Artful Goshen

Goshen — When members of the Goshen Art League hang out, they are usually hanging up. They hang their holiday show at Provident Bank in Monroe. They hang as part of the Art Federation Show at the Lycian Centre in Sugar Loaf. They hang at the ski lodge in Thomas Bull Memorial Park. This week, they hung their quarterly show in the courtroom at town hall, where it will remain through May. The artists of the Goshen Art League capture local scenes and scenes discovered while traveling. They work in watercolors, oils, pen and ink, acrylics, pastels, and photography, sometimes in combination. Some are new artists, others are seasoned. Some returned to art after a break. Whatever their background, they share a strong sense of gratitude toward their dedicated former president of 12 years, Pat Mohr. She kept the organization going after the death of Fannie Mackey, who founded the League in 1961. Members now look forward to a future led by their third president, Sheila St. Lawrence. She brings to her post fresh ideas, new directions, and the energy to see them through. Members meet informally once a month over lunch to plan upcoming events. One is their first major reception in a long time, titled “Meet the Members Art Show.” It will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, April 26, at the Goshen Gourmet Café, located at 14-18 W. Main Street. Members will display their artwork for sale and welcome anyone interested in joining the group. n 47 years ago At the reception, Mohr will give a talk on the history of the League, put together from what she describes as “very formal” journal entries. The group kept detailed records of their activities throughout the years. Mohr began only recently, when asked to give the presentation, to go through boxes filled with these records. She found that members always addressed each other formally, using full names. And they seemed to show their work everywhere. One journal entry highlighted a show where the League sold 49 paintings and took in $115. The League started as a group of friends who met informally in Mackey’s house, next to the former Key Bank. Mackey is remembered as a warm, wonderfully talented artist who resembled a favorite aunt. Once a week they gathered, sometimes all 21 of them, to paint either in Mackey’s basement or in some other home. Goshenites like Carrie Lou Fisher, Sis Wehinger, Phil Pines, Peg Scoville, and Beth Neightold were among the original group. Now the League is full of new faces. Only one original member is still living. Mohr said that when Mackey died, some of the older members left, but she kept it going as well as she could. Today’s organization has just as many members as it did when it started. It is a living legacy that honors Mackey and the other artists who formed the group 47 years ago. Mohr smiles as she reflects on how much more members seemed to do back then. But she knows the founding members would be proud to see the League still around today. n A circle of support League members pride themselves on never criticizing another member’s work. They encourage each other to have confidence in themselves and their work, no matter what the level of skill. They know everyone has to begin at the beginning. Some of the most experienced members teach. At the Wallkill River School, Mary Sealfon teaches pastels at during April, and Louise McCutcheon holds a walk-in class for senior citizens looking for some creative work. The class costs $10. The group is always exploring new venues. It is looking forward to participating in Goshen’s bicentennial celebration, and to exhibiting at a local restaurant. Membership is open to all artists. The $10 annual dues allows members to hang their work in Goshen Art League shows as well as those of the Art Federation. For more information on becoming a member or supporting the Goshen Art League, call Sheila St. Lawrence at 294-5309 or e-mail her at sheilastlawrence@msn.com.