Posted by: David Giacalone | September 11, 2022

another fine Stockade outdoor art show

LawrenceCircle7

. . Lawrence Circle is the heart of the Stockade neigborhood and center of the Outdoor Art Show . . 

EDITOR’S NOTE: Thank you for coming to see our “coverage” of the 2022 Stockade Villagers’ Outdoor Art Show.  There are well over 200 images in the posting. Note that the original section with Show Winners and their art was inadvertently deleted Friday evening (Sept. 16). Rather than trying to reconstruct that section, I’ve inserted columns of Square Tiles here of the Award Winners. Other photos from the deleted section have been added to the extensive Strolling Section. Please enjoy.

      • click on a square tile for a full, larger version of the image; scroll over for description.

. . Grand Prizes . .

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. . honorably mentioned . .

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LawrenceCircle7crop2 . . HonMenHelgaPritchard2

. .above: closer look at HM winners by Kathy Klompas [L] Lisa Burton [M], Helga Pritchard [R] . .

. .

. . special awards . .


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. . Lawrence the Indian waits for the Awards Ceremony . . 

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STROLLING THE OUTDOOR ART SHOW

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My art show stroll always starts on Front Street at North Church St.  On the right (south side) there is a long wall bordering the yard of 22 N. Church Street. Most of that stretch has been occupied by Stockade neighbor Bob Laper for many years, but Bob decided to be an art browser rather than exhibitor this year. Also, half of the wall had to be torn down and is in the process of reconstruction.

  • Click on an image for a larger version of the photograph

DAVID HINCHEN set up along that wall, in Bob Laper’s absence, and displayed his “architectural art.”

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. . above: Hinchen painting with unfinished brick wall in the background; in 2017, the painting won Third Place at SOAS . . 

 

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Here are one Hinchen painting showing Albany icons and two depicting Schenectady buildings:

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DavidHinchen-Stockade  . . DavidHinchen-Perrecca's

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PHILIP PARKER set up this year on the north side of Front Street, because the brick wall that had been his background is being reconstructed.

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. . where he shared space with his talented mother, CECILIA PARKER,

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It was clear that the day would bring interesting changes and juxtapositions, along wit  exhibitors who had pleased art lovers in prior years.

HOLLY VAN VOAST

For example, HOLLY VAN VOAST’s array at 25 Front Street, again hosted by Olivia and Emmanuel:

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Joanne Van Genderen set up at 24 Front Street:

JoanneVangenderen . .

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R.P. Fiorillo had 26 Front Street’s glowing foliage as a background:

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LINDA STARR

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LINDA STARR has spread an extensive exhibit in front of 29 Front Street the past couple of years. The sun glowing in the foliage behind her helps make the display special.

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. .

CRAIG PETREIKIS

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. . Lawrence Circle being prepared for the Awards ceremony

IMG_4837One pleasant surprise was seeing that neighbor Craig Petreikis had turned his talents to sculpture.  You’ve seen his winning Second Place effort in our Winners display (it is also guarding Lawrence Circle in the photo above-right). Its sidekick (on the right) earned quite a few smiles, plus a large but unattributed space in Sunday’s Daily Gazette.

CraigPetreikis3  . .   As he did last year, when he won the grand prize with the painting to below, Craig strolled the art show streets with a broad smile (even before he won), stopping frequently to admire exhibits. Of course, Craig did bring some canvases, too.

CraigPetreikis-IMG_3869 . . CPetreikis-Exh-paint

. .

C.C. MOSES-ROGOWICZ

33FrontBlueDoor The amiable CC Moses-Rogowlcz contingent had also returned to 33 Front Street bringing a tribute to the home’s blue door.

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ERIK RITVIK‘s large canvases, including his new elephant portrait, had natural light and shadows.

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LINDA BIGGERS

LindaBiggersExh . . Much to my surprise, the next tent held LINDA BIGGERS, who I had not seen in years, with her mosaic art. When I last saw Linda at SOAS (2015?), her daughter Molly was displaying her own photography.  Molly has moved on to other endeavors. Thankfully, Linda still loves creating eggshell mosaics:

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NIKKI JONES/ICKIBONES

Next to the Biggers tent, another mother was helping her daughter set up her first Stockade exhibit. NIKKI JONES, who does her artistic business under the name ICKIBONES, had many representations of her sculpture art and illustration skills.

