Volume 35 Number 1 January & February 2009

Board Members :

Class of 2009 Joan Belles Carol Conti

Daniel Crozet Dale Richards Kent Salisbury

Class of 2010 Mary Harmony

Elisabeth Haynes Joyce Hunt

Nancy Langford Sandy Murrin Jean Welch

Class of 2011 Sam Castner Ginny Deneka

Hioward LeVant Bill Bailey

Executive Director

Fran Bliek

Newsletter Editor Bonnie Barney

The vision of YCAC is to enhance and enrich life in

Yates County through education and the

advancement of the arts.

To this end, we plan, promote, and develop art programs and projects;

coordinate, schedule, and publicize events; develop

and maintain physical facilities.

Programs of YCAC are supported by an annual

grant from the Yates County Legislature, from commissions collected on

Gallery sales, and by memberships.

Bev Oben : Volunteer of the Year

At the Annual Meeting, recognition was given to Bev Oben as our Volunteer of the Year. The Gallery of YCAC would never open with-out Bev Oben scheduling all the teams of vol-unteers who greet the visitors. Over the years Bev has done everything from the presidency to cleaning the toilet. THANK YOU BEV!!!

...And a Good Time Was Had By All!

Members and friends of YCAC who attended the annual meeting/dinner at Sarasin’s Restaurant were treated to fine food, local wines, a positive review of 2008, and en-tertainment headed for Broadway. Amanda Jacobs and Lindsay Warren Baker performed synopses from their Broadway-bound production of "Pride and Prejudice-The New Musical". Here they join Executive Director Fran Bliek and President Ginny Deneka for a photo op. Robert McNary, a Penn Yan resident and director of the Empire State Economic Development Corporation spoke of how the arts enhance the community's quality of life. A brief business meeting included election of new board members and officers, and recognition of retiring board members. (see p.3) A review of 2008 was presented with story boards. (see p. 2)

YATES COUNTY ARTS CENTER

PAGE 2 PERSPECTIVES VOLUME 35 NUMBER 1

Fran’s Forum: Annual Meeting The Annual Meeting for the Yates County Arts Center was held at Sarrasin's on the Lake and included a won-derful meal and wine donated by Lynne Montgomery and the Keuka Wine Trail. The members and board in at-tendance enjoyed the evening of entertainment and information sharing.

Grants Received in 2008 .. YCAC was reinstated with New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) and received both Adminstra-tive and Program (Workshop) funding. .. Spring Hill Grant funding provided classes for homeschoolers and preschoolers. A successful year-round program is in place and another year's support to continue this program has recently been received. .. James P. Gordon Trust funded the Hampstead Stage Company's production at three Yates County Ele-mentary Schools for 1400 elementary school students. Also funded new lighting for the Gallery window . .. Funds were also received from the Gerbic Foundation and the Yates County Legislature.

Year in Review - YCAC membership is currently 550. An effective renewal process is in place. -Workshop attendance was up 13%; over 40 workshops, over 190 instructional days -New classes : "Simply Books", Pastel Painting, Printmaking; Three new instructors were added. -Attic Art sales income provided 7 local Community Arts Grants -Gallery sales increased by 25%, with 3000 visitors stopping by the Gallery during the year -Docent teams were established and docent training was held in the spring -Gallery Management Sofware is being used by most docents -7 Exhibits ; 600 attendees at Receptions; Wineries donated wine and members donated refreshments . -June 28 Celetration of Annie Smith’s life at Sunny Point ; Ribbon Cutting -Open House at Annie's Sunny Point in October drew 150 attendees. -2 Workshops held this summer at Annie's Sunny Point

New Initiatives in 2008 -Art Studio Tour (reactivated); 25 artists participated and 10 sponsors -Day Trips to Rochester and Syracuse to have tour of special exhibits -Plein Air Painting Days once a month for all artists -Poetry and Music in the Vineyards -Joined NYMACC (New York Multi-Arts Centers Consorium); attended Conference.

Volunteer of the Year Award was presented to Beverly Oben for her dedicated service as Docent Coodinator for YCAC. Bev spends countless hours phoning and scheduling docents which enables the Gallery to be open to the public and artists to have a place to show their art. She's always ready to fill in when an unexpected absence occurs.

