Bette Rintrona on the 5th Annual Chili Bowl Luncheon and the New Buildings Pottery Space

The Art Centers winter intern, Heather Pominville, recently had the opportunity to sit down and talk with Bette Rintrona about her involvement in the upcoming Chili Bowl Luncheon.

The 5th Annual Chili Bowl Luncheon will be taking place on February 22 from 11:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. Homemade meat & vegetarian chili, stews and soups will be served in handmade bowls. Many of the generous potters who have been hard at work making the bowls for this event will also be displaying their works in the Regional Ceramics Exhibition that will be on display from February 12 until March 12.
One of the participating local potters Bette Rintrona has been inspired to create pottery for over 30 years. Her interest in pottery first began at the Arts Center when she started taking classes; she then further developed her skills by attending classes at Munson Williams Proctor Art Institute. She now teaches at the Arts Center and is an active volunteer. Bette explained that there will be around 300 bowls at this year’s Chili Bowl Luncheon and that she is more than appreciative of everyone who is taking the time to participate. Most of the potters will contribute an average of 20 bowls. Bette was especially thankful to Jeffrey Cohen who contributed an astonishing 50 bowls! “The event has grown each year, participation has grown, and it’s just exciting to be having the event in this new space.” says Bette. After participating in and teaching many different pottery classes throughout the years, Bette has noticed that each potter has their own style and desire to create individual work. When speaking about the Chili Bowl Luncheon Bette said, “There is a common goal for all, rather than an individual goal, drawing artists together to create beautiful bowls for the community and people to enjoy at the arts center.”

The Chili Bowl Luncheon will be the first of the Arts Center’s special events held in their beautiful Gould Hall. All proceeds will benefit the Arts Center. Bette had a hand in designing the new pottery studio and is now seeing it come to life. It has the capacity for 10 to 12 potters working at wheels, allowing for a much larger class size. There is 3 times the square footage compared to the original building. “It will be much easier and more enjoyable to work in this new space,” said Bette. When asked about what part of the new studio excites her most Bette said, “the new gas kiln!” The gas kiln is the larger of the Arts Center’s two kilns, and is now easy enough for a few firings each month compared to previous years where the gas kiln was only fired a few times in the summer. It’s a wonderful resource for potters allowing them to achieve beautiful, varied-glazing effects.

Many of the generous potters who have been hard at work making the bowls for this event will also be displaying their works in the Regional Ceramics Exhibition that will be opening on display from February 12 until March 12. Some of the artists include: Art Baird, Vincent Clemente, Megan Crimmins, Dennis DeStefanis, Barbara Fry, Julie Hindsdill, Marie Imundo, Linda Erion, Bette Rintrona, Greg Rudd, and Nancy Venetz. New participants this year are Ruth McKenna, Jeffrey Cohen, Page Hannah, and Carolyn Gaylord.

Bette Rintrona is not the only one who is excited about the Arts Center and everything new that is has to offer; many people have already stopped by just to take a look at the beautiful facility. Don’t miss out on the Art Centers first event at the new facility, the 5th Annual Chili Bowl Luncheon, on February 22, starting at 11:30 a.m.

To learn more about upcoming events at the Arts Center/Old Forge visit www.ArtsCenterOldForge.org http://www.ArtsCenterOldForge.org or call 315-369-6411.

Words from Our Jurors

The Adirondacks National Exhibition of American Watercolors is on display through October 3
The show was selected by our Juror of Selection Carole Pickle AWS, NWS and awards were chosen by our Juror of Awards. Here are their statements.