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PETER WATROUS

ShowJudges

. . show judges Gary Shankman and Jackie Watsky stop at Watrous exhibit

Across from the Nikki Jones exhibit, a veteran of many Stockade art shows (and frequent award winner), PETER WATROUS, was presiding over his typical display of varied subject matters and styles. I told Peter that I had forgotten to take his picture last year. He must have been trying to help me do better, when I was snapping this image:

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He stayed out of the way for my next couple of shots:

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. .PWatrous4

. .

EDITOR’s NOTE:

OakleySOAS . . Oakley at 2021 SOAS

ALiu-koi2With the occasional exception of Oakley (above left), and the Hodgkins Kids, I try not to use photos of cute puppies or children to drive traffic to my websites. Nonetheless, I am not above using images of koi and blue heron to do so. Thus, I am arbitrarily inserting here, on the right, a Chinese ink painting of koi by Niskayuna resident Anping Liu. And, immediately below, a watercolor image of a great blue heron painted by Scotia’s Christine Mezzo, who was 70 on Art Show day, and rightly proud of it. Ms. Mezzo makes those wooden frames, too.

ChristineMezzio-BHeron

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GEORGE DIROLF

GeorgeDirolfExhCrossing back to the north side of Front Street from the Watrous display, I passed a tent that deserved more attention than I gave it. Had i known GEORGE DIROLF was going to win the First in Show ribbon at the awards ceremony a couple hours later (for this piece), I would have come home with more than just two shots from the outside of the tent. I’m sorry, George, but at least I know now you don’t need my help for success at the Stockade Outdoor Art Show. I’m glad the location of the Dirolf exhibit gave me the urge to take one more photo of one of my favorite Stockade homes, 39 Front Street, which is also a favorite backdrop for artists:

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RITVIK SHARMA

RitvikSharmaExh4 . .

RITVIK SHARMA was another familiar face I was pleased to see on Saturday. He brought his special brand of calm intensity.

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. . RitvikSharmaExh5

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KILAARTS

KimLeahy-Exh2022 A couple of yards away from the Sharma display, Kimberly Leahey constructed another KILAARTS playland, giving us all her annual dessert cart barge of visual treats.

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THE ACEVEDOS

We can always count on colors glowing at the ACEVEDO compound, located the past few years along the Front Street side of Arthur’s Market. ALEC ACEVEDO’s canopy was at the corner, and his parents HECTOR and DIANE set up theirs a little further down, near the rear of Arthur’s.

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 . . AcevedoDCrafty

H&DAcevedo1. .

PINA CALABRO

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PINA CALABRO crossed over to the northeast corner of N. Ferry and Front Streets this year, right at Lawrence Circle, but her soft-hued work had all the Sicilian charm and hospitality I first encountered last year. I urged her to get a website that would give us all access to her art.

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PinaCalabroExh2 . .

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MaximeTaccardi

. MAXIME TACCARDI

MAXIME TACCARDI’s first day at the Stockade Outdoor Art Show was a good one. As told in the Awards portion of this posting, above, Maxime was chosen the Best First TIme Exhibitor by the Show’s art judges, and his full exhibition was given the Gilliland-Weinheimer Oakroom Artists Award. His art got a lot of attention and comments.

Click on a square tile below for a full, larger version of an image.

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ANNA SOCHA

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ANNA SOCHA’s photographs provided a good lesson in the beauty and mystery of flowers, and I wish I could remember their names. (Of course, even I could identify sunflowers after passing 29 Front Street so often this summer.*)

AnnaSochaPhotos . . AnnaSochaRedFlower

*SUNFLOWER THANKYOU. This a good place to thank Lynn Bodden Carman and Peter Carman for giving their neighbors a growing, evolving work of art annually along their white picket fence on the “Art Show block”, at 29 Front Street. If I were not focused on photographing the Art Show, I would have displayed some of my Stockade photos this year, and surely celebrate the 29 Front Street sunflowers, with this beauty (or this one), snapped on July 14, 2022:

A couple blocks away, Gloria Kishton and Bob Limmerman grace us with a grand array of sunflowers at 207 Union St. Thanks, G & B!

. .