The evening was not only enjoyable but informative to all in attendance. We hope to see even more members attend the annual meeting when it is held again next year. Fran Bliek, Executive Director

An Honor and a Grant: On December 19th, YCAC received a grant of $1000 from Stork Insurance through one of their agencies. Corry Stork applied on behalf of YCAC to be recognized as a community organization exemplary in its service to chil-dren and the arts. The grant application requested funding for a program for seniors and will provide art classes to seniors living at St. Mark's Terrace both in Penn Yan and Dundee. Other seniors may attend as space in the class is available. The grant will cover instructor's fees and sup-plies for this program. Thank you, Corry Stork and Stork Insurance.

Fran Bliek receives a check for $1000 from Steve Stork, of Stork Insurance.

PAGE 3 PERSPECTIVES VOLUME 35 NUMBER 1

February 1st Gallery Re-Opening The traditional January clean-up means The Gallery will be closed January 1-31. A new exhibit will be ready for the re-opening reception on Sunday, February 1, from 1 to 3 PM. Featured in this exhibit will be Maria Hoover, a graduate of the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn. She does multi-media paintings on a large scale. Also featured will be pottery by Ray and Monica Sommerville. The Sommer-villes moved to the west side of Keuka Lakes in April of 2007, where they

create their functional pottery using earth-tone glazes. Also returning to The Gallery will be “wearable art” by Lisa Saether. Lisa was educated in the fine arts, and received a BFA and MFA in printmaking. This blended perfectly with her love of making clothes. “I make clothing de-signed to ensure that women of all ages feel good as well as look good. My styles are easy to wear, easy to wash, and will easily become favorites to put on again and again. “ The opening reception will be on Sunday afternoon to accommodate winter driving. Wine will be provided by Hunt Country Vineyards. Artists: Please drop off new art on January 26, between 10 and 2, or make arrangements by calling Joyce Hunt, 315-595-2812. Thank you.

Painting Raffle “Mendon Tracks”, an oil painting by Rochester/Keuka artist Mark Zane, is being raffled for the benefit of YCAC. Mark generously donated the 16” X 20” framed work to show his support for our organization. Raffle tickets are $5 each, or 5 tickets for $20. The drawing will take place at the opening reception for the February exhibit, Sunday, February 1. The Gallery being closed in January, you may purchase tickets by mail. Clip and send the coupon to YCAC.

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Valentine Sunday, Music at the Castle “Mid-Winter Song”, with guitar, flute, and strings, will include folk songs, spirituals, hymns, winter carols, serenades, and chamber music by members of the Manhattan Chamber Orchestra. A brunch buffet (Belhurst’s famous spread plus more) will start with Mimosas at noon, February 15th. The concert will conclude with a silent auction to support this year’s season, and a dessert buffet. Tickets are $50 per person, all inclusive, and may be purchased by mail (FLCMF, PO Box 605, Penn Yan, NY 14527), or from the web-site (www.FingerLakes-Music.org).

Page 4 Perspectives January & February 2009

Winter Workshops Painting (All Media) - Adults/Teens - 6 weeks Instructor: Dick Kane Mondays: February 2-March 9 from 9:00-12:30 Cost: $115 Members; $125 Non-Members; $55 Teens Sharpen your skills while painting in your favorite medium. Lessons will cover painting techniques and focus on personal expression. Each class will begin with a painting demonstration by Dick Kane. Participants should bring their own original reference from which to paint along with their supplies. Drawing I (Adults/Teens) - 8 weeks Instructor: Robin Secrest Tuesdays: Feb. 3-March 31 (no class on Feb. 17-school holiday) from 9:30-11:30 Cost: $100 Members; $110 Non-Members; $50 Teens Enjoy Drawing using different approaches that will build skills and en-hance drawing pleasure. Experiment with drawing tools and media. Open to all levels from beginners to advanced. Drawing for Kids (6 weeks) Instructor: Robin Secrest Tuesdays: Feb. 3-March 1 7 (no class on Feb. 17-school holiday) from 3:30-5:30 , Cost: $30 Where can a pencil take you? Into many worlds of imagination. Materials, technique, imagination, creativity and familiarity—all subjects that will be explored. All new projects. Stamping Fun for All Instructor: Jan Enos 3rd Monday of each Month (Feb 16 and March 16) 5:00-7:00 pm Cost: Youth-$5 per class; Adults-$5 per class plus $5 materials Learn stamping techniques while creating a variety of cards, gifts and other usable items. Each month new creative stamping projects. Painting for Kids (6 weeks) Instructor: Robin Secrest Tuesdays: March 24-May 5 (no class on April 14 - school holiday) from 3:30-5:30 , Cost: $30 Students will experiment with different painting techniques, materials and subject matter. Creativity will be encouraged while exploring the art of painting.

