April 6, 2018 at 1:53 p.m.
PAINTING CLASSES
Gallery at St. Agnes Cemetery provides unusual site for art
Gallery at St. Agnes Cemetery provides unusual site for art
But that doesn't mean participants at classes run by The Living Room Art Gallery don't have fun, Mrs. Rogowicz added as she made light brushstrokes on her painting, inspired by "Rabbit Warren at Pontoise, Snow" by Camille Pissaro.
Mrs. Rogowicz has been painting at The Living Room Art Gallery at St. Agnes Cemetery in Menands since 2014. She heard about the gallery in a church bulletin at her home church of St. Margaret of Cortona in Rotterdam Junction, a mission of St. Joseph's parish in Schenectady.
The idea of opening a gallery at the historic cemetery came about in 2013, said Kelly Grimaldi, historian for Albany Diocesan Cemeteries. Mrs. Grimaldi thought of turning an empty, dark room at the front of the cemetery office building into a bright, high-ceilinged art gallery.
It worked
She put out the call for artists, getting a huge response. The gallery now features a new exhibit every 60 days.
"Local artists have the option of selling their work and having an art reception," Mrs. Grimaldi told The Evangelist. The next exhibit will open March 1, featuring works by the "Firehouse Artists."
"They have all different styles of work in all different mediums," Mrs. Grimaldi said. "It will be a very eclectic group show."
After the success of the gallery, the historian decided to try offering art classes in the space as well, under the instruction of local artist Noreen Powell.
Mrs. Powell had experience creating art in the cemetery, which is near her home. She would paint there and also liked to take walks with her dog on the grounds.
"I just saw how beautiful it was here," she told The Evangelist. "All of my painting is very spiritual to me. This is just another way that God speaks to us."
Mrs. Powell saw the cemetery's call for artists in a Menands community newsletter. "I wanted to meet the woman who was crazy enough to put art in a cemetery like I was," she said.
What's offered
The room got an update, with museum-quality lighting and tracks from which to hang paintings, and Mrs. Powell began teaching classes there.
The effort took off right away. Four years ago, an art club was formed; it meets on Fridays, in addition to many other painting classes that are offered in the space.
The art students learn about artists, themes and specific paintings, then work on emulating the painting on their own canvas. They can sign up for as little as $20 -- including materials and snacks -- and they don't have to do any cleanup.
"I've never done oil," said Barbara Via, who was attending an oil-painting class at The Living Room Art Gallery for the first time. She found out about the course through Hudson Valley Community College's continuing education program.
Paula Eggleston, who was also painting at the gallery for the first time, said that she was struggling with the new medium. Both women told The Evangelist they had already learned a lot.
"It's a different method," student Debbie DiBattista added, noting that the high ceilings and natural light in the room make creating more fun.
Having fun
While the artists were painting, Mrs. Powell walked around the room, holding up paintings by some of the students and giving pointers on how others could improve.
"Just have fun with it," she told everyone.
For Mary Anne Klein of Christ the King parish in Westmere, Albany, going to the gallery to paint is a good way to socialize: "I don't like to paint on my own."
Wendy Madelone, a parishioner of St. Kateri Tekakwitha Church in Schenectady, has been painting with the group for about two years now. Before this, she had no artistic background. She heard about the program during a retreat at the Dominican Retreat and Conference Center in Niskayuna while she was joining the Catholic Church through the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults.
After retiring, Mrs. Madelone decided that she needed to find a hobby.
"I didn't know what to expect," she said, noting that she had a little bit of skepticism about painting in a cemetery. Her nerves calmed when she saw the space, though. "I didn't think it was weird at all."
Now, Mrs. Madelone is just able to focus on her art. "I love oils," she said.
(For more information, including a schedule of classes, call Kelly Grimaldi at 518-463-0134.)[[In-content Ad]]
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