2017 Exhibitions and Events

Historic Woodstock Holidays
Historic Woodstock Holidays

2017 – Historic Woodstock Holidays 

Saturday, December 2, 12-8 pm – reception begins at 3 pm

continues Saturdays & Sundays, December 3, 9, 10, and 16, 12-4 pm

The holidays are upon us and the Historical Society of Woodstock’s annual Holiday Exhibit and Sale once again offers a unique stop on the way to celebrating the season. Kicking off on Saturday, December 2 from 12:00 – 8:00  pm., with food and drink beginning at 3:00 pm, this special event continues on Saturday and Sunday December 3, 9, 10 and 16 from 12:00 to 4:00 pm. Drawing upon the Society’s 2017 theme of honoring Woodstock women, this year’s exhibit – Works From Woodstock Women – includes a display of original holiday cards from the past highlighting season’s greetings from a number of Woodstock’s most noted female artists. 

Also featured in this year’s exhibit will be a holiday crèche crafted by Maud Petersham, children’s books written and illustrated by Marion Bullard and more.

gathering woodstock women

Special to this year’s sale is the release of a new local history book from the Historical Society titled, 

Gathering Woodstock Women. Taken from HSW’s successful 2017 summer exhibit, the book offers more than eighty biographies of Woodstock women who, over the years, have contributed to Woodstock’s unique history through their work in the arts, government and community service.

Also available to help visitors complete their holiday shopping are a number of other local items, including: maple syrup, homemade jams and cookies, hand knitted mittens, aprons, pine cone wreaths, Mira’s Naturals honey products, history-related DVDs and CDs, notecards, candles and a great collection of local history books. As a thank you to our visitors, free holly and Christmas greens will be available to all. 

This holiday season make sure you include a visit to the Historical Society of Woodstock as part of your holiday plans and take time to remember the joys of holidays past and the possibilities of those yet to come. The Historical Society of Woodstock is located on Lower Comeau Drive. As always, admission is free and parking is available either at the Historical Society or in the Lower Comeau parking lot. HSW is also online at www.historicalsocietyofwoodstock.org or on Facebook at Historical Woodstock. 

This holiday season make sure you include a visit to the Historical Society of Woodstock as part of your holiday plans and take time to remember the joys of holidays past and the possibilities of those yet to come. The Historical Society of Woodstock is located on Lower Comeau Drive. As always, admission is free and parking is available either at the Historical Society or in the Lower Comeau parking lot. HSW is also online at www.historicalsocietyofwoodstock.org or on Facebook at Historical Woodstock.

Miki and Mary: Their Search for Treasures

Call For History Volunteers!

Recently, the Historical Society of Woodstock received a grant from Arts Mid-Hudson to assist the Society as it continues data entry of archival items and to train volunteers in the use of museum software for information entry and retrieval.

Though approximately half the items in the HSW collection have been entered into the computer by volunteers, there is still a long way to go. As a result, in an effort to increase efficiency and to better meet the needs of researchers and the planning of exhibits and programs, HSW is seeking additional volunteers to be trained in the use of their museum software program. If you are interested and have basic computer skills, please email info.hswdsk@gmail.com

This award was made possible with funds designated by the Ulster County Legislature for the County of Ulster’s Ulster County Cultural Services & Promotional Fund

FACES & PHASES<br />
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FACES & PHASES

FACES & PHASES

Paintings & Hand-painted Mannequins by Barbara Graff

October 7 through October 29, 2017, Saturdays & Sundays 1-5

IF A PICTURE PAINTS A THOUSAND WORDS, WHAT ABOUT A PAINTED FACE?

The Historical Society of Woodstock will present “FACES & PHASES,” an exhibition of paintings and hand-painted mannequins by Barbara Graff, on display Saturdays and Sundays from 1 – 5 pm, October 7 – 29  at the historic Eames House (20 Comeau Drive, Woodstock, NY 12498). Opening Reception on Saturday, October 7th from 2 – 4 pm will feature musical performances by  Master Michael Quinn & Jeff Allyn Szwast, and Danielle Cardona & Martin Luque. Admission is free.   

