Watercolors open at View

The watercolor exhibit will be on display through Oct. 8

Below are remarks by Miriam Kashiwa, watercolor exhibit curator, that were delivered at the opening reception on Aug. 10, 2012.



Curator Miriam Kashiwa

                              "This year of Olympic Sports reminds us of the importance of exercise for good health.  Most would agree that we humans have more than bodies; a brain and mind directing action PLUS a free spirit.  Total health, then, would require more than physical activity: it would include exercising the spirit’s sense of beauty. 

Artists understand this idea.  They share their expressions of beauty in art forms … they partner with viewers who connect vicariously through sight… experiencing the same feelings and stories … exercising their own spirit’s sense of beauty.

Today we observe 100 outstanding watercolors from across the country:  ‘part’ of the fruit of the unlimited inspiration given by places like the Adirondack Mountains.  The exhibit shows human curiosity in concrete solution: thought captured on paper in color and feeling.

I’d like to reach back for a bit of history….

During the past ten years, The Arts Guild has enjoyed a ‘Barn Raising’….we got together and built a PLACE: an oasis against an encroaching hectic world where peace and inspiration infused by its Adirondack setting can be savored.

We now begin to ‘raise’ its walls with substance and opportunities for learning… ‘learning’: that stuff that makes life interesting…like the exhibition platform where artists may exchange thoughts and ways of expressing art; like our theater where performance informs human foibles and dreams; like music which delights and refreshes the fatigued; like studio work-space to examine our own efforts at creativity; and like our future Walkway through the mysteries of Nature’s wetlands.

As a ‘Barn Raising’ requires an army of enthusiastic volunteers, so too has our own Arts Center required the talents of scores: from those who contribute volunteering hands-on, to growing members and visitors, and to generous open purses. We thank you all for being part of the Place at VIEW. And we hope you will continue to find enjoyment and inspiration in the ‘sparkle and glow’ of this year’s Adirondacks national watercolor exhibition.  Come often and early to exercise your own spirit’s sense of beauty.

WELCOME."

--Posted by Leslie Bailey, View staff

Bethany & Rufus Roots Quartet to bring Folk and World Music to View

The Bethany & Rufus Roots Quartet will bring folk music from all over the world to View on August 16, at 7:30 pm.  Bethany met Rufus at the Knitting Factory in Manhattan, and many years later they are still reinventing traditional folk and defying the standard classification of genres.  For example, with traditional bowing, plucking and percussive bow tapping, Rufus has transformed the cello into a rock powerhouse.

Bethany & Rufus Roots Quartet is comprised of Rufus Cappadocia and Bethany Yarrow (daughter of Peter Yarrow of Peter, Paul, and Mary), Yacouba Moumouni, and Brahim Fribgane.  Weaving many influences into their unique sound, the quartet draws from roots music traditions of America, Niger, and Morocco.  Their strength lies within the collaboration of their individual talents.  Two dancers will accompany them with interpretive dance. 

This program, beginning at 7:30 pm, will be entertaining, as well as educational, for the entire family.  Refreshments will be available for purchase.  This event is part of the New York State Presenters Network Presenters-Artist Partnership Project with support from the New York State Council on the Arts, a state agency. Tickets are $25/$20 for members, which can be purchased by calling View at 315-369-6411, or email info@ViewArts.org.

--David Weygandt, Performing Arts Intern

Gary Lee’s point of View

Event Coordinator Elise Carlson snapped this photo of View board member Gary Lee -- retired ranger and not-retired writer, photographer and naturalist -- as he was perusing the field above View’s parking lot earlier today, August 8. He was pulling invasive clover and planting Sweet Peas.

Gary shares his knowledge and love of the natural world by offering free guided hikes and presentations. He offers annual nature hikes in the summer to explore Ferd’s Bog, located off the Uncas Road in Eagle Bay, and the Remsen Bog. He also leads a butterfly hike around View.

The bog hikes took place in June, but the butterfly walk will take place at 10 am on Friday, August 10 at View. Gary will also give a power point presentation titled, “Wildflowers for Your Garden,” at 7 pm on Tuesday, August 14 at View.

If you are interested in birds, flowers, great photos, and wonderful stories of the outdoors, then Gary’s your guy. He’s also on good terms with the local moose. But as Gary likes to say, “That’s another story.”

--Leslie Bailey, View staff

Remembering Lorraine Stripp

Remembering Lorraine Stripp

By Shirley Lindsay,   
View Director Emerita

At the opening of the Central Adirondack Art Show at View on Thursday night, July 5, a special award was given posthumously to Lorraine Stripp for her long years of invaluable service to the Arts Center. Lorraine was awarded the title of Director Emerita by the board of directors of View as announced by its president Helene McAleese.

Following the announcement of the award, Shirley Lindsay and Mirnie Kashiwa spoke of Lorraine’s years of service to the Arts Guild nearly from the very beginning when she assisted Al and Mirnie first with the Art Show, then, as the program expanded, with the Pocket Gallery, the workshops and various musical events. In the mid 70s when the first Arts Center became a reality, she became so much more – workshop director, bookkeeper, building supervisor, and even interim director with Al Stripp’s illness. She was always available for all events, helping event chairpersons, organizing and supervising the Craft Show, the Holiday Bazaar, helping with the Antique Show, the Auction, the Watercolor Show, and so many other events.

Mirnie and Shirley spoke of things she did behind the scenes – checking the Center at all hours when the security alarm went off; helping artists to retrieve or enter their art works when the Center was not open; making goodies for participants in workshops or for intermission at programs, sweeping and cleaning the Center and even cleaning the bathrooms and kitchen. Of course, she was always very busy helping with Kinderwood as well during the school year.

