Feeding creativity

Feeding creativityThis piece, by Carol Grace Miller of Waverly, is on display and for sale at Cloud Croft Studios. The work is a depiction of River Row in Owego. (Photo by Wendy Post)
Feeding creativity

This piece, called “The Ideal Women” by Julie Thurber of Corning, N.Y., is on display and for sale at Cloud Croft Studios. This piece won first place in the “Sculpture” category. (Photo by Wendy Post)

A new studio in Owego is offering a regional art exhibition this month, with a percentage of the sales benefiting the Anti-Hunger Task Force in Tioga County, an organization that is combating food insecurity, especially among children.

Cloud Croft Studios opened at its location on Sanford Road in Owego on Sept. 8, and features the works of regional artists in a juried exhibit.

According to Cloud Croft Studios co-owner, Suzanne Poe, a call to artists was made earlier in the summer, and the response was overwhelming.

“We had a tremendous response,” said Suzanne, adding, “We had one-hundred and ninety pieces submitted, representing seventy-two artists.”

After the work was judged, the studio landed at 130 pieces that are now entered into the exhibition.

Feeding creativity

Behind Cloud Croft Studios, impressive artwork graces the peaceful landscape. (Photo by Wendy Post)

Mike and Suzanne Poe decided to transform their 200-year-old barn on their Sanford Road property into an art studio, or gallery, and will continue with art classes and studio space when the exhibition concludes on Sept. 29. 

Suzanne noted that they wanted to use the barn for something, and the art exhibition offered an opportunity to do just that.

“After years of preserving as much of the original structure as possible, we are ready and open, and excited to invite guests in to enjoy the art and beauty,” said Suzanne.

The exhibition, titled “Everyday Life – Every Day Art”, is a collaborative effort between Butternut Gallery and Second Story Books of Montrose, Pa., the Tioga Arts Council, Cloud Croft Studios, and the Anti-Hunger Task Force.

Betty Bryden, owner of Butternut Gallery and Second Story Books, hosted a similar show in Montrose, and donated some of the proceeds to a local charity. When the building that housed the Montrose gallery shut its doors, it was decided to move the show to the barn on Sanford Road, with the Anti-Hunger Task Force as the selected charity.

Feeding creativityAccording to Nancy Eckstrom, Anti-Hunger Task Force representative, one in five people are food insecure in Tioga County.

“We think there are about two-thousand out there that have food insecurity,” said Eckstrom, noting that their huge push is the summer program that helps to feed children when they are out of school for the summer. 

“We fed some of the parents as well,” added Eckstrom.

As for the exhibition, it is open Wednesday through Sunday, from noon to 5 p.m. until Sept. 29, or by appointment by calling (607) 972-4859 or (607) 765-8937. The studio is also part of the Arts and Agricultural Trail, planned for Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 15 and 16. The studio will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on those days.

Take a stop by the studio and view the work of regional artists. Suzanne herself is a former member of the co-op in Ithaca, where she sold and displayed her work as a fiber artist. Some of her work is also on display at Cloud Croft Studios.

For more details and directions, visit www.cloudcroftstudios.com.

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