KAYLA COONS

KAYLA COONS of DEVOUR-CREATIONS appeared this year for the first time at SOAS. Her exhibit was behind Lawrence, at the corner of N. Ferry and Front Streets. There was a lot to take in:

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. .

InsipidRubioSignINSIPID RUBIO? Yes. As I was stepping away from her display, Kayla Coons pointed me a few feet away to another exhibit by an SOAS first-timer, Insipid Rubio. I don’t have an “a/k/a” for Rubio, but here are two images from his exhibit:

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. . WEDNESDAY EDITION . .

 Turning onto Green Street during the Show, I had no idea how long I would be happily talking with the artists on that short block of exhibits.

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CindySinorExh2  CINDY SINOR, a first-time exhibitor, had her tidy display on the southside corner of Green Street. It was clear that Cindy “likes rocks”, expecially smooth ones that she can paint. Stroll down her Instagram homepage to see her extensive, palm-size, portraiture painted rock collection, and much more.

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CHRISTINE MEZZIO

Scotia’s CHRISTINE MEZZIO, as I mentioned in my blue-heron Sneak Peak above, was proudly celebrating her 70th birthday on SOAS day. When pressed to name her favorite bird image, she walked over to the owl (below), which was next to my favorite, the great blue heron. There were surely many others, plus flowers, that other viewers would choose.

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..

KAREN ZAYJAH‘s tent was next to Ms. Mezzio. I hope Karen enjoyed the day enought to return next year. Here are four representative examples of her art.

  KarenZahray2  . . KarenZahray

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ANPING LIU and XIAOPING (“SHERRY”) XU

This friendly couple from Niskayuna were two of my favorite exhibitors in 2021, and I was happy to see them back. Sherry was eager to show me a very recent painting that she explained meant “Purple Chi from the West.” (below) .

SherryXu-purpleChiFromWest

SherryXu-purplepaining-skirt Ms. Xu also modeled a skirt she painted to jibe with the new painting, calling it Art on Fashion. Barb Lennox got to see it, too, later in the day.

SherryXu2 I do not know whether any fashion has yet been created (perhaps a tie or scarf) to go with this piece, another new Xu painting.

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Unlike his spouse, ANPING LIU (above at his display) again brought Ink Brush Paintings to the Stockade Outdoor Art Show. Here are three examples:

ALiu-MarilynMonroe . . ALiu-blossoms

ALiu-BlackFlowerBird

. .

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VAL ROBERT‘s expansive display was my next pleasant surprise. It was a revelation for those who think they know what a “Val Robert” looks like, after seeing only the SOAS Winners Circle over recent years. [see his website to explore Val’s many moods and modes]  Even I might not have guessed that the lovely piece to the right, with no sharp edges, was one of Val’s pieces. His wife assured me it is, and named it “Galaxy”.

Click and of the mosaic tiles below to see a larger version of “Last Resort,” “Red Bird”, and “Playhouse” by Mr. Robert.

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Supina-winterforestSUPINA, a/k/a SUSAN BARCZAK from Niskayuna, was next down the block, and I met her for the first time. She uses her lovely maiden name for her art work (or, at least, her business cards), which I applauded. Here are two of her images I wanted to share:

Supina-sunrise

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BRITNEY PRIME

BPrimeExh-Peoples  You met BRITNEY PRIME (a/k/a Britney Knudsen), and her joyous balloon painting, near the top of this posting, as the People’s Choice winner. A first-time exhibitor this year, her Stockade painting on the left is a refreshingly different depiction of our historic district.

Here are two more examples of her artwork:

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BPrime1

. .

JOANNE DESTEFANO

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The Destefano Exhibit was back at the southeast corner of N. Ferry and Green Streets this year (above photo, Joanne in green top). My brain was too weary (after about 4 hours of nonstop snapping and schmoozing) to say how much I liked their straw hats when they complimented mine.  Well, I do like their straw hats. And, Joanne’s watercolors, too.

At first, on the sidewalk, I mentioned that Joanne had not brought her large paintings as in prior years. Well, this was the scene when I stepped out into the street:

JoanneDeStefanoExh

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May we need straw hats again at the 2023 Stockade Outdoor Art Show, and say hello at North Ferry and Green.

. .

