Roseboom Antique Power Days to Return Friday

ROSEBOOM - One of the highlights of summer - the  annual Roseboom Antique Power Days- return to the picturesque hamlet from Friday to Sunday.

The 22nd annual show, billed as Where the Future Meets the Past, will be held on Friday to Sunday, 8am to 5pm at the Old Grange Hall in downtown Roseboom. 

There will be food and drinks for sale. New displays are always welcome. There will be: demonstrations, breakfast. a bake sale, lunch, crafts, an unloading dock, and much more.  

The schedule includes:

* FRIDAY, 10AM –TRACTOR RIDE FOR CANCER (PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED) 8-MILE ROUND TRIP TO CHERRY VALLEY.

* FRIDAY, 1 PM TRACTOR RODEO.

* SATURDAY and SUNDAY, 8AM-noon PANCAKE BREAKFAST.

* SATURDAY and SUNDAY AUCTION, DRAWINGS WILL FOLLOW SUNDAY'S PARADE.

* SATURDAY NIGHT - EXHIBITORS DINNER – PLEASE BRING A DISH TO SHARE.

* SUNDAY, 10AM – OUTDOOR CHURCH SERVICE.

* SUNDAY, 1PM – TRACTOR PARADE,

For more information contact: Jack Van Buren 131 John Deere Road Cherry Valley, NY 13320 607-264-3015 or: Aaron Van Buren 607-282-2735.

On display will be TRACTORS, ANTIQUE and CLASSIC, HIT & MISS ENGINES ANTIQUE TRUCKS/CARS, AGRICULTURAL DOMESTIC INDUSTRIAL ANTIQUE LAWN and GARDEN implements.

No Pets Allowed Per Insurance Requirement.

Admission Is Free! Donations are appreciated.

This is a non-profit event dedicated to the restoration and preservation of the tractors and equipment of yesteryear.

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SEEC Hosts MWBE Certification Event with NYS Experts on August 22

SCHOHARIE COUNTY – The Schoharie Economic Enterprise Corporation (SEEC)

 is pleased to announce the "NYS Sail-Thru Summer MWBE Certification Chat," scheduled for Thursday, August 22nd. This event will take place at 287  Main, Schoharie, and will feature a panel of distinguished representatives from New York State’s Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprise (MWBE) certification office of Empire State Development.  

The MWBE certification is intended to support and enhance opportunities for minority and women-owned businesses across all sectors by providing access to government contracts, funding opportunities, and other resources designed to help them grow and succeed.

 Schoharie County has 16 certified MWBE businesses. Local MWBE owners have been invited to attend and to share their experiences with interested guests. 

“We believe nearly 60% of Schoharie County small businesses are led by women,” remarked Julie Pacatte, Executive Director, SEEC. “Becoming certified may boost revenues but more so, build pride in our rural community of female business leaders.” 

The luncheon will commence at noon with a detailed presentation on MWBE certification, followed by a dynamic Q&A session where attendees can engage directly with experts. The event will conclude with a networking lunch reception, providing an excellent opportunity for local small business owners and entrepreneurs to connect and share insights. 

Event Details: 

Date: August 22, 2024 

Location: 287 Main Street, Schoharie, NY 

Time: 12:00 PM – Luncheon and Presentation 

Followed By: Q&A Session and Networking Lunch Reception 

Featured Panelists Include: 

Kate Baker – Director, University at Albany Small Business Development Center (SBDC) 

Amanda T. Brennan – Vice President of Certification, Division of Minority and Women’s Business Development, Empire State Development 

Jenny Low – Executive Advisor, MWBE & Small Business Division, Empire State Development 

In addition, Kate Baker from the SBDC will host a follow-up day to assist business owners in becoming certified and to provide coaching for existing businesses. This session aims to help local businesses enhance their sales and effectiveness as MWBEs. 

SEEC invites all interested parties to join us for this informative luncheon, but RSVP is strongly encouraged.   

RSVP at marketing@seecny.org.

Learn more at www.seecny.org.

