CAP REGION NY

A Chat With SPAC’s Elizabeth Sobol

May 7, 2020 By upstatecreative

SPAC President and CEO Elizabeth Sobol in quarantine

Elizabeth Sobol is the President and CEO of Saratoga Performing Arts Center. She is also a voracious reader, champion of the cultural arts and lover of the natural world. She recently posted an eloquent letter about life during a pandemic and the impact of Beethoven’s music on our world in the year of his 250th birthday. You can read that here.

We just knew she’d have some great insight and advice for us during New York’s Shelter In Place orders. Please enjoy our conversation with Elizabeth Sobol.

ACE’s Rachel Dunn interviews SPAC’s Elizabeth Sobol

Elizabeth Sobol’s Favorites:

Saratoga PLAN – Saratoga PLAN is dedicated to preserving the rural character, natural habitats and scenic beauty of Saratoga County and provides information on County parks and trails. Includes information on Hennig Preserve.
SPAC “Sparked By Beauty” Facebook Page – Saratoga Performing Arts Center has created an online forum for the sharing of poetry, art, music, dance – things of beauty that bring you joy and light under the dark clouds of uncertainty.
Elizabeth’s Reading List:
- Brian Greene’s Until The End of Time – “It’s a huge book in scope – and he is really looking at both the history of the cosmos – as well as the history of human thought and experience. Kind of like “from the Big Bang to Beethoven”. It sounds daunting, but it is so precisely and beautifully written that it is very gripping. “
- Erik Larson’s The Splendid and The Vile – “[This] is basically a history of Churchill’s first year as Prime Minister – and also the first year of WWII and the Blitz. It’s a timely and powerful reminder of the resilience of the human spirit – and the importance of honest, powerful oratory – in leading people through times of crisis.”
- Irina Ratushinskaya’s Grey Is The Color of Hope – “A memoir about her many years in the gulags of Russia and how she maintained hope and sustenance through the clandestine writing of poetry on matchbooks.”
- Tracy K. Smith’s Life on Mars – “Our immediate past US Poet Laureate and an extraordinary human being. She also has her own poetry podcast called “The Slowdown”. I listen to it at night when I can’t sleep. It is magical.”
Favorite Beethoven recordings:
- “Because I was an aspiring pianist in a distant past, I always gravitate to [Beethoven’s] piano music. Any recording of any of the 32 piano sonatas performed by Richard Goode, Jonathan Biss or Igor Levitt (representing three different generations of pianists).”
- “Jonathan Biss is also a great writer and has a terrific Kindle Single called ‘In Beethoven’s Shadow’.”

Cap Region Road Trip – Lake George

April 29, 2020 By upstatecreative

By: Rachel Dunn

Despite all of our restrictions, we are not without options – and no, we don’t mean Netflix vs. Hulu. The great outdoors are still open, and Lake George — the “Queen of American Lakes” — is one of the crown jewels of the Capital Region . Whether you stay in your car or take a safe, COVID-compliant hike, this is a great opportunity to take in the beauty of the lake and the stirrings of Spring. You’ll enjoy vast history, trails and beautiful architecture all along the way. Depending on how interactive you want to be, your trip can last a couple of hours or a whole day. Please consult NYS Parks Department COVID Guidelines before leaving home.

We’ve created an interactive Lake George Map using Google Earth, with links, stops and information to help you with your drive. If you aren’t able to leave your home, you can use this map to go on a virtual drive. Access the interactive map HERE.

The Lake George Drive

Start by exiting the Northway I-87 at Lake George Village (Exit 22) and make a left onto Route 9N, which will lead you through Lake George Village. Lake George makes small appearances throughout the village drive, and its beauty is spectacular. If open, take a detour down Beach Road and take in Lake George and the Adirondacks from “Million Dollar Beach,” at the southern end of the lake.

Follow Route 9N through Lake George Village to the end of town, and keep right and continue on 9N along Lake Shore Drive. You’ll see some of the inns and resorts that make Lake George a thriving tourist destination in the warmer months.

A little further along the route, we came upon the charming Diamond Point Community Church, a historic church dedicated in August, 1879. You can take a virtual tour here.

