Walter Elwood Museum - Amsterdam, NY

You need to stop in sometime to see the  magnificent  and eclectic collections of Walter Elwood, former school Supervisor and teacher in the Amsterdam Public Schools system!  He believed children needed to be exposed to the world. He  traveled the world  to collect artifacts to bring to the children at schools where he taught science. This museum has moved often but now has a large home at the old carpet factory in Amsterdam. Several other collections are under the same roof. Did you know Cabbage Patch Dolls were made in Amsterdam???

NYC Vivian Maier Photography Show at Fotografiska Museum

I took a trip to NYC to view a most unusual photographers work and subsequent rise to fame after her death. You see, she was a nanny for several families while secretly photographing street scenes. She died never showing her work professionally. Her work, mainly negatives, was discovered in an auctioned off storage unit, and the current owner started developing her work. He posted Vivians street photography on line and it went viral, leading to Vivian becoming known and recognized as a top street photographer. Something tells me she would have never enjoyed the massive attention while alive, and that it was meant to unfold this way. 

The Fotografiska Museum was magnificent as a as their gift shop gillmof famous photographers books. 

*I was also blown away by Bruce Gildens street photography. 

On the other hand, the noise, the urine smells, the dogs with no place to pee except on the sides of buildings  and the unfortunate souls on the sidewalks that Lord knows how they care for themselves or negotiate the world, made me desperate to come back Upstate where I belong. I'm sure the systems set in place to help are so overloaded that many will continue to go unnoticed until they are too much to not notice. Bless all who track those in need in NYC. It's a huge need.

Copper King, Sawdust Maker, Poet, Artist- Peter Byam Judge

Artist Peter Byam Judges woodwork infused with copper / original design belongs in a museum. His art just grabbed my heart. He was a vendor at the Saratoga Holiday Inn Christmas Craft Show.

Who's going home with a Glen Feulner canvas print? Me!

Met Glen at the show. His art is whimsical, original, and eye catching. The robot had me at "Hello."

Saratoga Holiday Inn Christmas Crafts Show / Saratoga Arts prints!

I was very pleased to see the quality of art at this year's Saratoga Holiday Inn Christmas Craft Show. And... outside the main show,  Saratoga Arts had a table set up where you could make small prints. Loved it. Saratoga Arts has created access to printing equipment in their main building for anyone who using to print,  so this was a fun activity to hook ones interest!  You bet I jumped right in!