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Schoharie County Conservation Association Announces Fair Winners

1st place-2 kayaks or $500 - Byanna Brever

2nd place - black powder muzzle loader - Kevin Berner

3rd place-ducks unlimited print - David Wwod

4th place-$100 - Andy Jacak

5th place-$50 - Zelda Attaway

Jack Parsons (pictured) pulled the winning tickets. 

SCCA would like to thank the many sponsors, including: 

Schoharie co Whitetails Unlimited 

Assemblyman Chris Tague

Bank of Richmondville

NBT Bank. 

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Sharon Springs Woman Killed in Vermont Accident

Staff Report

SHARON SPRING/VERMONT - A Sharon Springs woman died last week after being ruck by a car in Marlboro, Vermont, the Vermont State Police said.

Constance J. Vrooman, 74, from Sharon Springs died after being struck by a vehicle in Marlboro, Vermont, according to police.  The Westminster Barracks received multiple 911 calls regarding a pedestrian that had been struck by a motor vehicle on VT-9 in Marlboro, in the area of Hogback Mountain Scenic Overlook at around 11am Saturday, officials said.

Troopers responded to the scene, along with Deerfield Valley Rescue and Marlboro Fire Department. State Police said Ms. Vrooman was pronounced deceased at the scene of the crash, and the incident remains under investigation.

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“Sharon Things - Local Happenings for Sharon Springs”

By Alexis Pencar

Hey Neighbors!

The rain this last week came from the remnants of the disorganized storm “Debby”. Wind whipped in from all directions as bands moved across the area. Looks like the cooler temperatures will stick through the end of next week with some rain over the weekend.

There were multiple reports of aurora borealis or “northern lights” over Sharon Springs on the evening of Sunday, August 11th at around 11:15 PM and lasted for nearly an hour. This was an incredible sight seen on the northern horizon and displayed colors and shades of purple, pink, and green. For many, this was their first time observing such a sight.

The 22nd Annual Roseboom Antique Power Days is coming up this August 16th-18th at the Old Grange Hall. Visit antiquepowerdays.org for more information.

The “Tipi Open House” is at Bison Island Ranch this Saturday (8/17) from 10:00 AM until 1:00 PM. Stop by to explore this unique option for a stay-cation or special celebration. Participate in a FREE raffle for a bison meat give away AND try bison samples including the new Bison Hot Dogs! There are also bison tallow products like candles, soap, insect repellant, lip balm, and under eye balm available too! Rain or shine this event will go on, there is easy access parking. Bison Island Ranch is located at 194 Engleville Road in Sharon Springs, NY. Visit www.bisonislandranch.com for more information.

Family Farm Day is coming up on August 24th! This is a multi-county event and is well worth it! Check out the website for map and activities at cceschoharie-otsego.org/family-farm-day

The Sharon Pool will be open daily from 1:00 - 5:00 PM and Tuesdays & Thursdays from 5:00 - 7:00 PM. There is a concession stand offering drinks and snacks too! If you would like to donate to the Rec Center, please contact Daniel Cornwell or Valerie Jay.

Wren’s Earth Refillery is now open for business Thursdays from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM and Saturdays from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM. The shop is located at 277 Stage Coach Road, Sharon Springs, NY. You can shop anytime at WrensEarth.com. 

Parsons Vegetable Farm has all your gardening and spring needs AND The Outrageous Snack Snack is also now open Friday through Sundays from 10-4 PM serving up specialty handcrafted donuts and more! Located on Route 20 across from the Walmart DC. 

The Klinkhart Hall Concerts in the Park are over for now but check out all the upcoming events on their website at klinkharthall.org!

The American Legion Post 1269 of Sharon Springs is looking for new members! If you are interested in becoming an American Legion member, volunteering, or even donating to the many wonderful causes the Legion supports, please contact Commander Paul Todd at (518) 649-0024 for more information.

Sharon Springs Free Library News: 

It's "MVLS-GO" time! Every library in the Mohawk Valley Library System has its own Summer 2024 Trading Card that can be collected. Stop in to our library to check out our unique and limited-edition trading card for Sharon Springs. We challenge you to try to collect all 14 from every library! Check out the map of all the participating libraries by visiting mvls.info/trading-cards/. 

