Exhibit "Folk Art in Wood" Closing Soon

Carved Decoys by Joe Dibble, Bovina Center, NY

Catskills Folk Connection's current exhibit featuring folk artists who work in wood will close on October 15.  We hope you have had a chance to see in person the amazingly diverse creative expressions offered by the artists in the exhibit.  To obtain a free reservation, call Hanford Mills Museum 607-278-5744.  The Museum is open Wednesday through Sunday 10 to 4 pm and on Columbus Day October 12.   

It is not surprising for works of art to reflect the artists' lives.  In the 20th century and before, when most families lived on farms, folk art in wood reflected rural life and agricultural pursuits.  To show you this type of historical folk art, carvings by of two past folk artists are part of this exhibit, along with works of seven current folk artists.  Lavern Kelley and Homer Benedict, both 20th century artists, carved agricultural implements and vehicles, as well as people engaged in farm processes like plowing, and hauling logs.  

The contemporary folk artists use wood for their creations of furniture, carved decoys and carved wildlife, wooden toys, musical instruments, and wooden pictures.  Gary Mead offers one-of-a-kind innovative tables, and the story of a pantry too large for the exhibit.  Joe Dibble shows not only his classic decoys but also bird and fish carvings and a unique turkey blind.  Ken Etts and Joe Hewitt, noted Catskills tradiiton bearers, share a traditional toy called a "Whistle Stick."  Chris Carey lends his wooden banjo he made from local wood early in his musical career.   And Dane Scudder, also a banjo player, shares his home-crafted banjos and a fiddle made with wood from his family's farm in Halcott, NY along with southern gourds.  Drawing with a wood burner, Kira Lendo creates dynamic pictures on wood of local domestic and wild animals.

Homer Benedict, Hauling Logs

Collection Delaware County Historical Association.

The exhibit began on September 2 with an opening reception on September 5. It was highlighted by a talk about one of the historical folk artists in wood, in a lecture from the Catskills Folk Lyceum. Sydney L. Waller spoke about Lavern Kelley, a Catskills wood carver who is well-known nationally.  Six of his works are in this exhibit, thanks to Ms. Waller.  Delaware County Historical Association lent three of the Homer Benedict carvings from their collection, and Hanford Mills lent one.  Catskills Folk Connection is very grateful for the generosity of the artists, the speaker, and the organizaitons for their support of this exhibit.

"Folk Art in Wood" is made possible by Catskills Folk Connection's sponsor, Roxbury Arts Group, and is supported by generous in-kind services from the exhibit's host, Hanford Mills Museum.  The exhibit was funded in part by the New York State Council on the Arts Folk Arts Program, by Gov. Cuomo and the NYS Legislature, by a Vision Grant from Humanities NY, and by the O'Connor Foundation.