FACES & PHASES:  Paintings & Hand-painted Mannequins by Barbara Graff

This collection of oil paintings & mannequins explores a mysterious world of dark forests, twisted tree roots, forgotten slippers, and the changing night sky. Strong women, in veils and capes are presented in all stages of aging. Men exist as memories or shadows. Time presides over all.

Artist Bio:

New York artist Barbara Graff was raised in the Catskill Region near the famous town of Woodstock. After building a career in New York City, Barbara returned to the Hudson Valley to create a studio at home in the natural world which inspires all of her work. Masks play an important role in her paintings, which illustrate Barbara’s fascination with the human face. The variety of media and texture used in her work can be attributed to her years of experience working in the fashion display industry, creating another reputation for herself as one of the most sought after “makeup” (oil paint) artists for mannequins worldwide.

Artist Statement:

The nature paintings are a search for, and celebration of, the beauty of the earth. The paintings inspire a fresh way of seeing a world familiar to many, the natural world which is around us, and a part of us. The paintings draw the viewer into the scene. This outer world connects with the viewer’s inner world and they become one. The paintings allow the viewer to look beyond appearance and locate within themselves the acute awareness of an inner truth. 

The portrait paintings are part of a series of feminine figures representational of a search for autonomy. Many of them are veiled. Beyond facades of masks (including beauty), the paintings maintain there is a soul in some stage of development. The development is one we all experience: the struggle for self-discovery and, ultimately, actualization. 

Women's<br />
Suffrage Centennial
“Woodstock Women after voting for the first time, 1918 (Woodstock Byrdcliffe Guild – Alf Evers Collection)

Gathering of Woodstock Women: 

A Celebration of the New York State Women’s 

Suffrage Centennial

June 17, 2017 though September 3, 2017, Saturdays & Sundays 1-5 pm

Remarkable women from Woodstock’s past come to life this summer in the HSW exhibit, Gathering of Woodstock Women: A Celebration of the New York State Women’s Suffrage Centennial. Dozens of 19th to early 21st century female personalities are resurrected in prose by Woodstockers (or former community members) who knew them or admired them. The subjects are women from many walks of life who contributed to Woodstock’s unique character. Photos accompany each personal description. All information in the exhibit will be saved in the HSW Women’s Archive.

The exhibit at the Eames House, 20 Comeau Drive, will be open on weekends from June 17, 2017 though September 3, 2017, 1-5 pm.

An opening reception will be held Friday, June 16 from 7-9 pm.

Saturday, June 17, 12 noon

Woodstock Town Historian Richard Heppner and Janine Fallon-Mower, co-authors of Legendary Locals of Woodstock, will speak on the varying roles of women throughout Woodstock history. Admission is free.

Woodstock Women Speak, Saturday, July 29, 12 pm

A reading of poems and stories by writers in the exhibit, Gathering Woodstock Women: A Celebration of New York State’s Suffrage Centennial, will be held Saturday, July 29 at noon at the Historical Society of Woodstock’s Eames House Museum, 20 Comeau Drive. Women from the past whose work will be read include Holly Beye, Janine Pomy Vega, Sonia Malkine, Neva Shultis, Marion Bullard, and Leilani Claire. Admission is free. The exhibit is open Saturdays and Sundays from 1-5 p.m. through September 3, 2017. 

Grandmothers and other notable Woodstock Women, Saturday July 29th at 4:30 pm

Students from the Woodstock Primary School and Bennett Elementary school will present stories of the grandmothers, great grandmothers and other Woodstock women who have affected our everyday lives in some way. The presentation will include stories about Ruth Bickner Davis, who worked for Bob Elwyn owner of the Woodstock Playhouse, but also ran the Western Union out of her home on Ohayo Mt road, Marion Bell Longyear who was the welcoming face at Woodstock Elementary school for a couple of decades, Eva Ricks Elwyn, the driving force behind the delicious desserts served at Deanies Restaurants and others. Women played a large role in the everyday life of Woodstock. Our presentation will celebrate 6 women who contributed to the vibrancy of Woodstock NY in the 20th century. 