The Library is open Tuesday, Wednesday and Fridays from 3:00 - 8:00 PM, Mondays & Thursdays from 10:00 - 6:00 PM, Saturdays 10:00 -1:00 PM, and Sundays - Closed. 

For more Library information please contact (518) 284-3126.

The Sharon Springs Food Pantry is an excellent local resource for all! They are located in the United Methodist Church on Route 20, across from the school (511 US Route 20, Sharon’s Springs, NY 13459). They are always accepting donations! If you or someone you know is in need of the Pantry, the hours are Thursday 9:00 -10:30 AM and 5:00 - 6:30 PM. For more information please contact (518) 284-2687 or follow them on Facebook.

Worship Services

The Sharon Reformed Church (6858 State Route 10, Sharon Springs, NY 13459) offers weekly service at 10:30 am. Contact at (518) 234-2387 for more details.

The Sharon Springs United Methodist Church (511 State Route 20, Sharon Springs, NY, 13459) offers weekly service at 10:30 am. Contact at (518) 284-2200 for more details.

The St. Thomas The Apostle Catholic Church (24 Maple Avenue, Cherry Valley, NY 13320) offers weekly mass at 10:00 am. Reminder: confession is available 30 minutes before every mass. Contact at (607) 264-3779 for more details.

The Zion St. John’s Lutheran Church Seward (114 Mesick Ave, Cobleskill, NY 12043) offers weekly service on Sundays at 9:00 am. Contact at (518) 234-3222 for more details.

Cornerstone Baptist Church (7274 Route 10, Ames, NY 13317). Sunday Service is at 10:00 am. All are welcome. Contact (518) 673 3405 for more details.

Sharon Sr. Congregate Meal Site

Local residents are invited to enjoy good company and a noon-time meal year round (except holidays) at the Schoharie County OFA’s “Spa Ritz” Sr. Congregate Meal Site at the Firehouse at 137 Beechwood Rd. M-W-F. 8 oz of 1% milk is served with each meal. Orders for meals must be called into the OFA office at (518) 295-2001 before 2 p.m. for the following day. Effective January 1st the suggested donation for those 60 years old and older is $5.00 per meal. Under age 60? You’re welcome to participate for a fee of $7.50 per meal.

To share community news, upcoming events, business specials, adjusted hours, birthdays, anniversaries, or even an outstanding resident, please contact me directly at (772) 971-1410 or alexis.pencar@gmail.com. Have a great week! Thanks!

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SUNY Names Chandler Head Coach

COBLESKILL — The SUNY Cobleskill Athletic Department announced today that Rachel Chandler has been named the Fighting Tigers women’s head volleyball coach for the 2024 season. Chandler succeeds Kate Isaksen who led the Fighting Tigers to a 12-16 overall record along with a 5-5 record in North Atlantic Conference (NAC) play and a spot in the conference’s 2023 championship tournament.

When asked about the job ahead, the new Fighting Tiger Head Coach was grateful for the opportunity and excited to get to work with the 2024 campaign fast approaching.

“I am extremely grateful to Marie Curran-Headley for this opportunity to join the Coby athletics family.  I am looking forward to getting right to work with these incredible young ladies.  I plan to continue the growth and development of this program to ensure the success of our student-athletes.”  

Chandler has a wealth of coaching experience serving as the Head Men’s Volleyball Coach and Assistant Women’s Volleyball Coach at Russell Sage College in Troy, N.Y., from 2019-2021 and as the Assistant Women’s Volleyball Coach at the College of Saint Rose in Albany, N.Y. in 2022. Additionally, Chandler is a member of the coaching staff of the Capital Region’s Jaguars Volleyball Club of Guilderland, N.Y. where she is the head coach for the Volley Tots and Junior Jags teams.

Collegiately Chandler played for her first three years at NCAA Division II member University of Sciences in Philadelphia, Pa. of the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) before transferring to Sage College in 2014 leading the Gators to the program’s third Skyline Conference Champion and a bid to the 2014 NCAA Division III National Championship Tournament while earning First Team All-Skyline Conference honors at the middle hitter position.

