Cultural Council Launches Cortland Arts Trail
The Cultural Council of Cortland County (C4) has officially launched the 2008 Cortland Arts Trail, one of the largest arts trails in upstate New York with a unique collaboration among artists, businesses, and non-profits. The trail includes more than 50 locations and at least an equal number of artists.
Businesses have joined C4 in order to maintain a rotating exhibit of local art displayed on their premises. The art work will be changed quarterly at most venues. “The Cortland Arts Trail provides us with attractive art work on our walls while providing us with advertising plus a means of supporting local arts and culture,” explains Mark Skodinsky of Warren Real Estate, one of the first to sign up, as he views the 40 works hanging in his office at 17 Tompkins St. “Providing a win-win situation for local businesses and non-profit spaces, artists and the community as a whole is what this project is all about,” says David Beale, Executive Director of C4.
The 2008 Cortland Arts Trail map showing all 50 stops will be widely distributed throughout the region “The response to this first event of its kind in Cortland County by both businesses and artists has been almost overwhelming,” exclaims Reagen Troutman, who has volunteered many hours in the efforts to establish the trail. More than 350 art works by over 50 local artists will be included on the Trail. Most of the work will be for sale.
The Cortland Community Foundation has provided generous support for this community project which involves over 100 participants. Believed to be the largest Arts Trail in upstate New York, it will be promoted throughout the Finger Lakes region. The Cortland Downtown Partnership under the direction of Lloyd Purdy has also lent invaluable assistance in promoting the trail with downtown businesses. A large segment of the Cortland Arts Trail can be easily walked in Downtown Cortland and the immediately surrounding area. The Arts Trail also reaches out into the rural areas of the county with all five of the county’s public libraries participating. Recent additions to the trail that will be added to the next printing of the brochure include Walden Place, the Town of Cortlandville offices, Albany International, the Bank of America on Groton Ave, and the Homer Town Hall.
A wide variety of art work can be viewed on the trail, including jewelry, pottery and ceramics, bonsai plants, fabric art, 3 dimensional art, photography, and realistic to abstract paintings in many media. Participating artist Lisa Heider has included one of the more unusual objects, a painted antique 6-panel door in an exquisite East European-Russian floral style. Russel Spillmann will have pottery on display at Place Insurance. One can find many photographs and paintings of local scenes. “Harry Davis, a mentor to many of our local artists, coined the slogan ‘It’s Smart to Buy Local Art,’” explains Christina Digiusto, another volunteer actively working on setting up the trail. “A work of art locally produced can immensely enrich someone’s life. Each work has an interesting story behind it.”
The Trail provides not includes a many different kinds of art but also contains a fascinating variety of locations. Some venues prominently display a few works on easels. Others have space for exhibiting 40 or more paintings on their walls. Spaces vary from the quiet atmosphere of local libraries and government officials’ offices to downtown bars with almost everything in between.
Once the trail is well established, an online gallery will be set up for previewing work. Plans for an on-line auction are also being developed.
To purchase an art work or to join the Cortland Arts Trail, call the Cultural Council of Cortland County at 607-753-1188 or email Staff@CortlandEvents.com.
Participating Venues Contributing Artists
