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Upcoming Events And Activities

call to artists 11th annual members show

CALLING ALL ACADEMY ARTISTS for our 11th Annual Members' Show

Submissions open from February 11- April 20

We are happy to invite our talented community to show their work at this popular annual show. This is not a juried show ALL current Academy members are encouraged to submit. All media are accepted.
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Friendly Banjos With Zack: SOLD OUT!

Saturday March 7th: 10:00-11:00am
Using the banjo as the main tool, Zack teaches basic skills that apply to any string instrument—ukulele, guitar, Loog guitar, violin, you name it. By the end of the workshop, your child will be strumming their first song on the banjo,feeling confident and excited for more music-making at home. FREE! AGES 4-7 with an adult companion.
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Amber Chand: Tales of the Boatwoman

Sunday March 8: 2:00pm
This storytelling performance offers an evocative journey into the world of Chand’s ancestors in India and Africa. Audience members will discover why a passionate elopement turned into an unhappy betrayal; why a black-and-white photograph would change the destiny of a family; and how an ancient Vedic mantra accompanied a young woman on her voyage across the seas.
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The Gift to be Simple: Our Local Shaker Heritage and Its Future

Sunday, March 22: 2:00pm
This panel discussion will feature Shaker Museum’s newly appointed Executive Director Claudia Gould, Director of Library & Collections Jerry Grant, and Collections Manager Sharon Duane Koomler. Topics will include the museum’s now 18,000 object-strong collection, history of the Shakers at Mount Lebanon’s thriving garden seed industry, and plans on the horizon for the museum set to open in Chatham in 2028.
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Wooden human figure moving - Tai Chi Workshop

Cultivating Balance - A Workshop on Stability & Mobility

Wednesday, March 25: 10:00 - Noon
Tai Chi movements & postures teach us to listen to our feet, to be secured to the ground and simultaneously aligned upwards to the crown of the head. Being upright in gravity is a necessary condition of balance. In this workshop, we’ll practice being balanced, when we lose it and how we regain it.
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Variations on a Theme

March 28-April 26
This invitational, the first show of our 2026 gallery season, features artwork by Betsy Jacks, Jim Krewson, John Morra, Marilyn Orner, Alan Papscun, and Robert Watkins. It focuses on the concept that artists frequently return over time to a subject that holds enduring interest for them.
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"Like Swimming in Air" Tai Chi for Beginners

Thursdays: April 9 – June 18: 11:00–Noon
(no class on June 11)
In this 10-session class, taught by Fran Snyder & Marilyn Wegh, you will learn the beginning movements and postures of the Yang style short form. The pace of the class is slow and tranquil, demonstrations are clear and easy to follow. Class is open to those who are new to tai chi or want to refresh their skills.
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Spottiswoode and kenny white promotional graphic

Spottiswoode & Kenny White

Saturday, April 25: 8:00pm
Good friends Spottiswoode and Kenny White share the stage and trade songs for two sets. A virtuoso pianist, Kenny draws from a deep lyrical well—tender, hilarious, explosive. Award-winning bandleader, singer-songwriter, and scriptwriter, Spottiswoode will play tunes from his brand new album, “It Wasn’t In The Script,” which is a meditation on the joys and humiliations of fatherhood and getting older.
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Announcing our 2026 Young Writers' Contest!

Spencertown Academy is excited to once again open its annual Young Writers' Contest to high school students (including homeschoolers) in Columbia County, NY and Berkshire County, MA, grades 9-12.
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Seedling Swap & Sale

Saturday, June 6: 10am - 2pm
Join us for Spencertown Academy’s first Seedling Swap & Sale a welcoming celebration of gardening, generosity, and growing together. Local gardeners and plant enthusiasts of all experience levels are invited to share seedlings, swap favorites, or purchase plants to take home for the season ahead — vegetables, herbs, flowers, and more… all plants are welcome!
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Revels: Valentines Day 2026

Thanks to all who joined in the festivities for our 37th Annual Revels celebration, Delicious and convivial dinners at members’ homes, decadent and abundant desserts, music from the Lisha Delfino Jazz Trio, festive decor, photo booth (even Revels "tattoos"), but most of all your generous, spirited participation made for a memorable evening. A special thank you to our dinner hosts and bakers who went above and beyond!
See event photos

Winter 2025/2026 Newsletter Now Available

See what's coming up and read the interesting backstory to some of our programming and events. See the latest as well as past newsletters.

Festival of Books - 20 Years Strong!

The 20th Annual Festival of Books was a magnificent community event, graced with beautiful weather and crowds of enthusiastic readers of all ages. We tallied record sales for this cornerstone fundraiser and are so grateful for your enthusiastic support and participation. A very special thank you to our generous sponsors who helped to “Get the Festival off the Ground”! Learn more.

From left to right: Loretta Pettway Bennett, Stella Mae Pettway, Sharon Williams, Emma Mooney Pettway, Polly Middleton, Andrea Williams.

Gee's Bend Quilt Show

July 12- August 3

Over 4 weeks we welcomed close to 3,000 visitors who came from far and wide, to view this exhibition representing joy, hard work, history and artistry. We thank everyone who passed through our doors, purchased the Quilters' wares, sponsors and donors and our scores of volunteers. Learn more.

The Twilight BBQ Dance Party Saturday, July 12, 2025

It Was A Great Party!

Thanks to all who danced, dined, shopped and celebrated with us on a beautiful summer evening. Kudos to Larry Walker "What's Really Good" for the fantastic BBQ and to Silver Arrow Band for the dance tunes! Event photos.