Michele Harvey delivery

By: Michelle Murdock, Curator of Exhibitions

Recently, Michele Harvey and her husband, Steve Skollar, delivered Michele’s artwork to Fenimore for her exhibition, Watermark: Michele Harvey & Glimmerglass. Chris Rossi and I were here to help transport the paintings from our loading dock into the gallery. Here are some pictures, taken by Steve and me.

After nearly a year of planning and preparing for Michele’s exhibition, and getting teased with her incredible sketches, it was so exhilarating to see these works in the gallery. Chris’ gallery layout flatters both the artworks as well as the gallery space. One of the most extraordinary aspects of the exhibition, though, is how Michele’s works compliment and reflect the picturesque setting of the museum.

The exhibition is open through December. We hope you can make it out to see the show.

Kingfisher Tower

This is the third in a series of posts by guest blogger, Michele Harvey. Fenimore Art Museum will exhibit new work by Harvey in the exhibition Watermark: Michele Harvey & Glimmerglass, beginning April 1, 2010.

Rapunzel, Rapunzel… Halfway up Glimmerglass (Otsego Lake) lies Kingfisher Tower. A romantic, 60-foot, gothic revival folly, built by Edward Clark in 1876. Jutting out on a tiny spit of land, it seems to float somewhere off shore. Dreaming over old postcards and internet images wouldn’t do. I had to see it myself.

At the southern tip of Otsego Lake lies The Glimmerglass Queen. A small, lovely tour boat, she skims across the water, affording spectacular views and long approaches to Kingfisher Tower. Glimmerglass is 168 feet deep (some say much deeper) and 9 miles wide, surrounded by unspoiled hills that come to drink at the water’s edge. The sense of time and space is different here. The glitter of the lake’s light cast its spell, not just upon me, but on all my fellow passengers too. There is something primal about the horizontal lines of a lake or plain surrounded by forest. Something that harks back to our ancestors’ and hunters' roots. Here it still is found, preserved, with an unlikely, romantic, miniature castle to dream on. One where dragons, damsels and knights may play in ageless imagination.

One may view the tower from land, from Lakefront Park, at the southernmost tip of the lake. It's also there you can purchase tickets for The Glimmerglass Queen's daily (in season) boat tours. Kingfisher Tower is difficult to view from other public spots; although it's across the lake from Brookwood Garden, it's hidden by a fringe of trees. The beauties of Otsego Lake are best seen (including the grounds of The Fenimore Art Museum) from the top of this little tour boat. It travels at a leisurely pace half way up the lake, close to the Tower and back down the other side. The size and the depth of the lake, Kingfisher Tower, the skies and marvelous views are well worth the admission.

Above: Watercolor sketches of Kingfisher Tower on Otsego Lake. Courtesy of Michele Harvey.

Fairy Spring, Lakewood Cemetery & Natty Bumpo

This is the second in a series of posts by guest blogger, Michele Harvey. Fenimore Art Museum will exhibit new work by Harvey in the exhibition Watermark: Michele Harvey & Glimmerglass, beginning April 1, 2010.

On the wooded eastern shores of Glimmerglass there are quiet spots, mostly known to locals. At first glance Fairy Spring Park is just a steeply pitched, wooded picnic area and narrow dock. That is, until one finds the trail. The trail begins just north of the park proper. It disappears into the woods, literally. Although poorly kept, it reveals worthy secrets if you take the time. It's a hike for the sure-footed. The terrain is very steep and slippery. Fairy Spring is an apt name. The wooded, nearly vertical slope is covered by moss, ferns and tree roots. Under this living skin of roots and moss, rivulets sharply make their way down to the lake. It's a quiet, leafy place fit for fairies. Across the way, a 1932 iron plaque states:
Where "Natty Bumpo" Leatherstocking rescued Chingachgook from flames". Chingach dying in his care. "Pioneer".

Even today, one can surely imagine James Fenimore Cooper's 'Deerslayer' stalking these woods.
Hard by, is Lakewood cemetery. Upslope from Fairy Spring, it's a steep and terraced burying ground, full of stately trees and old stones. Each turn of the way, each unique monument calls to the curious. A quiet refuge from the world, where the water softly shimmers up from the lake, and a deep, cushioning moss hangs o'er all. Chipmunks and birds make it a lively spot, playing in expertly laid-stone walls and stone staircases. There is age here and history, and touching tales. A hand-hewn granite boat in full sail, attests to the love for family and water. Up the twin, steeply curved, stone staircases, a bench to contemplate a hero of the Titanic. It is a worthy place.

Cemeteries were the first American parklands. At a time when people preferred home burial, but when growing cities made that idea impractical. Here then, is an ideal spot, close enough to town for family to visit and spend a pleasant afternoon.