Category Archives: Arts & Crafts

art, art festival, Arts & Crafts, ceramics, Karen Tashkovski

Columbus Circle & Art

Image Leave a comment

The rain held off today in what became for me a four-hour walk  around the M & T Bank sponsored Arts & Crafts Festival in Syracuse, New York.

Food trucks, free give aways and many, many artisans and craftsmen selling their wares under white tents on and around Columbus Circle make up this fabulous festival.  There is a lot to see – it can be a serendipitous stroll full of impulse purchases or, like me, you will manifest something you have been longing for.

I finally bought the oak charcuterie board lazy susan I have been coveting for three years.  Carrying it back to the car was not fun because it was so heavy – I recommend that you have a plan in place for how you will maneuver your cash and carry purchases.

The Onondaga Historical Association was open too  (321 Montgomery Street, Syracuse, New York 13202) and about 1/4 of my time was spent in there.

I will highlight four ceramic artists this year –

  1.  Smokepail Studios

2.  Greg Parizek Ceramics

3.  Diane Sullivan Design

3.  Peter Valenti Studios 

2025 Festival Dates:

Friday, July 25: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Saturday, July 26: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Sunday, July 27: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm

The spectacular three-day festival is centered in Downtown Syracuse and will showcase talented artists, craftspeople and entertainers. The festival provides opportunities for visitors to experience the vibrancy of Downtown Syracuse through a presentation of visual and performing arts that demonstrate diverse art forms and cultures.  

Arts & Crafts – The Syracuse Arts & Crafts Festival will feature around 140 artists and crafters. Visitors can shop and browse among the art and craft exhibits showcasing an exceptionally wide selection of contemporary arts and crafts, from functional to decorative.

Performing Arts – The festival showcases the performing arts. Attendees can enjoy free daily strolling entertainment between including a variety of music entertainers, open hand legacy puppets, hooping and much more! The Syracuse Chapter of the American Guild of Organists will present mini-organ recitals over the course of the festival on Friday, Saturday and Sunday afternoons at Plymouth Congregational Church.

Family Activities – Families are integral to the success of the event, and participatory activities are designed with them in mind. Interactive projects provide young attendees with opportunities to create three-dimensional masterpieces. Join the Everson Museum of Art for a collaborative mural activity inspired by Nancy Friedemann-Sánchez’s exhibition Dream Map and Cornucopia, on view at the Everson through October 19th. Participants are invited to paint or illustrate a native flower, plant, or animal of their choosing, and contribute to our mural featuring flora and fauna of Central New York. Artmaking supplies and tools provided.

Syracuse Art Trail – A collaborative project between CNY Arts and local arts & culture organizations. The Trail builds connections and promotes collaboration amongst organizations & individuals in our local arts community. We aim to bring Syracuse residents together in a creative, meaningful way to support the arts! More information here!

Stay Fresh Chalk Jam – Over 50 artists will take to the sidewalks on Saturday, July 26th to create beautiful works of art all done in chalk! (Rain date – July 27th).

Summer Refreshments – Food vendors will be on-site to serve a diverse mix of summer favorites.

A Community Festival – Area businesses participate by hosting open houses and various activities, such as family-friendly art activities and the popular sidewalk art competition, Chalk Jam. Many of these initiatives are organized in collaboratiion with the Everson Museum of Art, the Onondaga Historical Association, the YMCA – Downtown Writers Center and the Montgomery Street Collective crafts show. Thousands of visitors are expected to attend these events, establishing this as Syracuse’s signature cultural event of the summer!

The Syracuse Arts & Crafts Festival was ranked 11th best Contemporary Craft Show in the country by Sunshine Artist Magazine.

 

 

art, art venue, Arts & Crafts, ceramics, clay, Karen Tashkovski

Greenware in the Greenhouse

Image 2 Comments

Here are a few of my favorite vendors from the Clayscapes Pottery Market. It took place yesterday and today at Hafner’s Garden Center Greenhouse, 7265 Buckley Road, North Syracuse, New York 13212.

