Upcoming CAA Exhibits Highlight Texture and Landscape

COOPERSTOWN—Two new exhibitions opening later this month at the Cooperstown Art Association celebrate the beauty of craftsmanship and the enduring inspiration of the natural world. An opening reception will be held on Friday, August 21 from 5-7 p.m., with both exhibitions on view August 22 through September 25. The reception and exhibitions are free and open to the public.

Executive Director Janet Erway said in a press release that “the Cooperstown Art Association is proud to showcase both established and emerging artists whose work reflects the creativity found within New York State. ‘Made in New York: Textured’ and Marjie Dennin’s ‘Earth, Water, Sky: Landscapes Real and Imagined’ demonstrate how artists continue to find fresh ways to interpret the world—and find deeper meaning as they explore it.”

In Gallery A, “Made in New York: Textured” is an invitational exhibition showcasing the work of New York State artisans whose creations explore themes around the expressive power of surface and material.

The exhibition boasts fine craftwork from ceramicists, woodworkers, textile artists, glass workers, and more, and aims to highlight the dynamic interplay between rugged, weathered finishes and sleek, polished surfaces.

“Each piece invites viewers to experience texture not only for its tactile quality but also its powerful visual, artistic language,” officials said.

In Gallery B, “Earth, Water, Sky: Landscapes Real and Imagined” will feature a collection of oil paintings by Cooperstown artist Marjie Dennin. The exhibition reflects Dennin’s deep appreciation for the landscapes of Central New York.

“Blending observation, memory, and imagination into evocative scenes, her paintings include familiar views from the rural backroads of Cooperstown, Springfield, Fly Creek, and Otsego Lake,” the press release reads.

While many of the works are firmly established in place, other works reimagine ponds, marshes and lakes inspired by photographs taken throughout Dennin’s travels.

“I take many photographs to inspire my paintings—of woods, hills, streams, ponds, and backroads; marshes, beaches, and sunsets on Cape Cod and in Maine; and, above all, the ever-changing landscapes of Otsego Lake and the Susquehanna River,” Dennin writes in her artist statement. “Sometimes I blend memories, fragments of photographs and imagination to create a landscape that exists only in my mind.”

A lifelong artist, Dennin has pursued oil painting extensively since 2020, developing her practice through independent study, instruction, workshops, and plein air painting. Her work reflects a continual exploration of color, atmosphere, and the emotional qualities of landscape, officials said. She has previously exhibited in the Fenimore Art Museum Members’ Showcase and Cooperstown Art Association group exhibitions, and Fine Arts on the Lawn held every Labor Day weekend.

“Together, these two exhibitions offer visitors an opportunity to experience the rich diversity of artistic expression found throughout New York State—from the intricate surfaces of contemporary craft to the tranquil beauty of landscapes inspired by this region we call home,” Erway emphasized.

The CAA galleries are located at 22 Main Street. Gallery hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free. For more information, visit www.cooperstownart.com or call (607) 547-9777.