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Artistic talent is on display at the Fountains’ Summer Art Show, which opened Thursday, June 11. The exhibition features works by several residents and drew a strong turnout of artists and guests, who were welcomed on opening day by art instructor Ellen O’Shea.
Photo By Leila Hawken
Resident Shirley Fernekes is one of the featured artists with several paintings on display, selected to show the breadth of her works over a lifetime. Included are depictions of wildlife, seascapes and New England scenes, reflective of her travels. She recalled beginning in acrylics before switching to her preference for oils and watercolors.
“I’ve always been painting…all my life,” Fernekes explained, having attended Wooster and Silvermine art academies for her studies.
Her work has brought several awards, including recognition by the Connecticut-based Kent Art Association.
“It’s almost like I can’t not do it,” said resident artist Gail Curcio whose father Theodore Wheldon was an accomplished artist, as was her grandfather.
“I’m thrilled with the art classes and Ellen’s encouragement,” Curcio said, speaking of Fountains art instructor Ellen O’Shea who mounted the exhibit.
“The talent is fantastic. Everyone is very interested in learning,” O’Shea said of the show, noting that all are welcome to join in art classes or work on their own. Several works were included that were by six resident artists who are improving with good results. They are Lucy Johnson, Margaret Cornell, Reiko Ramsey, Graham and Sheila Attlesey and Mary Kay Blasi.
The Fountains houses a significant presence of talent, including in the visual arts. The Summer Art Show that opened on Thursday, June 11, features the works of several residents, accomplished in interpreting the world around them. The opening was well-attended by residents and friends.Photo By Leila Hawken
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Joanna Zammiello of Sweet Lilly’s squeezes fresh lemons for her lemonade at Pine Plains Community Day on Saturday, June 13. The company is named for her cat.
Graham Corrigan
Pine Plains’ Beth McLiverty was on the event’s organizing committee. From her perch at the information table, she stressed the importance of moments like Community Day for the town’s overall well-being. “We’re going to make sure this happens every year,” McLiverty said. “Everybody missed it.”
A children’s animation workshop enlivened the Stissing Center on Church Street from 10 to 11 a.m., and a variety of vintage phonographs played wax cylinders on the Graham-Brush House lawn located behind Story Book Cafe on Church Street throughout the morning. Nearby, Bee Bee the Clown twisted balloon animals for a crowd of gleeful onlookers.
Free lunch bites were provided by local restaurants like Champêtre and Guacamole Grill, and the bounce house arrived in the early afternoon to an eager crowd of pint-sized participants. Community Day also doubled as part of the region-wide REV 250 celebrations ahead of America’s 250th birthday. Historic landmarks such as the Graham-Brush House and The Pines opened their doors for the revival, and local actor Thayer Durrell appeared as Revolutionary War soldier Major Ebenezer Husted in full regalia, complete with a powdered wig and musket. Stissing Center director and Air Force veteran Marie Stewart read the Declaration of Independence.
As the sun began to set, children’s activities gave way to more adult programming: live music, corn hole, and a beer garden rounded out the afternoon, and the free raffle drawing ended with gift certificates and fruit trees to some lucky winners.
Graham Corrigan
An animation workshop for kids was part of the free programming on offer at the Stissing Center.
“We really wanted to support the community,” said organizer McLiverty. “We were very determined to make it so that no matter what your situation is, you can come out and enjoy free food, you don’t have to pay for games.” When the crowds finally dispersed, Pine Plains Community Day had made a glorious return.
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