Light refreshments will be served. Ample parking in Lower Comeau parking lot. For further information email jmower@hvc.rr.com

Gathering Woodstock’s Women on Women’s Equality Day, Saturday, August 26, 2017 at 12 noon

The Historical Society of Woodstock’s series of events celebrating New York State’s Suffrage Centennial continues Saturday, August 26, 2017 (Women’s Equality Day) with “Gathering Woodstock’s Women: Readings About Six Women in the Exhibit.” Contemporary Woodstockers including Deborah Heppner, Julia Blelock, Jean White, Jill Olesker and Olivia Twine will read about several women featured in the current exhibit, which recognizes more than 80 remarkable females from Woodstock’s past. Jane VanDeBogart, Augusta Allen, Anita Smith, Helen 

Buttrick, Sarah MacDaniel Cashdollar and Mescal Hornbeck are the figures whose lives and contributions to the community will be discussed. 

The readings start at 12 noon at the HSW’s Eames House Museum, 20 Comeau Drive, Woodstock. Admission is free.

Ethel Magafan
Ethel Magafan
Jenne Magafan
Jenne Magafan
Clemente Randolph
Clemente Randolph
Barbara Fite
Barbara Fite
Nancy Schoonmaker
Nancy Schoonmaker
Rosalene Perlman
Rosalene Perlman
May Boggs
Clemente Randolph
Doris Lee
Barbara Fite
Also on view: 

RECENT ACQUISITIONS

“Sharpening Stone Wheel from Shady Mill” (Lorin Rose)

“Napoleonic Naval Uniform Button” (Frank Mergendahl)

“Rotron Collection of fans, catalogs, photos, history” (Amertek/Rotron, Inc.)

“James Cox & Mary Anna Goetz Collection of books, ephemera, and Woodstock arts history”

“Richard F. Quinn Memoriam Book” (Fern Malkine-Falvey)

“Hardenbergh Patent Survey, 1795 original drawing by William Cockburn

    (Little Shandaken with main road to Phoenicia) created for Elias Hasbrouck” (Arthur A. Anderson)

“Jerry Jerominek & Fletcher Martin, painted wood cut-outs of artists by Fletcher Martin” (Beverly Sweeney}

In case you missed it … opening reception photos (Janine Mower)

Wine Tasting Benefit

Wine Tasting! 

Wine Tasting Benefit for the Historical Society of Woodstock. 

Saturday June 10, 6:00 – 9:00 pm 

Historical Society of Woodstock

20 Comeau Drive, Woodstock, N.Y.

Tickets: $35.00 – Tickets available at the door or

Featuring wine specialists:

Dr. David Baggett and Tina Grill

        Thank you for your support!    

Music by Wild Swan

Hors D’oeuvres & Silent Auction  

John Pike cover for Colliers Magazine, 1951

On Saturday, April 29 and Sunday, April 30 from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm, May 6, 8 am – 12 noon, the Historical Society of Woodstock will host an estate sale featuring items recently offered to the Society by longtime community members.

The sale features such items as: antique shutters, candlesticks, small dresser, small tables, rocking chairs, desks, dishes, lamps, books and much more.

All proceeds from the sale will directly support the Historical Society. The Historical Society of Woodstock is located at 20 Comeau Drive, across from the Woodstock Town Hall on Tinker St. Due to limited parking, visitors not requiring accessible parking are asked to park in the Lower Comeau parking lot and then follow the path to the Society. Cars can be brought to the Society’s driveway for loading once purchases are made. There is no parking on Comeau Drive itself. For more on Woodstock history, visit on Facebook at “Historical Woodstock.” 

Thank you for your support!

