The Olana New York State Historic Site, a National Historic Landmark, and one of the most popular tourist destinations in the Hudson Valley and upstate New York has announced a series of upcoming events.
Named for a fortress treasure-house in ancient Persia, Olana was the home of Frederic Edwin Church (1826-1900), one of America’s most important artists, a student of Thomas Cole, and a major figure in the Hudson River School of landscape painting. Olana stands high on a hill near Hudson, New York and offers sweeping vistas of the Catskill Mountains, the Hudson River and the Taconic Hills.
Family Tour at Olana
Saturday, June 12, 11:30AM
Explore the house, its paintings and treasures from a child’s perspective. Take the family tour then stop by the Wagon House Education Center for Art in the Barn, or borrow a backpack full of activities to do on the grounds – a family day at Olana couldn’t be more perfect! Tours are geared for families with 6-12 year olds, but all ages are welcome. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Reservations are required by 4PM the preceding Friday. Call (518) 828-0135 for information. $9/adult- $8/students and seniors, free for children under 12 and members of The Olana Partnership.
Garden Walk
Monday, June 14, 4-5pm
Join Mary K. Hughes on an informational walk through Church’s flower garden. Learn a little history as well as new plant care and maintenance of perennial gardens. Bring questions on Heirloom annuals and perennials- stay for the Olana sunsets. Mary holds a degree in Horticulture as well as Floriculture has a floral design certificate from SUNY Cobleskill Agriculture College and has owned and operated her own business for 8 years. In addition, Mary runs a greenhouse that specializes in Heirloom plants, was on the board of trustees for the Hudson Valley Flower show as well as a ribbon holder for design and currently is a member of the New York in Bloom Flower Expo that raises money for after school activities in Albany County. Adults. Free. Meet at Olana’s Flower Garden at the top of the hill. Rain or shine.
First Day of Summer Hike
Monday, June 21, 9AM
Explore carriage drives and sweeping views as you learn a little more about the Olana landscape. Families welcome! Pre-registration required by 4PM the Wednesday preceding. Dress for the weather and meet in front of the Visitor Center. Free. Call (518) 828-0135 for information.
Family Tour at Olana
Saturday, June 26, 11:30AM
Explore the house, its paintings and treasures from a child’s perspective. Take the family tour then stop by the Wagon House Education Center for Art in the Barn, or borrow a backpack full of activities to do on the grounds – a family day at Olana couldn’t be more perfect! Tours are geared for families with 6-12 year olds, but all ages are welcome. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Reservations are required by 4PM the preceding Friday. Call (518) 828-0135 for information. $9/adult- $8/students and seniors, free for children under 12 and members of The Olana Partnership.
Music at the Farm
Saturday, June 26, 4-6PM
Join us for a contemporary concert, interpreting the spirit of Olana with drums from around the world. Musician David Macejka, (http://www.davidmacejka.com/) will perform music influenced by Church’s admiration for Persian architecture and culture. An open drum circle (please bring your own drums if you’d like to participate) will follow. Rain or shine. Seats limited- register by the preceding Friday: 518.828.1872×-110. Wagon House Education Center/Farm Complex. All ages. Free.
Garden Walk
Monday, July 5, 4-5pm
Join Mary K. Hughes on an informational walk through Church’s flower garden. Learn a little history as well as new plant care and maintenance of perennial gardens. Bring questions on Heirloom annuals and perennials- stay for the Olana sunsets. Mary holds a degree in Horticulture as well as Floriculture has a floral design certificate from SUNY Cobleskill Agriculture College and has owned and operated her own business for 8 years. In addition, Mary runs a greenhouse that specializes in Heirloom plants, was on the board of trustees for the Hudson Valley Flower show as well as a ribbon holder for design and currently is a member of the New York in Bloom Flower Expo that raises money for after school activities in Albany County. Adults. Free. Meet at Olana’s Flower Garden at the top of the hill. Rain or shine.
