Stephanie Sittnick - Director of Sales ( 860) 227-8199 advertising@518mag.com
CONTRIBUTORS
Carol St.Sauveur Ferris, Karen Richman, Rona Mann Chandler Stevens, Lawrence White, Susan Brink, Crystal Cobert Giddens, Chef Armand Vanderstigchel, Alan B. Richer, Kirsten Ferguson
COVER
“Our Lady of the Autumn Grasses” Lawrence White
This month we celebrate the arts. Explore the Arkell Museum which holds some of the most exciting and precious fine art in the world today. Also in Glens Falls, The Hyde, which houses a collection of over 4,000 objects, including paintings by well-known artists of the Renaissance through modern and contemporary art. You must visit the newly renovated Saratoga Arts! A center of creativity that encompasses arts education for children and adults along with a gallery exhibition space. I must say, I am very honored to profile a good friend of mine, Lawrence White. The first time I met Lawrence we met over a coffee for a meeting which was only scheduled for a half hour of our time. Over two hours later we were still talking at the coffee shop. Lawrence is one of the most cool and interesting people I have ever met. His life is fascinating!
As always, our goal at 518 PROFILES, is always to focus on the good, the beautiful and the positive by publishing stories with heart and soul. We strive each month to deliver authentic and unique content about cre ative people and interesting destinations. Enjoy!
Stephanie Sittnick Founder / Publisher
Getting it Done & Done Right! Saratoga Arts...YOUR Home For the Arts
pg. 6
Lawrence White –Saratoga’s Undefinable Artist
pg. 16
Fine Art Where You’d Least Expect It
The Treasures of the Mohawk Valley pg. 28
The Hyde Collection
Where the works of exceptional contemporary women artists are presented shoulder-to-shoulder with the greats from centuries past.
pg. 36
The Laffer Gallery
A powerful dialogue between stone, steel, and paint. Featuring sculptor John Van Alstine and painter Geoff Miller. Structural Echoes
September 13 - October 12
TheEVERYTHING SARATOGA Stores
-Awbinee
Getting it Done & Done Right! Saratoga Arts...YOUR Home For the Arts
by Rona Mann
The board of Saratoga Arts must have spotted it right from the be ginning. The enthusiasm, the drive, the know-how for getting things done and done the right way.
That’s why two years ago, they hired Amy Bloom to serve as their Executive Director. Many candidates bring valuable experience to a job interview. Bloom similarly brought valuable experience, but she also complemented it with years of leadership in strategy, opera tions, and marketing. She also brought her intense knowledge of the area, having been a resident of Saratoga Springs for some 20 years. It all added up to someone who not only understood problem solving but who knew how to get it done, done efficiently, and could teach others to do the same. With a B.A. in Philosophy and a Masters in Public Health, she spent 20 years teaching medical students and MBA candidates management skills, marketing, health care research, and bioethics, while at the same time spending time as a board member of a number of Saratoga-based community arts or ganizations. This lady, therefore, is both right-brained and leftbrained and was the perfect choice to head up Saratoga Arts because she not only checked all the boxes but had the ability to redesign them, if necessary!
Left to right: Amy Bloom Executive Director, Ally DeRusso Exhibitions and Marketing Coordinator, Spencer Sherry Grants and Community Outreach Coordinator, and Theresa Dickenson Assistant Director
The mission of Saratoga Arts is a simple one, yet it is that which is the beating heart of the organization: “to enrich the region by cultivating a vibrant arts community and by ensuring that the arts are accessible to all.”
First and foremost, Saratoga Arts serves as a “center.” It is a community arts center, it is centrally located at the corner of Spring (Congress Park) and Broadway right in the heart of downtown, and it is a center of creativity that encompasses arts education for children and adults; has a gallery exhibition space, a printmaking studio (believed to be the only one in the region), a black box theater for film, music, live productions, and special events, and is the very
heartbeat of the arts in Saratoga. “It is a very open, friendly, creative space with appeal across the generations. It’s a place where anyone in the community can explore their craft at any level, whether they are retirees who want to try their hand at something new or are expert weavers, printmakers, or visual artists,” says Bloom.
Partnership has always been at the very core of the success of Saratoga Arts, and now, more than ever, it’s critical, because if you’ve been by 320 Broadway of late, you’ll note the building is
undergoing a major renovation and is not open. But Amy Bloom and her staff were not about to let renovations close them down. They have delegated, asked and received, and formed partnerships all over town.
In the meantime, the community has answered the call, stepping up in a major way to help. The program, Art in Public Places, has taken the paintings off their walls, through the doors, and out into the community. Watercolors, oils, printmaking, sculpture, fiber arts, photography, and mixed media don’t have to wait for the renovations to be complete. Thanks to the Saratoga Springs community which fully supports this, art has found a home in a variety of area libraries, in the Mayor’s office, at the train station, the Visitors’ Center, and in a wide assortment of restaurants and cafes all over town. Children’s summer programs found a home in schools that were willing to share their space as did restaurants throughout the region, while a number of adult classes are still being held in various locations throughout the Beekman Street Arts District, while board and committee meetings have found a temporary home in various locations around town.
The renovations are expected to be complete by year’s end, and the community will welcome in a center featuring 14,000 square feet, a brand new gallery, state-of-the-art lighting, a cutting-edge sound booth, a new HVAC system, all new windows, and direct access to the park.
The funding for this project comes from three main sources: a capital project grant award totaling $766,000 from the New York State Council on the Arts, $1.1 million from the City of Saratoga Springs, and much appreciated individual and foundation contributions. Throughout all of this, Saratoga Arts has known they had a strong partnership and is undeniably grateful to the state, the city, and the people, not just for their monetary contributions, but for their belief in perpetuating the arts in the community.
In addition to the strong leadership brought by Executive Director, Amy Bloom, she is proud to have a small but mighty staff working in tandem with her in support of the
Weavers at CREATE
The Weaving Room
center. Theresa Dickenson is a very experienced Assistant Director who has been in the Capital Region for three years and has a solid foundation in the non-profit sector. Not only does she handle much of the administrative work, but she also teaches Mandala classes and is available, as are all staff members, to change hats, jump in, and get it done at a moment’s notice.