P VALENTI STUDIOS

CROPPERALT CERAMICS

FIRE AND BRIMSTONE POTTERY

KIMBERLY DAINO

LIZ STRATTON

KEN NICHOLS ART

SMOKE PAIL STUDIOS

Hafner’s has more events planned including a petting zoo, a hay maze and other fun activities for kids of all ages.  It is also a store that sells garden supplies and produce.  See their website for more details and hours of operation.

art gallery, art museum, art resources, Arts & Crafts, ceramics, clay, family, figurative, heritage, history, Karen Tashkovski, printmaking

Voting with Jen G.

Image 5 Comments

I’ve driven past the Matilda Joslyn Gage house a gazillion times.  You know how it is – you see the sign and say to yourself, one of these days I will investigate what that’s all about.  It is located at 210 E. Genesee Street, Fayetteville, New York 13066.

I mean, yes, it is about abolishionist Gage, and her connection to the Underground Railroad, friendship with fellow suffragette Susan B. Anthony AND she also happened to be L. Frank Baum’s mother-in-law.

Small world.

My almost thirty year connection with Chittenango, New York and all things Oz should have brought me here sooner,  No matter because today I was invited to an open house and art reception for the fabulous Jen Gandee.

Jen has created an installation of pottery and digital imagery utilizing human silhouettes representing her experience with long lines at the voting booths during the 2020 election.  These figures are stenciled onto ceramic cups glazed in variations on skin color.  They are also superimposed on printed documents from the Library of Congress, papers that have historical significance to our voting system.

The show was made possible through a CNY Arts Initiative grant.  It will be on display until November 24, 2024.  Check the Matilda Joslyn Gage Foundation web-site for hours of operation.

Other rooms in the house display Gage’s connection to Native American tribes in the area, women’s rights and a historically accurate parlor room, as this house was her childhood home.  They’ve removed the kitchen and replaced it with a gift shop.  They can also accommodate physically handicapped via a small elevator.

P.S. I loved that they served cucumber sandwiches at the event.  I almost felt like I could fall through one of those Land of the Lost time doorways and find myself in 1924, but only because the rooms reminded me of the museum in that Christopher Reeve movie “Somewhere in Time” plus I’ve been falling into too many timey-wimey rabbit holes on YouTube lately.

Thank you, Jen Gandee for giving me a reason to explore this wonderful home and for being an inspiration as both artist and advocate.

art festival, Arts & Crafts, festival, Karen Tashkovski

Arts, Crafts & Sunshine

Image 1 Comment

The M & T Bank Syracuse Arts & Crafts Festival is in full swing again this year. Vendor’s tents are set up on the streets around Clinton Square in downtown Syracuse, New York. If you are looking for something to do today, July 28, 2024, they will all be here from 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM!

Some of the talented people I visited while shopping yesterday…

BARBARA CONTE-GAUGEL

Barbara has a new product in addition to her amazing hand-made shoulder bags and totes – it is a little pouch/clutch and they are selling like hotcakes!

WOAH-BOTZ

These are whimsical sculptures made with found object, antique canisters and steel. You can also purchase them at Cazenovia Artisans too. I love them!

CATHY JACKSON

Cathy really has her finger on the pulse of what young women want to wear – she has created retro ’70s inspired garments, jewelry and wall hangings using knit and crochet elements. All stuff you might find at Stoned Immaculate (but for a lot less money).

STEVE PEARLMAN

Steve Pearlman is selling his black & white and color photographs – landscapes/streetscapes peppered with figures that depict both local imagery and time spent in New York City.

APPLE AN

Apple An is a historian who has written and published memoirs. I really enjoyed speaking with her and aspire to be among the artists in a future memoir collection. She is selling books – the entire collection of Stone Canoes are for sale at her booth as well.

SAHI NEW YORK

I recognized these leather accessories from Cazenovia Artisans where he is a member. They are hand stitched wallets, purses, belts et al and they are of magnificent quality.

MICHELLE DARIN

Michelle’s aesthetic has a retro feel. It embodies youth, vitality and fun using colorful enamels and patterned leathers. You can never buy just one piece – they look best in multiples. We all want to be Michelle. She is the real deal.

