Maywood Arts is pleased to announce the opening of a very special exhibition on September 29th at 6pm in the Schoolhouse in Sidney Center, NY. The exhibition will highlight the work of six area artists and is comprised of two solo shows and one group show. All of the artists have ties to Sidney Center or Sidney, NY.
"Across the Stretch of Seasons," the artwork and poetry of Alicia Leonard Pagano is featured in gallery one. Alicia Pagano is a local author and artist born in Sidney, she grew up in Unadilla and has always had a strong attachment to her roots in the Catskill mountains. After a career in higher education and as national director of program for Girl Scout's of the USA, she is happy to return to live in her hometown. Alicia Pagano has published and presented her poetry and paintings in various venues throughout the United States and abroad including Costa Rica, Thailand, and Senegal. Her poetry is accessible. She writes about daily life and feelings of family, home, and nature, as well as adventures of travel to places far from home. Her most recent book of poetry titled, "A Leaf Falls", is a remembrance of her mother, Norma Collins, on the 100th anniversary of her birth. Watercolors have been Alicia's choice for painting. Her beautiful landscapes are petite and ethereal. She enjoys seeking the tiniest flower growing on the quiet hillside and painting it life-size, or viewing the broad landscape of a field or mountain scene, and detailing it's beauty in a small space. In these ways nature speaks to her. Also, included in the show will be the work of Alicia's mother Norma Collins who was brought up in the town of Butternuts and lived her adult life in Unadilla and Sidney and would have been 100 years old this year.
In gallery two are the paintings and sculpture of David Byrd. David was born in 1926. He has been painting since childhood often encouraged by his mother's belief in his talent. Although his mother thought he should look for "suitable" employment after high school, he instead continued a life of making, taking odd jobs that allowed him to continue painting. As a merchant marine, Byrd painted ship scenes when he had idle time. After his service he moved to NYC and studied at the Art Career School in the Flatiron Building. He was later accepted to study with French cubist artist Amedee Ozenfant at The Ozenfant School of Fine Arts on 23rd street in Chelsea. Other artists that have influenced Byrd are Picasso, Edward Hopper, Andrew Wyth, Balthus, and Georgio de Circio. Through the years Byrd took many odd jobs but always continued painting. He was employed at the VA hospital at Montrose, and many of his paintings have been inspired by the patients he worked with. He has executed hundreds of paintings, yet has had no exhibitions to date. Byrd began working in wood when he moved to Sidney Center 25 years ago. He also continued his practice of assemblage construction which initially began years ago when he would visit deserted Newburg, NY, collecting materials from vacant houses. The Schoolhouse is pleased to be offering him his first exhibition which will include paintings, wood sculptures and assemblages made of found materials. Byrd has said about his art practice, "It's a matter of religion to paint; to keep on painting is the main thing."
Also, on display at the Schoolhouse is the group show, "Hometown Art, a Group Exhibition." This exhibit showcases the work of four area artists. Exceptional works by artists: Lillie Anderson, Judy Cordes, Peg Halpin and Martha Weaver Phillips will be included. "I am impressed with the diversity of talent demonstrated by these artists. They bring decades of experience to life through their artwork. We are thrilled to have an opportunity to share their work with the community," says Maywood Arts member Jessica Farrell.
The public is invited to the opening reception September 29th at 6pm, with a reading by Alicia Pagano at 7pm. The Schoolhouse in located at 10770 County Highway 23 in Sidney Center, NY. For more information visit www.maywoodarts.org or call 607-369-4916. "A Leaf Falls" poetry by Alicia Pagano will be for sale with proceeds to benefit the Schoolhouse. Maywood Arts is a program of GMRCS, a nonprofit working to restore the former Sidney Center School into a community center. (This show will be up till Oct 31st by appointment or visit the Gallery at one of our Schoolhouse events!)
