An outdoor art show might not be a common occurrence, but it has appeared to be a winning formula for the Schenectady Stockade’s art show.
The small group of Stockade residents 60 years ago, which took it upon themselves to hold an outdoor art show, probably couldn’t picture of much their art show would grow and continue to be held for over half a century. There are no sign the Stockade Outdoor Art show is slowing down or going away, with this year making the 60th anniversary of the unique event showcasing local artists with all sorts of backgrounds and levels of experience. The art show will be in the historic city area around the statue of Lawrence the Indian on Saturday, Sept. 10, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with a rain date set for the following day on Sunday.
Event organizers are only thinking sunny thoughts though as the date nears.
“You are at the mercy of the weather,” said Connie Colangelo, co-chair of the event, who has been involved with it for over 30 years. “We’ve had one or two times when we’ve had to do it on Sunday (the rain date).”
Over the years, one appealing aspect to the event for artists is no crafts are allowed at the event, allowing for a purely art centered focus. The show accepts non-utilitarian art including drawings, paintings, sculptures, graphics, textile wall hangings and photography. The art is also required to be matted or framed.
“The artists like it cause they don’t have to compete with crafters,” said Colangelo. “It is a wonderful outdoor event and venue for artists that like to exhibit their work and sell their work … we see many sales each year.”
There is a $30 registration fee for adults and student registration is $10 for an individual and $20 for a school group. Artists are eligible for a total of $1,500 in prize money and young artists, ages 8 to 18, are judged in their own category. Artists can register up to the start of the show. A $500 scholarship will also be given to a Schenectady High School art student planning to study art in college.
“It is kind of nice for people, if they are new you don’t have to go through a lot of paperwork,” said County Legislator Karen Johnson, D-Schenectady, and event organizer. “Because we are right around the Indian there are five streets that go out, so you can setup and by the time the show starts all the cars have to be gone. People that know the drill know to come early.”
In the early years, said Colangelo, the show primarily focused on amateur artists and a small amount of artists. The height of the art show was around 200 exhibitors showing off their work, she said. Even though the number has declined new artists is getting attracted to the show and in addition to many returning artists.
“We do have a lot of repeat artists, but we are also getting new artists,” said Johnson. “We are a kind of place where a person that is beginning to develop their art, if they have enough to exhibit, can come. Everybody is welcome as long as they can provide their art framed or on a rack. Sometimes people have come with just a few pieces.”
She added while some artists at the show are full-time professionals; others simply do art as a hobby while keeping their current job or after retirement.
The event, while an art show, tends to be more of a community event and gathering, said Johnson.
“There is a lot of this show that is about relationships … it’s an arts event, but it is also a community building event,” she said. “You find an awful lot of people in groups talking to each other … there is a big social element of this that people are happy to see each other and happy to be in the Stockade … and happy to see artists, some they know and some they don’t know.”
In honor of the 60th anniversary, former Schenectady Mayor Frank Duci has been named the honorary “artist in residence” for the show. Duci, a 90-year-old Stockade native, has previously shown his work one time. Many of his drawings are portraits and caricatures of famous people.
Johnson was excited to get another chance to see Duci’s work.
“I have seen his art before, but not for a while,” she said. “It is going to be fun to celebrate his hobby.”
Artists and volunteers to act as hosts and hostesses and help with setup and take down can contact Colangelo at 374-7355. For information on the show and to download a registration application visit www.StockadeArtShow.com or call 381-6322.