RICHARD SACCHETTI

RSacchettiExh

IRSacchetti-fishfacet must be difficult for a shy guy like RICK SACCHETTI, winning prizes year after year at the Stockade Outdoor Art Show, and having to stand at the Winners Circle, pausing for a ribbon, a check, and a photograph. You’d think he’d be used to it by now. This year it was “merely” another Third Place prize.

When I got to his grand display on Saturday, I snapped the photo at the top of this section, and was drawn to voices behind the façade of the exhibit. It seems rabid fans of his wanted Rick’s picture with the pudgy orange fish. The artist was so shy, however, he held the painting in front of his face, and I captured the moment. [photo to the left]

Happily, there were two paintings out front that reminded me what Richard looks like next to a fish.

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Here are a couple more that caught my eye:

RSacchetti-2paintings  . .  RSacchetti-suitcoat

. . and one I grabbed when Rick posed for Courtney with his 3rd Place winner:

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. .

MARK MILETTA

Miletta-StGeo2019

. . above: Mark Milletta exhibit, SOAS 2019 . .

MARK MILETTA has been setting up his painting in a wide display on and along the wrought iron fence in front of St. George’s Episcopal Church for several years.  I love getting photos with St. Geo. festivities, cemetery markers, etc., behind Miletta paintings. (see 2019 photo above) So, I left the Sacchetti display expecting to chat for awhile with Mark and to try to decide which pieces to photograph. Instead, I found Mark in a great rush, trying to pick up and secure several of his paintings that had been knocked off easels and the fence by a strong wind-tunnel wind.

MarkMiletta-windy

Instead of a forest of Miletta pieces, there were only two paintings left in view by the time I raised my camera. [photo above] Mark would not risk leaving any out. So, I’m featuring each of the upright survivors that were the last to be packed away.

. . there was a forest trail that is pure Miletta:

2022MMiletta

. . and, a fanciful depiction of 29 North Ferry Street, across from St. George’s:

MarkMilettaStockadePainting

I hope Mark’s canvases and easels are all undamaged. And, I hope he comes back for many years.

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Speaking of STOCKADE IMAGES, there were three others on that stretch of North Ferry:

JOHN MORRETTE had one of the sidegate to Joe Fava’s place:

JohnMorretteStockadeScene

. . and, VINCE FORTE had two:

VinceForteStockadeMarket . . Stockade Market . . and,

. . 31 Front Street: Forte029FrontSt

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BARBARA LENNOX

There was much to see at the Barb Lennox tent:

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. . Barb told me about the fluidity of alcohol ink.

BarbLennox-alcored

. . BarbLennox-alcoOils

. . and, Sherry Xu stopped by for a look and demonstrated her Art of Fashion skirt. .

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DALTON & WALSH

Jaywalking, I backtracked a little to the exhibit of MEG DALTON, which she shared with her granddaughter, CARLEY WALSH.

As you may recall from the winners section at the top of this posting, the family did well at the 2022 art show:

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. . above: [L] Best Stockade Depiction, by Meg Dalton; [R top] Youth Artist First Prize, by Carley Walsh . . 

  MEG DALTON

MegDalton-pheasant . . MegDalton-quilts

   CARLEY WALSH

CarleyWalshYA . . CarleyWalshEasel     . .

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MARK POHL

MarkPohlExbChurchTower

MARK POHL got to the Show early enough to grab the coveted spot right under the St. George’s steeple, and as a bonus got a blue sky and gauzy clouds. [Maybe I’m just projecting, ’cause I love photos with that steeple and cloudy blue skies.] His good fortune continued, with an Honorble Mention for his digital painting “October Sunday.”

HonMen-Pohl-OctMorning

Quite naturally, Mark brought along images of farm tractors, too, and I’m glad he did.

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. .  MarkPohl-tractor

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LAUREL-LE LIPSKI

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LAURA-LE LIPSKI had another display that draws you in with colors and images that please.

Her waves especially intrigued me:

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. .

DON COOPER

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DON COOPER again brought a tent filled with his dense, challenging digital art.

DonCooperExh .