A 2011 graduate of Troy High School in Troy, N.Y. Chandler was a prep standout in both volleyball and track & field. She was a four-year varsity performer of the volleyball team serving as team captain in 2010 leading the Flying Horses to a Big 10 Conference title in 2008 during her career while on the track she established the program’s indoor record in the shot put in 2009 then captured the Big 10 Conference’s indoor championship in the event in 2010.

Chandler holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Health Sciences from Russell Sage College graduating in 2015 and a Master’s Degree in Sports Management earned in 2019 from SUNY Cortland in Cortland.

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The Rust Bolt Gang – Where Cars and Community Collide

By The Rusty Bolt Gang/Elizabeth Barr

SCHOHARIE COUNTY — Have you ever noticed how a car show can spark conversations that turn strangers into friends? That is exactly why The Rusty Bolt Gang was started here in Schoharie County.  There are so many beautiful vehicles just sitting idle because driving out of the county for events is so expensive with the price of gas. So the Rusty Bolt Gang decided to bring the fun to Schoharie County. It is a local haven for car lovers to gather, share their passion, and support the amazing community we live in.  

Let’s be clear, it is about more than just cars, it is about creating friendships, building bonds, and supporting local businesses, organizations, and various non-profits. The conversation may start with the piece of art you are driving, but before long, you are talking about mutual friends, planning fishing trips, organizing picnics and sharing the love of cars.  The events are a blast! There is local bands, DJ’s, and businesses showcasing their goods, and everyone pitches in to make the gatherings memorable.   Generations are brought together with the same passion, antiques, classics, Subaru’s, Volkswagens, and rat rods.  The Rusty Bolt Gang is not just a car club, they are a force of good, supporting local businesses, bringing the community closer together and making a difference.

They look forward to seeing you at their next events!  

Wednesday August 18th at 5:30 pm – Motor Mayhem at JT Cycles, Cobleskill

Thursday August 22nd 5:30 pm – Cool Cars and Cones at Little Deb’s Ice Cream, Warnerville

Saturday August 24th 9:00 am – Cars and Coffee at The Old Stone Fort, Schoharie

Friday, September 20th at 6 pm - Veterans Park, Cobleskill, this event will support local businesses along Main Street and vendors will be set up in Veeterans Park – There will be two DJ’s providing entertainment

For more information, please visit their facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/rustyboltgang?mibextid=ZbWKwl

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Connie Vrooman Tragically Dies

Connie Vrooman (right) doing what she loved at the Sharon Springs Fire Department Steak Dinner in March 2024, also pictured are Patti Desmond (left) and Chris Tague (center). Vrooman tragically passed away on 8/10 and her funeral services are scheduled for this weekend. Photo courtesy Rose Chase.

By Alexis Pencar

SHARON SPRINGS — On Saturday, August 10th, Connie Vrooman of Sharon Springs tragically died in an accident while on a family picnic in Vermont. Vrooman was struck by a car near the Hogback Mountain Scenic Overlook in Marlboro, Vermont and was pronounced dead at the scene. According to officials, the incident remains under investigation.

Constance Vrooman, born on May 5, 1950, was 74 years old and was known by all as Connie. She was an extremely dedicated, thoughtful, and loving woman. She played crucial roles in the Sharon Springs and Cobleskill communities.

Vrooman was a member and huge supporter of the Sharon Springs Fire Department and Sharon Springs Rescue Squad with over 50 years of service and dedication. She was also the President of the Sharon Springs Ladies Auxiliary, served on the Board of The Gathering Place in Cobleskill, and was very active at St. Vincent de Paul Church in Cobleskill, in addition to many other accomplishments.

Connie was a warm and welcoming mother, grandmother, sister, and friend and will be missed by so many. 

With significant impacts on the community, Tony Desmond, Sharon Town Justice and longtime friend offered that, “she was a mover and shaker in town and will be truly missed”.

Rose Chase, a member of the Sharon Springs Rescue Squad and friend said, “Connie was a pillar to her family, her church, and her community. Connie was loved by many and if I’m half the person she was I’ll be proud. Connie will be missed by many for generations to come.”