FRANCO RAMIREZ

Franco is from Mexico the country, not Mexico, New York – I think he travelled the furthest to be at this show. He doesn’t speak English – I said I can understand you if you speak Spanish and I think I did. He said the sculptures are hand-carved of wood then hand-painted using acrylic paint. They are very special. I like the little rabbits the best.

art festival, Arts & Crafts, festival, Karen Tashkovski

Downtown

Image Leave a comment

The M & T Syracuse Arts & Crafts Festival is back for the fifty-second year. This time around, I discovered new-to-me artists and revisited old friends.

There are about one hundred fifty artisans from all over the East Coast and Canada who are braving the heat and possible rain tomorrow in their small tents around E. Jefferson, E. Onondaga and Montgomery Streets in downtown Syracuse, New York to show and sell their wares. In addition, food trucks are there including Carvel DeWitt (yum!). Street performers and local ethnic dance troupes are strolling the grounds. Downtown Committee of Syracuse volunteers are making sure everyone is hydrated. And there is a sidewalk chalk art competition. All that and a bag of chips (literally, someone was handing out Pringles samples).

The event continues today, July 29, 2023 from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm and tomorrow, July 30, 2023 from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.

Ataraxia Designs – partners Victor Field and Meghan Huston create thoughtful messages on brown clay incorporating Chinese calligraphy and florals. Field is the poet while Huston does the framing. The resulting work is so zen-thoughtful.

Find them on E. Onondaga Street right across from Columbus Circle.

Trittello – Michael Bonardi uses U.S. coin as his media transforming pennies, nickels and more into modern jewelry – bracelets, rings, earrings and pendants. I love money!

Find him on E. Onondaga Street.

DK Designs – Diane Kaylor is a fine artist who has come up with this magnet board art that is genius. There is a background piece in a frame and animal magnets that you can mix and match to create personalized interactive art. This is so incredibly fun!

Find her on E. Onondaga Street.

Ethan Lillemoe takes organically shaped porcelain slabs and affixes them to an adjustable welded steel base resulting in these fantastical wall sculptures that are interchangeable.

Find him on Columbus Circle.

Rose Hill Woodwork – Scott Porosky is a woodworker who uses laser precision to carve these wonderful items – coasters, wall hangings, cutting boards and more. I am now the proud owner of the clowns-to-the-left-of-me-jokers-to-the-right sign. I love it! (Thanks, Janine!)

Find him on E. Onondaga Street.

Barbara Conte-Gaugel – These handbags are a combination of new material with original prints and recycled goods such as army surplus items. Barbara is an accessories designer but she is also a painter who juggles exhibitions and festivals for all of her whimsical ideas.

Find her on Montgomery Street.

Dale Rogers Studio – Cor-Ten steel is the medium and abstract geometry his jam for these impressive animal sculptures. Dale Rodgers is an advocate for public art. His work can be found all over the country! His sculpture display here is probably the best place in the festival for photo ops.

Find him front and center, that is, in front of the fountain on Columbus Circle.

antiques, Arts & Crafts, Karen Tashkovski, museum

The History of Suburbia

Image Leave a comment

Back in the day, we all had a moment or two at Suburban Park. It was an amusement park located in Manlius, New York. The last time Kathy and I were there was the last time that she was taller than me.

The site is now an apartment complex called…wait for it…

Suburban Park.

There is a sweet exhibit of items from the defunct park on view at the Manlius Historical Society, 109 Pleasant Street, Manlius, New York 13104. The museum is only open on Saturdays from 11:00 to 3:00 pm.

Yesterday, I was greeted by Sue Collin, lifelong Manlius resident and volunteer at the museum. We talked about our concern that history may be lost on today’s youth and shared our mutual hope that schools will educate students on local history in addition to whatever social studies curriculum is mandated.

Much of Suburban Park has been lost to history. Rides were left to deteriorate and later demolished to make way for the apartment complex.

I belong to a Facebook group about Suburban Park where people reflect on their memories while sharing pictures and memorabilia. Truth be told, I don’t have memories of the place, just pictures that prove I’d been there. I was probably two years old, maybe two-and-a-half in these pictures.

The museum also has this bit of history on the development of Green Lakes State Park. Someone should write a book about this. I would love a coffee table book with all of these pictures. So amazing!

The Manlius Historical Society & Museum is small but it packs a punch. Thank you, Sue, for such a lovely experience. I enjoyed meeting you!