Continue north toward Bolton Landing, a village with lots of nearby hikes (the family-friendly trails at Up Yonda Farms are open, but the educational facilities are not), and the gorgeous Sabbath Day Scenic Lookout, which has two spots to pull over where you can take the opportunity to eat some lunch, breathe in the fresh air and take in the incredible views of Lake George. During our drive, it was so quiet that we could hear dogs barking on the other side of the lake.

If you’re getting hungry, there are a few options nearby. You can order takeout Wednesday-Sunday at Bolton Landing Brewing Company (518) 644-2739), or get a curbside delivery of some locally made wine and liquor at Huddle Bay Wine and Spirits, (518) 644-2111. I included a couple of options on our Google Earth map, but you might want to plan ahead and pack a lunch or some snacks.

Further along the drive, you’ll get a closer view of Lake George as the road meets the shore, and you’ll pass Silver Bay and the sprawling YMCA Family Retreat Center on the way to the town of Ticonderoga. As you approach Ticonderoga, you’ll find the quaint and historic Valley View Memorial Chapel, an iconic structure set atop a hill in the Lord Howe Valley. The chapel was dedicated August 25, 1901.

You can now choose to turn around and head back south along the lake, or you can drive around the entire lake by crossing through Ticonderoga and heading south on Route 22. Detailed directions here.

If you feel like stretching your legs during your drive, there are several hiking trails that offer extraordinary views of the lake, many with streams, ponds and falls along the trails. You can find a list of trails on the Lake George website. We recommend that you check ahead of time to make sure they are open to the public.

If history’s your thing or just want a little extra info along the way, you can check out The Warren County History Mapper where you will find a comprehensive list of historical sites around Lake George.

Please note that there are several spots throughout the drive where there is little to no cell service. If you are looking for historical markers, hiking trails or to order takeout, make sure to plan ahead by downloading information or calling businesses ahead of time.

Please follow the DEC and CDC guidelines to adhere to social distancing while hiking and recreating outdoors during this public health crisis. Let’s all do our part to stay safe and flatten the curve.

Creatives in Quarantine: Hassan Eminyawi

April 29, 2020 By wordpress

Meet Hassan Eminyawi, Owner of Urban Aftermath Books, an online book business with a warehouse in Menands and a physical shop in the City of Albany. ACE asked him about life and business during the COVID crisis,

What’s your quarantine workspace like, and is it working for you?

My workspaces are really extensions of me and my thought processes. The Bookshop is super eclectic/organic with beautiful copies of the classics, curated artworks, and other items that align with my design aesthetic. The warehouse on the other hand is literally organized chaos. We have 30,000 items in stock with each item having been carefully reviewed, graded, listed for sale, and safely filed away for purchase. This setup is working, though one thing I think would bring this business to another level is integrating the shop and warehouse into one space.

How are you coping with this new reality?

It has been difficult to stay optimistic. Our physical bookshop is currently closed. Sales are down across the board and I’d been sadly resigned to falling behind & giving up… But then again, I am reminded of one of the greatest rules of small business ownership: Innovate or Perish. So I’m doing what I can to increase online sales and offer new ways to allow people to shop our physical storefront virtually.

Have you started adapting and/or innovating your business model to operate under these conditions?

Definitely. We have refocused much of our attention to online sales and are offering customers a “literal window shopping” experience at our shop. Simply put…every item in our window is $5 and every item can be purchased remotely and picked up at the shop or shipped to your home. The display currently has an array of good books, vinyl, and vintage toys for sale, though we intend to change the selection weekly.

How have you seen the local creative community band together to support one another?

I have seen plenty of evidence of unity though I really am concerned how certain businesses (including my own) will pull through this. Many small businesses are owned by passionate people who have sacrificed a great deal to open up and do operate on a month to month basis.

Are you thinking about ways that you’ll change the way you do business in the future?

Of course, I have always attempted to incorporate the Japanese word “kaizen” into my business philosophy. Kaizen means “change for better” or continuous improvement. I intend on consolidating the business to become more agile and light footed. I am taking a serious look at our spatial footprint and hope to be able to buy a building to house both aspects of the business. Processes that can be moved to the virtual realm will be while we expand our sales channels and further develop/promote our social media presence.

Do you see any long term changes to the way people work coming out of this situation?

I believe there is going to be widespread acceptance of a work from home / remote work culture. People who own small businesses that survive are much more likely to downsize physical storefronts and continue to operate on a more virtual/grab and go/take-out/delivery basis.