To that end, during renovations, the staff of Saratoga Arts has “taken over” Amy’s house. “We needed a place to work, to keep supplies, to meet as a staff, and my home is very near the center so it was the obvious choice. When needed, we just all roll up our sleeves, and we’re all in.”
Staff member, Spencer Sherry, wears many hats as the Grants and Community Outreach Coordinator, and it doesn’t hurt that he’s also a professional filmmaker. Having worked in NYC as a production assistant on major
proj ects, he returned to this area to produce his own work, believing “that community is a better resource than locale.” His experience in fundraising and promoting makes him in valuable to those who come to the center to hone that particular craft. He is the Board President of the 518 Film Network and this year, he founded and directed the Saratoga Film Showcase.
Ally DeRusso, Exhibitions and Marketing Coordinator, calls herself “an interdisciplinary artist” whose many talents broadly take in printmaking, photography, and textiles. She has exhibited her work at a number of re gional galleries and three years ago, she was a grant recipient of an Individual Artist Grant, which is part of the Community Re-grant Program supported by Saratoga Arts.
In addition to the very active Re-grant Program in which the center awards grants to artists in Saratoga, Fulton, and Montgomery counties, they also have a grant that offers free rehearsal space to regional performers.
The building may indeed be under renovation, but at Saratoga Arts, that’s all that is in a state of flux because under Amy Bloom’s leadership, plans are always well-conceived, strate gic, and never under renovation. The classes constantly go on. The staff is always working to better the center, bringing in more exciting installations for exhibitions, and most of all to keep meeting the community on whatever level they are. “We are a very friendly, creative space,” says Bloom, “and our appeal will always extend across generations. By the end of this year, we will have a brand new face to show you, and we know you’re going to love it. We’ve always known that Saratoga
Arts matters to this community. The people have shown us that over the years, and we know they will continue to carry us.”
Then Amy Bloom pauses for a moment to gather her thoughts. “It feels good,” she says. “It feels good.”
Saratoga Arts is at the very center of downtown and at the very heart of the community at 320 Broadway, Saratoga Springs. (518) 584-4132 www.saratoga-arts.org
Oil Painting
Pastels
Mandala and Zentangle
Lawrence White – Saratoga’s Undefinable Artist
by Susan Brink
During a lonely, hardscrabble childhood in the Southern California desert, one thing became clear. Young Lawrence White was an artist. His grandmother, with whom he lived, would gather colored rocks and arrange them under the sparse pepper trees to create fantastic miniature cities, or whatever Lawrence’s imagination dictated. At sunset, they would sprinkle the stones with water, and the colors would vibrantly come alive. Lawrence’s grandmother recognized that the child saw the world differently, and this was a way within her means to encourage his imagination.
It worked. Lawrence’s talents include photography, journalism, clothing design, largefor mat murals, Academy Award-level voice acting, video/film production (AFI Visions Award ‘91), and music created with local guitar virtuoso Miklos Frirsz and a worldwide ensemble of musicians under the name The Beat Generation.
As a child, Lawrence moved frequently, and by the third grade, he had attended five different schools. Kids can be cruel, but he learned that if he sang, he could entertain them and fit in better. Later, during a one-year boarding term at a strict boys’ institution, Lawrence met Bob Weir (Grateful Dead), who was a schoolmate. Bob introduced Lawrence to the music of John Lee Hooker, Little Walter, and Ray Charles - the blues, early rock ’n roll. It was the only lesson of value Lawrence learned that year, and it lasted a lifetime.
After high school, while surfing the California coastline, Lawrence volunteered for a four-year term of service in the Coast Guard during the Vietnam War. He figured it was better to serve by saving lives than taking them. His ship maintained and resupplied the small islands and atolls in the South and Far East Seas. With two other shipmates, a band was formed, bringing rock ’n roll to the small island clubs. Lawrence recalls, “The local people had never heard rock and roll, and the joy on their faces during our set was unforgettable.”
Upon discharge, Lawrence enrolled as a film major in the San Francisco Art Institute, one of the oldest art schools in the United States. He recalls hanging out with and learning from world-class artists while making zero-budget, live music soundtrack films that he performed at libraries, civic events, and film festivals.
Through scholarships, working several jobs, and living inexpensively on a houseboat outside of Sausalito, Lawrence graduated from SFAI with a Master’s Degree. Photographer, Annie Leibovitz was in the class ahead of him, and after she became the chief photographer at a new magazine, Rolling Stone, Lawrence was eventually brought in as a darkroom printer and pick-up photographer. Lawrence has the ability to capture an image, develop the film, and prepare a publication-ready print in an hour. This gave the magazine a unique edge. When Rolling Stone moved to New York City, Lawrence was asked to join them. Could he be there in five days? He was there in three.
Houseboat, built by noted architect and designer Chris Roberts on a WW2 balloon barge hull, was owned by artist Shel Silverstein. When the boat had bottom problems, he asked me to live on board while he traveled and oversee the work to restore it.
Waldo Point houseboat just outside of Sausalito.
The Rolling Stone darkroom, where he was to spend just shy of four years, was on the 23rd floor of a building on 57th Street and 5th Avenue, complete with a veranda overlooking Central Park. It was a significant change of environment from San Francisco at a time when print media was still king.
Jann Wenner, co-founder of Rolling Stone, put together an in-house rock critic band – “The Dry Heaves,” with Lawrence on harmonica and shared vocals. “There has been a lot said about Jann in those days, but when we jammed with Peter Wolf, his rhythm playing was solid. It was fun,” Lawrence recalls.
