe, and could easily become family heirlooms.
Phillipa Schrader is originally from England, but now lives in Rome. Her business is called Linden Street Paper, and every year she makes several new items in the way of beautiful handcrafted pretties that make wonderful stocking stuffers or little gifts. This year she’s showing everything from earrings to individual chocolates wrapped in tiny paper purses to delightfully packaged pads of sticky notes.
Some of the artists are experts in their particular mediums and have taught classes and workshops. Mike Townsend, for example, works for Golden Artists Colors in New Berlin, and this is the first year he is offering his paintings at the EOH holiday sale. Lisa Merian from Bainbridge teaches spinning, felting, and rug hooking. Her hand-dyed and hand-painted wool skeins would make a perfect gift for someone who loves to knit. Ted Anderson, who works at the Gallery Association, is offering for the first time this year gorgeous framed black and white photographs of local nature scenes. Jim Ridlon’s miniature paintings are like looking out your back window or observing the scenery on a leisurely drive through Central New York.
Other artists make you wonder how they find the time to produce such a prolific body of work. Julie Bigger has two sets of twins under five years old to contend with, and yet she has somehow managed to make hundreds of pieces of stunning jewelry out of dichroic glass. Dichroic glass contains multiple micro-layers of metals or oxides that cause the glass to transmit one color and reflect another, depending on the angle of view. Denise Leone is in high demand for her glass installation works, but still manages to find the time to create beautiful pieces of jewelry and hair ornaments.
I have tried, on several occasions, to dry flowers, and it’s not as easy as it might seem! Gerry Leuberger from Dark Hollow Farms in Smyrna, however, has mastered the art. Her bouquets are substantial in size and each has numerous local flowers, perfect in their symmetry and color combinations and very reasonably priced.
Many artists who we have become very familiar with have brought new items to this year’s sale. Pat Ryan’s stained glass three-dimensional stars have sold out twice and had to be replenished. Ede Walker just brought in dozens of new items in her pottery line, many of which are very different than what you’ve seen before.
Bonnie Sick (Get Wired Jewelry, Fayetteville) crochets wire and imbeds it with jewels to create delicate necklaces and bracelets. Nanette Bergevin from Jordan makes felted brooches from wool fibers and lightweight cloth, which are hand sewn into sculptural form and embellished. Tisha Lock (Baubles in Beads, Madison) has a brand new line of jewelry this year that uses dazzling colors.
Space constraints make it impossible to describe all the choices and stories of the individual artists, but there is an enormous range of possibilities here for all ages and tastes – hand painted silk scarves, hand knit socks and hats and mittens, crocheted sweaters for babies, bandanas for dogs, hand blown glass vases and bowls, beautiful kitchen implements made from Tiger maple and cherry, as well as candle boxes, recipe boxes, and trays. Not to mention tree ornaments and seasonal decorations, photographs, note cards, paintings and limited-edition prints of antique posters. The experience of just seeing all of this incredible artwork and craftsmanship is truly inspiring.
If you’ve already been to the Holiday Sale, come again, because new work arrives every week. If you’ve never been before, treat yourself and the special people in your life to something unique – something really special.
The Opera House is located at 18 East Main St. in Earlville, and the Holiday Sale continues on Saturday, Dec. 18 (10 am to 4 pm), Sunday, Dec. 19 (noon to 4 pm), and Friday, Dec. 23 (10 am to 4 pm). Visit earlvilleoperahouse.com.
Chris Hoffman lives in the village of Sherburne in her 150+ year-old house where she caters to the demands of her four cats, attempts to grow heirloom tomatoes and herbs and reads voraciously. She passionately pursues various avenues with like-minded friends to preserve and protect a sustainable rural lifestyle for everyone in Central New York.
