Mailing address: PO Box 156, Mahopac, NY 10541

Location: Tilly Foster Farm, 100 Route 312, Brewster, NY  10509
Building 6: pottery      Building 8: office/class space
www.putnamartscouncil.com

putnamartscouncil@comcast.net

Executive Director's Message

April 2008
A Message from the Executive Director

Due to an extensive fire at our home of 40+ years, the Belle Levine Art Center in Mahopac in February of 2007, we were compelled to relocate to a temporary location in an effort to continue to serve our constituents. With the support and cooperation of the Putnam County Government and the Tilly Foster Advisory Board, we moved into the Lodge at Tilly Foster Farm, 100 Rt. 312 in Brewster and set up our offices and classroom space. We also occupy the ground floor level of Building 6, which houses our stand-alone pottery studio.

Our new location has provided us an opportunity to reach new audiences and because we are only 6 miles from our Mahopac location, we hope our long-time followers will continue to visit us to enjoy and explore the arts through the many cultural programs and activities we offer.

Plans to rebuild in Mahopac are still underway. We have met with some obstacles and are working with the Town of Carmel Planning and Zoning Boards to resolve the issues that are preventing us from getting started. We hope to be back at 521 Kennicut Hill Road soon, but don't anticipate being back in Mahopac before the fall of 2008.

WHAT'S HAPPENING NOW:
Summer registration for our children's program, Express Yourself, is currently being accepted. The program is a multi-media exploration in the arts providing children (entering grades 1-7 in the fall) with exposure and instruction in drawing, painting, pottery, sculpture and more. We encourage process over product and with limited enrollment, provide a good deal of individual instruction. The program is offered Monday through Thursday in two week sessions with Session One running from June 30 to July 10 and Session Two running July 14 - 24. Kids can also take a four week pottery class in August, on Fridays from 10am - noon, (8/8-29) while adults can enroll in Soft Pastels from May 22 - June 26 or wait for August when we'll offer adult classes in pottery, watercolor and a plein air class designed for those who paint or draw. Click here for details on all of our summer class offerings.

RESERVE THE DATE: On Friday, May 16 we'll host our Annual Benefit for the Arts featuring regional actors and singers performing Fascinating Rhythms: The Artistry of George & Ira Gershwin at Tilly Foster Farm. The evening will include a variety of Gershwin songs performed live by area actors and singers and will include champagne and desserts; all for $25, which will benefit the programs and services of the Putnam Arts Council. Reserve now, as a good time will be had by all!

The 34^th Annual All-County Student Art Show just ended and was a wonderful celebration of creative expression. The exhibit featured 96 pieces of high school level art created by students throughout Putnam County and included work from Mahopac, Brewster, Carmel, Putnam Valley and Haldane schools, along with accelerated course works created at George Fischer Middle School. Through an endowment from the Bernard and Maria Hassell Fund, the Arts Council purchased four pieces which will become part of our public art collection and will be displayed at the Putnam County Office Building, 40 Gleneida Avenue in Carmel from June to December of 2008.

Our next show will be a celebration of art & life, featuring fine art created by working artists 75 and over. The show represents the ageless desire to create and connect and provides a venue for established and emerging mature artists. I thank our show's founding sponsors Mr. and Mrs. E. Nobles Lowe, along with additional sponsors Mrs. Nancy Dill and Mahopac National Bank. A public opening reception and awards presentation will happen on Sunday, June 8 from 3-5pm and the show will remain on view through June 27 with gallery hours Tuesday - Friday from 10-3 or by appointment.

Visit us often for updates and info and enjoy the arts in your own backyard.

If you would like to help, donations will be gratefully accepted. You can make a secure donation through PayPal using the tab below or you can send your tax-deductible donation to

Putnam Arts Council
P.O. Box 156
Mahopac, NY 10541

We would also be pleased to accept in-kind donations of goods and/or services. Contact staff for details regarding our needs.

Joyce Picone,
Executive Director & President

Tilly Foster Farm
100 Route 312
Brewster, NY  10509

Building 6: pottery
Building 8: office/class space

TILLY FOSTER FARM is a very large and beautiful horse farm which is owned and operated by Putnam County. It has a variety of buildings on it in addition to the horse barns and many acres of rolling pastures. Students of all ages will find inspiration from the landscape and animals.

DIRECTIONS:
From Route 6 in the center of Mahopac, go 4.8 miles into Carmel. You will see Lake Gleneida on your left. At 2nd stop light, take a right to follow Route 6 east. Go 2.1 miles to stop light, turn left onto Route 312 (towards Route 84) for 0.3 mile. Farm entrance is on your left. Look for large stone pillars.

From downtown Brewster, take Route 6 going west towards Carmel. The turnoff onto Route 312 will be a right turn.

From Route 84, take exit 19 and follow Route 312 South for 0.8 mile. Farm entrance will be on your right.
The Art Center Office and classrooms are in the first Building on your right (known as "The Lodge"). The pottery studio is in Building 6 across the driveway.

THE ARTS COUNCIL OFFICE HOURS: Tuesday-Friday, 10-4 SUMMER HOURS (BEGINNING JUNE 24, 2008 ) 9:30-4:00. THE GALLERY IS OPEN DURING OFFICE HOURS AND ON SOME WEEKENDS (DURING SOME EXHIBITS). THE CENTER IS OPEN DURING OFFICE HOURS AND CLASS OFFERINGS.

TELEPHONE:
(845) 216-0636
(845) 278-0230

THE AREA:
This private and bucolic location is actually less than a mile from the Southeast Train Station and the new Highlands Shopping Center (Kohl’s, Home Depot, Michael’s Crafts, etc).

PAC is a not-for-profit cultural service organization that supports the work of artists and promotes cultural enrichment activities for individuals throughout the region. PAC is supported, in part, with public funds from the New York State Council on the Arts, a State Agency, and with public funds from Putnam County.