Please contact YCAC’s Workshop Coordinator, Fran Bliek (607-227-2475), to register, or if you have any questions. Class size is limited; please register early to avoid closed classes. Full class fee is required at registration .

Absolutely NO partial class fees. Students may make up missed class if available at another session.

Volume 35 Numberr 1 www.YCAC.org Page 5

Board Changes, Officers Three new board members were elected at the annual meeting: Joan Belles, Daniel Crozet, and Dale Richards. All have been active in the association as both artists and volunteers.

Joan Belles is the chair person for the exhibit committee, assuring that we have constantly renewed displays in the Gallery, inviting window displays, and professional print materials relating to the ex-hibits. Joan is a basket weaver who has taught classes and exhibited her works at YCAC.

Daniel Crozet was a featured artist in 2008 with his unique photos of clouds, printed on paper, silk, canvas, and tile. Since Daniel join the Penn Yan community he has been displaying his work in The Gallery.

Dale Richards has organized and maintained our lending library of books and audio-visual materials, and is the co-chair of the membership committee, keeping our records and mailing membership so-licitations and acknowledgements. She paints and creates landscapes in collage, which can be seen at The Gallery.

Retiring board members were thanked for their years devoted to the organization: Peter Loughnane (our A-V and computer guru), Willie Bilancio (our Attic Art Sale expert), Barbara Pinckney (our sec-retary), and Bob Kinney (former president and reliable refreshments donor).

Officers in place for 2009 are: President Ginny Deneka Vice President Sandy Murrin Secretary Nancy Langford Treasurer Bill Bailey

Looking Ahead to April Pastel Painting (Adults/Teens) - 6 weeks Instructor: Barbara Doyle Wednesdays: April 1-May 6 from 9:00-12:00 Cost: $100 Members; $110 Non-Members; $50 Teens Learn the layering techniques of pastel painting. Students will learn to create depth, capture light and shadow, and color harmony in their pieces. Class size limited to 8 students. Creative Writing Workshop Series (Adults/Teens) - 4 weeks Instructor: Michael Czarnecki Thursdays: April 2-April 30 (no class April 16 - school holiday) from 6:30-8:30 pm Cost: $50 Members; $60 Non-Members; $25 Teens This Creative Writing Workshop Series introduces a different kind of writing each week. Included in the series will be poetry in general, haiku, memoir writing, and nature writing. A portion of each weekly session will be de-voted to reading and critiquing students' writings. Oil Painting (Adults/Teens) - 8 weeks Instructor: Robin Secrest Tuesdays: April 7-June 2 (no class April 16 - school holiday) from 6:30-8:30 pm Cost: $100 Members; $110 Non-Members; $50 Teens Oil painting is a rich medium and offers a wonderful exploration of color and paint. Learn the laying techniques of oil painting capturing depth, light and shadow and color harmony.

Page 6 Perspectives January & February 2009

New and Renewing Members October 15 through December 15, 2008

Michelangelo $5000 Benefactor $500

Patron $250 Dan & Linda Carp

Sponsor $150

Bonnie & Dick Barney Polly Smith

Business $100 or more David Schirmer DDS Donor $100 Associate $50

A. Leigh & Pamela Harrington Bob & Char Kinney Clif & Priscilla Smith Carol Worth

Individual/Family $35

Lois and Peter Agliata * Geoff Ballard Joan Belles Ellen Bradshaw Bruce & Sandy Castner Lyle Conrad Barbara Doyle James & Cornelia Eichorn Nancy Langford Linda Carter Lefko Marv & Joy Pallischeck Sally & Keith Prather Brenda & Parker Reynolds * Virginia Tully Christine Tunney Nancy Wager

Senior Laurie A. Adams Jean & Gordon Bascom Ann Brandow Carol & Ken Guyett Marion C. Louden Irene Soper Cheryl & William Turner Sharon A. Tyo Barbara Welles Betty Yolton ∗ New members

YCAC has more than 550 members!

YCAC programming is possible because we have so many generous member supporters. Thank you.

