Press Releases

Spencertown Academy Arts Center announced today a grant award totaling $49,500 from the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) to support the recovery of the nonprofit arts and culture sector. Following New York State’s $105 million investment in the arts for FY2022, NYSCA has awarded more than $80 million since June 2021.

Spencertown Academy Arts Center will celebrate the publication of a biographical-memoir by its former executive director, Judy White Staber, on Saturday, January 8 at 1:00pm. RISE ABOVE IT, DARLING: THE STORY OF JOAN WHITE Actor, Director, Teacher, Producer and (Sometimes) Mother (The Troy Book Makers, January 2022), is about Staber’s mother, who was a well-known actress and teacher in the 20th century theatre world. The event will feature a reading and Q&A, followed by a reception where copies of the book will be available for purchase. For Covid safety, proof of vaccination will be required for attendance, seating will be distanced and limited, and masks will be required for audience members while in the building. The Academy has installed Blueair HealthProtect 7470 air purifiers in the auditorium. Admission is free, but advance reservations are required via www.spencertownacademy.org.

Spencertown Academy Roots & Shoots Concerts Series presents the Wanda Houston Band on Saturday, December 4 at 8:00pm. For Covid safety, proof of vaccination will be required for attendance, seating will be distanced and limited, and masks will be required for audience members while in the building. The Academy has installed Blue Pure 211+ air filters in the auditorium. General admission tickets ($20 public, $15 Academy members, and $10 students) must be purchased in advance via www.spencertownacademy.org.

Spencertown Academy Arts Center presents “Whimsy” art exhibition featuring paintings and sculptures by Gabe Brown, Keith Davidson, Ron Harrington, Dorothy Sabean, Audrie Sturman, and Elizabeth Wallin. The show will be on display from October 2 through October 31 on Saturdays and Sundays, 1:00pm to 5:00pm. Admission is free and all art is for sale with a portion of the proceeds to benefit the Academy.

Spencertown Academy Arts Center’s sixteenth annual Festival of Books will take place online this year, with virtual events running from Thursday, October 7 through Sunday, October 31. The Festival will feature Zoom programs with distinguished authors, children’s events, and a “Special Book Room” online sale. Featured authors include Ayad Akhtar, Nancy Castaldo, [JK1] Michael Kupperman, Clare Mulley, Sonia Purnell, Rishi Reddi, Rick Rogers, Russell Shorto, and Peter Sis. Admission is free to all events, but advance registration is required. For program details, please see www.spencertownacademy.org.

Spencertown Academy Arts Center kicks off its 17th annual Hidden Gardens program with “Still Life: Flowers, Fruits & Foods in Repose,” an exhibition featuring artists Mary Beth Eldridge, Ann Getsinger, Ellen Joffe-Halpern, Julie Love Edmonds, Alice McGowan, Scott Taylor, and Terry Wise. The show will be on display from August 14 through September 19 on Saturdays and Sundays, 1:00pm to 5:00pm. Admission is free and all art is for sale with a portion of the proceeds to benefit the Academy. Please note that on Saturday, August 28, the gallery will be open from 9:00am to 5:00pm during the Hidden Gardens Tour.

Spencertown Academy Arts Center’s 17th annual Hidden Gardens is scheduled for Saturday, August 28, with a self-guided garden tour, outdoor market, and botanical-themed art exhibition. This beloved Columbia County summer event is designed to inform, inspire, and intrigue garden enthusiasts.

Spencertown Academy Arts Center presents its 6th annual Members’ Art Show featuring works made by Academy community members. The exhibit will be on display on weekends from Saturday, July 10 through Sunday, August 8. Gallery hours are Saturdays and Sundays from 1:00pm to 5:00pm. Admission is free and most of the artworks are for sale; a portion of the proceeds benefits the Academy.

Spencertown Academy Arts Center Hidden Gardens Lecture Series presents “Preserving the Bounty of the Garden” with Chef Linda Romeo on Saturday, July 24 at 10:00am. The basics of canning, pickling, and freezing safely while preserving flavor will be discussed and demonstrated in this live presentation at Spencertown Town Park Pavilion (816 Route 203, Spencertown, NY). Samples and recipes will be provided. Tickets are $10. To register, please see www.spencertownacademy.org.

Spencertown Academy Arts Center, in collaboration with the Austerlitz Climate Smart Task Force, presents a talk by Sheri Bauer titled “SymBeeOtic: Embracing a Life with Bees” on Sunday, July 18 at 4:00pm via Zoom. This event is free, but advance registration is required. To register, please see www.spencertownacademy.org.