Statement from Juror of Selection • 2010 Carole Pickle AWS, NWS

I was greatly honored to be chosen Juror of Selection for the 29th Annual Adirondacks National Exhibition of American Watercolors. Viewing the entire group of approximately 600 paintings was exciting but I quickly realized my job would not be an easy task since I could choose only 100 entries to be included in the show. The quality of the paintings submitted was outstanding and I could choose one painting per artist. This made my selections even more difficult. I reviewed the entries many times over several days. My instincts took over as I responded to those works that made me think or see in a new way. Interpretation, a personal vision, strength of design, content, and authority in the use of materials were important as I made my choices. This show runs the gamut from the poetic to the dynamic. Congratulations to all of the artists who have shared a part of themselves to make this an imaginative and inviting exhibition. Carole Pickle has been winning prestigious awards in juried national art shows since 1990, including honors from the American Watercolor Society, the Southern Watercolor Society, the Mid-Atlantic Regional Watercolor Exhibition, Aqueous USA, and several others. Carole has also been honored with the Gurdon and Mildred Evans Memorial Award in the Adirondacks National Exhibition of American Watercolors. Her work is in the permanent collections of colleges and universities including her alma mater, Millersville University. Carole was featured in
American Artist Magazine article in August 2002 titled ‘Intuitive Painting by Carole Pickle’.


Statement from Juror of Awards • 2010
DAlan Wylie, AWS df, SFCA, CWA, LWS, NWWS, CIPA, CSPWS
Having previously been Juror of Selection for the Adirondacks National Exhibition of American Watercolors and remembering how tough a task it was as the standard of work submitted was of such high calibre….I’ve now discovered that being Juror of Awards is even tougher! The vision, the skills, the drama of the imagery, the sheer visual impact that painters in watercolor are achieving are quite astounding….and made my choices extremely difficult….But choose I had to, so I hope those who were not chosen will keep producing such good pieces and supporting such a strong, exciting show as the Adirondacks puts on each year. To those award winners…THANK YOU…You made my day! Alan Wylie was born in Scotland and graduated from the Glasgow School of Art with a degree in Mural Design and Mosaics. After immigrating to Nova Scotia in 1967, he began a career as a full-time artist and teacher. Alan has won numerous awards internationally for his paintings, including the Beechmont First and Gold Medallion at the Adirondacks National Exhibition of American Watercolors as well as the Federation of Canadian Artists’ Grand Prize. He has participated in innumerable solo and group exhibitions, and has created large murals in and on the exteriors of public buildings.

Fred Tschidas Kinetic Neon Sculpture

Ascending the stairs of the Arts Center, a soft whirring draws visitors toward a new installation. Outside the room, a glow of bright neon beckons. Strange and spectacular, Fred Tschida’s motorized kinetic neon sculptures are otherworldly guests at the Art Center/Old Forge.

A Professor of Glass and Chair of Sculpture/Dimensional Studies at Alfred University and curator for the Museum of Luminous Phenomena, Tschida crates luminous instillations and conceptual light work in neon and glass. In Tschida’s solo exhibit of kinetic neon sculptures he plays with perception. Through the viewer’s sense of time and optical phenomenon, rotations of bright neon build revealing the three dimensional form. As each neon line revolves, it creates a form over time.

“I make planes of light in space, ribbons of light, walls of light...I like the idea of moving pieces and creating volumes that exist in space without any commitment of materials.” says Tschida. The lines of bent neon are inspired by the vessels of glass artist Frederick Carder, Japanese lanterns and the spacecraft Sputnik. Tschida’s bases, inspired by lunar landing modules, are built to accommodate any type of terrain. Large wood and plastic tripods set in a mass of coiling cords stretch to steady the spinning tops. Smooth orbits of neon paint the walls with multicolored light, and reflect off the windows, transforming the room into an entrancing oasis of luminescence.

Fred Tschida’s exhibition is an oddly surreal yet meditative experience, and a must see. The Arts Center/Old Forge is also currently displaying a popular summer favorite, the 59th Annual Central Adirondack Art Show, which was Jurored by Tschida. Also on display are the gourd masks of Abenaki Indian Artist Andreé Dennis Newton and “Decked Out Trout & Bass with Class” a silent auction of transformed wooden fish decoys. Admission to the Arts Center/Old Forge is $8/$4 members and groups of 6+, children under 12 are free. For more information visit www.ArtsCenterOldForge.org or call the Arts Center/Old Forge at 315.369.6411.