After that, Lawrence worked with international agencies, photographing the leading artists of the day, like Aretha Franklin’s comeback at Radio City Music Hall. At one point, Lawrence objected to a publication’s insulting editorial slant
David Bowie and Lawrence Photo Credit Bob Gruen
Andy Kaufman, Carnegie Hall
Heart - Anne and Nancy 1979
Frank Zappa
Aretha Franklin
Joey Ramone 1979
Neon Leon, Honey O’Rourke Chelsea Hotel, Full Band 1978
Rick Derringer and Todd Rundgrin Backstage Palladium NYC 1979
Rod Stewart
that was paired with his work. In response, the agency stated that the industry had changed, tabloid format had prevailed, and he had no control. Lawrence then withdrew his images, wanting greater control, but at a devastating cost to his career.
At this same time, Lawrence’s eclectic band, The Beatniks from Mars, was playing gigs all over NYC, particularly Lower Manhattan, with groups like Blues Traveler and Spin Doctors. “It was raw, it was real, and it was beautiful,” Lawrence exclaims.
Beatniks From Mars McGoverns Bar on Spring Street “Wheres My Beer”
The New York City of the 1990s had a culture of sidewalk artists, especially on West Broadway in Soho near Lawrence’s studio. Lawrence joined the community of street retail with his dance photography and began designing and selling his jewelry and textiles, while stores like Capezio, Danskin, and the Lincoln Center shop would purchase them wholesale. The stores all placed big orders for the holiday season in 2001.
Simultaneously, Lawrence worked at Chuck Kelton’s Photo Lab, a premier black and white lab, creating prints for high-fashion photographers such as Richard Avedon, Francesco Scavullo, Mark Seliger, and Annie Leibovitz. It was a rich, creative time, but then 9/11 happened...and it all came to an end.
On that day, Lawrence was three blocks away, on Murray Street, when the first building col lapsed. That’s when the smoke and dust began and continued to contaminate the area for
Josh Horner - Australian Ballet on the Brooklyn Bridge, 2000
Lucy Corner Dancer Leap with Umbrella 1998
NYC Dance, Ali Linthicum, Manhattan Movement Co 2001
many months. Lawrence’s images of his neighborhood during that time won a NY Press Association Award.
After 9/11, everything closed. No restaurants, no advertising featuring the NYC skyline, no street sales, no black and white work, but he was fortunate in that he had created posters from his photographs. One of them featured a young dancer posed on a Staten Island Ferry with the World Trade Center in the background, titled “American Dancer.”
After the attacks, he sold two thousand to an outlet in France, which helped him dig out of deep debt.
In 2002, Lawrence was offered an exhibition at the Museum of Dance in Saratoga Springs, necessitating travel to Saratoga on weekends, and eventually relocating here.
Unfortunately, there were health repercussions from his exposure to the pollution from 9/11, culminating in four surgeries, which
“American Dancer”
Bolshoi Leap
Lainie Grey
The National Ballet of Canada
forced him to speak in a whisper and ren dered him unable to sing for a long period. It was a difficult and depressing time.
But in 2023, while on a photo shoot for 518 Profiles Magazine during Caffe Lena’s open mic night, Lawrence was on stage for a per spective (soundcheck) of the mic when he was asked by an audience member if he’d perform. He accepted and performed David
Crosby’s “Long Time Gone,” fullthroated and a cappella. The young audience responded with great enthusiasm and affection. The magic was back.
Still, the world had changed. Photography had become digital, so he landed a job at a camera store to learn the new technology and discovered that the old school methods still applied, but digital had taken them to a new level.
“I feel blessed that digital access brought me back into the world community. It is thrilling to connect across borders with talented artists using the audio recording, video editing, and digital darkroom facilities on my computer. To have access 24/7, 365 at a high-quality level is a dream come true for an artist with a career that began over 50 years ago, when none of this was possible.”
Lawrence concludes, “I am often defined as a photographer, and through the years, I have created a large portfolio. But in the wider sense, I am an artist using creative disciplines I have studied to produce positive artwork in several ways.” Then, with a smile, he adds, “It is really the spirit from my grandmother’s rock garden that continues to inspire me.”
CONTACT INFO: Fine Art Website: https://www.lawrencewhiteartwork.com
One of the joys of living in a small town or rural area anywhere in these United States is that it doesn’t look like every other town in every other corner of these United States. Happily, there are those small villages and towns where the pace is slower, the people welcoming, and if you look or ask, you’ll likely find a treasure or two. This story is about one of these treasures, a unique blend, a Library and Museum, operating as one legal entity.
In the Mohawk Valley of New York State, there’s a village within Mont gomery County called Canajoharie. At first glance, it appears to be just another small dot on the much larger map that is New York State. Upon closer examination, Canajoharie is a place that begs the traveler to stop rushing and take some time... and you’ll find it here! Canajoharie is an Indigenous word that means which means the "pot that washes itself"; derived from the Kanienkahaka/(Mohawk) word Kanatsiohareke (Gah-nah-jo-ha-lay-gay).
The Boiling Pot, a geological feature which inherited its name from Canajoharie, can be found in the Canajoharie Gorge. This attraction is 20 feet in diameter and 10 feet deep at the base of the falls.
The people who settled in this village were equally unique, hardwork ing, and inventive, like Bartlett Arkell, the founder of the Beech - Nut Packing Company, which rose to fame for making chewing gum and eventually the world-famous baby food products.
The success Arkell gleaned as his company grew in prominence al lowed him to indulge in his great passion for art, he began to acquire masterpieces from all over the world and then to share them with members of his community. Arkell was so determined to educate and share his acquisitions with the locals that he frequently lent art from his private collection to the local community buildings. This, then, was the beginning of what ultimately would become the Arkell Museum.
Bartlett Arkell became a major financial benefactor of several or gani zations within the community, including the Canajoharie Li brary, which earned its NYS charter in 1914. His support funded the creation of a stand-alone library building, which opened in 1925, ex hibiting several works of fine art from his personal collection, for li brary patrons and the public to enjoy. In 1927 there was an added extension to the building to better house and display Arkell’s growing collection. This became the very core of what was to be named the Canajoharie Library and Art Gallery.