Hassan, is there a piece of positivity you’d like to leave with our readers?

Small businesses are inherently unique and care tremendously about the community they reside in. I believe that given the right, internal adjustments and a healthy response from the government, many businesses will come back stronger and more versatile than ever before. This is a time for creatives to do what they do best… And for strategic planning regarding future steps.

Connect with Hassan

Instagram: @capital_books
Facebook: @webuybooks
Email: [email protected]

Cap Region Cooks in Quarantine: Amy Koren-Roth

April 28, 2020 By Maureen Sager

Amy Koren-Roth is the Founder of Taste of Troy Food Tours, walking culinary and historical excursions offered in both Albany and Troy, with stops in five local restaurants. During the crisis, Amy has put together Mother’s Day gift boxes featuring handmade foods from her favorite vendors and makers. Click here for info.

We asked Amy for some of her favorite go-to meals, and here’s what she sent.

Since I was in high school, I have been drawn to cooking. Salads have always been a fun way to pull from what is in the kitchen and pantry. Half the members of my household are vegetarian and I mostly cook vegetarian to make it simpler. My cupboard always has canned beans, pre-cooked lentils, a variety of cheese, different vinegars and fresh produce. I find preparing food very meditative and many of my recipes are a basic plan open to options of what is on hand.

Warm Lentil, Roasted Vegetables and Cheese (Halloumi or Goat Cheese)

Wash, cut assorted vegetables (cauliflower, brussel sprouts, sweet potatoes, winter squash, assorted sweet peppers, onions, garlic etc.), toss with olive oil, salt and pepper. Spread on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or lightly oiled, don’t crowd them. Roast in 425 degree oven for 30 minutes, flip vegetables and switch the trays, continue for another 15 – 30 minutes. Wrap whole beets in aluminum foil and roast along with veggies, leave in oven once veggies are done, turn off heat and leave until tender.

Warm package of vacuum-sealed pre-cooked lentils in microwave (2-4 minutes). Place on chopped fresh greens (romaine, spinach, massaged kale etc.). Arrange roasted veggies on platter with lentils and greens. Peel and slice beets if using. Arrange on platter.

Grill haloumi cheese slices in lightly greased skillet to brown on both sides, or slice soft goat’s cheese and coat with egg and breadcrumbs and lightly brown in skillet, or sprinkle with crumbled feta.

Sprinkle with pomegranate seeds (if you have them) or roasted nuts. Drizzle with balsamic vinegar and olive oil. Serve.

Arugula, Pear, Walnuts and Shaved Cheese

Wash arugula, press in a towel or spin in a salad spinner. Place on a platter. Toast walnuts at low temperature (200 degrees) for 5 minutes or so or warm on low heat in a skillet. Core and slice ripe pear into ¼ slice from stem to base. Place slices on bed of greens. Use a vegetable peeler to get thin slices of Parmesan or Asiago cheese. Thinly slice red onion to toss on top of all and sprinkle with walnuts. Drizzle balsamic vinegar and olive oil to serve.

Roasted Zucchini Half Moons with Garlic, Served with Pasta or Roasted Spaghetti Squash

Approved by the ACE Test Kitchen. Loved it!

Wash and slice zucchini down the middle length wise, cut into ¼ inch slices. Lightly Sprinkle with kosher salt and let sit in a colander for at least 30 minutes. Toss with olive oil (1/4 cup to 2 lbs of zucchini). Roast in 450 degree oven for 12 minutes. Add 2-3 cloves chopped garlic, flip zucchini over, and roast for 10-15 minutes, until golden brown.

If using spaghetti squash, cut in half, scoop out seeds and roast in 350 oven, cut side up on baking sheet for about 1 hour . When skin is tender to the touch, remove, and let cool 10 minutes. Use a fork to scrape out the flesh, it will separate into strands, like spaghetti.

Alternatively, boil water and cook dried pasta (our favorite is bow tie but any short shape will do.) Toss zucchini with either spaghetti squash or bow tie pasta.

Cap Region Creatives in Quarantine Gallery

April 28, 2020 By wordpress

We’ve organized the Creatives in Quarantine Gallery as a scrolling experience, so that it feels a bit like you’re strolling a physical gallery; you can stop to admire the details and notations that catch your eye, and move on to admire the next piece that interests you. We hope this provides a moment of refuge for all who visit. Inspiration and vision are as contagious as the virus, so in that spirit, let’s celebrate these creations of our fellow locals!