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NANCY NIEFIELD – TWO SPRUCE POTTERY

NNiefieldBestHumanForm2022 It was good to see Nancy Niefield. Her pottery shop was once on the Jay Street Pedestrian Mall. Nancy’s three-figure sculpture (at the left) won Best Depiction of the Human Form this year. Here she is at her 2022 Exhibit:

NancyNiefield . . NancyNiefieldExh

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QQ:

chickens Nice chickens, but I had to rush back to the Winners Circle before I could identify the artist. If you can help, please let me know in a comment or email.

CRISTINA DOUGALL

.CristinaDougallExh .

. . Christina is 2nd from the Right . .

CristinaDougallExhC2 The last exhibit I reached before rushing back to Lawrence Circle was CRISTINA DOUGALL’s display. I snapped one photo. There were many styles and subjects, but I did not have a chance to linger or chat with Cristina. It was only this evening (Sept. 15) that I discovered Cristina was the 1st Place winner of the Young Artist award in 2018. Checking my 2018 post on the Art Show, I recalled how much I was impressed with her work, chatted with her and her exhibit-mate for quite awhile, and wrote that I hoped she’d be back. It’s good to see Cristina still loves painting and is honing her skills.  Next time she’s at SOAS, I hope to have a conversation again with Cristina.

[Sept. 16, 2022] This is a good place to declare the First Draft of this posting complete. There may be tweaks or an extra photo or two added. Thank you for your patience as it eked out. Here’s my “thank you blue heron”, floating on the Mohawk off the Stockade riverbank on a fine autumn day. 

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Posted by: David Giacalone | September 10, 2022

before summer 2022 ends

SunFl207Union14Jul22The 71st Stockade Outdoor Art Show ended a few hours ago, and once again gave me a very enjoyable day of photography and schmoozing.  Lots of good art, images, and people.  I just took my memory card out of my Canon and discovered I took over 200 photos at the Art Show.  After a short nap, I’m going to start working through them to  find a 100 or so worth turning into this years’s Art Show posting. Until then, here are a few images from Summer 2022 that I do not want to forget (like the sunflower to the right). 

  • SOAS2022pinaCalabro1 Later this evening (Saturday, Sept. 10), Pt. 1 of our 2022 Stockade Outdoor Art Show posting will appear at the top of our home page. And, it will hopefully grow into full coverage of the Show by Sunday afternoon, September 11, 2022. [Image to the left by Pina Calabro] update: Art Show posting completed Saturday, September 17, with over 200 images. See https://tinyurl.com/2022StockadeArt .
  • You can whet your appetite for more SOAS by browsing our 2021 Outdoor Art Show posting.

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. . click on an image for a larger version . .

Happily, our Stockade sunflowers were back:

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We had beautiful sunsets: 

CloudsOnFire . . clouds on fire

. . and supermoons, too:

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. . August 11 Supermoon, see from near Front St. and a porch at Cucumber Alley . . 

The Central Park Rose Garden continued to inspire:

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  • YuanExiled But, it was alarming to realize that the beloved sculpture by Robert Blood [Variations on the Chinese character Yuan (Garden)], with no paths leading to it from the main Garden or the Park sidewalks, and virtually no flowers or other decorative plants, was suffering the same fate as the City’s Statue of Liberty Replica — uprooted from a central, important spot and exiled during a landscaping project, despite there being plenty of room to bring it back to its original appropriate location. 

Clinto-StateApts10Jun22

There were, of course, some dispiriting new sights (another Schenectady tradition). Above, another dull, large apartment building, this one at State Street and Clinton Avenue built by Redburn. And, below, construction completed at the New Pump Station, at N. Ferry Street and Riverside Park. It takes up space on a lovely and peaceful lawn, blocking views, emitting sewer odors, and dispacing the grandest old shade tree in the park (despite it being shown in all renditions of the pump station project shown the public), a healthy, century old silver Maple.  

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At Liberty/Gateway Plaza, a frivolous “temporary” sculpture appeared at the end of July (image below) on the sculpture base where Lady Liberty Street should be, lacking its grace, gravitas and local history.

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Finally, for some of my favorite Stockade and Downtown images of the summer of 2022, scroll down this page to see the Jumpin’ Jack’s Fireworks show, seen from the Schenectady side of the River (image above); two new and whimsical murals near Jay Street and Franklin Street; and beautiful blossoms in Riverside Park nurtured by Stockade residents.

