WINDHAM ARTS ALLIANCE
2012 SUMMER WRAP-UP
by Ray Shearer
This has been a productive summer for WAA events and members. The opportunity to show at a new venue started off the summer season and continued with many other impressive events.
Every year the Arboretum in Tannersville has had a garden show for its supporting members and the public to share in the beauty of nature. This year's show offered a bit more with the inclusion of a WAA member’s art exhibit. Many thanks go to WAA board member David Peskin for producing a very successful show. WAA members Larry Gambon, David Peskin, Ruth Sachs and Susumo Sato had buyers for their works. Anne Borgenicht, Patti Morrow, Olive Farrell, Peter Liman, Karen Rhodes, Jamie Grossman and Sheila Trautman also participated in this event. WAA looks forward to next year's Arboretum show with more members taking part.
This year's Sandcastle contest, as usual, took place on the July 4th weekend. The venue this year was moved to the field and stream behind the Chicken Run restaurant in Windham. There were approximately 50 contestants from all age groups. Several WAA members were at hand to give instruction and ensure safety. Members included Iris Kaplan, Sheila Trautman, Naomi Blum, Mara Lehmann, Paul Trautman, David Peskin, Elaine Warfield, Anita Buyers, Ray Shearer as well as friends of WAA Hedy Feit and Eileen Leibowitz. We were also happy to see our sponsor Phyllis Parish of the Windham Chapter of the CMF and her mother, and Adam Okonski.
August brought us this year's "ARTFEST." There were 17 member studios open to the public this year and the tour stretched across the mountaintop from Haines Falls to Ashland with a group show in the barn at Country Suites in Ashland. Many thanks to Sondra Clark, who opened the B&B for the Sunday raffle and party. It was a hot sticky day and the air- conditioning was a welcomed relief. The raffle had approximately 60 winners and prizes ranged from gift certificates to works of art. Plenty of food and beverage added a friendly touch. The raffle brought over $2000 to the WAA treasury. These funds will go to up coming WAA events.
There is some talk among the membership of re-thinking next year's tour and these plans will be discussed at an upcoming meeting.
The Twilight Park Show is not a WAA event, but there was certainly a strong representation by WAA members. Once again several members met with success in selling work. Among them were Fran Driscoll, Larry Gambon, Mara Lehmann, Susumo Sato, and Patti Morrow. WAA member Carol Slutzky Tenerowitz received an HONORABLE MENTION ribbon and congratulations to Susumo Sato whose photograph walked away with BEST IN SHOW. Annie Borgenicht won JUDGE’S CHOICE and Patti Ferrara won the AWARD OF EXCELLENCE. In addition, Naomi Blum, Francine Barbet, Athena Billias, Patti Ferrara, Olive Farrell, Meryl Learnihan, Ellen Mahnken, Michelle Moran, Richard Morrow, Karen Rhodes, David Slutzky, Sheila Trautman, and Marianne Tully also participated in the show. If we have left anyone out please let us know.
There are 54 Rip Van Winkles spread across the mountaintop, with seven WAA members taking part in this year's project. The annual auction and gala will take place Oct. 6th at the Washington Irving Inn in Tannersville. Tickets are priced at $20 before Oct1st or $25 at the door. There will be a fee viewing between noon and 3PM the day of the auction and you can leave a bid if you can't make the event. For reservations call 518-589-5050.
Furthermore, WAA participated in the Windham Celebration with several members contributing photographs as well as Ray Shearer setting up display racks. We continue to provide support to local organizations by distributing information about upcoming events as well as putting their activities on our windhamartsalliance.org website. See the website to find out what has been going on. The website also has a gallery section that features work for any member who wants to be included.
We thank you for your support and welcome your ideas to help make the Windham Arts Alliance an even more successful part of our mountaintop community. We are always looking for new programs to support.
The Next WAA meeting is
September 18, 2012 at 5:00 PM.
Where: Iris Kaplan,
5 Pheasant Lane, Windham.
518 947 4995
Please Attend!