Connie’s sister, Mary Parsons, Vice President of the Ladies Auxiliary, spoke about an extremely tough situation and said, “Connie was the leader. Her positive attitude, determination, and confections, will be sorely missed. We cannot possibly fill her shoes, that’s how impactful she was.”

The Sharon Springs community has lost yet another positive light so suddenly. 

Those that leave us are not lost but are kept alive forever in our memories and hearts.

The service honoring Connie Vrooman is scheduled for this weekend. Calling hours are on Friday, August 16th from 3:00 PM - 7:00 PM and Funeral liturgy on Saturday, August 17th at 12:00 PM, both located at St. Vincent de Paul Church in Cobleskill. After the funeral, there will be a reception at the Sharon Springs Fire Department and “all are welcome to celebrate the life of Connie”.

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Arts Potluck Provides a Canvas for Community

By Christein Aromando

ANDES — The Roost was a rockin’ last Tuesday night in The Andes Hotel courtyard for the fourth monthly DelCo Arts Potluck gathering established by The Mountain Eagle’s very own Arts & Culture reporter, Rob Brune. This month’s event was extra special as Brune invited some of The Catskills’ premiere musicians to be a part of the night and perform for the crowd. 

After a career as an investigative journalist in the DC area covering politics and crime beats, Rob Brune brought his talents to upstate New York and has been covering Arts and Culture events in the tri-county area for The Mountain Eagle since 2022. He has become a mainstay at upstate art openings, immersing himself in the creative scene and never looking back. After getting to know the arts community over the last few years, he noticed a need and explained the inspiration for starting the artist potluck events. 

In February of this year, artist Jenny Neal put together an exhibition of work from the weekly figure drawing classes held at ArtUp in Margaretville in the winter months (hosted by Gary Mayer) and at The Andes Academy of Art in the summer (hosted by Bill Duke). While covering that opening for the paper, Brune discovered that despite drawing together week after week, some for years, many of the artists didn’t really know each other well and some didn’t even know each other’s names. “I just thought that was crazy!”, says Brune. “I reflected back on when I was living in Maryland and attended a potluck about 15 years ago. Potlucks were a big thing in the Unitarian Church.” Brune said there were about twenty people in attendance, most of whom he knew their names, but as the night went on and people were deep into conversations, it was revealed that there was not one, but three retired female rocket scientists in the group. Not only did Brune not know about their careers, but the three of them didn’t know about each other’s. Brune had a similar feeling at the art opening and thought there was an opportunity here to bring artists together to break bread, get to know one another better and deepen the sense of community that is already here. 

With that in mind, Brune started the DelCo Arts Potluck, meeting on the first Tuesday of every month. Bill Duke generously provided his home for the first three events and he, along with Brune and artist Peter Mayer put out the call to artists and creatives alike. Attendance grew each month and Brune was thrilled when Andes Hotel owner Derek Curl graciously offered the hotel courtyard for the August event and decided to do something a little different this time and invite some seasoned upstate musicians to jam. The round robin of performers included Joe Damone (percussion), Michael Suchorsky (percussion), Walter Dominicis (guitar), Chris Stearns (trumpet), with solo performances by True, and Grammy-nominated songwriter Terry Radigan, who closed the show with her incredible song “Brooklyn”, an homage to her hometown.

Although it is a traditional potluck with guests bringing everything from fresh picked blueberries to macaroni salad, this month’s spread was taken to another level by Armando Cuatianquiz and his crew. There was a constant line of people throughout the evening filling their plates with Cuatianquiz’s delicious taco spread that included fresh meats flown up from Mexican farms, homemade organic salsas and fresh guacamole. Cuatianquiz owns the magical shop Sacred Soil in Margaretville and has plans to open a restaurant in Andes in the coming months. 

These get-togethers have already inspired others to expand the circle, including Jayne Parker of Hawk + Hive Gallery in Andes who has hosted two potluck brunches this summer. Brune thinks it’s great that more of this is happening and hopes it continues.