2008 – what a year! Yates County Arts Center has really grown up during 2008. With the passionate and dedicated work of our executive director, Fran Bliek, we have made huge strides in becoming better known in the community. We have made new partnerships in the Penn Yan business community. More people are beginning to take notice. They are beginning to recognize us as an important and valuable part of this area. Our name and logo has been seen in more places than ever—placemats in local establishments, and in Life in the Finger Lakes magazine, as well as local news papers. Our opportunities to provide art ex-periences to the public have increased with classes, workshops and artist exhibits in our Gallery on E. Elm Street. Exhibit receptions continue to be well attended, often bringing in new people who are pleased with their discovery. With the completion of a new data base, put together with the computer expertise of Mary Harmony, we have been able to more effectively keep track of our growing membership. Through the Spring-Hill Grant we have served the preschoolers at St. Michaels and the Keuka Lake School. Next year we plan on reaching out to seniors. The Artists’ Studio Tour, organized by Carol Conti, was huge success and is scheduled again for next summer. A major boost and opportunity for growth was the generous bequest of Sunny Point on Keuka Lake by the late Annie Smith. The addition of this beautiful facility has opened a new door for YCAC. It is a loca-tion that is just waiting to be used to the fullest for the arts. It is a wonderful place for workshops, resident artists, plein air painting, storytelling and singing around a campfire. The possibilities are endless! 2008 was a wonderful year for YCAC and we look forward to 2009 and the future with optimism. With the great team of supporters and volunteers we can do whatever it takes to became a valued part of our community. Thank you for your part in our continued growth. Ginny Deneka – President of the YCAC Board of Directors

Volume 35 Number 1 www.YCAC.org Page 7

Money Approved but No Money!! IMPORTANT SPECIAL N OTICE:

Everyone is aware of the present fiscal problems facing each of us as well as the state of New York. It is with heavy heart that I must inform our members that YCAC will most likely not be receiving the ex-pected future grant money from the state through NYSCA (New York State Council on the Arts) that helps support our workshop program. Megan White, Director of NYSCA's State and Partnership Program, called YCAC in mid-December to assure us that "NYSCA is strongly supportive of what we are doing". She wanted me to stress to our board and members how supportive NYSCA is of our organization but that they have been told by the governor's office to hold off on both the Oct and Dec granting cycles. This is extremely unfair to those organizations with fiscal years later in the year like YCAC. The monies were originally given to NY-SCA to distribute this year but because of the state's financial crisis they are being asked to put a hold on its distribution. We will all just have to wait this crisis out. Consequently, we will have to be more consciencious about our program costs and strickly enforce policies already in place. In the past, we have bent the rules and often have held classes with very few participants or have waited until the last minute to cancel a class. This cannot continue; it is not fair to our instructors who spend much time preparing for a class that may not be held, including occa-sionally their purchase of special materials. Recently we had the minimum number of students sign up (but not pay) for a class, the instructor had to purchase special materials only to have no one attend the class. Everyone who registers for a class will now be required to include their payment either by cash, check or charge. Please register at least one week before the first class in order for us to determine if the workshop will indeed take place. Understand that by adhering to the workshop registration policy be-low you will be helping YCAC maintain fiscal integrity. Thank you for your consideration. -Fran Bliek · Full class fee is required at registration. Absolutely NO partial class fees. Students may make up missed class if availabl e at another ses-sion. Scholarships available.

· Class size is limited; please register early to avoid closed classes.

· Enrollment is first come first served.

· Classes with inadequate enrollment are canceled o ne week before the first class meeting . All fees will be refunded when YCAC cancels a class.

· Refunds of class fees, less $10 admin fee, made f or withdrawals prior to 2 business days prior to first class or 2 weeks prior for full week workshop. · Please contact Fran Bliek (315-536-8226) if you have any questions. In light of this funding disappointment, if you'd l ike to make a donation to support YCAC's workshop program, (even $5 or $10 helps), sp onsor an individual class (for $200), underwrite a workshop ($500) , please contac t Fran Bliek. This is an opportunity to honor or memorialize someone.

YCAC ‘s programs are supported in part with pub-lic funds from the New York State Council on the Arts .

Volume 35 Number 1 Page 8 January & February 2009

Red Jacket Writers’ Group

We welcome writers. Want to join us? We meet the third Monday of each month from 7-9 PM at The Gallery. Dues are $1 per month for those attending. We share our joys and woes, successes and rejections, and read from our current writing projects. Most of all, we encourage each other to keep writing !

Can’t think of a subject? Try the word of the month. Want to change the bent of your composition? Insert “Major” or “Minor” before the noun. January: Discovery February: Ancestor

For more information: Barbara Wohlschlegel 585-526-5787

Or Alice Moriarity 585-526-6569

Rose in Bloom (“Better to have loved and lost than never

to have loved at all.” Tennyson)

I picked a summer rosebud jeweled with morning dew, Each tight-furled petal holding promise bright and new.

I placed it in a crystal vase and watched it day by day unfold its crimson petals veined with gold Until, resplendent in full bloom, its heady fragrance filled the room.

