Press Releases

Spencertown Academy Arts Center Conversations with Neighbors presents “Cellblock Visions: Set Free in the Penitentiary” with internationally known prison art expert Phyllis Kornfeld on Sunday, March 9 at 2:00pm. An artist, author, and educator, Kornfeld had led art workshops with incarcerated men and women in facilities around the country—ranging from county jail to maximum security to death row—for more than four decades. She will offer a slide/lecture presentation with powerful images and eloquent quotes that reveal the unseen subculture of art making in prisons. While admission is free, advance reservations are requested.

Spencertown Academy Roots & Shoots Concerts Series, in association with the Capital Region Blues Network (CRBN), presents the Diego Mongue Band on Saturday, March 15 at 7:30pm at the Academy’s Blanche Grubin Auditorium. Featuring Mongue on drums, vocalist Chantell, Chase Bradshaw on bass, and Cam Bencivenga on guitar, the band’s sound is a mix of blues, jazz fusion, and rock.

Spencertown Academy Roots & Shoots Concerts Series presents Michael Benedict Jazz Vibes on Saturday, February 22 at 7:30pm at the Academy’s Blanche Grubin Auditorium. The acclaimed quartet features vibraphonist Benedict with Joe Finn on guitar, Pete Toigo on bass, and Pete Sweeney on drums. Their repertoire includes straight ahead jazz standards, Latin-American songs, and original material. General admission tickets ($25 public, $20 Academy members) are available via www.spencertownacademy.org.

Spencertown Academy Arts Center announced today a grant award totaling $40,000 from the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) to support the nonprofit arts and culture sector. Through New York State’s continued investment in arts and culture, NYSCA has awarded $82 million this year to 509 artists and 1,497 organizations across the state.

Spencertown Academy Arts Center Family Arts Kaleidoscope program announces clowning, music, theater, and art workshops for toddlers and school-age children, along with their parents. Academy volunteers Carol Essert and Phyllis Diamond co-chair Family Arts Kaleidoscope. “We are excited to introduce our new offerings. We believe that families sharing these experiences together enhances childhood development and social skills, as well as brings the arts into family life. Best of all, it’s fun for everyone,” says Essert. “These are family friendly events. If the registration fee would be a burden and prevent your attendance, please let us know. We’ll be happy to work with you,” adds Diamond.

Spencertown Academy Arts Center presents Classical Sunday with pianist Joanne Polk on Sunday, January 19 at 3:00pm at the Academy’s Blanche Grubin Auditorium. The program will include Johann Sebastian Bach, Amy Beach, Cécile Chaminade, Alberto Ginastera, David Shenton, and Cole Porter. General admission tickets ($25 public, $20 Academy members, $10 students) are available via www.spencertownacademy.org.

Spencertown Academy Roots & Shoots Concerts Series presents “Gary Lucas: Solo Electric and Acoustic” on Saturday, January 11 at 7:30 pm at the Academy’s Blanche Grubin Auditorium. The acclaimed guitarist and Grammy-nominated songwriter will perform a tour de force program of original songs, blues, tributes to Lucas collaborators Captain Beefheart and Jeff Buckley, covers of 1930’s Chinese pop, Wagner, Stones, electronic soundscapes, and more. General admission tickets ($30 public, $25 Academy members) are available via www.spencertownacademy.org.

Spencertown Academy Roots & Shoots Concerts Series presents a jazz concert by the Laura Anglade Quartet on Saturday, December 7 at 7:30pm at the Academy’s Blanche Grubin Auditorium. The concert will feature vintage jazz from Broadway, the Great American Songbook, and Tin Pan Alley, along with classic French Chanson. General admission tickets ($25 public, $20 Academy members) are available via www.spencertownacademy.org.

Spencertown Academy Arts Center presents Small Works 2024: Regional Fine Arts and Crafts featuring more than 150 small artworks, including acrylic, gouache, oil, pastel, and watercolor paintings, pen and ink and charcoal drawings, encaustics, ceramics, printmaking, collage, mixed media, photography, fiber art, wood, metal, and basketry. On Saturday, November 16, there will be an opening reception from 3:00pm to 5:00pm and the exhibit will remain on display through December 15. Gallery hours are Saturdays and Sundays from 1:00pm to 5:00pm. Admission is free and the artworks are for sale; a portion of the proceeds benefits the Academy.

Spencertown Academy Arts Center presents Classical Sunday with cellist Anneke Schaul-Yoder and pianist Derin Oge on Sunday, November 17 at 3:00pm at the Academy’s Blanche Grubin Auditorium. The unusual and virtuosic program will include the spiritual and intricate music of JS Bach’s “D Major Gamba Sonata,” Lena Auerbach’s charming and surprising “Preludes,” and Beethoven’s heroic yet contemplative “A Major Sonata.” General admission tickets ($25 public, $20 Academy members) are available via www.spencertownacademy.org.