He has been most pleasantly surprised by artists who resisted his invitation at first, telling him, “Thanks, but I don’t normally go to things like this,” only to see them returning month after month and having the best time. There was one such artist there on Tuesday, she even arrived early. Artist Peter Mayer says these events give artists who are usually very solitary when they work a reason to get out, to step away from the studio for a little while.

So many of the artists and musicians in this circle have been covered by Brune for the paper and he feels so honored to now call them friends. “I’m trying to bring those friendships together and new friendships are made outside of me, which is really why I do this.” Brune understands the importance of community to quality of life and sees his role as helping facilitate those meaningful connections. “We open up the opportunity for people to get to know each other on a deeper level...It’s like what we do at the Mountain Eagle newspaper, helping people tell their stories. This is just an extension of that work.”

Follow Chief Arts and Culture reporter Rob Brune’s insightful and extensive coverage of area happenings right here in The Mountain Eagle and on Instagram @rob.brune.

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THE CATSKILL GEOLOGISTS BY PROFESSORS ROBERT AND JOHANNA TITUS - The Art of Headward Erosion – Part Two

Two weeks ago, we visited Plattekill Clove and witnessed a geological process called headward erosion. Last time, we visited the little red cabin at the top of Plattekill Clove. There we found the location where active headward erosion was going on at its maximum rate. But we found something else, just as important - the site where Hudson River School artist Richard William Hubbard did the lower half of one of his paintings in 1867. It has been called “The Top of Kaaterskill Falls – Autumn.” Another version of the same view has been called “A Mountain Stream.” That one dates to 1866. We immediately recognized that both titles would be greatly improved if they each mentioned Plattekill Clove and certainly not Kaaterskill Falls. That’s because both views were sketched at the very top of the former. Catching that mistake was most rewarding; it’s just the sort of thing we like to do. But our main focus took us back to that column we published two weeks ago. We were interested in the portrayal of the intense headward erosion that has long been going on right there at the top of the clove. Hubbard portrayed that in the lower half of this painting. 

                                             

This week let’s look at the whole image; see our first illustration. Now you see the full view of Plattekill Clove stretching out in the near distance. The “near distance.” That was a problem; you can’t see the whole clove from the little red cabin site, at least not as Hubbard painted it. We hiked off a short distance on the nearby Yellow Trail and soon found a vantage point where, indeed, we could see the clove. Take a look at our second image. We are guessing that Hubbard worked right there way back when.                        

                                                         

Today the view is cluttered by trees that probably weren’t there back when Hubbard visited. The clove is out there but it is so far away, isn’t it? And it looks so small, especially when compared to the full Hubbard painting. Did he really cheat that much? Well, yes, and - well no - this is something that we have seen a lot of with many Hudson River School artists.  This painting is a composite. Hubbard sketched the lower half and then we think he climbed around and found that second vantage point. He sketched that one too. He brought his two sketches back to his studio and turned them into a single composite image. He had to change the scale of the two views to do this. This is not photography; this is art. In many ways Hubard’s composite, though technically incorrect, does a better job of portraying this particular landscape than something far more “accurate.” Great artists do this – they are entitled to do this.

Once again, we have tracked down a moment in the life of another renowned Hudson Valley School painter and seen that person at work. And, once again we have solved the mystery of its geologic origins. We have been doing a lot of work like this lately. This is the seventh time. So far, we have caught up twice with Thomas Cole, and one time each with Sanford Robinson Gifford, Susie Barstow, Harriet Cany Peale, Paul Weber and now Richard William Hubbard. Seven times we have stood where they stood; seven times we have looked where they looked, and seven times we have seen what they saw. Once again, we have found a significant fault with a painting’s title. The Hubbard painting should now be entitled “The Top of Plattekill Clove, Autumn.” This “work” has been fun stuff. We would like to call it professional research, except that it has been much too enjoyable. But one mystery remains unsolved. Did Richard William Hubbard, like us and perhaps Jack London, stay at the red cabin? Does anyone know if the old hotel books survive?

Contact the authors at randjtitus@prodigy.net. Join their facebook page “The Catskill Geologist.: Read their blogs at “thecatskillgeologist.com.”