Al Stripp and four of their six children (David, Mike, Susie, and Sandy) with their families were at the event Thursday night and were shown the bench with Lorraine’s name, donated in her memory by so many of her friends and colleagues. The bench sits in the front lobby of View reminding everyone of her dedicated service.

--Posted by Leslie Bailey, View staff

Family Ties

The Denio family hosted a reunion in Old Forge in May, and as part of their festivities, they spent some quality time at View tie-dying T-shirts. Here is a photo of the colorful results. If your family is looking to create some fun memories, contact Barbara Getty at View (315) 369-6411.

--Leslie Bailey, View staff

Forge Festival of Arts & Crafts

Dean White is a familiar face at the Forge Festival of Arts & Crafts

On June 30, Old Forge will welcome more than 60 venders from across five states for the annual Forge Festival of Arts and Crafts. The festival will be held on June 30th to July 1st at the North Street Recreation Center. Hours are Saturday, 9am – 5pm, and Sunday, 10am – 4pm.

While the festival is always offering new attractions, one vender will offer a familiar face: Dean White. White, a ceramic artist, has been participating in the craft festival since its inception, only missing the event once or twice during the last 40 years. He began his career after attending art school at Munson Williams School of Art and, soon after, established his retail shop, White's Pottery and Gifts, in Deansboro, N.Y. All of White's pottery is designed to be functional as well as beautiful. He will be bringing a wide variety of ceramics for sale to the festival as well a wheel for demonstrations. White has been demonstrating at the festival for the past few years. "I like to share with people what I do and how it’s done," he said.

All of his pieces are hand-thrown on a pottery wheel, one piece at a time. White creates his own glazes, each formulated so that they are all food-safe and contain no lead. All of his pottery is ovenproof, as well as dishwasher- and microwave-safe. White, a long time summer resident of the area, has a group of loyal supporters who purchase his work at the festival every year, looking to add to their collections.

"My parents used to have a camp on First Lake, so I was aware of the arts center when I originally got involved," said White. He is a firm supporter of View.  "This craft fair represents the art center. It's important to support the local arts and to let the public know this craft festival exists," he said.

White emphasizes the benefit of a juried craft fair, like this one. "When I started in the 70's and 80's you could depend on the artist to make 100% of the items." Now, says White, many vendors often buy foreign products and re-sell them at festivals. "Thankfully, this fair is juried so that doesn't happen," he said. “The public really does appreciate it when they come to an arts and craft festival and there is real quality."

All 60 venders at the Forge Festival are selected to ensure high quality merchandise and a wide variety of products. Venders will be offering everything from woodworking and paintings to quilts and candles. Maple syrup, jam, popcorn and old fashion fudge will also be some of the delicious treats available at this year's Forge Festival of Arts and Crafts. Enjoy music, concessions provided by Walt’s Dinner, and cold beer and wine. A  Chinese raffle will feature unique items donated from select festival vendors. Tickets will be sold for $1 each or 10 for $5.

Families are encouraged to join in on the fun! Children 12 and under are free, and there will be interactive activities including face painting and pillow case tie dying. There is a $5 admission at the door for adults, good for both days. There is also free parking.  The craft Fair supports View, the arts center in Old Forge.

Visit www.ViewArts.org for a coupon for $1 off admission and a list of participating vendors. For more information, please call View at (315) 369-6411. For further information about Dean White, visit his website at http://www.whitespottery.com .

View readies for Bryden installation

View is undergoing a transformation as its parking lot island is re-designed in preparation for a permanent outdoor sculpture installation by artist Lewis Bryden.

The sculpture, titled “Nature as Muse,” is a life-size, cast bronze figure of a girl with her hand reaching up to a bird. The statue will reside next to a small reflecting pool surrounded by lawn. The island will also have shade trees and evergreens, benches, boulders, and a walkway.

“Nature is the inspiration for art, and the sculpture personifies this with the young girl making contact with a wild bird,” says Bryden. “More than most sculptures, this work is about nature, and so it seemed important to surround it with a natural setting.“

The entire installation is a gift to View from Lewis and Betsy Bryden, to commemorate the lives of Betsy’s grandparents, Elizabeth Elliot and Edward Mallinckrodt, Jr., who were longtime summer residents of Old Forge and avid art collectors. Betsy’s grandmother introduced her to Miriam Kashiwa, founder of the arts center that is now called View, more than 50 years ago.

“Our hope is that people will feel inspired by the statue and the setting, and that they will reflect on art and nature,” say Betsy and Lewis. “We envision children playing around the shallow pool while parents pass time on the nearby benches.”

The process of casting bronze is thousands of years old, says Bryden, who has been a professional artist for 30 years, most of them as a painter. “I chose the lost wax method, in which the finished clay sculpture is remolded in wax, coated with ceramic material, and then poured with molten bronze. Everywhere the wax was, the bronze now takes its place,” he said.

As part of the process, Bryden created a maquette, or small scale model of the sculpture. “It helps the artist and others to visualize the sculpture and to identify problems early,” he said. He also did a portrait study as an exercise to explore the character of the young girl.

The maquette and portrait study for “Nature as Muse” are currently on display at View. The portrait has been donated to View’s permanent collection, and the maquette will be raffled to raise money for View.  

The sculpture installation will be completed by early July. A dedication will take place at View’s annual gala on July 6 and then will be open to the public starting Saturday, July 7.

-- Leslie Bailey, View Staff