News

Congratulations to local senior

Every year VAM gives a $100 art scholarship to an outstandingly talented high school senior who plans to continue to study art in college. Students come from a different town each year and are chosen by the head of that school’s art department. This year’s recipient is Cheyanne Stunger from the Argyle Central School. Cheyanne comes with a glowing recommendation from Visual Arts Department Head Rick. L. Fleury.

“Over the last four years in high school, Cheyanne has compiled the strongest and most creative portfolio within the visual arts curriculum that I have witnessed the past forty years of teaching,” Fleury wrote. “Cheyanne represents the true caliber (scholar and artistic talent), the professional stature as a student, that colleges, universities, art schools and the work force are looking for.”

Cheyanne will be attending Bucknell University next fall majoring in fine art and minoring in computer science. One of Cheyanne’s paintings will be on display in our gallery front window later this spring.

Schenectady Today show

Two of our member artists — Mary Lou Strode and Bliss McIntosh — brought work from the Market to the Schenectady Today show. If you have a few minutes, take a look at the beautiful arts and fine crafts that we have in at Valley Artisan, going strong since 1981.

Happy Anniversary to us!

Three things that happened in 1981: Ronald Reagan became president; Lady Di married Prince Charles; Valley Artisans Market was born. Celebrate the latter on March 18, 2-5 p.m. at our 37th anniversary party. The party will be held at Valley Artisans Market and the public is welcome. Come meet our member artists and enjoy art, refreshments and yummy snacks.

Happy New Year!

Valley Artisans is taking a quick break to dust, spackle, paint, mop and add some elbow grease to make the Market looks fresh and clean for spring. We will be closed Jan. 1-Jan. 16, 2018 while we freshen up. We will reopen on Jan. 17 with our new spring hours, Wed.-Sun., 10 am-5 pm. We can’t wait to show you what’s new for the new year!

New holiday hours

We are now open seven days a week, 10 am-5 pm, through New Year’s. Visit us to see our handmade ornaments, holiday items, paintings, woodworking, glass, paper and unique work to our market like gourd houses.

Copper sculptures

Barry Targan has been busy. He has been creating folded copper forms mounted into wooden boxes. He has also been making large, elegant birdhouses, too. Of course he still makes the paintings we love so much. Come see his new work this season.

Congrats to Cheryl Gutmaker!

Member Cheryl Gutmaker, of The Lady’s Got Glass, makes fused glass pieces that burst with color, pattern and whimsy. In September, she won first place for her glass at Colorscape Chenango Fine Art and Fine Craft Festival in Norwich, NY. But you don’t have to go that far to see her work. Valley Artisans has a great display of her fused glass pieces every day of the year. Come see her award-winning work the next time you are in Cambridge, NY. Congrats Cheryl!

Scholarship recipient

Congratulations to Dustin Jaenecke, a student who graduated from Mount Anthony High School in Bennington, Vermont. He was the recipient of the annual $100 scholarship from VAM given to a promising local art student. His art teacher, who had him in an advanced calligraphy class, reported that he excelled everything given to him and was adventurous in his work. “He wasn’t planning to continue with art in college, and it is my hope that he takes this scholarship and the recognition as a gentle nudge in the direction of art. He will be attending Sage in Albany in the fall and I have encouraged him to take advantage of their art department while he’s there,” said his teacher.
“In a few months, I will be moving on to college for a degree in Computer Science,” said Dustin. “Annie, among others, has encouraged me to continue to work and expand my knowledge in art. Although I still plan on a degree in the science field, I am, and continue to be, inspired by the sheer beauty and opportunity that art has to offer, so I am going to at least try to attend some art classes while at college – the campus I am going to has a great art program, and I think that I would benefit to learn even more about calligraphy and art in general – there’s simply so much to see.”

New work by Peggy Gray

Member Peggy Gray makes designer jackets as well as clothing using scraps of interesting fabrics collected from many different sources and from travels. She has just re-stocked the Market with new work, including lovely blouses that are pieces of art while also being very easy to wear. See them before they’re gone!

Fabric purses

Member Luann Gilligan of Round Lake, NY, has brought in some lovely little fabric purses with interesting buttons to brighten up the market. Check them out – they’ll be gone in a hurry!