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Van Wyck Homestead Museum Launches New Art Program
Starting in February, The Fishkill Historical Society is pleased to announce an innovative new program geared to teaching young students (7-12) local colonial history through the visual arts. All classes will be held at the Van Wyck Homestead Museum, a Hudson Valley landmark museum conveniently located on Route 9 in Fishkill.
The launch of the new art program is made possible, in part, through a community grant from Target.
The Van Wyck Homestead Musuem, which served as the officers headquarters of the Fishkill Encampment and Supply Depot during the Revolutionary War, was at the center of this exciting war-time hub established by no other than General George Washington. Many of the greatest figures in American history resided in Fishkill at different times during the fight for independence.
The first program offered will be Colonial Puppetry taught by Fishkill artist, Jennifer Sipple. During the course of five twohour sessions, children will learn about the heroes and heroines of Fishkill during Revolutionary Wartime. Participants will see examples of clothing and tools from the period and create their own puppets based on what they learn about local history and the era. Children will be encouraged to use colonial art materials such as quill pens and watercolors.
Once the puppets are completed, participants will work together to invent a story based on Fishkill¹s colonial history - incorporating their puppet characters into the story. This story will be made into a puppet show. For those children who are interested, there will be traditional musical instruments, such as flutes, recorders, and drums available to play for the show. On the last day of the program, families and friends will be invited to view the performance.
The workshop instructor, Jennifer Sipple, has been teaching in the visual and performing arts for over ten years. She now lives in Fishkill after living and working in Europe and South America. Currently, she co-directs The Art Room in Beacon, NY. Sipple paints and makes 3-D assemblages using found objects and recycled papers and she has exhibited her work in galleries such as Spire Studios and the Howland Cultural Center in Beacon.
The 5-session program will run on Saturday mornings from 10am to 12pm. The dates are as follows: February 3, 10, 24 and March 3 and 10. The cost for all five sessions is: $25 for members and $35 for non-members.
For further information, please contact Mara Farrell, Fishkill Historical Society at: 845-896-5326 or 845-896- 9560. The Van Wyck Homestead Musuem is located on the intersection of Route 9 and Interstate 1-84, one mile south of the Village of Fishkill, New York. The entrance is on Snook Road.
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