I appreciate everyone who attended the art talk/reception I had for Fan-Girl on Tuesday evening at the Fayetteville Free Library. Thank you! The exhibition continues until July 31, 2025.
It’s supposed to rain tomorrow – a perfect day to spend lounging on Stickley furniture in this beautiful library!
Does it look like I was at the Fayetteville Free Library (300 Orchard Street, Fayetteville, NY 13066) for six hours installing this art exhibition? The hard part was organizing the apparatus then deciding what to put where. Of course, my desire to have these 8″ x 8″ encaustic paintings at the same height, same distance apart was the most challenging part.
I’ve installed many art shows in my life but this one is up there as one of my most satisfying triumphs. It’s fan-tastic.
I am so pleased with the way everything looks. I feel like I manifested a dream because it is such a perfect fit and placing seventy-two paintings in one place is no easy feat. There are three sections: the wall space that goes up the ramp and into the gorgeous community room filled with Stickley furniture, the space around the corner, which leads to the juvenile literature section and the stunning area around the fireplace.
There were not enough hooks to hang everything. Luckily, I have these beautiful mission-style stands and was able to place the remaining paintings on top of the mantle, the book shelves, a piano and two tables. The result is this homey atmosphere and by that I mean the paintings are very much at home with Stickley, as I am a mission oak kind of girl, as well as a Fan-Girl.
The show is called Fan-Girl.
I will do an artist talk on Tuesday, July 22, 2025 from 5:00-7:00 PM. This exhibition will conclude at the end of July. See their web-site for hours of operation. The library will be closed on holidays and I think closed on Sundays during the summer.
All artwork is for sale.
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.
Yesterday Amanda Clifford took us on a free walking tour of the neighborhood surrounding the Fayetteville Free Library, former home of the Stickley furniture factory and current home of the Stickley Museum, of which she is the Director.
Patri, Janine and I were joined by Mae and Joe, a lovely couple from Ohio for this adventure, which took us past several small waterfalls that make up the Ledyard Canal (the water that powers it initiates from Beard park pond), and Leopold Stickley’s former residence. The latter is a grand Victorian-style home on Clinton. He and his employees could walk to work back then.
In fact, the entire neighborhood was built around this waterway because it had the ability to power a flour mill and helped establish a knife factory and other businesses that, although no longer there, maintain a spirited presence in the area.
Stickley’s presence is still very much alive thanks to the Audi family. The factory has since moved a few miles down the road and, a few miles in the opposite direction one can find the Stickley showroom.
I loved learning about the history of the Stickley family – how the parents, German immigrants who’d settled in Wisconsin had eleven children. Their dad abandoned the family and the boys learned masonry and carpentry from their uncle. Gustav, Albert, John George and Leopold all established businesses. The Stickley company we know today was purchased from Leopold’s widow. Gustav’s furniture plans came with that sale because he’d sold them to his brother before his own company went bankrupt. So nothing is a reproduction, rather, they are simply re-issuing or re-launching furniture that comes from the original L & JG Stickley business.
It’s such an amazing American success story, really. Gustav launched the Arts & Crafts movement right here in Syracuse, New York, and that is just so cool! I have always loved the clean lines and sturdy quality of the quarter-sawn oak pieces. It is just so classic.
Amanda Clifford is available to answer questions at the Stickley Museum. Just go inside the library and take the elevator to the second floor on Tuesdays, Fridays or Saturdays. She welcomes school groups of all ages. To schedule a group tour call her at (315) 682-5500 extension 2257.
Yesterday, we held our final Chittenango Art department faculty meeting for the year (my final ever meeting) at Yards Grille (at Green Lakes State Park, Fayetteville, New York). I was the only one in search of fish fry. There’s a variety of sandwiches, salads and other entrees on the menu. We all chose different meals.
Presentation: This is their fish sandwich. It comes with french fries or potato chips but no coleslaw. Instead the fish is served tartared and laden with pickles on a brioche bun.
Taste: It was delish! I loved every bite. The fries had an air fryer look to them – very seasoned, which made me covet them. I don’t eat like this every day – it probably seems like it, lol, but I mainly eat a very bland plant based diet – so when I have something salty I think it tricks my mind into wanting more times infinity. And that it not to say that I regret eating them. Because I don’t regret a thing.
Restaurant Experience: The restaurant overlooks the golf course and the lake at Green Lakes State Park. If you’ve never been there, you must make a plan to go because the view is spectacular!
We had planned this excursion a week in advance. On Thursday night when I checked the weather report, it declared Friday a rainy day. I thought we were going to end up eating inside – well…it turned out to be a magnificent weather day. Perfect, in fact. Seventy-eight degrees and sunny. We were able to dine on the outdoor deck. We sat in the shade and enjoyed the view while reminiscing, evaluating the school year and sharing plans for summer vacation and beyond.
Katy and I arrived together. We approached the hostess and she brought us to our table. Madison had already arrived. Allison and Gina appeared quickly after. The waitress and the manager asked us how everything was – they really pampered us.
If you have never been to this restaurant, I highly recommend you head there on a beautiful day to enjoy the ambiance. Yards Grille is only open from Memorial Day through Labor Day, I believe, and is open from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM every day during that period.
Location:
Green Lakes State Park
5648 Green Lakes Park Dr
Fayetteville, NY 13066
Parking: There is a huge parking lot in front of the restaurant. When we arrived at noon yesterday, the parking lot was full of cars but the restaurant was not filled to capacity because the parking lot doubles as parking for golfers. There is plenty of space.
If you drive into Green Lakes from Route 5, you do not have to pay to go through the park – the entrance gate to the park does not include the restaurant.
