CAMBRIDGE, N.Y. — For 28 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 125 farms and 20,042 acres. For the last 16 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.
The show opens on Saturday, October 6th from 12 to 5 p.m with a wine and cheese reception. Admission is $10 per person. The gallery is also open from noon to 4 p.m. on Sunday and Monday free of charge. This year’s exhibition features the work of 58 artists, fourteen of which are participating for the first time. Many 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, Cambridge in the hamlet of Coila.
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 50% of their proceeds to support ASA’s farmland conservation work.
Teri Ptacek, ASA’s executive director, explains “This event celebrates the connection between the art and the landscapes we are working to protect. It’s what makes Landscapes for Landsake so special. The success of this event has had a tremendous impact on ASA’s ability to protect local farms.”
This year’s exhibition is curated by 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, acrylic, pastel, watercolor, photography and pottery. It’s a must see,” Gigi says.
This year’s featured work, In the Stillness, was painted by Anne Sutherland. Anne and her husband, Jim retired to Washington County to enjoy the beauty and small-town feel of Greenwich while being closer to family. “Familiar subjects such as an overgrown field, an old corn crib or a bouquet of peonies inspire me,” Anne says. “Beginning within the comfortable framework of a photo or still life, I begin to leave the subject behind as the paint and brush strokes determine the real conversation in favor of deeper more meaningful abstracted message of beautiful color and expression. It is my hope the viewer connects with it’s intuitive, edited message rather than the object itself.”
This year’s artists include: Cyndy Barbone/Susan Hoffer Collaboration, Deborah Bayly, Susan Beadle, Gigi Begin, John Begin, Linde Caughey, Marilyn Cavallari, Matt Chinian, Eden Compton, Susan Coon, Joan Duff Bohrer, Sally Eckhoff, Yucel Erdogan, Ann Fitzgibbons, Jerry Freedner, Janine Gibson, Beth Hill, Conard Holton, Margaret Horn, Mary Iselin, Carolyn Justice, Laura Cromie Kemmerling, Lynne Kerr, Tom Kerr, Carolyn Kibbe, Clarence King, Rose Klebes, Karen Koziol, Carol Law Conklin, Nina Lockwood, Elizabeth Maloney, Leah McCloskey, AnneLise McNeice, Virginia McNeice, Catherine Minnery, Robert Moylan, Harry Orlyk, Leslie Parke, Terry Peca, Leslie Peck, Christopher Pierce, James Rodewald, Elise Sheehan, Laura Shore, Lorianne Simon, Robert Skinner, Seline Skoug, Ferrilyn Sourdiffe, Anne Sutherland, Marguerite Takvorian Holmes, Terry Teitelbaum, Janine Thomas, Mark Tougias, George Van Hook, Frank Vurraro, Takeyce Walter, Susan Bayard Whiting, Regina Wickham
For a preview of the works for sale, visit ASA on Facebook, 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. Special thanks to our Cream of the Crop Sponsors: Cambridge Valley Machining and Salem Farm Supply, Inc.
We are also grateful to our Lead Sponsors: Breanna Lundy-Financial Advisor, Carmody Ford, Inc., Currin Compliance Services, Inc., Farm Credit East –ACA, Golde Engineering, Kelly & Sellar Ryan, PLLC, Attorneys at Law, Stewart’s Shops and Owl Pen Books. Additional sponsors include: Brown’s Brewing Company, Capital Tractor, Battenkill Veterinary, Claudia K. Braymer – Braymer Law, PLLC, 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 20,042 acres on 125 properties in Washington and Rensselaer counties.
— Agricultural Stewardship Association
For more articles out of New York, click here.