The more Bartlett Arkell’s collection grew, the more he gave much of it to the museum, so intent he was at sharing what he prized with the people of his village. Arkell personally owned 21 Winslow Homer originals, including seven oils and paintings by early 20thcen tury American artists, notable among them, An drew Wyeth, Gilbert Stuart, and William Merritt Chase. Bartlett Arkell commissioned a reproduction of Rembrandt's Night Watch specifically for the original (Night Watch) gallery.
It is amazing to visitors who encounter the Arkell Mu seum and Canajoharie Library, whether by chance or word-of-mouth, that here, in the middle of rural Upstate New York, exists some of the most exciting and precious fine art in the world today.
A spokesperson for the organization says “This is a rare combination, of an association library and a fine art museum in one building. We feature many unique and dynamic experiences including both permanent and rotating exhibitions, educational programs, and a host of upcoming events for the fall season which extend right into the holidays.”
On Saturday, October 18th, Mezzo Soprano, Joelle Lachance and accom panist, will captivate the audience with her original performance: Guys or Dolls, in our Original (Night Watch) Gallery. This is a ticketed event with limited seating. Tickets available online or in person.
Brackman Bartlett Arkell
Original Signature Gallery Ford, L. “Country Doctor”, 1936
The Arts Factory of Montgomery County Members Only show, opens on Friday, October 17th in the Regional Galleries and there will be an Artist reception on Saturday November 1st, from 2 pm to 4 pm. All are welcome! Not to be missed, on Sat urday November 8th, is the annual Holiday Arts & Crafts Fair (10am - 4pm). Admission to the Fair is free and there will also be discounted Museum admission - only $5.00! Get all your holiday shopping done! Expect to see jewelry, photography, toys for kids and pets, quilted goods, soap, lotions, sculpture, gourd art, candy, and baked goods. The Palatine Literary Society will offer lunch items for sale. Watch for information coming soon on these events and more!
EXHIBITIONS ON VIEW THROUGH DECEMBER 30th
Through the Lens: Photographs by John Bayne Young This life-long photographer and Canajoharie local captured decades of images chronicling the ever-changing landscape of
Winslow Homer, “Watching the Breakers A High Sea”, 1896
Jehan Georges Vibert - “Gulliver dans l'ile de Lilliput”, 1870 (Oil)
Thompson “Life on the Towpath”
S Georges “On the Erie Canal”
Dewing - “The Letter”
Linda Naske “Footlights”, Pastel
Linda Naske, Ruling the Roost, CRP
Norman Rockwell - Beech Nut Sample Girl and Police Officer
the area, plus history, townspeople, environmental and mechanical disasters, places, faces, the ordinary and extraordinary.
Mingling the Waters: 200 Years on the Erie Canal
Completed in 1825, the Erie Canal, those fa mous 363 miles extending from Albany to Buffalo, was a triumph of early engineering that has influenced settlement, agricultural, and industrial patterns in New York State for more than 100 years. Writers and painters have recorded everything from landscapes to the very canal towns along these waters.
Arkell’s Inspiration: Art for the People (a permanent exhibition)
Seven Winslow Homer oils, as well as significant paintings by many American fine artists.
Very Special!
The Canajoharie Library is the home to one of only two 30-inch diameter Juvet Time Globes ever made. Louis P. Juvet, inventor of the Time Globe, formed a partnership with James Arkell and Adelbert G. Richmond under the name of Juvet & Co., and began manufacturing Time Globes in Canajoharie ca. 1880. Though this globe is no longer operational, it still draws attention from residents and tourists alike.
The Canajoharie Library is part of a fourcounty library system serving the entire Mo hawk Valley and offers many services and resources including Printing, Faxing, Scan ning to USB, Curbside Pickup, Digital Li brary, Library of Things, Tech Help, Resume Support, and according to Communications Manager, Cory Seymour, “Ongoing help from a very dedicated staff.” The Spokesperson adds, “We have four Full-Time staff and many Part-Time staff and they are amazing. We all wear many hats, and if someone doesn’t have an answer to your question, we will find someone who does!” Cory concluded, “It is with astounding appreciation and gratitude for the continued support shown by New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA), the Arkell Hall Foundation, and our community, that any of this is possible.”
So, come visit Canajoharie, become a member, and experience Bartlett Arkell’s legacy, - masterpieces acquired - masterpieces given away, so all could enjoy them. As for the Beech Nut Food Plant, it has since moved from the small community of Canajoharie and you can find it about 20 minutes down the road in the town of Florida, NY, just outside of Amsterdam. The man who built it and went on to build an art museum and library, gave his beloved village more than just jars of baby food and gum.
And that’s something pretty great to chew on.
Come “treasure” hunting in our village! The Arkell Museum and Canajoharie Library is right off Exit 29 of the New York Thruway, East or West. 2 Erie Blvd., Canajoharie. (518) 673-2314 www.arkellmuseum.org and www.canajoharielibary.org
The Hyde Collection: A Gem of a Museum Where the works of exceptional contemporary women artists are presented shoulder-to-shoulder with the greats from centuries past.
By Carol St.Sauveur Ferris
Located in Glens Falls, New York, The Hyde Collection is a gem of a museum featuring the works of both European and American artists, from Rembrandt to Edward Hopper to current-day artists as well. Hyde House was built in 1912 as the private residence of Louis and Charlotte Hyde, who were passionate collectors of art representing the best of European and American artists. They assembled a remarkable collection that became known as The Hyde Collection. In 1952, the residence was placed in a trust to be preserved and maintained as a future museum for the general public to enjoy. The museum opened in 1963 and has been expanded and renovated several times since.
Today, The Hyde houses a collection of over 4,000 objects, including paintings by well-known artists of the Renaissance through modern and contemporary art. It also offers changing exhibi tions by recognized artists of today. This fall, The Hyde will be shining a light on three
Charlotte and Louis Hyde
accomplished female contemporary artists with individual exhibitions that will engage, challenge, and educate visitors with their unique styles. The work of Sharon Core, Nina Katchadourian, and Tanya Marcuse speaks to the works of artists from decades, even centuries past. Curator of Con temporary Art, Derin Tanyol, is very enthusiastic about the upcoming exhibitions sharing,
“Contemporary art is something that people often feel intimidated by because there’s a lot of new media including sound installations, video installations, very abstract paintings and digital art, but these three artists really speak to the public in very approachable and accessible ways. Our entire fall lineup of exhibitions is of work by women artists who engage the centuries-long tradition of still life.”
