TCPL celebrates the summer with exciting new exhibit

Dreamtime: Surreal, Allegorical & Fantastic Art curated by Frances Fawcett and Margaret Nelson opens at the Library on Friday, June 19 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at a special, after-hours, opening reception.

Carcasone Abstract by Nancy V. Ridenour

Curators Frances Fawcett and Margaret Nelson are both working artists at the State of the Art Gallery, are scientific illustrators and both are also lovers of science fiction and fantasy.  While surreal and fantastical art is often represented at local shows, Fawcett and Nelson were intrigued by the thought of a show devoted entirely to surreal, alegorical and fantastic art.

Starcatchers by Patrick Parks

The pieces they have chosen to display in the Library range from fantasy children's book illustration, to classic surrealism, to pure allegory, to depictions of the dream state and even to video game art.  

Ghosts at the Wedding 1 by G.L. Gould

They have included a broad range of work and a broad range of media.  Some of the art transports the viewer immediately into another world, some shows the disquieting effects of an altered psychological state, and some simply juxtaposes images in an unexpected, playful, and delightful way. 

Whether the artists find their sources in mythology, in the real world, or in the subconscious mind, the curators hope the pieces in this show will engage, delight and surprise.

Guardians by Rebecca Godin

Participating artists include milly acharya, Al Afaro, Robin Botie, Nicole Monique Carrier-Titti, Marla Coppolino, William Deats, Jane Dennis, Frances Fawcett, Rebeca Godin, G.L. Gould, Gina Inzinna, Brian Keeler, Susan C. Larkin and Timothy Larkin, Shannon Mazourek, Daniel McPheeters, Vincenzo Naro, Margaret C. Nelson, Diane W. Newton, Scott Pardee, Patrick Parks, Stephan Phillips, Margaret Reed, Nancy V. Ridenour, Eileen Seeley Schlag, Kim Schrag, June Silberman, Carol Spence, Matthew A. Wheeler.

Exotic Animal by Stephan Phillips

Artigoat by Robin Botie

The opening reception takes place after-hours at Tompkins Country Public Library from 6:00 to 8:00 pm in Friday, June 19.  After the Library closes, entry  is through the BorgWarner room entrance behind the bus shelter on Green Street.

Cornell Alums invited to tour special exhibits at TCPL June 5

TCPL offers special behind the scenes tours of the exhibit "Cornell Off Campus" in honor of Alumni weekend.

Curator Julee Johnson leads a tour for Ithaca Rotary

Join Julee Johnson at 5:15 and 6:15 PM during Gallery Opening Night this Friday, June 5 in the Avenue of the Friends.  Johson leads fascinating tours of this exhibit celebrating Cornell's 15th Anniversary.  She explains why she chose these particular people to include in the exhibit, and provides numerous fascinating tidbits about each one.  Join a tour and find out how Laura Bryant enticed boys to learn to sing; whether Belle Sherman was the first principal of the school named in her honor;  how Everett Morse paid for his Cornell tuition and many more more.

Tours start in the Avenue of the Friends near "The Word Bird."  After 6 PM when the Library closes, entry to the exhibit will be through the BorgWarner door behind the bus shelter on Green Street.



Also on display in the Avenue of the Friends is a small exhibit commemorating the 30th Anniversary of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Mu Upsilon Chapter at Cornell.

Launching New Dimensions of Service

The Omicron Nu Omega Story

Chartered June 23, 1984 at Cornell University

Charter member, Millie Clarke (rt.) and Claudette James (left)

flank three sorority sisters beside the display

The Library celebrates Cornell's Alumni Weekend with guided tours of "Cornell off Campus" during First Friday Gallery Night, June 5

Cornell Off Campus highlights 150 years of interconnection between Cornell University and its host community of Tompkins County. The exhibit opened to coincide with the university’s Charter Day Weekend and is on display at the Tompkins County Public Library through July 31. Photographs and text vibrantly illustrate the lives and local contributions of 15 Cornellians, each representing a different decade in the university’s history. The exhibit offers insights about well-known Cornellians and introduces to the public lesser known but equally illustrious members of the Cornell community. Behind-the-scenes tours will be led by curator Julee Johnson during Gallery Night, June 5, when visitors can learn the answers to these questions – and much more:

Was Belle Sherman the first principal of the Belle Sherman Elementary School? 

Did Martha Van Rensselaer have an advanced degree when she first came to Cornell to teach? 

The house on Howard Babcock’s experimental farm Sunnygables became what popular restaurant in the 1980s? 

Romeyn Berry coined what phrase known to all Cornellians? 

Popular Ithaca High School music teacher Laura Bryant also coached what sport?

These guided tours will take place at 5:15 and 6:15 PM, and the exhibit will be open to the public until 7:00 PM. 

After 6:00 PM, please enter through the BorgWarner (east) entrance behind the bus shelter on East Green Street. 

For more information about the tours or “Cornell Off Campus,” contact Exhibit Coordinator Sally Grubb at sgrubb@tcpl.org, (607) 272-4557 ext. 232.