Afterglow: Frederic Church and the Landscape of Memory, on view at Olana State Historic Site through October 27, shows how art and the natural world can be a source of reflection, peace, and beauty. Olana is both a family home and an artist’s creation, made up of 250 acres of designed landscape that frame breathtaking views. As you explore Olana State Historic Site’s landscape, listen to Olana’s community members share memories of Olana’s landscape and hear how this place is connected to meaningful recollections, memories of loved ones, and important milestones.
To learn more about the exhibition, visit OLANA.org/AFTERGLOW
How can nature teach us the art of “letting go” and help us understand impermanence? This nature-based walk and workshop led by ‘Snowy’ Andrea Lajoie will explore growing through grief and loss. Through a series of creative therapeutic practices including mindful nature walking, participants will discover different ways they can leave impressions in an impermanent world. This program will include making cyanotypes with natural materials as a way to more deeply engage with the natural landscape and the art of letting go. This program is offered in conjunction with Afterglow: Frederic Church and the Landscape of Memory. All materials provided.
‘Snowy’ Andrea Lajoie (LCSW-R, KMOG) is a practicing therapist who graduated with a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree from Wheelock College at Boston University in 2010. She is a level I certified Kripalu Mindful Outdoor Guide (KMOG) and a registered climate-aware therapist with the Climate Psychology Alliance of North America, and runs Wolf Tree Therapy wilderness therapy, working with humans of all ages in diverse settings.
$15 general; $10 Members; $5 Columbia & Greene County Residents.
Olana’s Free Community Day at Olana State Historic Site, the Third Thursday of every month, organized by The Olana Partnership.
Dia Comunitario Gratuito al Sitio Estatal Histórico Olana cada tercer jueves del mes, organizado por La Asociación Olana.
Learn more about the origins and influences of the rural cemetery movement during this FREE lecture with Drs. Lynn Radlick and Michael Radlick. Using the Albany Rural Cemetery as a key example, they will discuss the beginnings of the cemetery movement in Europe, followed by its spread across cities in the U.S.
FREE: meet at the Wagon House Education Center. Light refreshments will be provided.
FREE Art Workshop!
Join The Olana Partnership for a free drop-in workshop in the Wagon House Education Center. All materials provided. All ages welcome!
Join educator Andrea Del Cid to learn more about the Guatemalan legend behind “Worry Dolls” or las munecas quitapenas. During this special workshop, participants will learn about this beautiful story and craft their own dolls to address worry and emotions through art. Open to all ages; offered in English and Spanish.
FREE: meet at the Wagon House Education Center.
Artmaking in the Afternoon
Inspired by your time at Olana? Join The Olana Partnership educators for hands-on artmaking using professional materials and a series of prompts to get your creativity flowing.
Drop in program; FREE. All materials provided. All ages welcome. Located in the Wagon House Education Center.
Ground yourself in Olana’s landscape and use the natural world as an inspiration for improving your physical and mental health. During this outdoor program, participants will explore how to bring nature more deeply into their lives to expand their general well-being. Guided by Certified Health Coach, Hildi Kaufmann, participants will learn how to use the rhythm of nature to improve sleep, mood, and focus. This program will include meditation and mindfulness exercises inspired by Olana’s natural environment, information on nutritional wellness, and open discussion. The program will take place outdoors at Olana’s Mingled Flower Garden.
Hildi Kaufmann is a Certified Health Coach, trained at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition, the oldest and largest health coaching school in the world. Her Health Coaching business, Hildi B Well, has helped numerous clients transform their health and well-being and she has used her Health Coaching skills to help others throughout her life. Hildi has volunteered at Katchkie Farm, teaching children to appreciate nature and encouraging youth in Columbia County and beyond to eat from Mother Earth. Hildi’s daily walks, often at Olana, are one way she maintains her balanced health to continue helping others.
$15 general; $10 Members; $5 Columbia & Greene County Residents
While the mid-19th century is characterized by Frederic Church’s creation of his artist-designed landscape and studio, Olana, it was also a fraught period in American life. The Civil War, high infant mortality, the dangers of childbirth, and numerous infectious diseases all kept death in the forefront of American consciousness during the 1800s. Mourning jewelry, post-mortem photography, memorial portraits, and landscape paintings sought to give solace to the living.
Presented in conjunction with Afterglow: Frederic Church and the Landscape of Memory, this talk will focus on memorial paintings and objects associated with Frederic Church’s family. During this virtual webinar, Professor Susan L. Aberth will frame these practices within a wider context of American art history.
Susan L. Aberth is the Edith C. Blum Professor in the Art History and Visual Culture Program at Bard College where she teaches a number of courses that deal with death, art and spirituality in the Americas. In addition to publications on the surrealist artist Leonora Carrington, her work has also appeared in Artforum, Journal of Surrealism of the Americas, Abraxas: International Journal of Esoteric Studies, and Black Mirror.
Artmaking in the Afternoon
Join The Olana Partnership educators for hands-on artmaking using professional materials and a series of prompts to get your creativity flowing.
Drop in program; FREE. All materials provided. All ages welcome. Located in the Wagon House Education Center.
The Olana Partnership programs are made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.