If you would like to submit your work, please email Gabby Fisher, ACE Digital Manager.

Submitted by Laura McDonald, Owner of Blue Peregrine Salon

Click here to watch Laura’s TikTok video, turning into Kurt Cobain.

Laura says, “I have always been an artist and usually work with oils. In the past few years I became increasingly interested in makeup as a medium but could only really use it around Halloween. I’ve decided during this quarantine, that everyday is Halloween. It started with a happy hour Zoom. I wanted to make my friends laugh so I surprised every one and showed up on the call in one of my markups . It was genuine laughter that we all needed. After that I stared to try different people and characters and post it on my social media page just to get some other people to laugh. It ended up being very therapeutic for me for my friends as well as myself.”

Submitted by Marta Parotte

Submitted by Anthony Richichi / Kayla Albano

Anthony is a gallery curator, painter and illustrator out of Glens Falls (IG). He says, “I have been working on a “virtual social-distance collab” with local illustrator/graphic designer Kayla Albano, emailing back and forth linework and building them into final pieces.” Kayla is a professional graphic designer, photographer and SUNY New Paltz graduate out of Queensbury (IG).

Submitted by Rebecca Zeh, of Saratoga Arts

Dip or No Dip, An Awesome Question, mixed media collage…Rebecca says, “My husband and I have been in quarantine together the whole time, both working from home. One night we decided to make collages as a fun creative activity we can do together. It was a lot of fun and a great use for magazines and old calendars laying around. This type of intuitive art project is very cathartic!”

New Years Day, Vischer Ferry Nature Preserve, acrylic on canvas. Rebecca says, “This painting was the first piece I started and finished in quarantine. This is a scene from a New Years Day walk at Vischer Ferry Nature Preserve. The color palette and mood of the scene very much reflect my state of mind during this time. Moody, but also hopeful with the light peaking through the clouds. It’s a great metaphor for the ups and downs I’ve been feeling and I’m sure a lot of people have been feeling.”

Rebecca is a fine artist who grew up just outside of Saratoga Springs, NY in Greenfield Center. In 2012 she received her BFA with a concentration in drawing from Pratt Institute. She has had a passion for the arts since a very young age and has exhibited her work in several businesses and art galleries in the Capital Region as well as some during her time at school in New York City. She currently works as the Exhibitions Coordinator at Saratoga Arts, a not-for-profit arts organization whose mission is to make the arts accessible to all.

Submitted by Carl Strock

From Carl: “I’m a retired newspaper columnist (Daily Gazette, Schenectady), living in Saratoga, longtime amateur photographer, who has filled much of my time taking pictures during this difficult period, mostly on daily hikes with my wife in local nature preserves, but also occasionally of the deserted streets of Saratoga at night.”

Levine Nature Preserve. Carl says, “To preserve my equilibrium in this unbalanced time I have been hiking local nature preserves, along with my wife, and taking photos along the way, then, in some cases, editing them to give them an old-time faded look and a comforting feel of antiquity.”

Submitted by Margo Singer

From Margo, “These are a few of the photos that I was planning for a show {that was planned for April but cancelled due to the crisis}, from my recent vacation to the Caribbean. I was extremely lucky to be on vacation in early March, as I returned on March 11th and I was ordered to “work from home” starting the very next day. My vacation was planned over a year ago and included visiting St. Thomas and Puerto Rico, where these photographs are taken. I often wonder how the lovely people I met in the places are faring now during the pandemic. I hope they are well and surviving, given the fact that these two communities rely heavily on tourism, especially from the cruise industry….I personally find that bright colors put me in the middle for awaiting Spring locally.”

Submitted by Annemarie Baldauf

Annemarie created this art via 3D printer.

Submitted by Elissa Kane

Submitted by Chelsea Fisher, @chrlseafishr

Chelsea has been home writing poetry, painting, and creating these collages from her own books, photos, and writing pieces. On the top right, you’ll see “I painted my nails purple in hopes you’d stay,” a piece she created “at 12am when sleep wasn’t in sight and my body ached with heartache.” On the bottom right, you’ll see the cover of her latest poetry zine, a series of poems to help everyone experience a little bit of poetry and art during quarantine. You can read it here.