Posted by: David Giacalone | August 3, 2022

Kith and Kin celebrate Jennifer A. Schmidt

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The Schmidt Family (of Front Street in the Stockade) brought together scores of the kith and kin of Jennifer A. Schmidt, on Saturday July 30, 2022, to celebrate her life with affection and gratitude. The event was held on the rear lawn of the Schenectady County Historical Society headquarters, followed by a reception at The Stockade Inn.  Jennifer and her husband Larry (Lawrence R. Schmidt) raised their daughters Madeleine Stapel and Meredith Hudak in the grand house many of us believe has the best front porch in town. 

JAScelebrationSculpturePosterPlaque The ceremony included the dedication of a sculpture chosen by the family to symbolize Jennifer’s commitment to education, literacy, and preservation of the Stockade district. To the left is an image of the dedication plaque and below is a poster showing the sculpture. Arrival of the sculpture has been delayed by supply chain problems. Click on an image for a larger version.

 . . JAScelebrationSculpturePosterPlaque

SchmidtSCHSbenchTwo handsome, sturdy benches were also donated by the family. This editor/photographer loves the soft pre-sunset light on the foliage and lawn behind SCHS, and the new benches provide a perfect perch to enjoy serenity and beauty, as the sculpture garden grows.

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Jennifer is loved and missed by family, friends and neighbors. And, the columns below show the people who came to celebrate her life last Saturday.  Click on a tile for a full, larger version.
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. . . JAScelebration11 . . Meredith shares memories of her Mother

. . neighbors came to honor Jennifer . . JAScelebration17

JAScelebration1. . Larry [R foreground] sees that his plans came together very well. .

  • Jennifer-Bob2010OAS5x7 Editor’s Note: The only photo I had of Jennifer does not have perfect light balance, but seems quite appropriate for Jennifer: She is smiling while volunteering at the 2010 Stockade Outdoor Art Show, with Bob Briber, another beloved and departed Stockade neighbor, looking on.
Posted by: David Giacalone | July 25, 2022

hi, Evelyn!

Thanks for stopping by and bringing smiles.

It takes only one sunflower to brighten a Stockade Stroll.

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Posted by: David Giacalone | July 2, 2022

Jumpin’ Jack’s fireworks return

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It felt normal and nostalgic last night, as we viewed the Jumpin’ Jack’s Independence fireworks celebration from across the Mohawk River along the rear of Washington Ave. and Cucumber Alley. The two-year Pandemic Pause was a mere memory. As has become my tradition over the years, I’m embracing the results of shaky hands and premature shutter clicking for the beautiful, surprising serenpidity of colors and shapes they produced, in the sky and reflected on the River.

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. . share this post with this shorter URL: http://tinyurl.com/JJFireworks2022

Click on any tile below for a larger version of the image. And, let’s all thank the folks at Jumpin’ Jack’s for throwing the lightshow we enjoy virtually every year on the Friday night before the 4th.

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Posted by: David Giacalone | June 13, 2022

two new Downtown murals worth a visit

On Friday evening and Saturday afternoon, June 10 & 11, I enjoyed lovely strolling weather and sights in Downtown Schenectady. I was pleased to see in person that there are two new “public art” murals near Jay St. at Franklin St. and the Jay St. Pedestrian Walkway that could put a smile on my face. 

ButterflyMural11Jun22a

First (above), as part of this year’s Schenectady Kids Art Festival, Oscar Bogran designed the Butterfly Mural on the side wall of Pizza King at Franklin and Jay Streets. On June 4th, most of the mural was painted, with the help of kids who were guided by Bogran’s plastic stencils.  Oscar put finishing touches on Friday, including cleaning the sidewalk, and the mural was “unveiled” over the weekend at the closing of Schenectady Arts Week.

ButterflyMural10Jun2022 . . Oscar Bogran hopes folks who want wings will be photographed or make selfies in front of the Butterfly. For more details, see this June 1st Gazette article.

/classic

MonopolyBoardMural10Jun2022

On Friday evening, I was surpised to see an artist painting along the alley-way off Jay St. that leads to the Clinton St. Parking Lot. A colorful, playful Monopoly Board Mural was nearing completion. It was created by the artist Elona Mitchell-Strong, who also hosted a community mural-painting day on the Jay Street pedestrian mall Saturday, June 11. Dowtown Schenectady (DSIC) and the Capital Region Arts Center sponsored Elona’s mural.

