Meet the Mohawk Artists this Sunday at their Exhibits Closing Reception

ARKVILLE — Take time this weekend, 10 am – 4 pm to view this exhibit, Saturday through Sunday December 7, the final day of the exhibit.  On Sunday, 1 to 4 pm,  there will be a festive reception for artists Wilma Cook Zumpano, beading embroiderer, and Marilyn Isaacs, fingerweaver, from 1 to 4 pm. “The artists will be driving hundreds of miles to attend the reception, “ says Executive Director, Ginny Scheer, “providing a chance for anyone who attended the artists’ workshops, or enjoyed the exhibit previously, or have yet to view the exhibit, not to miss this opportunity.”  The exhibit, presented by

Catskills Folk Connection, is called “Indigenous Delaware County: Lenape and  Mohawk Fiber Traditions” and is taking place in the Erpf gallery at the Catskill Center, 43355 State Highway 28, Arkville NY 12406.

In a county with a very small Native American population, Catskills Folk Connection seeks to honor former Native American residents of the Catskills by featuring artists who are descendants of those nations in an exhibit of older Lenape traditions that are being rekindled and Mohawk traditional art forms updated with contemporary materials.  

The exhibit includes photo demonstrations from New Paltz’s Neu Netherland Festival showing Lenape artist Kathy Haney (Oklahoma) making cordage and Theresa Johnson (Ontario) with a gallery display of her baskets, using techniques traditional to the Lenape.  You will also see an exhibit of Mohawk artist Marilyn Isaacs’s regalia showing the traditional use of fingerwoven bands and sashes, plus a colorful presentation of long sashes and leg-ties that reveal the variety of diagonal patterns and color combinations that are possible in fingerweaving. 

Mohawk beading artist, Wilma Cook Zumpano has shared her prize-winning embroidered works, including her rendition of an embroidered “vase”, a version of one acquired from her by the New York State Museum. Wilma attributes the uses of natural material in her man’s shoulder pouch to tradition, but she also uses contemporary “shimmery” beads on it and on many Victorian-style objects derived from designs used for over a century by Mohawk beading artists. 

“We are extremely grateful” says Catskills Folk Connection’s Executive Director,  Ginny Scheer, “for the funding of this exhibit and its activities – three artist workshops and an illustrated talk by Justin Wexler -  by a Delaware County Arts Grant (a regrant from NYSCA, supported  by Gov. Hochul  and the NYS Legislature and administered by the Roxbury Arts Group), by a grant from the O’Connor Foundation, and by the generous donations of exhibit visitors and by our mailing list members.” 

Come see the exhibit before all these wonderful works of art go home! Join us over the weekend for a final view of the exhibit.  On Sunday, December 7, 1-4 pm, come meet the artists and take part in a party celebrating the culmination of a successful exhibit.