Last week it snowed. I know! Too soon. It is pretty much gone now. It was basically a non-stop blizzard that shut Syracuse down for, like, a day, lol.
I walked around Green Lakes for the first time under these circumstances. Still beautiful, but so different wrapped in this white blanket.
Santa, please bring me hiking boots for Christmas….
I strolled through the Everson Museum of Art today (401 Harrison Street, Syracuse, NY 13202). In the basement wing, they’ve flipped the Education Center with the Ceramics section and created a gorgeous inviting space for part of the ceramics collection (the rest, like the Robineau funerary urn, is in storage).
It is spectacular! The art looks fresh again. You can actually enjoy the nuances of individual pieces and appreciate them for their craft. The Everson has a very large collection of ceramics. I’m not sure if it is one of the largest in the country, but something like that. The old shelves made the collection look like it was all in storage, like they never really wanted people to look at it. I remember taking students on a field trip there once and there was so much stuff, it read like junk and nobody looked at anything.
The museum has never looked better! We have this incredible resource right here in Syracuse, NY. So great. I was delighted to see a handful of visitors there. They are charging a fee to get in these days, but it is free for Everson Museum members.
EVERSON MUSEUM OF ART HOURS:
| SUNDAY 12-5 MONDAY CLOSED TUESDAY CLOSED |
WEDNESDAY 12-5 THURSDAY 12-8 FRIDAY 12-5 SATURDAY 10-5 |
Next week they are installing the Festival of Trees, so maybe you can plan an outing for that! Call (315) 474- 6064 for more information or visit their web-site www.everson.org.
Every year my Studio in Art students create illustrations for the Lions Club peace poster contest. This year’s theme was A Celebration of Peace. It is really an incredible experience to work with the Chittenango Lions club on this endeavor. Three members judge the posters, choose a winner and present cash prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place at a classroom pizza party resulting in the creation of professional artists!
The winning poster goes on to compete in the regional competition followed by a state contest, which would land it in the finals and a chance to win the $5,000 international prize. The whole she-bang is a win-win: I create the lesson for a grade, students provide a community service, someone wins a prize, and we plant the seed of creating future community leaders. In the interim, students may join the Leos, a youth organization off-shoot of the Lions Club.
The Lions Club sponsors so many wonderful events. They make extraordinary charitable contributions. It is truly an honor to work with them. They presented me with an award for my service recently. I was told that no one outside of the club has received it besides me and that is such an incredible honor. Thank you, Rae Haynes, Marg Montross and all of the Chittenango Lions. I am blessed to know you. <3
We had a snow day today, so… I’m playing catch up on blogging. Here are my most recent outfits of the day. I got paint on my new Free People tunic top and on something else – spent the day doing laundry and tidying/organizing my closet. A lot of re-runs this post. I went heavy on the leggings in order to go hiking right after school before it got too dark. Along with this snowmegeddon thing, the time change screwed with my perfect world. But then again, I only have to work one day this week – tomorrow. That is, if this snow actually lets up. Crazy! What am I gonna wear? Lol, decisions, decisions.
Before the weather took a nose-dive into Snowmegeddon, I visited Ilene Layow’s Eye Studio open house. It is currently located at 126 Doll Parkway, Syracuse, New York (13214), but it will soon find a three times bigger home in East Syracuse (at 712 W. Manlius Street). The open house took place this weekend.
There is a kiln room and studio space, a three-bedroom home having been transformed by art and art-making. Even the bathroom has a magnificent hand-made glass sink and tiles.
Ilene is a teaching artist. I blogged about her last year when she had a Green Lakes-themed art show at the Manlius Historical Association. It was there that I fell in love with her glass pieces. I was finally able to purchase one today!
I bought the above piece – it is glass made with frit, tiny-colored glass bits that allow for dimension. The glass is fused in the kiln. This piece has a little shelf in back for a candle. I love it!
She was selling her wares along with Jackee Johnson and Marcus Acevedo. Jackee sells artsy fashion including tops and scarves and Marcus, who works out of studio space at Onondaga Community College, displayed ceramic goods.
Eye Studio teaches classes in acrylic painting, drawing, wheel throwing, watercolor, hand building clay, glass fusing and stained glass. These classes are available to all skill levels and all ages. Classes take place week day afternoons and evenings, and on Saturdays. This is such an incredible resource in our community. Ilene is teaching home-schoolers as well!
Then there is the option of a fun party – like a birthday party or a ladies night/family night where you gather with your favorite people and produce art – glass pieces, clay, paintings…you name it! Call (315) 345-4576 to schedule yours!
The gallery is open by appointment as well. For more information, check out the website – www.iteacharts.com.
This year my Halloween choices were varied. I wore the Rose from Titanic gown that I sewed last millennium from a McCall’s pattern to the Halloween dance at school. I paired it with my black Banana Republic suit jacket.
Last Friday night, I went to a dance party and wore this Jill Jill Stuart gown in combination with some wings to be a dark angel. Loved this one since it was a new idea. I bought the wings at Party City the day before.
On Halloween, I did a modified Frida Kahlo sans ‘stache using clothing from my closet – the new Free People top and my BCBG Max Azria leggings.
And on Halloween night, I Trekked out in a store bought Uhura dress. Love Halloween. It is soooo fun!