Call (315) 682-6660 for more information or email them at manliushistory@gmail.com. You can also visit the Cheney House Research Center located right next door. I believe they are open on Thursdays or you can schedule an appointment. <3

animals in art, art, art for sale, art gallery, Arts & Crafts, bracelets, ceramics, festival, ice cream, Karen Tashkovski, oil painting, oil pastels, restaurant, retail, shopping

Skaneateles Artisans

Image Leave a comment

Retail space is at a premium at Skaneateles Artisans. This is the gallery on the lower level of the Old Stone Mill, located at 3 Fennell Street, Skaneateles, New York 13152.

Teresa Vitale is the owner. She is also a very successful artist who creates faux finishes on furniture and fireplace mantles in homes. Some of her work is on display in the gallery as well as paintings, ceramic and glassware, jewelry and trinkets created by over one hundred local artists and artisans.

It is a gift-giver’s paradise.

There is so much from which to choose. I was telling my friend Janine that I was so overwhelmed by it all that I would have to go through my pictures to really digest everything and I would probably see things in the pictures I didn’t remember seeing in person. In that regard, this gallery is a place one must frequent often. That and the fact that stock gets replaced often. It is a cash and carry business, unlike other galleries where the exhibit must conclude before one can take stuff home.

The Skaneateles Curbstone Festival continues today, July 21, 2023, from 9:00 am to 8:00 pm. This gallery did not have an outdoor presence but over forty other vendors are sidewalk sale-ing it. In addition, there are magic acts, balloon animal makers, musical guests, sightseeing cruises on the lake and many fine dining restaurants to experience.

We visited yesterday and had such a wonderful adventure of discovery while shopping the numerous stores on Jordan Street and West Genesee Street, as well as Fennell, culminating in a watermelon and feta salad lunch at The Sherwood Inn followed by custard ice cream from Doug’s Fish Fry.

So fun! <3

art, art festival, art for sale, Arts & Crafts, Karen Tashkovski

The A & C

Image Leave a comment

The AmeriCU Syracuse Arts & Crafts Festival has returned to Columbus Circle and surrounding roads in Syracuse, NY. It began on Friday and continues tomorrow from 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM.

Here is a sampling of the artisans represented this year. I was there today and mainly walked through the circle and down Montgomery Street.

Susan Shannon is a potter from Vermont. She had an incredibly cohesive display. All of her porcelain ceramics are handmade on the potter’s wheel – no molds! She said there is a beauty to the zen of creating a familiar shape and it never gets boring. The glaze is a type of high fire stain and the colors are wonderfully rich. This is the type of functional art that must be purchased in multiples.

It is all microwaveable and dishwasher safe. Really great! She is located in front of the church on the circle.

Her website is suchipottery.com. For more information call (970) 529-3029.

Charlie Sam has really upped his game since I first met him several years ago. Again, the word is cohesive. He creates these original graphic characters and represents them on T-shirts, sweatshirts, glassware, mugs and buttons.

He is from Syracuse. His booth is on Montgomery Street. Find him on Instagram and Facebook.

So great!

I enjoyed meeting the Hadfields of CH Woodcraft. Craig Hadfield creates these Americana paintings on pine. I love the flag motif! And of course, I work in “bear country”, which is what we call Chittenango. Love!

They are from Syracuse. The booth is on Montgomery Street. If you don’t make it out tomorrow, you can call (315) 558-0201. They also do custom projects.

Joelle’s Dolls are so full of whimsy. Joelle McAndrew from Lewiston, NY creates her own designs and patterns. Each doll has a backstory, which is so delightful. There is so much detail in the clothing! Everything is original.

This is another example of needing more than one. Someone should buy her whole collection.

Again, this booth is on Montgomery Street. Also find her at joellesdolls.etsy.com.

Johanna Wall is a lovely person! She is a retired teacher from Syracuse. She and her husband worked the booth today, which is located on Montgomery Street. Her collection includes jewelry and decoupage items – birdhouses, canisters, coasters and wreaths.

Call (315)382-5262 for more information.

