Centennial Central
A Two-Part Listing of Initiatives Proposed for the 16-Month Celebration of the Woodstock Colony of the Arts
Part One: Notes From a Letter by Will Callaghan, Centennial Committee, Published in the Woodstock Times 3/28/02
Will Callaghan, WoodstockEarth.com
1. Meeting on 2/28; approximately 60 attendees; chair people
were chosen for each aspect of the celebration.
2. Colony of the Arts proclamation passed by Town of Woodstock.
Now in hands of Assemblyman Kevin Cahill’s office to introduce
on the state level.
3. Larry Lawrence of the Woodstock Chamber of Commerce and Arts
website offered their calendar for events and bulletin board
for postings.
Woodstock
Chamber of Commerce & Arts
4. Two major art and history exhibits have been planned for launch
in 2003—Cornell University on Woodstock painters, and Guild
of Artisans on Byrdcliffe arts.
5. Planning a formal rededication of the colony of the arts—unveiling
of monument to the colony’s first century and future.
6. Guild will host annual open house and Ralph Day over Memorial
Day Weekend; also, a nature/art walk on Mt. Guardian with Woodstock
Museum.
7. A set of prints of familiar Woodstock scenes has been prepared
by Mike Latriano.
8. In the works: art show of local artists who exhibited at the
Biennalle Internazionale in Florence, Italy, followed by poetry,
Colony of the Arts Café.
9. Celebration of “Life in the Colony” through video,
television, drama, poetry, painting, song and dance.
10. Colony of the Arts Centennial calligraphy is being designed
for the committee.
11. Design of a logo for the Byrdcliffe Centennial has been commissioned
by the Guild.
12. Arts and utopia conference planned.
13. The now-incorporated and registered Save The Earth Society
is looking for partners to help sponsor a conference on cultural
activism including the founding of the colony of the arts and
other social alternatives.
14. A geologist has offered to create an unusual exhibit, Woodstock
in the Cretaceous period, from local fossils.
15. Town elementary school has been invited to make posters on
the founding and history of the colony to appear in public places.
16. Both history and art departments and the principal’s
office at the high school are considering how to contribute.
17. The Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring a contest for a set
of outdoor installations featuring a popular Woodstock symbol—the
guitar. (Idea from Carla Smith, Guild.)
18. National Geographic is interested.
19. Now, need help applying for grants.
Part Two: Julia Blelock’s Notes from
Second Meeting of
Centennial Committee
1. Meeting on 3/30; approximately 15 attendees.
2. Ronnye Jai opened the meeting with a statement regarding the
spirit and purpose of the centennial celebration.
3. Will Callaghan took over from Ronnye, summarizing initiatives-to-date
and inviting new attendees to suggest additional ideas.
4. Sonia Malkine proposed that a Maverick concert be organized,
presenting a wide variety of music—classical, jazz, folk,
New World, etc. “A Century of Music.” Sonia, Tom
Ocker and Mike Platsky are to work together on music. If possible,
offer a stipend to musicians (who are so often asked to perform
without pay at benefits). In place of the Maverick, possible
venues might be the Andy Lee Memorial Field, August 17 prior
to fireworks, or the Colony Café, first part of June.
5. Sonia also suggested a major town dinner…bring your
own food. (In conjunction with “Day-Off Day”?) We
should look into what was done for the bi-centennial celebration
for the founding of the Town of Woodstock (1987).
6. Will discussed positioning of Woodstock as “America’s
Colony of the Arts.” Celebrate in costume. Woodstock rededicates
itself to the second century of the Colony. Possibly, erect a
monument. Organize a contest for design of the monument. Recognize
all the arts.
7. Jean Yattaw (sp.?) proposed a cultural exchange program with
other countries. Will: contact U.K. (as high up as Tony Blair?)
re British Arts and Crafts Movement.
8. Someone (Mike?) suggested an arts program for veterans. Consider
how art affects people.
9. Bill Richart (sp?) proposed that a concert be presented prior
to the fireworks on August 16. (See #4 above.) To be coordinated
with fire chief, Mike Densen.
10. For a more environmentally correct program, consider a light
show in place of fireworks (in future summers).
11. Quilts…contact Jane Van de Bogart
12. Party in conjunction with release / re-release of Anita M.
Smith books.
13. Include in the Poetry Festival (August 23-26, 2002) poems
regarding the rededication of the Colony; what is the spirit
of Woodstock? Contact Laurie Ylvisaker, info@woodstockpoetryfestival.com.
14. Reach out to youth…contact Chris at the Woodstock
Youth Center. (Eileen Fay is working with the elementary school).
Richard Heppner (new Town Historian, 679-2143) suggested an essay
contest for the high school, with a savings bond as a prize.
15. Richard Heppner: June is Local History Month at the Woodstock
Library. He’s been in touch with DJ Stern (679-2213).
16. Photo exhibit, Historical Society. Contact Kathy Longyear
(klongyear@woodstockny.org).