Schoharie County Arts announces six local grant recipients

SCHOHARIE – In keeping with its mission to support local artists, the nonprofit Schoharie County

Arts (SCA) has announced that six artists and arts organizations will receive grant funding to bring art to Schoharie County this year.

The $300-$500 community grants were awarded with funds from Schoharie County/NYPA Relicensing Grants, and are administered by SCA.  

“Schoharie County is home to so many gifted artists,” said SCA Board President Lisa Ovitt. “We’re proud to shine a light on their talent and support them in their work.”

With a focus squarely on Schoharie County, the nonprofit arts organization is an offshoot of CREATE (Council for Resources to Enrich the Arts, Technology and Education), which administers arts grants for Columbia, Greene and Schoharie counties.

SCA works to promote cultural and arts-related activities, advance individual artists and organizations,

and contributes to the county’s cultural and economic growth. It also supports local artists and arts organizations directly with grant funding. 

Last year, SCA awarded grants to Panther Creek Arts, the Gilboa Historical Society, Klinkhart Hall, and the Theater Project of Schoharie County.

This year, the following artists/organizations have been awarded grant funding: George Landis Arboretum, for a performance by The Insolent Willies, as part of the Landis Arboretum Music Series; Artist Casey Beal, for block printing community workshops; and the Cobleskill United Methodist Church, for a performance by musician Jeff Grippen at the Community Block Party.

In addition: Schoharie Promotional Association, for a performance by The Red Wagon at its Summer Concert Series; Jefferson Art Room, for the creation of parade puppets to march in Jefferson’s 2025 Heritage Day Parade; and The Community Library, in collaboration with artist Pam O’Connor, for the creation of eight Schohary 250th jackdaws for children that will include authentic items from the Revolutionary War time period. 

SCA also sponsors community events throughout the year and collaborates with Schoharie Economic Enterprise Corp. (SEEC) to shine a light on local artists by providing a venue to display their artwork at 287 Main St. in Schoharie.

The latest exhibition, titled “Edge + Overlap” by Schoharie artist Kristen DeFontes, will be on view through early summer. Featuring abstract works of the last decade, the exhibit spans a

range of artistic processes, from printmaking and collage to bronze and found object assemblage.

For information about Schoharie County Arts, go to https://www.schohariecountyarts.org.