In the winter and early springtime, the historic Pruyn House can see a lull in action, but the Colonie Art League gives the house some extra life as it transitions into the warmer spring months.
Through May 2, many different styles of artwork created by nearly 50 members of the Colonie Art League will be on display at the Pruyn House and open for the public to view.
“Our walls are pretty dull in the winter,” said Diane Morgan, curator for the Pruyn House. “I love when the art show comes in because it does give the house some color and life. It’s something different than the classic art we usually have.”
The Pruyn House takes down most of the artwork that is either from the 1800s or resembles art work that would have been in the 180-year-old summer home that belonged to Casparus Pruyn and was built between 1825 and 1830. The property, which had fallen into disrepair in the last century, was purchased by the town in 1983. It has undergone extensive renovations over the past 30 years in order to restore it to what it would have looked like when first built.
The Colonie Art League, which is 40 years old, has been involved with Pruyn House since the restoration process began.
“When the Town of Colonie decided that they wanted to buy Pruyn House and make it a cultural center, they had asked me to be on the steering committee since I represented the art league,” said Colonie Art League President Kris Woodward. “They also wanted the art league to use Pruyn House as their headquarters. That never came to fruition because we have too big a group.”
The art league has nearly 200 members who gather once a month at Colonie Town Hall and have different exhibits throughout the year.
“At the monthly meetings, an artist comes in and does a demonstration, which is really informative. They also do a number of workshops throughout the year, where artists teach an all-day class,” said Noreen Powell, second vice president of the league. “The president does weekly classes at St. Matthew’s church, where members are invited to come and participate.”
In her role as second vice president, Powell is responsible for organizing the exhibits, as well as taking submissions and paperwork from the artist. This particular exhibit was judged by an outside judge, Deborah Bayly, a painter and instructor at the Art Center of the Capital Region in Troy. The awards were for first through third place, best in show and honorable mention. To submit a painting, the artist had to be a member of the Colonie Art League.
The other exhibits put on by the art league take place at Colonie Town Hall and a holiday show at the William K. Stanford Library.
Powell said the Pruyn House offers a unique and inviting setting to display the artwork and is also a way for people to learn about art and history.
“It’s a beautiful place and it’s a win-win situation,” said Powell. “The Pruyn House wins by getting a few extra visitors, and the artwork looks beautiful in the beautiful home.”
The art league puts on week-long art class where they take over the barn at the Pruyn House and have daily classes to teach children about art. After the week is over, the kids’ artwork is displayed in the old school house on the property. There is also an old-fashioned Sunday, where the art league displays its art on the lawn like artists used to display their art on park fences.
The relationship between the two organizations is a way to support and promote the things they both offer the community, and this art exhibit is no different.
“It’s a juried exhibition. Every exhibition has its fine points and its artists. It’s a very eclectic show. There are many mediums, and there are so many different styles in the show. I would like more of the town to know it’s there, and I would like the town to know we’re lucky to have the Pruyn House,” said Woodward.