Last night my friend and I decided to go in search of fish fry. I had a list of places in the area. We decided to investigate The Craftsman Wood Grille & Tap House. There is an open grill kitchen with four chefs working together. They are known for their meats and their pizzas, mainly, and a fun bacon flight thing with bacon cured in a variety of flavors. Still, fish and chips is on the menu – not sure if it is a Friday only thing or not.
Presentation: The plate – OMG, such a beautiful presentation. The fish looked like a giant corn dog laying in a bed of the tiniest sweet potato fries with parchment paper underneath to absorb lingering oils from the fryer. Four stainless steel condiment cups held ketchup, maple butter, coleslaw and tartar sauce. The chef included a grilled lemon.
I do love when the waiter delivers a lovely looking meal.
Taste: I tasted a bit of mustard in the coleslaw or maybe I thought I did because it appeared yellow. The combination of maple butter with sweet potato fries is always a yes! So delish. This was a substitution and we both went for it in lieu of regular french fries.
I didn’t love the fish but, you know, I certainly didn’t hate it. I had to “fish” for it under all that batter – I didn’t eat that part because it tasted soft, not crunchy – basically pancake batter-y. Overall, I think the portions were just right and it left room for us to share a slice of cake for dessert, since this was a pre-birthday meal for me. (Thank you, Bobbi!)
Restaurant Experience: I love this restaurant. It has a gorgeous ambiance. We arrived before 5:00 PM without a reservation. No one was eating yet and we were seated in a booth by the window – I believe it was referred to as table 1. The other tables filled quickly after, and by the time we were ready to leave, the restaurant was at full capacity including the bar area.
Stickley furniture prevails. The whole place is a Stickley-gasm. There was a party going on in the conference room that I wanted to crash, maybe a rehearsal dinner or wedding reception with people dressed in suits and gowns.
It’s all so pretty – I didn’t really want to leave.
They also have an outdoor space – a roof, a bar area, seating, heat lamps and a fireplace. On Thursdays they do live music in that space – so fun!
Location: The Craftsman is located at 7300 East Genesee Street (Route 5), Fayetteville, New York 13066
Hours of operation:
Sunday 4:00-9:00 PM, Monday-Thursday 4:00 – 10:00 PM, Friday-Saturday 4:00 – 11:00 PM
Call for more information: (315) 637-9999
Or visit their website, which includes a menu with prices.
Parking: They have an ample parking lot for the restaurant and the adjacent hotel – The Craftsman Inn. If you haven’t been, it is a mission-style lover’s paradise – filled with Stickley furniture.
1 Sparrow Lane, Fayetteville, New York 13066 is the place to be for an enchanting burst of nostalgia. The sale was today from 8:00 am to 1:00 pm but will resume on Sunday, July 30, 2023 from 8:00 am to 1:00 pm. Sophie Tashkovski is hosting an incredible garage sale. She is liquidating her shoppe at Antiques at Railway Commons.
There are so many treasures – furniture including two sofa sectionals, glassware, ashtrays, mirrors, baskets, trays, vases, and clothing and accessories. I bought a fabulous vintage leather belt and several record albums. I am so excited to revisit my 1970s records – okay, I got them for free because they were technically mine. Sophie is my sister.
I used to play Linda Ronstadt’s Simple Dreams and sing into a hairbrush microphone. When I was fourteen, I had a stereo in my bedroom that I bought for myself with my paper route money. And of course, how can I possibly forget seeing Grease with Mom and Kathy in 1978? Sophie was a baby then so she didn’t come with us. The theater was next door to the Pizza Hut on Erie Blvd. Neither is still there.
I guarantee that you will slide into your own reminisces as you wander through this sale on Sunday.
Sophie has great taste and a keen eye for finding treasures for resale. And her prices are very reasonable. Be prepared to find lots of things. I was going to say bring lots of cash but she accepts Venmo, so…enjoy! <3
Through the month of July 2023, the North Syracuse Art Guild is having an art show and sale in the gorgeous Stickley Mission Oak-filled room at the Fayetteville Free Library, 300 Orchard Street, Fayetteville, New York 13066. What a beautiful place to spend an afternoon!
And if you haven’t yet been to the second floor to visit the Stickley Museum, it is open today!
Win-win!
I drive past Grover’s Table a lot, like almost every day, and every single time I say to myself, in my best Tina Fey voice, I want to go to there! Carthage native and Westhill High School art teacher Jamie Ashlaw is exhibiting his vintage sign-infused paintings in the Fayetteville, New York restaurant until the end of the month. Last night I attended his artist’s reception. So, that happened.
I met Jamie once before at the Art on Porches event last summer. I bought a note card print of his Palace Theater painting. I really admire his work! It has the ability to transport its viewer into the past evoking a sense of nostalgia for both local culture and national advertising. He uses Golden Artist acrylic glazes, which allow him the ability to create precise lines within the lettering. The canvases become veritable photographic replicas of their resource counterparts. Exquisite!
Grover’s Table is a gorgeous place and I would REALLY love the opportunity to exhibit there, but I have to say that Jamie’s artwork looks like it belongs on the walls of this beautifully renovated exposed-brick-ey space. They should consider buying the collection – at least to put up periodically in between other artist rotations. Meanwhile, he has agreed to display them in the Chittenango Middle School library as my final artist for the year! We will install his show around spring break.
Jamie donated this piece in the above photo. It hangs at the host stand by the front door. A vintage-like sign depicting Grover Cleveland, who actually once lived in the neighborhood, only a few blocks east. So cool!
According to their web-site Grover’s Table is open as follows:
Tues.-Thurs. 4:30-9:00pm
Fri.-Sat. 4:30-930pm
They do not serve lunch but luncheons are available for groups of 35 or more
Closed on Sunday & Monday
Grover’s Table is located at 104 Limestone Plaza Fayetteville, NY 13066. For reservations call (315) 632-4907.