Then sadly, oh how sadly I watched the petals fade and fall Till bitterly, at heart’s behest I locked them all, bejeweled with tears, within my memory chest.

But now in winter’s chilling years with wistful smile and sigh I often turn the key to stir the petals, brown and dry, Content that in my youth a rose in bloom still fills this empty box with sweet perfume.

© 1978 by Barbara Wohlschlegel

Short Story Collection Published

Walk into Long’s Cards and Books in Penn Yan and you will see a familiar author name on the counter: Bar-bara Wohlschlegel has a new publication to her credit. “Along the Tracks” is a collection of fifteen short stories set in Canada. Barbara invented an Uncle Ralph, em-ployed by the Canadian Pacific Railroad in the early 1900’s, as her continuing character. Why Canada? As a young girl, Barbara traveled with her father across Canada to Calgary. She recalls look-ing ahead of the train and seeing absolutely nothing but the tracks and telegraph poles. Then in the distance grain elevators would emerge, marking the upcoming cross-roads town. She used this setting for a short story written for the Red Jacket Writers. Well received, it soon was ex-panded into two, five, then fifteen. Publishers are disinclined to accept short story books by a single author, preferring to print collections by mul-tiple authors to ensure success. When Barbara ap-proached Moose Hide Books, a Canadian publishing house, this is the message she was given, but they left the door open by offering to review one of her chapters. Barbara sent three short stories for them to read, and immediately was asked to send all fifteen. And the rest is history: her collection has been published as a “royalty book”, that is, the work of a single author. With that strong recommendation from the publishing house, we proudly promote our local author’s work and suggest it for your cozy winter’s reading corner.

The Yates County Photography Club will meet at 7:00 P.M., January 15th at the Gallery, 119 East Elm Street, Penn Yan, N.Y. The program will be a display and critique of any photographs you have taken with a holiday theme. These can be film or digital. We will also be looking for ideas for this year’s programs. The Yates County Photography Club will meet at 7:00 P.M., February 19th also at the Gallery. The program will be a display and critique of a Power Point show taken on a trip to Africa by Sarah Meyer. Anyone interested is welcome to attend.

YATES COUNTY PHOTOGRAPHY CLUB

President Gene Parsons 315-789-4563 Vice President Lyle Conrad 607-868-4673

Contact President Lyle Conrad 607-868-4673

Volume 35 Number 1 Page 9 January & February 2009

Mary Rickman Scholarship Annual Scholarships are awarded to talented area high school seniors enrolled as

college art majors and/or to local college students majoring in the arts. * * *

Contributions to this major scholarship are always welcome. Please send this coupon with your contribution to

Yates County Arts Center, 119 E. Elm Street, Penn Yan, NY 14527

Donor:_____________________ Amount:________________ In Honor/Memory of: ___________________

Guests and new members are always welcome. PYAG exists to encourage all artistic endeavors. If you wish to join, please bring 3 examples of your work to a meeting for the group to admire.

Dues are Active Member $15 (one time initiation fee $3) , Associate Member (not displaying art) $10. Send 2006-2007 PYAG dues to Sally Thomas, 3598 Sid White Rd., Keuka Park, NY 14478.

January: While the Snowbirds are away, the mice will play…

Soup’s on at Bonnie Barney’s, (341 West Lake Road, Penn Yan) Saturday, January 17, 10 AM until ?. We’ll watch a video by Gordon MacKenzie, part of the Watercolorist’s Essential Notebook Series, “Landscapes”.

Gordon uses a loose approach to painting, creating suggestive, mood-filled paintings that sparkle with life. He uses innovative techniques such as a scrub brush for lifting, popsicle sticks, paper tow-els, slices of sponge. Bring your paints and we’ll practice.

Please call Bonnie (315-536-0483) so she can make enough soup.

No February meeting. Snowbirds win. :-(

Hunt Country Vineyards Branchport

Proud Sponsor of

Finger Lakes Chamber Music Festival

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Tues-Fri 10:00-4:00, Sat 9-3 315-536-8226

E-mail: ArtsCenter@YCAC.org On the web: www.YCAC.org

Yates County Arts Center 119 East Elm Street Penn Yan, NY 14527

The Loomis Barn & Country Shops

4942 Loomis Rd, Rushville Www.loomisbarn.com

“Make it a day in the country.”

Cannariato & Driesch Family Medicine

Morgan’s Grocery

100 Hamilton St.

Penn Yan

...the place for meat!