Fenimore Art Museum and The Farmers’ Museum at the annual recognition event held on Wednesday, December 21. Jane Forbes Clark, chairman of the Board of Directors of The Farmers’ Museum, presented the awards and Dr. Paul S. D’Ambrosio, president and CEO of the two institutions, presided. A 35-year award was presented to Bob Thompson. Patrick MacGregor received a 30-year award and 25-year awards were given to Meg Preston and Chris Rossi. Kevin Gray and Pete Wiswell received 20-year awards, and 15-year awards were presented to Christine Olsen, Walter Ashley, Mark Simonson, Joelle LaChance, and Todd Kenyon. Lynne Mebust accepted a 10-year award. Pictured above, standing from left, are: Jane Forbes Clark, chairman of the Board of Directors of The Farmers’ Museum; Christine Olsen, registrar; Lynne Mebust, museum teacher; Walter Ashley, interpreter; Kevin Gray, manager of arts education; Mark Simonson, interpreter; Paul D’Ambrosio, president and CEO; and Todd Kenyon, director of marketing and communications. Seated: Meg Preston, agriculture events coordinator; Bob Thompson, associate director of agriculture facilities; Patrick MacGregor, manager of interpretation; and Chris Rossi, director of exhibitions. Not in attendance: Pete Wiswell, superintendent of building services, and Joelle LaChance, interpreter.
SMALL ART —5-7 p.m. Teens and adults are invited for open painting with the opportunity to bring the finished product home, enter into an art show, or donate the finished work to be auction to benefit the library. Canvas & paint provided, free. Also held 1/24. Village Library of Cooperstown. (607) 547-8344 or visit facebook.com/VillageLibraryOfCooperstown/
COOPERSTOWN—Fenimore Art Museum’s Glimmer Globe Theatre is accepting submissions through Saturday, January 7 for its 2023 “NEXT! Readings of New Works by Regional Playwrights” and “Write Out Loud” performances, both planned to be live and in-person this winter. The museum is seeking plays, poems, prose and short stories for consideration. Entries are limited to one full-length play or collection of short works per playwright. Poets may submit up to three poems of any length for consideration. Alternatively, prose/short stories may be submitted, but each should not exceed 1,500 words. All genres are welcome. Those interested should e-mail scripts, pieces and inquiries to submissions@fenimoreart.org.
Pamela McColl explores the art and history of Clement Clark Moore’s classic Christmas poem in her new book. (Photo courtesy warnerlibrary.org)
COOPERSTOWN – On Tuesday, November 29, author Pamela McColl presented at Fenimore Art Museum on the insights and experiences she had gained in the 10 years it took to research and write her volume, “Twas the Night—The Art and History Behind the Classic Christmas Poem.” The lecture was particularly relevant this year, since it is the bicentennial of the poem’s first reading and since part of the imagery contained in it parallels imagery James Fenimore Cooper incorporated into his work, “The Pioneers,” published about the same time.
A CHRISTMAS STORY—11:30 a.m. Join author Pamela McColl for a reading of the famous poem ‘Twas The Night Before Christmas” and to learn the history of the poem from the first time it was read in 1822, to the many modern publishers, the artists who have been inspired by the poem, the life of the author and the connections between Mr. Clement C. Moore and other American authors like James Fenimore Cooper. Included with museum admission. The Fenimore Art Museum, Cooperstown. (607) 547-1400 or visit fenimoreartmuseum.org
BE AN ANGEL – The community is invited to adopt a family and then find Christmas gifts for each of the children listed. Gifts are due unwrapped and without tags to either the office of The Freeman’s Journal at 21 Railroad Ave. in Cooperstown, or at the Salvation Army Church at 25 River St. in Oneonta. Visit allotsego.com/angel-tree-program/ for details
PUMPKIN SCULPTING – 5 – 8 p.m. Learn to sculpt your pumpkins for this Halloween with Ian McWeeney of the Community Arts Network of Oneonta and Huntington Memorial Library. Open to all aged 16+ unless accompanied by an adult. Held at The Studio at CANO, 11 Ford Avenue, Oneonta. Visit canoneonta.org/the-studio
Otsego 2000 Executive Director Ellen Pope shows off this year’s Film Days poster, designed by Doreen DeNicola with photo by Mike Reynolds.
This year, Glimmerglass Film Days is offering five days of independent films, filmmaker talks, art, parties, live music and events. The films will be screened at the National Baseball Hall of Fame, Fenimore Art Museum, The Farmers’ Museum, Templeton Hall and the Cooperstown Village Hall.