Sharon Core (American, b. 1965)
“Watermelon and Blackberries”
Sharon Core (American, b. 1965) ” Jimson Weed”
Sharon Core (American, b. 1965) “Cakes”
Sharon Core (American, b. 1965) “Peaches”
Exhibit - Sharon Core:1606 to the Sixties October 4, 2025 - February 1, 2026
Sharon Core is a contemporary photographer who painstakingly recreates still-life paintings by Old Masters and Pop artists of the 1960’s. Raised in New Orleans where food is central to the culture, she took an interest in cooking at age five. Sharon recalls drawing and painting at a very young age as well, winning prizes and praise along the way. She ultimately earned a scholarship to study at the university of Georgia in 1983. After graduation she married and moved to Sweden. A move to Prague followed,
where Sharon took a serious interest in photography, prompting her to apply to Yale University’s MFA program in photography from which she graduated in 1998.
Relocating to Brooklyn, Sharon worked with food and prop stylists in the commercial pho tography industry. No doubt inspired by her work styling food, she soon began showing her unique approach to photography in NYC, which led to a solo show that put her on the map. The show featured a series of photographic interpretations of food paintings by Wayne Thiebaud which she recreated by first making the food itself, then scaling, arranging, and lighting them exactly as Thiebaud did in his paintings. She also printed the photographs the same size as the paintings. The result is a series of photographs that are original works of art, replicating other original works of art, that compel you to reexamine your definition of originality.
She has also recreated Claes Oldenburg’s early plaster food sculptures using real food. For this series she actually grew and purchased the exact ingredients to replicate his. The result is a mouthwatering interpretation of his work.
Lastly, Sharon’s Facsimile is a hand-bound recreation of photographer Irving Penn’s origi nal book, Flowers, a compilation of flower photographs he did for Vogue. However, Sharon reverses Penn’s process by using printer’s ink to paint all 73 individual flowers, photographing the paintings, then binding them in her original book.
“For the past 30 years, my work has been anchored in the intersections of painting, photography,
and the still-life genre. Why still-life? The genre provides great possibilities in exploring the his tory of picture-making and figurative repre sentation. My intention is in creating a tension between the real and represented, through the juxtaposition of the detailed me chanical rendering of the camera and the handmade.”
Exhibit - Tanya Marcuse: Woven No.16 September 27 - February 1, 2026
Contemporary artist Tanya Marcuse was raised in New York City until the age of nine when her parents’ divorce precipitated a move to the suburbs. Her father regularly took her to the Frick Collection and the Metropolitan Museum, where she spent a great deal of time exploring, taking in every detail, and even touching the art she loved when no one was looking. She
Sharon Core (American, b. 1965) 1866
Tanya Marcuse (American, b. 1964) Woven Nº. 16
Tanya Marcuse at work in the outdoor studio, creating Woven Nº. 106
thought by touching them, the paintings would give her some of what they had, and years later, it would appear they did.
After high school, she attended Bard College and took a photography class. According to Tanya, the class was life-changing, an epiphany of sorts, that gave her the drive and motivation to pursue art. She went on to study art history and studio art when she transferred to Oberlin, followed by graduate studies at Yale where she earned her MFA. She then relocated to the Hudson Valley where she met her future husband and had three children. Today Tanya feels indebted to photography because it led to tremendous self-discovery while igniting passion and commitment to art that lives within her 24 hours a day.
Woven #16, a large 5’ x 10’ photograph that was months in the making, will be exhibited at The Hyde in a room of its own. Conceptually based on historic tapestries, it is an image of an organic tapestry that speaks to the cycles of life and death. Though traditional medieval tapestries tended to portray mythological figures, animals, plants, and decorative motifs, Tanya’s Woven #16 focuses on the inherent beauty of living things and their eventual decay. To achieve this representation of life and decay, she foraged or grew the fruits, seeds, flowers, leaves, twigs, and moss that were integral parts of the final piece. They were each artfully placed and beautifully woven together over many weeks in a wooden frame that she built and set up outdoors under a white canvas tent. When she sensed it was complete, Tanya photographed her final composition from atop scaffolding. The end result is a bird’s eye view of a living tapestry from afar, and up close, it is a still life.
Exhibit - Nina Katchadourian: Fake Plants and other Curiosities October 25, 2025 - March 8, 2026
Nina Katchadourian is an interdisciplinary artist working in a variety of media including sound, video, photography, sculpture, and performance art. She is of
A selection of supplies in Tanya Marcuse’s studio
Nina Katchadourian (American, b. 1968) Plant #53 (Joshua Tree)
Armenian, Swedish, and Finnish descent and was raised in Stanford, California. Music was a big part of her young life and would eventually become part of her art, but it wasn’t until college that she realized the term “artist” encompassed many different media outside of painting. She attended Brown University as an undergrad and UC San Diego. Nina is now a professor at NYU Gallatin in their liberal arts, interdisciplinary program while creating her art that has been exhibited around the world.
For The Hyde, Nina is exhibiting a variety of pieces that use the mundane materials of our lives. Lavatory Self-Portraits in the Flemish Style, features items found in an airplane, such as toilet seat covers, cups, and eye masks which are arranged around her face to replicate the collars and head coverings in Flemish portraits of the 15th century. They are incredibly accurate depictions of the style, and two of these self-portraits will be interspersed among 15th and 16th-century portraits in The Hyde Collection, which will undoubtedly give visitors pause.