Arlene Schechet, "Parallel Play: Anymore",
Arlene Schechet, “Parallel Play: Anymore”, 2012, cast pigmented cotton, (approx 40 x 30 inches)
Young mi Kim, "Orenda II", 2017
Young mi Kim, “Orenda II”, 2017 (porcelain, black glaze, oxidation fired). 
  Robert Hessler, "3 vases", 2014-2017
  Robert Hessler, “3 vases”, 2014-2017
Selections: 

Contemporary Woodstock Ceramic Arts

February 25 – April 9, 2017

at both the Woodstock Byrdcliffe Guild and the Historical Society of Woodstock.

This exhibition pays tribute to the culture of ceramic arts that is flourishing in the Woodstock area today, and by extension, to the tradition of ceramics that flourished here since the founding of the Byrdcliffe arts and crafts colony in 1902.  

The most prominent ceramic artist in the generation following the original Byrdcliffe artists was Carl Walters. He worked at the Maverick colony and secured a reputation as one of the most important ceramic artists in the United States in the years between the two world wars. He is currently the subject of a retrospective exhibition at the Samuel Dorsky Museum at SUNY, New Paltz, and the current Woodstock exhibitions pay tribute to his accomplishment.  

Walters was renowned for his ceramic sculptures of animals, but he also made functional objects that were popular in his day as well as now. The contemporary artists in the Woodstock shows tend to divide into those who make functional pottery and those who define themselves as sculptors, though some follow Walters’ example and do both.

While this exhibition has “Contemporary” in its title, it actually encompasses three generations of Woodstock artists who use clay as a medium to express their artistic visions. The word “Selections” in the title indicates that the artists here are only some of the many artists active with the medium in the Woodstock region. 

Brad Lai & Jennifer Bowskill,

Brad Lai & Jennifer Bowskill, “Stacked Cups”, 2017

The works in the show range from simple functional ware with exotic glazes or earthy, Japanese inspired colors, to sculptures of expressive human figures, to abstract sculptures that use clay as one of several materials in dramatic juxtapositions.  

The artists in the exhibition are: Rich Conti, Eric Ehrnschwender, Sophie Fenton, Mary Frank, Robert Hessler, Jolyon Hofsted, Brad Lail, Young mi Kim, Joyce Robins, Arlene Shechet, Grace Wapner, Elena Zang & Alan Hoffman. The exhibition is curated by Tom Wolf, Professor of Art History at Bard College, and students in his class “History of Art in Woodstock”

The Architectural History & Guide
The Architectural History & Guide
The Architectural History & Guide

The Historical Society of Woodstock will also screen two short films: 

“Robert Hessler – Ceramicist”,

courtesy of independent filmmaker Stephen Blauweiss. Blauweiss Films specializes in films about Hudson Valley artists and appears regularly on PBS. 

“Arlene Shechet: Pentimento in Paper”,

courtesy of Art21, the leading nonprofit organization dedicated to engaging and educating audiences about contemporary visual art and artists. 

In the spirit of collaboration, the “Selections” exhibition is shared by two historic Woodstock organizations:

The Historical Society of Woodstock, founded in 1929, is located at 20 Comeau Drive in Woodstock and maintains an extensive archive, which serves as a resource for exhibitions, public programming, and research. The Historical Society will be open Saturdays and Sundays, 12–4 pm, February 25 – April 9, 2017. 

The Woodstock Byrdcliffe Guild, located at 36 Tinker Street in Woodstock, is regionally renowned for its recently 

expanded ceramics program, which dates back to the early days of the colony founded in 1902. Gallery hours are 

Thursday–Sunday, 12-6 pm. For more information, visit woodstockguild.org 

Opening Reception: Saturday, February 25 

12-4 pm at the Historical Society of Woodstock 

2-4 pm at the Kleinert/James Center for the Arts 

Free and open to the public – in case of snow, please check website for closing.

This exhibition is supported by Bard College Center for Civic Engagement, Bard Art History Department, Art 21, and Blauweiss Films.