Submitted by Jeff Wigman

From Jeff, “I have been busy in the studio each day, keeping in touch with the outside world through art. Nighttime has been a prevalent theme lately. Be safe everyone.”

Submitted by Jean Krueger

Jean has an on-going series of small ink drawings called ‘Daily Cat.” Here are a few samples.

Submitted by Mary Francis Millet

Embroidered piece on vintage linen, “Wash Your Hands.”

Submitted by Michelle Vara

Intimacy Without Proximity_Oil on canvas.

Michelle wrote a blog post entitled “Crazy Time of Change”, where you can find more new work.

Submitted by Maria DeAngelo, @artyladymsd

Submitted by Helen Murphy

Submitted by Jade Warrick, @trashkid_art

Jade has been at home, working alongside her birds, and creating throughout the quarantine. She painted the mural (on the top right) as part of an initiative by Albany Center Gallery to express the community’s gratitude and support for its healthcare workers and offer messages of hope throughout the crisis.

Submitted by Jeanne Finley, J-Fin Photography

Jeanne says, “I’m a writer-turned-photographer who loves to photograph people, in the street or at home or in a rally or demonstration. It’s difficult now to do that, so instead I’m focusing on the natural world, the beauty that we often overlook in our daily “normal” activity. In late March I went to Ann Lee Pond and Shaker Site in Colonie, my favorite peaceful place, and found these.

Submitted by Phyllis Brown

Phyllis is a retired art teacher retired art teacher from North Warren Central School in Chestertown. Phyllis says, “During this period of pandemic isolation, I have been inspired by artists like Matisse, who made his beautiful, colorful, and whimsical cutouts while, and despite being bedridden, and Laurel Burch, whose joyful and vibrant artwork graces scarves and tote bags and jewelry and such. Burch suffered from a brittle bone disease and lived her life in terrible pain, and yet despite the pain, created such hopeful artwork. Keeping their work in mind, I bought myself flowers during a pre-dawn trip to the grocery store and have been painting them using acrylics. Hopefully when the last of the purchased flowers has gone, there will be flowers in my yard to use for further inspiration.”

Submitted by Steve Derrick, Director of Organizational Development for Vicarious Visions / Activision Blizzard Studios

Steve created these drawings and gauche paintings of “COVID-19 medical staff eyes.” Many local response workers have reached out to him to be their subjects, and now people all over the country and UK are contacting him regarding this powerful artwork. Click here for more.

Submitted by Paul Fahey, Vice President of Overit Media

Paul says “Unfortunately, it took a pandemic for me to find the time to paint again. Although it certainly wasn’t hard to find time these past few weeks. I’m a little rusty, but here it is. I chose a cold, quiet scene to capture some of what I’ve been feeling during this time. And it’s the view from my home office that I’ve been staring at for weeks. I was a fine art major at SUNY New Paltz but spent most of my career in marketing and PR strategy. I just remembered how much I enjoyed painting and am already at work on my second this month. Now I just need to make the time to keep painting after all of this is over.”

Submitted by Richard Deon, Visual/Graphic Artist

Richard has submitted these two pieces of work from his TRIBUTE series. 1. Baby-Face, acrylic on carved, shaped plywood, metal frame, 26 in. 2. Chinese Doctor on Pie Chart, acrylic on carved, shaped plywood, metal frame, 26 in. Richard says, “The pandemic chopped a publication design project off the production schedule and left me with enough time to extend my Tribute portrait series. I was inspired by the uniform size portraits in the Uffizi Gallery in Florence.”

Submission by Marilyn McCabe, Author

Marilyn is a poet based in Saratoga Springs with a new book out, Being Many Seeds. She’s done a video-poem with excerpts of the book which you can watch here. The cover photo of the book was taken by Hudson Valley playwright and photographer Nina Shengold as part of her ongoing project of documenting her life near the Ashokan Reservoir.

Submitted by Carolyn Huston

Carolyn says, “I wanted to share a video of my son reading my 12th picture book about children with autism. This one is unique because he helped select all of the photos that went it in and also helped with the wording. It was released in early March an we had hoped to promote it throughout April, Autism Awareness month. That did not happen. As April is wrapping up, I wanted to share it with you.”