Article by Elle Conyers
Design/Media Summer Intern

Alan Wylie will teach a workshop and judge the Adriondacks National Exhibition of American Watercolors

Painter Alan Wylie (AWS df, SFCA, NWWS, CIPA, CWA) who is also the Juror of Awards for this year’s annual Adirondacks National Exhibition of American Watercolors, Wylie will be leading the workshop Creative Texture with Watercolor that will run Sunday, June 27 through Wednesday, June 30 from 9am to 4pm at the Arts Center/Old Forge.

Born in Glasgow, Scotland Wylie graduated from the Glasgow School of Art with a degree in Murals and Mosaics. Later immigrating to Nova Scotia he went on to pursue a career as a teacher and full time artist. Currently preparing for his 73rd solo show, Wylie divulges, “I’m just happy to be above the grass at the moment!” During his 58 years as an artist Wylie has won several awards and medals including the Beechmont First and Gold Medallion at the Adirondacks National Exhibition of American Watercolors as well as the Federation of Canadian Artists’ Grand Prize. Continually inspired by the work around him, Wylie looks forward to seeing the pieces in this year’s show. When asked how he will go about the monumental task of selecting the recipients of the awards he describes his process: “It takes a few hours – what stops you and makes you look... Something with very strong visual impact is going to be definitely in the running. But I take my time.”

An artist all his life, Wylie did not get into watercolor until 1986 when a friend introduced him to the medium. In explaining why he had never pursued watercolor before he recalls, “In Britain watercolors [were] always wimpy and washed out, I never liked the look of them.” However, encouraged by his friend he began to explore watercolors. Having never sought formal training, Wylie says, “I just do it my way.” Decades of experience have evolved into a distinctive contemporary style which the artist terms, ‘representational’.

His four day workshop, Creative Texture with Watercolor at the Arts Center/Old Forge, will offer watercolorists a chance to learn his methods. Wylie will demonstrate his techniques in creating texture to help students achieve a mixed-media look. “This is a workshop for anybody that has a love for the medium…” says Wylie. Whether you are just beginning to explore watercolor or are looking to develop and expand your skill set, Wylie just desires you “come with a lot of enthusiasm.” This workshop a fabulous chance to learn from an acclaimed artist and talented teacher.

The fee for Alan Wylies workshop is $475/$400 members. If you would like to register contact the Arts Center/Old Forge by calling 315-369-6411 or email Workshop Coordinator Barbara Getty at Bgetty@artscenteroldforge.org. To learn about other workshops offered at the Arts Center/Old Forge visit www.ArtsCenterOldForge.org.

Exaggerate! 1st Place in Writing

We are proud to present the Poem that won 1st place in the writing portion "Exaggerate!" our current exhibition of Art & Tall Tales that will run until June 6.

WHEN THE SNOW NEVER STOPPED
by Rodney Aldrich
Illustrations by his grandson Ronan




I leaned on my shovel
the driveway only half done.
Flake after flake,
their spiked points
clawing the air,
divided the space
into vertical columns
of emptiness.
I imagined the surreal landscape
growing higher in the next hours
with muffled outlines
replacing objects.
Sometimes the snowflakes
were icy pinpoints.
Sometimes hairy disks
speeding straight down.
Sometimes huge amalgamated blobs.
Enough white fluff accumulated
to become a local phenomenon.
The hometown forecaster smiled at a
still shot of great walls of white
along our road.
Three days later,
we had to cut shelves
at shoulder height
to throw the bottom snow upon.
March came and went.
We switched to tunnels
and parked half a mile away.
The snow was heavy
and my back ached
from the hourly struggles.
The TV glow became handy in the den


with the outdoor light blocked by drifts.
The forecaster’s brow was furrowed
but her gestures were still grand.
By late April,
we were unprecedented in the lower 48.
I was interviewed
by CNN.
With the warm air sweeping in
occasionally,
we got our deep canyons back
when the tunnel tops collapsing.
But the snow kept falling.
By May the local forecaster
was shaking her head
with a nervous smile
through the entire report.
The flakes were tiny dots by day