Nina is also exhibiting sculpture from her Fake Plants project which she created during the pandemic. Unable to go out in public, she reimagined the scraps of everyday life she found in her home. She repurposed these items into beautiful plants and flower arrangements. As a result, what was once a spaghetti stick, a sponge, an N95 mask, wire, and Styrofoam, are now delicate leaves, stems, flowers, and branches. In addition, Nina recently added new fake plants to the series using paper pulp and other upcycled items from the Finch papermill located behind the museum.
“I’m always trying to make a case that the world is more interesting than we actually see at first glance. I think we are not usually paying attention, and I believe my job is to pull things forward out of this place of things that we have discounted as uninteresting and to make the case for another look, a closer look. By doing that, it’s possible to go back into the everyday world and have things activated in a new way. I’ve done my job well if that is what happens.”
When visiting The Hyde Collection and these special exhibits, no doubt there will be something for everyone to enjoy and perhaps expand one’s definition of art. For more information on current and future exhibitions, visit www.hydecollection.org.
Nina Katchadourian (American, b. 1968) Fake Plant #24
Nina Katchadourian (American, b. 1968) Fake Plant #1, 2021
Nina Katchadourian
My Favorite Perfume is Fall
by Karen Richman
Autumn has always been thought of as a season of transition.
It’s that interlude between the strong, brash symphony of summer and the intimate, soft solo that heralds the coming winter. As a little girl, Fall was always my favorite season of the year. Perhaps it was because my birthday is in October, and what child isn’t always over the moon about what their birthday might bring? Presents. Parties. Cake and ice cream. Fun.
But I also loved Fall for the aromas it brought, distinctive smells that even now weave themselves into my memory, bringing with them positive reminiscences of my Daddy burning the leaves he had just raked, the smell of apple cider from Mrs. Zachek’s kitchen across the street, the aroma of woodsmoke from the neighboring fireplaces, and my mother’s apple pies baking, filling the whole house with their seductive scent.
Yes, these aromas, which tickle your nasal passages and jump-start your recollections, range from the brisk and slightly sharp to the delicious and tantalizing. They resonate powerfully because they are links to emotions and memories and act as triggers to happy times and positive feelings. The dichotomy here is the brisk scent is that of leaves and trees dying and decomposing, the green chlorophyll breaking down, giving way to those vibrant reds and yellows of fall foliage. The dying leaves release organic compounds in the air, creating a sweet, earthy aroma that plays havoc with our senses.
There is most definitely a connection between scent and memory deeply rooted within us. It is that sense memory that takes us back to a specific time and place, like Mom in the kitchen peeling the apples to mound in a luscious pyramid folded under a buttery crust. But even more than the pies, the fireplaces, and the apple cider, it was my Daddy’s raking
and burning leaves that to this day shouts out a glorious, “It’s Fall! It’s October! Oboy, my birthday’s almost here!”
From the chill in the early morning air to the pumpkin spice products that have exploded on store shelves, we can see and feel and smell that autumn is on its way and with it, lots of recollections. When all the leaves were raked into a pile, my friends Elaine and Susan, and I would have fun jumping in them despite Daddy’s failed attempt at trying to look angry. October was also the month for apple-picking and choosing just the right pumpkin to be carved into a Jack-o-Lantern. I never knew from year to year what kind of face I would draw for Daddy to carve or how it would turn out, but it always turned out great. Then, on Halloween night, we’d put a big, fat candle in it and wait for all the ghosts and goblins to come. I went trickor-treating as well. No one dressed like action figures or famous stars like today,...a simple sheet and a capacity for fun were really all you needed...and of course, a big bag to hold all the chocolaty larder you could carry. If you felt the bag was getting too heavy, you just opened a treat or two and popped them in your mouth. We always reasoned that it wasn’t naughty; we were merely protecting our arms from carrying too much weight.
Fall, perhaps even more than other seasons of the year, brings with it an assortment of happy traditions to share with those to whom we are close. Family, loved ones, old friends. It is these traditions that give us comfort in times of uncertainty and make us feel happier. It is the repetition of these activities year after year that provides structure and support, even when other areas of our lives may seem less certain. It’s that crack when you bite into the first apple of Fall, one that you and the family picked
out together and put in your mouth before it ever saw a basket; it’s the aroma of anything pumpkin spice, the cider mill visit, the crackle of the first fire of the season.
No, people can’t burn leaves anymore, it’s against the law in most states because of how the carbon dioxide that’s released affects air quality, coupled with the imminent danger of causing a serious fire. Yet, in my mind’s eye, I can still see my father in a checkered flannel shirt raking the leaves into a pile in the front yard and then lighting a match. It took mere seconds for that delightful aroma to infuse the air, but no matter how many years have gone by, even though the practice is no longer allowed, there is no law that will ever control my memories, nor take away the notes of the perfume of autumn.
The Moon’s Light
and Plant Wisdom
It starts with the night sky. You notice the air cooling on your cheeks, the darker evenings, the slower way the world moves once October arrives. The leaves are turning and the moon feels brighter against the deepening blue. This is the month where stillness starts to settle in, and nature offers us a quieter kind of guidance.
One of my favorite ways to lean into this season is to follow the rhythm of the moon. She moves from shadow to light and back again every month, showing us that change is not only natural but necessary. Some nights she is bold and luminous. Others, she is a faint silver curve. In all her phases, she reminds us that we can honor where we are without rushing to be somewhere else.
Plants have always walked beside us in these cycles. Certain herbs seem to speak the same language as each phase of the moon. They can calm, energize, protect, or open the heart depending on what the moment calls for. There is no strict rule about which plants to use. Let yourself be curious. Notice which ones you feel drawn to. Trust that your own sense of timing matters.
You might also choose to keep gentle, familiar companions close for any phase. Rose, chamomile, oatstraw, or butterfly pea all bring a softness that can steady the spirit no matter where the moon is in her journey.
Here is a simple October guide to working with the moon and her herbal allies. Let it be as light or as involved as you want it to be.
NEW MOON
The new moon, or dark moon, is a time of quiet beginnings. With no visible light in the sky, we are invited to rest and dream.
Blue Lotus helps open the door to inner vision and gentle intention setting.