John Oneal Heard is a man of many hats – professor, model, musician, art teacher and artist. He had a small collection of original paintings (I believe they are abstract paintings on glass mounted on canvas). He literally paints music. He said his favorite thing about meeting the public as an artist with a business is answering questions from children – it is rewarding to share his work with an audience.

Call (315) 992-3267 for more information.

And that is what this festival truly embodies – the spirit of the collective creative energies flowing through these business men and women and fusing with the community in such a joy-filled positive way. Hurray for the artists and art patrons of Syracuse, New York!

Really, really soooooo great!

art, art for sale, art gallery, art teacher, Arts & Crafts, ceramics, etchings, illustration, Karen Tashkovski, landscapes, painting

Barnacles

Image Leave a comment

The Barn at Collamer Road is the site of a pop-up art exhibition starring three Cicero-North Syracuse art teachers. Kara Daviau, Amy Haven and James Vanhoven share their art in the upstairs gallery space of this amazing venue located at 6456 Collamer Road, East Syracuse, NY 13057. You can view the work from 11:00 am-1:00 pm on Saturday, April 2, 2022, and Sunday., April 3, 2022. And that’s it! The opening reception was today. The show is titled “Resonance”.

Their prices are very reasonable. Haven’s ceramics may have all sold! They are beautiful pieces – wall hangings, jewelry trays, pottery – with arts and crafts details such as quatrefoil and ginko leaves.

Vanhoven’s work is exquisite – he is technically proficient. He is the quintessential art teacher with a variety of interests all focusing on landscapes. There are etchings, watercolors and oil paintings, as well as pastel drawings.

Daviau paints in acrylic with collage. She incorporates musical themes giving each illustration of abandoned buildings a unique personality. She also sells merchandise depicting those paintings. These include apparel, prints and accessories.

I’m sure we will be seeing a lot more from these dynamic artist/colleagues!

art, art for sale, Arts & Crafts, bracelets, food, furniture, jewelry, retail, shopping, store, vintage

Marketplace on James

Image Leave a comment

Marketplace on James is a new store at 2802 James Street in the Eastwood section of Syracuse, New York, 13206. It is the former Tip a Few bar now transformed into an artisan gallery, a tattoo parlor and a food place.

My good friends and Eastwood residents Bob and Marie Leogrande have begun a new venture making and selling their homemade pastas and sausage rolls. They use family recipes and all natural ingredients. Everything is packaged fresh and ready to eat! The Leograndes are also available for catering private parties (big and small) and will be in the store for occasional pop-up lunches!

Picking up a few of Marlene Roeder’s Zen inspired coloring books is worth the visit to Marketplace on James. They are really lovely – everyone of all ages can enjoy them because, let’s face it, who doesn’t love coloring?

Yesterday was the grand opening of Marketplace on James complete with a visit from the mayor and media coverage. There are about fifty individual vendors represented. I believe they pay a monthly fee to house their crafts under one roof.

I was there briefly and took these snapshots. It is a bit overwhelming when you first walk in because there is so much eclectic merchandise. New folk art style paintings, antique repurposed furniture, handmade jewelry and a lot of gift-type thingys are situated on different retail fixtures and tables. There didn’t seem to be a clear view of individual areas the way the space is divided at The Shoppes at Johnny Appleseeds.

But it is whimsical and fun, if you enjoy gift shopping/browsing. This place is the brainchild of owner/operator Eileen Porto. Her mission – to bring community and small businesses together under one roof.

Marketplace will be open Monday-Wednesdays 7:00 am – 6:00 pm, Friday & Saturday 7:00 am – 9:00 pm and Sundays noon – 6:00 pm. Vendors will replenish stock periodically, so there will always be new goods to see.

The kitchen is new/updated and will have something aromatic available daily, including free samples of products from these fabulous local vendors.

There is only street parking available – no parking lot, but there are businesses on both sides of James Street in that area with parking lots – coffee shops, restaurants, hair salons, banks, etc. If you’ve never done it, you could make a day of it and explore Eastwood! There is an adorable deck around the corner to sit and have a coffee and maybe do a photo shoot by the wall mural – and an amazing plant shoppe that will make you say – this is so cool! (Or at least, it did me, lol). Enjoy!!! (for more information, call 315-928-6724) <3