and grainy cousins of sleet by night,
but the snow kept falling.
By late May,
the retreating melt revealed
our house was the obvious epicenter.
In June the researchers and tourists
started to arrive.
One side of the front yard had
meteorology equipment.
The other had
families building snowmen,
making angels,
and staging snow fights
for the ever-present video cams.
On the summer solstice,
we were declared
a commercial flight hazard,
but the little planes

and choppers loved to zoom
into and above
the permanent gray cloud.
By July,
the local forecaster
had a permanent marker asterisk over
our house
upon her map.
The local county fair
came and loaded a dump-truck
to make weird “real” sno-cones
for the masses on the midway.
So here I sit in August,
in the motel
where it seems we live now,
watching the scientists on NPR
spouting big words
about jet-stream and global warming
that boil down to
they don’t know.
I peel my sticky thighs
off the cheap vinyl chair
and go over to the door
with all its metal security appointments.
Going outside to the narrow patio
to gaze across the valley
at the gray cloud,
at the white spot below
and wonder
when will it ever stop?
November?

Comments from Taste of Home Cooking School Attendees

The following comments were sent to Michael Burna Taste of Home Culinary Specialist after Taste of Home Cooking School on Saturday May 15th

5/16/2010 7:06:40 PM by ggoff
Just returned from a show with Michael in Old Forge, New York. It was delightful! I brought my nearly non-cooking husband with me and he won a cookbook! He was so excited, now I'm just hoping he uses it! I learned a lot and had an enjoyable afternoon! Thank you!

5/16/2010 6:38:44 PM by lindee0210
I went to my first Taste Of Home Cooking School in Old Forge, NY on May 15 with four of my friends -- I thouroughly enjoyed every aspect of the show and picked up some cooking tips that I am sure I will use.
Chef Barna did an excellent presentation and the time went by quickly. One of the few things I would like to see done diffently is better (more comfortable) seats as those metal seats were uncomfortable. Thank you for the show


5/16/2010 3:11:33 PM by tuttlemalone
I attended my 1st school yesterday in Old Forge,NY wit h my best friend and my 12 year old daughter who also loves to cook.Chef Michael has great ideas and witty humour.It was fun,entertaining and something I hope returns to Old Forge annually.I have prescribed to TOH/SAD for years.Now I am looking forward to my subscription to Cooking Healthy.Dr.SATM

5/16/2010 1:43:09 PM by cjsmileys
5/16/10
I went to my first cooking show in Old Forge, NY with my daughter and a friend yesterday. It was a most enjoyable event. So many prizes to win and the meals were given away with cookware and decorative servicing dishes as well. Chef Barna made the event very entertaining and informative as well. I ran right to my local grocery store after the trip and shopped for ingredients for 3 of the dishes that were showcased. We will be having them today! I never knew about the cooking shows but would not hesitate to go again. Hope they come to Lowville. Someone should have told Chef Barna that the showcased ingredients came from Kraft which is a local manufacturing plant not too far away from Old Forge in Lowville, NY! The only suggestions I would make would be to change the seats that are presented for this show. The metal chairs with no cushions are hard on the back. Maybe hold the event in an auditorium with the cushioned seats. I don't think more food should be available like some of the commenters above as I would not have enjoyed the event as much if I had just eaten a meal. The snack foods were just enough to get you wanting to run home and make the yummy meals displayed. Hope Chef Barna visits Lowville, NY in the future! Thanks for the great day!