Mugwort supports intuition and invites you to tend the rich soil of your inner world.
Passionflower relaxes the nervous system so you can settle into restorative rest.
WAXING CRESCENT MOON
A slim crescent of light returns and with it a sense of possibility. This is a time to take small, hopeful steps toward what you want to grow.
Tulsi, the Queen of Herbs, clears mental fog and uplifts the spirit. Albizia, the Tree of Happiness, softens heaviness and makes space for optimism.
WAXING QUARTER MOON
The moon is half full and energy builds. This is the moment to take steady, consistent action.
Yarrow offers protection and helps you hold the boundaries that will keep you on track.
Nettle strengthens body and mind, giving you the stamina to fol low through.
FULL MOON
The moon is at her peak and so is her light. This phase is for re leasing what is ready to go and celebrating what is ready to shine.
Eleuthero supports endurance through the full moon’s high energy. If you prefer a calmer presence, Ashwagandha is a good choice. Damiana warms the heart and encourages joyful connection. Cacao opens creativity and supports deep inner listening.
WANING QUARTER MOON
The light begins to fade and the pace slows. This is a time to in tegrate what you have learned and let go of what you do not need.
Reishi offers deep nourishment and calm.
Milky Oats restore the nervous system and help you release tension.
WANING CRESCENT MOON
The final days of the cycle are for clearing and resting before the new moon begins again.
Burdock helps the body release what no longer serves.
M ullein soothes the lungs and clears lingering heaviness, especially grief. Calendula gently cleanses and supports smooth flow in the body.
The moon’s path reminds us that there is beauty in every stage. We can be fully illuminated or just a faint shimmer in the dark and still be whole.
As October settles in, you might sit outside with a blanket and watch the moonrise. You might brew a cup of tea with one of these herbs. You might simply pause at your window and notice how the moonlight falls across the floor.
There is no rush here. The moon will keep moving, the plants will keep growing, and you can return to yourself again and again in their company.
Crystal Cobert Giddens
Licensed Esthetician and Skin Strategist FACES of Saratoga | @skintruthproject
CULINARY DESTINATIONS: Road-trip to Burlington, Vermont
By Chef Armand Vanderstigchel
Burlington, Vermont is always a great town to frequently visit and best of all there are many great places to stop and check out on the way up or back to the Saratoga region. In a past issue we wrote about our ex perience in the winter months, but it was time to make an early fall trip to check out some recommended places and different sceneries.
There are two different options in terms of travel, which is I-87 N via US-4 Whitehall: VT 22A or you can enjoy a scenic and refreshing Ferry-ride across Lake Champlain the Charlotte -Essex Ferry taking I-87 N via 9N Westport. The cost of the ferry per car with 2 passengers is only $18 each way.
Driving north, we stopped at the scenic town of Middlebury, VT, which sits at the foothills of the beautiful Green Mountains. The town is bustling with museums, theater, restaurants, and a walkable downtown shopping area next to the Otter Creek water Falls and a celebrated liberal arts college town. Not surprisingly, a fantastic coffee shop is here in town, the flagship roastery cafe of ‘Little Seed Coffee Roasters.’ The space adorned by original tin ceilings in the historic Bat tell Block building, featuring a 10-kilo roaster made by Mill City Roasters is turning five single-origin coffees. We enjoyed the popular Maple Latte which exulted the Vermont feel.
The roastery has gained such popularity, that is now sold in over 25 different retail locations in Vermont. We arrived in Burlington around di nner time to honor our reservations at the highly acclaimed Restaurant “Hen of the Wood,” directly located next to the highly rated boutique hotel “Vermont.”
Finding a reservation is not easy to acquire, even on a Monday, so early planning is recommended. Hen of the Wood opened in Burlington in October 2013 and is the sister restaurant to the original Hen of the Wood in Waterbury. In typical Vermont fashion utilizing local products to support the artisanal movement as an agricultural state, the menus change daily, based on an opulence of first-class products, tapping into a network of growers, artisans, farmers, bakers, craftspeople, who are determined for both environmental and sustainable to keep the cause flourishing. Entering the restaurant you will notice a busy full bar, perfected by ecological tableware, underscoring Hen of the Wood's commitment to sustainability. On the other side of the restaurant is a bar-like chefs table, where patrons can enjoy dinner while chefs prepare the local cuisine with the succor of a wood burning oven.
We started our first visit here at a regular table, opening off with a few local cheese courses such as “Champlain Creamery Triple Cream” from Middlebury, and “Vermont Shepard Invierno” from Westminster, accompanied with home-made Crackers and a fruit coulis.
as a house-made Raspberry Ice-cream and “Croux au Craquelin” which in simple terms is Lemon Mascarpone Mousse encased in a Lemon Meringue Donut-like shell garnished with Blueberriesexquisite!
As entrée options, we chose the Striped Bass with local creamed and grilled Corn and Jalapeños'succulent fish underscored by creamy Corn sweetness.
Dessert was worth saving for, since the restaurant employ’s a pastry chef crafting delicacies such
Our follow-up visit took place later in the evening, to enjoy the chef-table bar and watch the cooking magic originate. We grazed on appetizers alike the Fresh Beet Salad with Pepita Gremolta, Scallops Crudo with Yellow Watermelon and Tomatillo, heirloom Tomatoes with Ricotta, luscious home-made Parker Rolls with Honey Mustard, and seared Scallops with Garlic Scapes. For dessert an indulgence was satisfied in the form of a Dark chocolate Sundae of Sable crumble, Waf fle Cone, and Coffee Ganache. In conclusion this is real “Farm to Table” cuisine as it was originally designed to be-action not just words!
In the exclusive Butcher Room, a long wooden table located in the prep area of the kitchen also offers a view of the on-going culinary operation-offered as a multi-course, chef's-choice din ner served family style for parties of 6-12 guests.
