Lake George Arts Project

"Rest Area" A Solo Exhibition of work by Rob O'Neil
2018-05-05 - 2018-06-08 | Courthouse Gallery, 1 Amherst St, Lake George, NY, 12845, United States
May 5 – June 8, 2018
Opening Reception: Saturday, May 5th, 4 – 6 pm.
This event is FREE and open to the public.
Gallery Hours: Tues – Fri 12 – 5 pm, Sat 12 – 4 pm
Review online: Albany Times Union

Rob O’Neil finds beauty in unexpected places, particularly Rest Stops, found along highways all through the country. He is fascinated by their variety in size and amenities: some highlight past history; some are peaceful settings with gardens, and are family friendly; others are mall-like, selling goods; some are simple with only a picnic table and a trashcan. They are necessary places, all sharing a common goal: “…off-road spaces with provisions for emergency stopping and resting by motorists for short periods” (A Policy on Safety Rest Areas for the National System of Interstate and Defense Highways, 1958). After earning his undergraduate degree, O’Neil took a job that had him driving a box truck across the Eastern United States several times a year. Rest areas became a vital part of his driving experience. He says: “Like a draftsman’s line across a white sheet of paper, highways and interstates paint sweeping arcs and pin-straight lines across the landscape. Multiple midpoints exist on these lines; they’re called rest areas, travel plazas, picnic areas, pit stops, or welcome centers. Even with the constant drone of traffic, these are areas of comfort and serenity. There is a structure and plan that makes sense; we breathe, and our weary bodies relax a little bit. These places are interesting and useful physically, sociologically, and emotionally.”
Rob O’Neil earned his BFA with a concentration in photography from the University of Akron, Ohio and his MFA in Cinema and Photography from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. His work has been exhibited at many regional galleries and museums, including Esther Massry Gallery; Albany Center Galleries; Albany Institute of History and Art; Opalka Gallery; University at Albany Museum; and Albany International Airport Gallery, all located in Albany, NY; The Arts Center of the Capital Region, Troy, NY; Saratoga Arts, Saratoga Springs, NY; and the Schenectady Museum, Schenectady, NY. His work has also traveled to many universities throughout the country, including Siena College, University of Akron, Florida International University, University of Nevada, and the University Museum Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. His awards include a NYFA Special Opportunity Stipend Grant; numerous College Professional Development Grants, as well as an Artists and Scholars Grant, both through the College of St. Rose. He is a three-time recipient of a Mohawk Hudson Regional Purchase Award, one for the University at Albany University Museum, and two for the Schenectady Museum. He currently lives in Albany, NY and is an Assistant Professor of Photography at The College of Saint Rose in Albany, NY.
This exhibition is funded in part by The Alfred Z. Solomon Charitable Trust, Adirondack Studios, The Community Exchange Foundation, a Professional Development Grant through the College of St Rose, and theNew York State Council on The Arts with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature. The Courthouse Gallery hours during exhibitions are Tuesday through Friday 12 – 5 pm, Saturday 12 – 4 pm, and all other times by appointment. The Courthouse Gallery is located at the side entrance of the Old County Courthouse, corner of Canada and Lower Amherst Streets, Lake George, NY.

Roots and Branches: Work by Betsy Krebs
2018-06-22 - 2018-06-30
June 22 – 30, 2018
Opening Reception Friday, June 22, 5 – 7 pm.
This event is FREE and open to the public.
Gallery Hours: Tues – Fri 12 – 5 pm, Sat 12 – 4 pm

Roots & Branches: Work by Betsy Krebs
A visual conversation about an unassuming building in Lake George, NY, and its impact on the community.
Betsy Krebs says the genesis of the exhibit “Roots and Branches” evolved from a strong desire to bring attention to the unique humanitarian history and events that have taken place at the Old Stone School House,a historic building located in the Town of Lake George, and her former place of residence. Krebs says this “stoic folk Victorian structure exudes strength and protection as a community strong hold. While teaching locally and living in the school house, my dream was to find out more about the space, since a lot of information was undocumented oral history. Notable Metropolitan opera singer Madam Homer was known to sing at the school house every Sunday during summer months. Georgia O’Keeffe was known to take walks on Middle road, as told by local, Clara Mae Norton. Another notable neighbor was Edward Morse Shepard, the man that Shepard Park, in the Village of Lake George, is named after. He also built and lived in what is known as Erlowest,right down the hill from the school house. The works in the exhibition are a spin off from a recipe book compiled in 1910 by the ladies of the ‘Lend a hand’ club that used the building as a meeting place after hours and on weekends, working to find ways to help the community. The recipes they compiled were the catalyst for each image in the exhibit. Recipes were submitted by local community members, as well as seasonal residents.”
Betsy Krebs earned her M.S. in Art Education from the College of Saint Rose in Albany, NY. Her work has been featured in many solo and group exhibitions throughout the NY North Country, including the Albany Boys Academy in Albany, NY; the College of Saint Rose; the Gibson Gallery in Potsdam College, Potsdam, NY; the Cool Beans Cafe Gallery in Queensbury NY; Valley Artisans Gallery in Cambridge, NY; The Hyde Museum in Glens Falls, NY; the Saratoga Arts Center, Saratoga, NY; Adirondack Community College, Queensbury, The Lake Placid Center for the Arts and L.A.R.A.C. Arts Gallery in Glens Falls, NY.
The Courthouse Gallery is located at the side entrance of the Old County Courthouse, corner of Canada and Lower Amherst Streets, Lake George, NY. The Courthouse Gallery hours during exhibitions are Tuesday through Friday 12 – 5 pm, Saturday 12 – 4 pm, and all other times by appointment. This exhibition is funded in part by The Alfred Z. Solomon Charitable Trust and the New York State Council on The Arts with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature.
