CAMBRIDGE, N.Y. — For 27 years the Agricultural Stewardship Association (ASA) has worked to accomplish a singular mission: protect the farms, rich soils and agricultural landscape in Washington and Rensselaer counties for future generations. In that time they’ve managed to conserve 112 farms and 17,500 acres. For the last 15 years, a significant source of funding for this mission has come from Landscapes for Landsake Art Sale and Exhibition, a celebration of the land by the community of local artists.
This year’s exhibition features the work of 58 artists, thirteen of which are participating for the first time. Several of the artists will be on hand to discuss their work throughout the weekend. The sale takes place in the historic barn at Maple Ridge, 172 State Route 372 in the hamlet of Coila, just west of the Village of Cambridge. The show opens with a wine and cheese reception on Saturday, October 7th from 12 to 5 p.m. Admission is $5 per person. The gallery is also open from noon to 4 p.m. on Sunday and Monday free of charge.
Landscapes for Landsake is the region’s largest art buying event of the season and ASA’s largest fundraiser of the year. Participating artists generously donate fifty percent of their proceeds to support ASA’s farmland conservation work. Funds raised from the sale directly benefit regional projects. For the past fifteen years the success of this event has had a tremendous impact on ASA’s ability to protect local farms.
Teri Ptacek, ASA’s executive director, explains “This event celebrates the connection between the art and the landscapes we are working to protect. The artists and the community’s commitment to both our mission and this event is what makes Landscapes for Landsake so successful.”
This year’s exhibition is curated by artists John and Gigi Begin, of Cambridge, NY. For the past three years, John and Gigi have generously donated their time, imagination, talent and experience to Landscapes for Landsake resulting in the most successful years in the event’s history. “There really is no other venue in the region that has all of these incredibly talented local artists in one place at one time. The artwork includes oil, pastel, watercolor, photography, sculpture and pottery. It’s a must see,” Gigi says.
This year’s featured piece, Farmland at Dawn, was painted by Ann Fitzgibbons. “I think for myself, and perhaps for all the artists who participate in the Landscapes for Landsake Art Sale and Exhibition, there is a deep connection to this land, a sense of place,” Ann says. “Through our art, using design, color, and composition, we are attempting to capture the beauty of this area. Just as land conserved for agricultural use is without doubt a gift for the generations to come, so too are the landscapes that reflect this land”.
This year’s artists include: Sabina Alcorn, Deborah Bayly, Susan Beadle, Gigi Begin, John Begin, Irene Berkson, Joan Bohrer, Linde Caughey, Marilyn Cavallari, Matt Chinian, Eden Compton, Carol Law Conklin, Ian Creitz, Rita DiCaprio, Kathleen Domenicucci, Kate Edwards, Judith Ellers, Ann Fitzgibbons, Jerry Freedner, Janine Gibson, Marguerite Takvorian Holmes, Margaret Horn, Mary Iselin, Carolyn Justice, Lynne Kerr, Thomas Kerr, Clarence King, Rose Klebes, Karen Koziol, Liz Maloney, Jeri Macdonald, Leah McCloskey, Annie McNeice, Virginia McNeice, Catherine Wagner Minnery, Robert Moylan, Clifford Oliver, Harry Orlyk, Jerolyn Ouimet, Leslie Parke, Leslie Peck, Ned Reade, Laura Shore, Robert Skinner, Seline Skoug, Lori Simon, Rebecca Sparks, Barbara Sussman, Anne Sutherland, Janine Thomas, Shira Toren, Mark Tougias, George Van Hook, Takeyce Walter, Robert Whiting, Susan Whiting, Regina Wickham, Kim Eng Yeo
For a preview of the works for sale visit ASA on Facebook or Instagram or on the ASA website at www.agstewardship.org
ASA would like to thank all of the businesses who have demonstrated their commitment to protecting our farmland by sponsoring the show. A special thanks to our Cream of the Crop Sponsor: Salem Farm Supply, Inc. and our Title Sponsors: Breanna Lundy – Financial Advisor at Edward Jones Financial and The Fort Miller Group. We are also grateful to our Lead Sponsors: Carmody Ford, Inc., Charles R. Wood Foundation, Farm Credit East –ACA, Golde Engineering, Owl Pen Books, and TCT Federal Credit Union. Additional sponsors include: Brown’s Brewing Company, Kelly + Sellar Ryan, PLLC, Attorneys at Law, M & M Digital Printing, Peckham Industries, Spiral Design, Stewart’s Shops, Tiashoke Farms as well as Battenkill Veterinary, Caffry & Flower – Attorneys at Law, Claudia K. Braymer – Braymer Law, PLLC, Glens Falls National Bank, Pattison, Koskey, Howe and Bucci, CPA’s, P.C., Washington County Farm Bureau and Wiley Bros., Inc.
The Agricultural Stewardship Association was founded by farmers to protect agricultural land and ensure a future for farming in our region. Since its founding in 1990, ASA has worked with farmers and their families to protect 17,500 acres on 112 properties in Washington and Rensselaer counties.
—Agricultural Stewardship Association
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