News
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!
Simply Saratoga Home & Garden
Congratulations to member Martha Starke who has been featured in the artist spotlight in the May/June issue of Simply Saratoga Home & Garden 2017. (Find her feature on pages 25 & 25, as well as on page 154.) All of Martha’s work is garden-inspired. As a handmade paper artist, Martha makes “seed bombs,” which are balls of handmade paper pulp embedded with wildflower seeds. They can be used as wedding favors, teacher gifts (great as a classroom lesson to grow plants) or as a birthday present for a gardener. Simply plant in the garden, keep moist and watch seeds sprout as the paper decomposes. In recent years, Martha has expanded her work into pressed botanicals, creating Petal People. These whimsical figures are made entirely from pressed flowers, leaves and herbs grown in her garden in Saratoga. You can find framed original pieces at Valley Artisans as well as prints of Petal People on greeting cards. Her seeds bombs and plantable paper items are available in her Etsy shop.
Congrats!
Congratulations to our newest member Kris Gregson Moss who won first place in a three-dimensional art show at the View Arts Center in Old Forge, NY. She won for a piece of fabric sculpture called “Synchronicity.” Congrats Kris!
Easter baskets
Have you seen the sweet display of handwoven baskets in our front window? Basket-maker Bliss McIntosh just finished a new batch of 18 splint baskets and put many of these beautiful creations in the front window until April 21. Perhaps there’s a grown-up you know who deserves a very special Easter basket?
New neighbor!
Hubbard Hall and the Round House Bakery Café announced that, as of April, 2017, Round House Bakery Café will re-open and operate in the storefront of Hubbard Hall at 25 East Main St. in Cambridge, NY. Valley Artisans Market is so excited to have a new neighbor in the adjoining space formerly housed by the Village Store. We are also excited to welcome diners into the market, and also to be able to grab some food for ourselves without leaving the building! Welcome Round House!
Collage journals
Collage artist Sue Williams has made lots of new small journals with hand-sewn bindings and beaded tie closures. The red one shown has a canvas cover and drawing paper pages. The white one has a collage cover and art paper pages. There’s a wonderful assortment in the Market now, at various price points.
Valentine’s Day at VAM
We are closed Mondays and Tuesdays until the spring but we will be open on Tuesday, February 14, 2017, 10 am-5 pm for all your last-minute Valentine’s Day shopping. Grab a sweet card, a tantalizing piece of jewelry, a piece of art, something handmade, something colorful or something subtle. Your Valentine will thank you for whatever you choose!