After Burlington, we headed south to visit our destination in Shel burne, Vermont. “Welcome to Shelburne Farms” reads the map of the property inside the beautiful welcome-center/farmstore located off the parking lot of this fabulous nonfor- profit learning center on a mission to inspire and foster learning for a sustainable future. In 1994, the non profit reacquired 400 acres originally part of the core farm–Southern Acres. On premise you will find a fully operating Inn with restaurant, and the large building learning center accessible by a short walk or by a fun farm-tractor cart to the joy of many visiting children, shuttling every 30 minutes. Inside the lea rning center is a Cheese making facility, bakery with delicious goodies, a wood-working shop, and a petting zoo. Demonstrations are performed daily on Cheesemaking and even how to milk a cow! There is no fee to visit Shelburne Farms, however donations are welcome and in the farm store you can purchase beautiful produce, local Cheese, and Maple Syrup to support the cause. A great place for the whole family emphasizing Vermont as agricultural core inspiring generations of artisanal ingenuity!
Croux au Craquelin
OCTOBER EVENTS
October 1 - November 1 Clifton Park
The Blooming Artist Gallery & In struction presents Littles, a small works exhibit. This show features the works of all local artists with no piece exceeding 9" x 12" dimensions. All are welcome to come experience this exhibition and grow their own personal art collection anytime during our gallery hours Wednesday-Saturday, or by appointment. Littles is on exhibit from September 30-November 01, 2025. The Blooming Artist, 675 Grooms Rd Suite 101, Clifton Park, NY 12065 Phone: (518) 280-4928
October 1 - November 9 Schenectady
Visage: Portraits as Portals. October 1 - November 9, 2025. Featuring the portrait work of 6 women artists. Bear and Bird Boutique + Gallery, 160 Jay Street M • Schenectady, New York 12305
October 1 - 30 Glens Falls
Adirondack Pastel Society. Annual Members Exhibit/Meeting. People's Choice Award/APS Personal Best Award. Public Awards & Reception: Thursday Oct. 30, 5-7pm October 131, 2025. Crandall Library 251 Glen Street, Glens Falls, NY
October 3 - November 5 Glens Falls
LARAC Annual Juried Show. Join LARAC and our region’s artists for the opening of our annual Juried Exhibition, Good Feelings. Juror: Anne Nelson. This show will be on display in LARAC’s Lapham Gallery from October 3rd – November 5th. Opening Reception – Friday, October 3rd at 5pm. Lapham Gallery is open Monday through Saturday from 10am – 3pm with extended hours until 6pm on Thursdays.
October 11 Brant Lake
ADIRONDACK AMERICANA 2025. The Park Theater Foundation presents Adirondack Americana 2025 - a free bi-weekly outdoor music series live at The Hub in Brant Lake, NY from September 13th to October 11th, 2025. In partnership with The Hub, Adirondack Americana brings together attendees from all over the Northeast to enjoy the outdoors and experience high-quality live music performances. This year’s series showcases an all-female-led roster of regional folk, rock, and Americana headliners, with special guests joining each performance. 10/11Carolyn Shapiro w/ Special Guest: Russ Cook FREE 3pm. The Hub (27 Market Street, Brant Lake, NY 12185). Food and beverage available for purchase pro vided by The Hub. For more in formation and to purchase tickets, visit www.parktheatergf.com or phone 518-792-1150.
October 17 Saratoga Springs
Paul McKenna. Scotland’s Paul McKenna has long been ranked among its finest singers and songwriters, armed with a powerful yet intensely emotive voice and passionate social conscience, often expressed through his songs, a combination that’s brought frequent comparisons to the great Dick Gaughan. Friday, October 17. Time 8:00 pm – 10:00 pm. Doors Open: 7:30
Saratoga Springs, NY
October 2 - November 2 Rotterdam Autumn Glow Festival. The Autumn Glow Festival returns to the historic Mabee Farm in Rotterdam Junction, bringing back a dazzling world of handcrafted Chinese lanterns through November 2. The event also features interactive light swings, see-saws, tun nels, and a variety of food and beverage options. Thursdays–Sundays, October 2–Nov. 2, 2025. Time: 6:30–10 p.m. (last entry 9 p.m.) Tickets: Starting at $14.99; free for children under 3. Mabee Farm Historic Site, 1100 Main St Rotterdam Junction, NY 12150
October 3 - 5 Warrensburg Warrensburg Garage SaleThe World's Largest Garage Sale! With over 500 vendors stretching the length of Main Street and throughout many of Warrensburg’s residential neighborhoods, the Warrensburg Chamber of Commerce presents the annual World’s Largest Garage Sale. Shoppers can expect to find new and old items, antiques, collectibles, toys, and much, much more! You will have no problem finding something to eat in Warrensburg, as there are street food vendors EVERYWHERE - selling everything from chicken wings, and BBQ ribs to gourmet chicken pitas and home baked goods. Friday, Oct 3, 2025 until Sunday, Oct 5, 2025. Warrensburg, NY
October 24 Saratoga Springs
65th Anniversary Folk Heritage Series: The Don Juans. The DonJuans—despite the playful name—are far more than a pair of charming faces. This powerhouse duo features two GRAMMY® Award-winning songwriters, Don Henry and Jon Vezner, whose song “Where’ve You Been” (recorded by Kathy Mattea) made country music history as the first to sweep all major Song of the Year honors, including the GRAMMY®, ACM®, CMA, and Nashville Songwriter’s Association International awards. Friday, Oc tober 24, 8:00 pm – 10:00 pm. Doors Open: 7:30 pm. Caffè Lena, 47 Phila Street, Saratoga Springs, NY
October 25 - November 23 Schuylerville Upstate Invitational. The Laffer Gallery proudly presents Upstate Invitational, fea turing the work of Paul Mauren, Wenda Habenicht, and Laura Cannamela—last year’s “Best in Show” recipients from the 11th Annual Upstate Artists Juried Group Show, juried by Rob O’Neil. October 25 – November 23. Opening Reception: Saturday, October 5 | 5–8 PM. The Laffer Gallery, 96 Broad Street, Schuylerville, NY www.thelaffergallery.com
