CHARLES DE MARCO, A PAST PRESIDENT OF COLONIE ART LEAGUE
The Summer Arts Program for Kids was held during the summer month of June at the Pruyn House. This long-standing, historic Dutch connection to area heritage is located at 207 Old Niskayuna Road, Newtonville, NY and supplies the children [and all visitors] with a source of fabulous subject matters to visualize and paint. This "happening" place includes ten outbuildings. The lovely herb and flower gardens maintained by two garden clubs are a focal point for this site. The gardens grace the grounds of the complex complete with with brick walks, painted fences, and a sun dial.
Every year the Colonie Art League "gives back" to the community by exposing children to the mediums we use like watercolor, oil, and pastel; mediums they might not get to experiment with in school.
Colonie Art League volunteers shared their enthusiasm of the arts with North and South Colonie students during this rewarding fun program. As you will see from the following photographs, the children were beautiful, the grounds were fabulous and the weather was absolutely delightful.
It doesn't surprise me in the least that the "Summer Art Program for Kids" held at the beautifully restored home and acreage of The Pruyn House is a success each and every year. Presently, CHARLES DEMARCO, a past President of The Colonie Art League, [You can view his art in Membership Paintings under "D."] spearheads this venture. He is available through the art instruction process. He recruits volunteers from CAL to assist in this special event "promoting art as a career pathway for area students" one purpose of the Colonie Art League. Should you think volunteering by teaching children the arts is a fabulous idea, please contact Charles.
The student's works are displayed in our Local Color Art Gallery on 961 Troy-Schenectady Road, Latham at the end of the Summer Art Program.
FRAN MEHM was one of our long-time members who originated this noble venture.
As we celebrate CAL’s 36th Anniversary, the Pruyn House Summer Program celebrates 13 years. Eleven of those years chaired by Charles DeMarco. Numbers aren’t important though, when you see smiling kids and grateful parents.
As usual, 30 kids from Colonie Schools benefit from the time and energy of 9 CAL volunteers, and we’re only as good as our volunteers!
The 2010 class dates are: Mon., June 28, Tues., June 29, Wed., June 30, Thurs., July 1 and Fri., July 2.
You can see the childrens’ work in the old Verdoy Schoolhouse at the Pruyn House’s Annual Old-Fashioned Sunday, Sep 12, 12-5pm, and all month in October at the Local Color Art Gallery as part of CAL’s Educational Committee Exhibit.
We plan a Parent/Student Art Return reception at Local Color on Sunday, October 31, 2010 from 1-4pm. Naturally, everyone can come. We’re currently looking for a watercolor person to volunteer to shadow and sub where needed next year. The commitment is minimal. The payoff is substantial. There’s no curriculum. Just your enthusiasm. Anyone can do it and we’ll show you how. It’s your time to get involved and what better way to encourage you to paint. Call Charles at
To contact the Colonie Art League, Inc., Local Color Art Gallery, and for further information on the website - any additions, corrections, or informative art news, send email to Sally Spring, webmaster at: colors@nycap.rr.com