Family Tour at Olana
Saturday, July 10, 11:30AM
Explore the house, its paintings and treasures from a child’s perspective. Take the family tour then stop by the Wagon House Education Center for Art in the Barn, or borrow a backpack full of activities to do on the grounds – a family day at Olana couldn’t be more perfect! Tours are geared for families with 6-12 year olds, but all ages are welcome. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Reservations are required by 4PM the preceding Friday. Call (518) 828-0135 for information. $9/adult- $8/students and seniors, free for children under 12 and members of The Olana Partnership.
The Journey Summer Arts Program: Session I
Monday, July 12 – Friday, July 16, 9AM-2PM
Children ages 6-12 work in small groups at the picturesque estate of Frederic Church, renowned Hudson River School artist, as they journey to one of the locales visited by Church in the 19th century. Through art, music, movement, history, nature walks, poetry and other hands-on activities in the Wagon House Education Center, children experience the life and travels of this landmark artist. Call (518) 828-1872×-110 for more info. Ages 6-12, $165/child- $125 members of The Olana Partnership. Click here for application.
ONGOING EVENTS
Fern Hunting among These Picturesque Mountains:
Frederic Edwin Church in Jamaica
Evelyn & Maurice Sharp Gallery
Thursday – Sunday, June 6 – October 31, 11AM-4PM
In 1865, Frederic Church, an avid traveler with a special passion for the tropics, journeyed to Jamaica. This was unlike his previous expeditions, as he and his wife, Isabel, were escaping from intense personal grief: the loss of their two young children. Throwing himself into the exploration and documentation of the island, the renowned artist produced a variety of works ranging from delicate pen sketches of palm trees to oil sketches of the atmospheric Blue Mountains and brilliant sunsets. The importance of the trip is reflected in the number of studies Church chose to mount, frame, and display at Olana, which became a major attraction for visitors to his home. The best of the related sketches and paintings from Jamaica comprise the exhibit. Call (518) 828-0135 for information.
In the Footsteps of Frederic Church: Photos by Larry Lederman
Tuesday – Sunday, June 6 –October 31, 10am-4pm
Larry Lederman is a photographer and writer who has traveled to many of the locations Frederic Church visited. This exhibition displays photographs of a number of sites that Frederic Church painted and seek to evoke his artistic vision and explore his art. The photographs affirm that many of the wilderness enclaves Church painted still exist, preserved as part of our heritage because of the beauty that he and other nineteenth century painters captured. Copies of the photos will be available for sale in the Olana museum shop. Olana Coachman’s House, All ages, included with grounds fee.
Art in the Barn
Saturdays, 12-4PM, April 3 -December 4
Young artists (ages 3-5) and their caregivers/friends are welcome to the Wagon House Education Center for their first exposures to art! Let Olana inspire your little one- meet new fri
ends, get messy, and discover art together. Come promptly at 12pm to participate in the 12-1pm music, story-telling, dance and movement portion- 1-4pm is drop-in open art studio time to unleash the creativity. Themes: Architecture- Farm History- The Hudson River. Free. Vehicle fee applies though October. Call (518) 828-1872 for information.
Olana on the Move Backpacks
Thursdays-Sundays, 12-4PM, April 4 through December 5
Families are welcome to borrow a backpack to explore the Olana landscape! Backpacks can be signed out at the Olana Visitor Center (and the Wagon House Education Center on Saturdays and Sundays) and contain trail maps and self-guided activities to enrich family visits. Two themed backpacks are available: ‘Exploration Today: Discover Olana’ and ‘View it Like an Artist’. Take your sketches home, or donate them to our ongoing public exhibit in the Wagon House Education Center! Please be prepared to leave a driver’s license or other photo ID until backpack is returned. Free. Vehicle fee applies Saturday/Sunday through October. Not available July 4. Call (518) 828-1872 for information.
ARTlandish!
Sundays, 1-4PM, April 4 – December 5
Create art in the landscape – not such an outlandish idea! Frederic Church sketched outside noting the details in nature and then went back to the studio to paint. Drop in at the Education Center for sketch paper, pencils and clipboards. Then head out into Olana’s picturesque landscape to sketch your very own view. Come back to the “studio” (Education Center) to use colored pencils, oil pastels and watercolors to finish your artwork. Please be prepared to leave a photo ID until all sketch materials are returned. Not available July 4. Wagon House Education Center/Farm Complex. All ages. Free.