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Chasing the Dream of Becoming an Artist

Oscar Award Winner Roger Ross Williams with artist Anthony Chase at the Hawk and Hive opening reception 

At Anthony Chase’s barn gallery in Delhi

By Robert Brune

ANDES — This story begins in Cape Town, South Africa, as Anthony Chase finished at university and he did what he describes as a right of passage by going abroad for a year traveling and working on an oil tanker ship. After exploring Europe for this period, Chase returned to S. Africa in 1975 just as the anti-Apartheid movement had been bubbling to a fever pitch. Settling back into adult life, Chase started a communal farm with six friends along the coast, but after a couple of years he realized he had a passion for the film industry. Yearning for the city life back in Cape Town, he returned to study theater because there were no film schools in the city at the time. During this time, Chase had been creating collage books that documented the uprising against the oppression of the time. The one book in his studio from that time is a miraculous document of color, imagery, and writing characterizing the turmoil of a nation demanding change. Chase shared the feeling of the rage of that era in the region. These times are historically known for dehumanizing the native black citizens and his books included very loving and culturally rich images of black families in a way that was frowned upon by the establishment in Cape Town. He participated in protests against the authoritarian government and law enforcement which had serious consequences. As he explains, he wasn’t an initiator but shared in the rage, “I actually got arrested, our house got raided at three in the morning. All my books about the revolution were confiscated by BOSS (The Bureau of State Security). It was like the fascist police.” Chase admires his friends who stayed to carry on the fight, but he needs to follow his passion for working in film. In 1984 he made his way to NYC. 

Upon landing in NYC, Chase found his way, “I just dove into the subterranean world of the clubs; the Pyramid Club, the Limelight, CBGB’s, the Palladium and I was making my films. I was showing my black and white films at clubs as installations… They were expressionistic in style and dream sequences, things that would carry the narrative forward and textural backgrounds.” Chase gained recognition and notoriety for his films by getting National Endowment of the Arts (NEA) and NYSCA grants for his Super Eight- and sixteen-millimeter films, as he preferred analog over video. Though he loved making films, Chase had to pay the bills by getting involved in painting as a contractor, “What I came to realize is what was coming into vogue was plastering. I went to the South of France with a colleague to learn plastering and pigment making in Roussillon, then I carved out a good living doing high end residential plastering.” Chase’s friends were fascinated by his plaster sample boards and encouraged him to create artwork based on his skills with plaster making. Chase talks about the new direction of his artwork around 2018, “I began making these very minimalistic simple paintings on board that were a dance between luminosity and the gritty textures of the Italian lime plaster.” His clients, who had once hired him for expensive wall treatments, were now purchasing artwork from Chase. Encouraged, Chase approached Jayne Parker, owner of the newly opened Hawk + Hive gallery in Andes, NY.  Upon seeing Chase's work, Parker determined Chase's first solo exhibition should also be the gallery's first solo exhibition. It turned out to be an enormous success for both.

The current exhibition, ‘Patena,’ is a dual location exhibit at Hawk and Hive gallery in Andes and this weekend there will be a reception at Chase’s elegantly renovated barn studio location in Delhi. This exhibition is a combination of fabulous works including Chase’s masterful skills of mixing elements of aloeids in with plaster to create a subtle glistening sheen from different angles, as well as a variety of textured abstract work. Chase admits he doesn’t have an education in the arts apart from film and theater but is very grateful to his wife Nini Ordoubadi (Owner of Tay Tea in Delhi) who has a master’s degree in art for her guidance. Since moving from the city to upstate NY Chase has connected with folks that he has relied on for encouragement such as artists Steve Burnett, Scott Ackerman, and the late art critic of the New Yorker, Peter Schjeldahl who sadly passed away in 2022. Chase says, “Peter encouraged me to be messy and be brave with my work”. 

The evolution of Chase’s work is an example of someone who has had a lifelong journey of dedication to storytelling in an elegant way, which is a rare treat. For more information on the details of Chase’s current work, see www.hawkandhive.com Jayne Parker always provides the greatest detail of her artist’s works. On Instagram @HawkandHive 

 

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