Image of the entryway to The Gallery at The Center for the Arts of Homer, which currently is displaying the visual artworks from this year's Community Arts Challenge. (Photo provided by Cultural Council of Cortland County).
“Life’s about balance yeah, that’s for sure, the more veggies I eat, I can beer more.” So goes the song Veggies and Beer written by Bobcat. An entry in the 10th annual Community Arts Challenge, this song offers one interpretation of the show’s theme, Balance. On Friday, February 7th from 5-8 pm, visitors to the Gallery at the Center for the Arts can view visual art entries in this year’s Community Arts Challenge while enjoying light refreshments and hearing live music by Bobcat.
This event is one of several activities during February’s First Friday. Coordinated by the Cultural Council of Cortland County, First Fridays offer the community an opportunity to explore talent from local and international artists. All are invited to attend this event, which features activities at the 1890 House Museum, the Dowd Gallery at SUNY Cortland, The Gallery at the Center for the Arts of Homer, and the YWCA Cortland.
“It’s easy to join in – visit our website or a participating venue for a map, and then plot your own course depending on what events call to you,” explains Cultural Council Executive Director Kat McCarthy. “You can drop by one location or stop at all of them.”
Over the course of the evening, each venue will be offering its own unique activity. The Dowd Gallery at SUNY Cortland will be presenting an interdisciplinary, international group exhibition, Measured Confluence. The project feature works combining physics, fine art, and performance in a collection of three-dimensional objects, installations, drawings, and digital media video installations that introduces artists from the US, the Czech Republic, and Bosnia. Visitors to The 1890 House Museum will have the opportunity to make their own Victorian Valentine Day cards. At the YWCA Cortland, guests will see posters created by the GEMS (Girls, Empowered, Motivated, and Successful) featuring pictures and research about topics that range from slavery through the civil rights movement. As a component of this project, participants conducted research, found the photos and compiled write-ups, and went to view “Harriett.”
Activities take place from 5-8 pm, and individuals should refer to the event map or Cultural Council website for details about each participating venue. For more information about First Friday, please visit: https://www.culturalcouncilofcortlandcounty.org/first-fridays
February First Friday venues include:
- Dowd Gallery – Measured Confluence Exhibit
- The 1890 House Museum – Victorian Valentines
- The Gallery at the Center for the Arts – Community Arts Challenge Visual Artwork & Performance by Bobcat
- YWCA Cortland – Posters made by the YWCA GEMS
Additional inquiries may be forwarded to Kat McCarthy, CCCC Executive Director at [email protected]
