Landscapes for Landsake, the Agricultural Stewardship Association’s (ASA) annual art sale and exhibition not only celebrates the agricultural beauty of the upper Hudson River Valley, but also raises funds for this praiseworthy farmland conservation non-profit, which over the years has managed to conserve 139 farms and over 24,000 acres. Since 1990 the ASA has worked successfully to accomplish its singular mission: protect the farms, rich soils and agricultural landscape in Washington and Rensselaer counties of upstate New York for future generations.
For the last 18 years, an important source of funding for the organization’s mission has come from its annual Landscapes for Landsake Art Sale and Exhibition, a celebration of the land by local artists. Participating artists generously donate 50% of their proceeds to support ASA’s farmland conservation work. More than $100,000 of artwork was sold at last year’s Landscapes for Landsake fundraiser.
Although many are disappointed that this year’s show cannot be in person, ASA’s executive director, Teri Ptacek has noted that cancelling the event was simply not an option. The success of this event has had a tremendous impact on ASA’s ability to protect local farms. Landscapes for Landsake is the Capital Region’s largest art buying event of the fall season and ASA’s largest fundraiser of the year. Sounding a positive note, Ptacek is hopeful the virtual show will have a greater reach than in years past.
This year’s inaugural virtual show was launched on www.LandscapesforLandsake.com (a website newly created for the sale and exhibition) on October 10th and will be available through Friday, October 30th, all day, every day!
Leah McCloskey, a resident of Salem (Washington County, NY) and active supporter of local farmers, has taken on the task of curating this year’s virtual event. McCloskey has curated over 120 exhibitions in public spaces and is the well-respected Administrative Coordinator for the Artists Fellowship, a non-profit that provides emergency funding to professional visual artists in need. She is the former director of Exhibition Outreach at the Art Students League of New York.
McCloskey points out that there is no other venue in the region that has so many talented artists in one place at one time. Included in the virtual exhibition are over 400 artworks.
This year’s artists include: Deborah Bayly, Susan Beadle, Gigi Begin, Marilyn Cavallari, Eden Compton, Jerry Freedner, Laurie Goodhart, Tracy Helgeson, Ali Herrmann, Margaret Horn, Mary Iselin, Thomas Kerr, Lynne Kerr, Clarence King, Matthew Lerman, Dona Ann McAdams, Robert Moylan, Maryann Mullett, Harry Orlyk, Leslie Parke, Terry Peca, Leslie Peck, Mark Pohl, Dawne and Dean Polis, Neil Roberts, James Rodewald, Tom Ryan, Elisa Sheehan, Pam Short, Anne Sutherland, Marguerite Takvorian Holmes, Terry Teitelbaum, Janine Thomas, Mark Tougias, George Van Hook, Frank Vurraro, Catherine Wagner Minnery, Takeyce Walter, Regina Wickham and George Wilson.
Over 400 artworks included in the show may be searched by the (i) name of the artist, (ii) by medium, (iii) by size, (iv) by themes and (v) at the price point of $500 and under. Enjoy the show: https://www.landscapesforlandsake.com/
(Frank W. Barrie, 10/13/20)