5/16/2010 1:34:49 PM by donmarmhy
I was one of Michaels helpers in Old Forge, I had a great time and learned lots, Thanks Mike, see you next year
Donna one of Mikes angels
Re: Michael Barna
5/16/2010 12:07:51 PM by adkmama
Went to Old Forge yesterday to my first Taste of Home Cooking Show with 4 friends from Long Lake, NY. It was worth the beautiful drive to attend such a fun and lively event! Chef Barna shared great tips I can't wait to use! One of our friends won the Spicy Penne with Sausage dish...I have had penne dishes before but this one added oomph and punched up taste to what is ususally a nice but rather bland homey dish...mmmmm! Loved the doorprizes, added excitement!
My recommendation: Begin the event later, such as 2:00 PM , as one hour is plenty of time to browse the vendors and people would have had time to eat before hand, as the lovely chicken skewers and popcorn didn't fill us up. Adding a choice of more food items to purchase, such as yogurt, salads, fruitcups,fruit, veggies and dip, and sandwiches would have been nice to assuage our hunger pangs! Other than those 2 suggestions, the show was a great success and I look forward to next year's show at Old Forge. A lot of hard work and planning went on to produce the show in Old Forge, kudos to Chef Barna and Taste of Home, Webb School and Old Forge Art Center, thank you! Betsy


5/16/2010 9:28:04 AM by dlf6320
5/16/2010 I went to my first cooking show in Old Forge NY with my sister and had a ball. Michael was funny, informative and energetic. We learned a handful of new tricks and since we didn't win any of the meals made we stopped at the grocery store and picked up the items needed to make the Chicken with artichokes and angel hair and it was awsome! Thank you Michael and hope you come back to the Old Mill and visit us again. Diane Fowler-Victor NY

5/16/2010 8:38:09 AM by flower_lover
i went to my first taste of home cooking school at old forge. it was great and I hope it becomes an annual thing. I learned a few things and formed an even stronger bond with a new friend. April Williams

5/16/2010 8:15:14 AM by paulawells
I loved your Cooking School in Old Forge! I thought you brought a lot of energy and it was fun to watch! I can't wait to start making the recipes you shared! My mom and I hope that this becomes an annual event! Thank you!


5/16/2010 7:51:54 AM by dinner at the table
Michael,
Thank you for bringing the show to Old Forge. I commend your quest to bring the family back to the table! I have been cooking for my family for 20 years and we do eat dinner together at the table every night.
Here's hoping the Taste of Home Cooking School with Michael Barna becomes an annual event in Old Forge!
Safe Travels!


5/16/2010 7:48:11 AM by dinner at the table
Michael, Thank you so much for bringing the show to Old Forge. I have been cooking for my family for 25 years and we do have dinner at the table every night. I commend you as you have made this your quest! I'm hoping the Taste of Home Cooking School will return as an annual event in Old Forge!


5/16/2010 6:04:20 AM by dagwood417
Michael, What a great show you put on yesterday in Old Forge. I learned many things. Just need to know what to substitute for alcohol in dishes since I'm in recovery and don't want to slip!!!! Thank you for coming, and I hope we see you here again next year with more wonderful recipes.


5/15/2010 11:00:47 PM by JGOOSHAW
Michael- We traveled almost 3 hours to see your show. It was very enjoyable. Hope you come back next year. Thanks.


5/15/2010 7:56:13 PM by bjgaylord
Michael, Fun afternoon...hope you come back again next year..can't wait to try the recipes.


5/15/2010 7:46:17 PM by donmarmhy
Michael, it was such a pleasure working with you this afternoon, I did learn a lot. Thank you for coming to Old Forge


5/15/2010 7:22:41 PM by Sarah Jen
Thanks, Michael, for a great afternoon in Old Forge, NY! I came away with many good tips today.

Great Catch

Fish are coming in all over the Arts Center!

Lake Ceramics has delivered fish to us that will be on display during the "Exaggerate!" exhibition from May 9 - June 6.
They create these beautifully crafted fish like the one you see below by creating molds from fish that they catch themselves, as well as fish caught by others. The combination of their master craftsmanship in casting and glazing these fish produces a breathtaking variety that are even more beautiful than the fish that they come from.



We have also been receiving fish for "Decked Out Trout and Bass With Class" . Fifty blank fish have been transformed by local artists into unique works of art. These fish will be on display during "Exaggerate!" and throughout our village in the summer until the Plein Air Paint Out on Sunday, September 5, where they will be auctioned along with the paintings. The one below is by Abenaki Indian Artist Andree Dennis Newton.



Even the Kinderwood pre-school seems to be fish-minded. This past week they created fish of their own.