Click on any of the square tiles below for a larger image of the Monopoly Board mural.


Better yet, plan on coming to Jay Street to enjoy each of the new murals in person.

update (June 29, 2022): Walking by along Jay Street on June 26, 2022, I had to snap a few more pictures of the two new murals, with different light and angles. They still looked pretty good. Click on a tile for a larger version.

 

Happy Follow-up (July 27, 2022): Artist Elona Mitchell-Strong announced Monday July 25 she had “finally finished” her first mural. Not aware it was finished, as I strolled down Jay Street the next day, I was pleased and surprised to see the final touches Elona had added to her ms.terpiece. Here are a few snaps from my smartphone, including the character Elona calls her first logo, designed by Nate Peltier of Schenectady.

Posted by: David Giacalone | May 19, 2022

flowerbed beauty at Riverside Park

KODAK Digital Still Camera

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James Addison, Washington Avenue neighbor and Stockade Association board member, has avidly taken up the Riverside Park “floral director” mantle previously worn by the beloved Jennifer Wells. I want to thank him (and all who have helped) for both the hard work and the lovely results at the west entry to the Park. This posting features flowerbeds on the riverside of the pedestrian path; but you can see equally inspiring plantings on the other side of the path and entry.

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Click on the individual photos above and the images in the square tile columns below for larger versions.

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Posted by: David Giacalone | May 2, 2022

April blossoms were lean but lovely in 2022

. . click on  a photo for a larger version . .

. . magnolia trees bloomed more fully than our cherry trees; above at St. George’s Cemetery . . 

IMG_4535 (1).  . IMG_4545

15WashAve24Ap

[above] view of cherry trees, north (R) and south (L) from corner of Washington Ave. and Cucumber Alley

[L] 15 Washington Ave. (at Front St.)

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IMG_4603 . . this guy followed me constantly on sunny days of blossom peeking. .

mag-StGeoCem24Ap22a . . mag-StGeoLawn24Ap22

. . above: the south lawn at St. George’s Church (with 1st Pres. steeple) . .

StGeo-mag20ApD A few other magnolia trees caught my eye (click on mosaic tile for larger version, scroll over it for caption):

IMG_4560   . . 32 Washington Ave.  IMG_4558   . .

. .  below: at 1st Reformed Church:

IMG_4589 . . IMG_4442

IMG_4595  . . IMG_4600

Of course, Cherry Blossoms attracted my attention, too, as I hoped/waited for more of them.

 On Union Street:

. . N. Ferry St., near Union St.

cbNFerry24Ap22. . . IMG_4609

N. Church St. at Front St. . .

 . .   IMG_4445

on Front Street bloom patrol:

31Front-weepcb24AP22 . . LawrenceCirclePearTree28Ap22 . . a weeping cherry (31 Front St. rear) and a tall pear tree (Lawrence Circle) . . 

26Frontredbud24Ap22 . .

. . above: a favorite redbud seems budless (26 Front). 

IMG_4452

. . IMG_4451

. . above: just east of Lawrence Circle . .

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IMG_4576  . . and, back on Washington Avenue . .

Click on a square for larger versions of Wash. Ave. blossoms:

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notchedcherrytree2020  . . IMG_4568  . . more cherry blossom trees amputated inartfully for the sake of utility wires.

AtDoor16Wash24Ap  . . out my front door, April 24 . .

. . and, looking toward the River . . 13-15WashAv27Ap22

Finally, the morning of April 19, 2022, cherry blossoms and trees had a snowy frosting:

. . and Steve Caporizzo featured the event at Channel 10:

CaporizzoFB-DAG19Ap22

BONUS: Stockade Cemeteries, April 20, 2022:

. . . . Click on the Cherry Blossoms Category in the Sidebar for links to a dozen years of our “coverage.”

. . . . And, don’t miss this years heavenly crop of weeping cherry blossoms at CGOH.

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LawrenceCircle27Ap22

. . Lawrence Circle, April 27, 2022 . . 

20NBroadway28Ap22a     . . and, on April 28, lovely white blossoms were brightening the lot between the 20 North Broadway Tavern and the Swift Building, which developer John Samatulski is helping to bloom again. 

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