The Cooperstown Art Association celebrates decades of art...
“Man does not live by bread alone. Deep within his heart he carries a constant craving for something more. The Cooperstown Art Association owes its existence to an attempt, in a small way, to satisfy this craving.”
--- Henry S.F. Cooper, 1978
The Cooperstown Art Association was formed in 1928 by a group of six professional artists to serve and maintain interest in the applied and fine arts as well as provide the means to increase the community’s awareness and participation. The CAA is now entering its 82nd year and though many aspects of the organization have changed over the decades, our purpose and dedication to it has not. “Our chief objective has always been to encourage.” Cooper said in 1978 as he recounted the CAA’s first 50 years, “Our thesis was that the world would be a better place if everybody indulged in some form of creative work…primarily for what it did to them,” and because of this, “wherever we found a spark we fanned it into a flame.” Now more than ever we wish to nurture the development of both artists and audience in all media and to educate and encourage the youth in the surrounding community.
The CAA began its quest with a single exhibit first held in August of 1928. That first show “The Annual Exhibition of Cooperstown Artists” expanded and grew in popularity and distinction, evolving into a nationally entered juried exhibit. From those early years into the present, “we have always made every effort to have our jurors cover the whole spectrum of taste so that all who submit can feel that their works will be judged fairly on their merits without bias and not thrown out because they represent a school of thought that is unpopular with certain groups” (Cooper).
Since the early 1990’s the National Juried Exhibition has been accompanied by nearly 18 other shows held all throughout the year. We feature annual exhibits such as the Fenimore Quilt Club Show, “An Artistic Discovery” the annual Congressional Art Competition for Otsego County High School students, “Essential Art” our Regional Juried Art Show, Made in New York: Fine Craft Invitational and our Holiday Member Show and Sale which showcases the work of our artist and craftsmen members. The CAA also fills its calendar with unique group and solo exhibits that vary from year to year, in a constant effort to present a diverse and engaging collection of shows for our artists and audience.
In additions to an extensive exhibit schedule we offer interactive art classes and workshops along with our ongoing figure drawing class. We also sponsor demonstrations, lectures, studio tours, performances and film series often coordinating our efforts with other groups and organizations.
Our exciting array of special events occur throughout the year offering engaging seasonal activities for artists, families and community members. These include Spring Cleaning-Art Bazaar, Fine Arts on the Lawn, The Pumpkin Glow, and The Adorn-A-Door Wreath Festival.
One of our foremost goals is to offer the youth in the surrounding area the opportunity and support they need to pursue the arts. Annually the CAA awards scholarship money to area High School seniors who plan on continuing studies in the arts at the college level.
The key to our success has always been a long devoted membership: citizens interested and involved in our current programs who are willing to make valuable suggestions to future projects. Thanks equally to the dedication and support of our artists and audience, the CAA has become a “venerable organization, with years of tradition and a hallowed reputation to uphold,“ and “continues to be a vital presence in the community, bringing artists and other area residents together to the benefit of all” (Johngren).
Some inspiring quotes…
Exhibitions
“The national art spotlight shines on this space for a few weeks in mid-summer. Artists and potential gift-buyers mingle excitedly when the holidays near.”---- Jane Johngren
“Lively, quiet, energetic, magnetic; each artist’s feelings radiate.”---- Lonni Sue Johnson
Opening Receptions
“Every so often on a Friday evening, its rooms are ablaze with light and crowded with people in animated conversation, pondering the works of art on the walls, exclaiming their enthusiasms and delight.”
--- Jane Johngren
“Those were truly heart-warming occasions enthusiastically attended by our membership from far and near.” --- Henry S. F. Cooper
“Opening night, the entrance of 22 Main channels a crowd, roiling up between tall fluted pillars, flanked with flowers. We spill down the hall, past the library and into the galleries, to be caught up into swirls of people looking, lit with late afternoon light sifting down from above.” --- Lonni Sue Johnson
“People lean, noses almost touching the wall, to enjoy the big feelings coming from tiny surfaces of pastel, paint, assemblage, fabric and more.” --- Lonni Sue Johnson
“Conversations ripple as old and new friends meet, all loving a show with a theme. One can almost smell water, almost hear the wind rubbing it into waves. A certain lakely reverence permeates even the long tables of food.” --- Lonni Sue Johnson
“An exhibit is a chance to see with new eyes as others look at the results of private work.”
--- Lonni Sue Johnson
Special Events
“The humble pumpkin inspires creativity at the end of October.” --- Jane Johngren
Classes/Workshops
“Every Monday night, a few dedicated practitioners ply their art in total absorption and collegiality.”
--- Jane Johngren
Miscellaneous
“These galleries offer an occasion for local artists to display and sell their unique work, offering some balance to a town known mostly for baseball. Purchasing a work of art is an opportunity to be a part of keeping that balance in full swing, bringing a piece of uncommon beauty into the home or office and possessing a potentially valuable Cooperstown autograph of a different kind.” --- Cooperstown Crier
Quotations taken from…
Cooper, Henry S. F. “History of the Cooperstown Art Association.” 1978.
Johngren, Jane. “Cooperstown Art Association Has Aged Gracefully.” The Daily Star 9 Oct. 1999.
Johnson, Lonni Sue. “The Lake.” The Freemans Journal 18 May 2007.
“Our Opinion: Take Me Out to the Art Show.” Cooperstown Crier June 2003.