The Village of Ossining is celebrating its 200th birthday with an outdoor sculpture exhibit, “Ossining in 3D,” that weaves through the Village’s historic buildings and downtown waterfront area.
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Left to right: Village of Ossining Mayor William Hanauer; sculpture exhibit curator Ann Jon; village manager Richard Leins; bicentennial committee chairman George Camp; and town supervisor Sue Donnelly at a special meet-the-artist reception celebrating the opening of the Village of Ossining’s bicentennial sculpture exhibit. |
On May 5, a crowd of several hundred people gathered at the Village of Ossining Municipal Building to celebrate the opening of the Ossining in 3D bicentennial sculpture exhibit with a special meet-the-artist reception. The 25-piece outdoor exhibit, open to the public from May 5 through Oct. 26, 2013, weaves through the Village’s historic buildings and downtown waterfront area.
The six-month juried exhibition will provide direct and free access to art for thousands of residents and visitors. “Ossining has a rich and storied history,” says Village of Ossining Mayor William Hanauer. “The sculpture exhibit sets incredible new works of art against a beautiful backdrop of Victorian architecture seen in our homes, buildings, and churches. We should all take pride in our Village, past and present, as we embark on an exciting future ahead.”
Fifteen of the 24 exhibiting artists attended the reception. In addition to hors d’oeuvres and refreshments sponsored in part by Beldotti Management – Mike and Alex Beldotti, guests enjoyed jazz chamber music provided by local Ossining High School students, baked goods from local Ossining bakeries, as well as floral arrangements Han Ooi from Signature Florals by Ooi sponsored in part by Lizzfitness.
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Village of Ossining sculpture exhibition entry “Homenaje a Carlos Zook” by Peter Barrett |
“Ossining is really the place to be,” says George Camp, Bicentennial Committee chairman. “So many people had a hand in making this sculpture exhibition a reality–the local government, bicentennial sponsors, and a number of very devoted volunteers. It has truly been a community effort and we look forward to sharing these magnificent sculptures with thousands over the months ahead.”
The length of the sculpture walk is approximately 1.5 miles with on- and off-street parking available. Beginning Saturday, June 1, and on the first Saturday of July through October, docent-led walking tours will be available to the public. The tours will feature the artists and their sculptures, as well as their historic settings, and they will begin at 81 Croton Ave. at 10am on those five Saturday dates. Reservations can be made by phone at 914-762-6232 or by email at vmonastra@ossbuilding.org. Additional tours may be requested.
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Village of Ossining sculpture exhibition entry “Cedar Cluster” by Matthew Weber |
Maps for self-guided tours and additional information can be picked up at the Village of Ossining Municipal Building at the Clerk’s and Village Manager’s office, the Community Center, the Ossining Public Library, and will be available at each sculpture location. Maps are also available online at villageofossining.org and celebrateossining.com.
The 25 sculptures were selected from nearly 100 submissions. Exhibiting sculptors come from across the Northeast and beyond, including three artists local to Westchester. Some, including artist Gary Orlinsky, used Ossining as their point of inspiration. Orlinsky’s piece, made from wood, paint, and saplings, pays homage to the Double Arch, part of the Old Croton Aqueduct that is a landmark of Ossining. “The shape of the top arch is referenced by the horizontal bamboo lines which hint at the aqueduct’s brickwork, while the lower arch reverses this process with the void defined by the vertical lines,” he says.
For more information on Ossining in 3D sculpture tours or other upcoming bicentennial events, visit celebrateossining.com, villageofossining.org, or contact the Village Manager’s office at 914-941-3554.