“Connection is the theme this year,” Ellen Pope, executive director of Otsego 2000, said. “After two years of the pandemic and social isolation, we thought a lot about what the theme should be. The film festival used to be about not just great films but the social and human connection of watching films together. We didn’t have that for two years, so we wanted to focus on how important connection is—the human connection, connecting the dots between humans and climate and nature.”
“This year we started a submission process on Film Freeway. It’s a database where filmmakers can put their films out there for festivals to review and hopefully choose,” Pope said.
ART IN THE DARK – 6:30, 7:30 & 8:30 p.m. Tour museums galleries of folk & fine art by Lantern Light with guides. Learn some of the mysterious, melancholy, untold stories behind the pieces & discover secrets with ultra-violet light. Cost, $16/non-member. Pre-registration required. Fenimore Art Museum, Cooperstown. 607-547-1400 or visit fenimoreartmuseum.org
Fenimore Art Museum will host a reading of The Venetians followed by a talkback with playwright Matt Barbot on Wednesday, August 24 and Thursday, August 25 at 6:30 p.m. in the Lucy B. Hamilton Amphitheater. Admission is free with a suggested donation.
A crossover between Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice and The Tragedy of Othello, Barbot’s play uses two classical outsiders — the Moorish general Othello and Jewish moneylender Shylock — to ask questions about immigration, assimilation, national identity, and what acceptance truly means. This project is made possible with the generous support of Art Bridges. Fenimore Art Museum is located at 5798 State Route 80. For more information, visit FenimoreArt.org.
DANCE PERFORMANCE – 3 – 5 p.m. Visit the museum for a vibrant afternoon featuring 2 dance performances from singer/songwriter Bear Fox at 3 and then the acclaimed Allegany River Dancers at 4. Cost, $15/adult. Lucy B. Hamilton Amphitheater, The Fenimore Art Museum, Cooperstown. 607-547-1400 or visit fenimoreartmuseum.org
Paul D’Ambrosio presents the Fenimore Award for best in show to David (R.C.) Oster of Utica.
The Fenimore Art Museum hosted its 15th annual Art by the Lake juried art invitational on Saturday, August 13. Eight awards were presented including the prestigious Fenimore Award which represents “best of show”, won by artist David (R.C.) Oster, of Utica.
Art by the Lake 2022 award winners Fenimore Award (best in show) —David (R.C.) Oster (Utica)
GALLERY TOUR – 5:30 p.m. Join Victoria Wyeth, granddaughter of Andrew Wyeth, for after-hours tour of exhibit ‘Drawn from Life: Three Generations of Wyeth Figure Studies’ featuring an inside look at her families life and legacy. Cost, $55/non-member. Fenimore Art Museum, Cooperstown. 607-547-1400 or visit fenimoreartmuseum.org
GALLERY TOUR – 5:30 p.m. Join Victoria Wyeth, granddaughter of Andrew Wyeth, for after-hours tour of exhibit ‘Drawn from Life: Three Generations of Wyeth Figure Studies’ featuring an inside look at her families life and legacy. Cost, $55/non-member. Fenimore Art Museum, Cooperstown. 607-547-1400 or visit fenimoreartmuseum.org
BLOOD DRIVE – 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. Community Bible Chapel, 577 Greenough Rd., Cooperstown. 1-800-733-2767 or visit https://www.redcrossblood.org/
COOPERSTOWN CONCERT – 7 – 9 p.m. The Cooperstown Concert series presents the award winning Verona String Quartet and their program of hidden gems and chamber classics from Dvorak’s ‘American’ to Puccini’s ‘Crisantemi.’ Tickets, $30/adult. The Otesaga, Cooperstown. Visit cooperstownmusicfest.org
DRAG SHOW – 7:30 p.m. Hyde Hall presents local drag artists guiding visitors through time to learn about the origins of the estate and the history of the area. Event includes signature cocktails, live music, dancing, and fun. Tickets, $30 general admission. Hyde Hall, 267 Glimmerglass State Park., Cooperstown. 607-547-5098 or visit hydehall.org
OTSEGO COUNTY FAIR – 10 a.m. – 9 p.m. Come enjoy music, rides, food, exhibits, and much more at the Otsego County Fair. Otsego County Fair Grounds, 469 Mill St., Morris. 607-263-5289 or visit www.otsegocountyfair.org
