Thursday, October 17, 2024

Amanda Nicole Curcio; a birthday

 Remembering Amanda on her birthday and every day.

 Our lives have been irrevocably enriched by her.



[BOFA UPDATE 10.17.2024 For social media and email, online messages are monitored on Tuesdays and Thursdays. More Studio Contact details are here:
https://sheilalynnkart.com/contact.html ]

A charitable project of SheilaLynnK Art Studio, this volunteer organization is funded by the private contributions of its founding members, funding through fiscal sponsorship, affordable membership fees, my patrons, and anonymous donations.
All funds received are directly applied to the cost of materials, marketing, and local creative projects and events.
If you would like to make a Tax-deductible contribution to this and other future Charitable Art Projects and Events at SheilaLynnK Art Studio you can find out more about that and my Fiscal Sponsor here:
https://fundraising.fracturedatlas.org/sheilalynnk-art...
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Founder, Creator, Page Admin - Sheila L. Kalkbrenner
Events Coordinator, Founding Member, Artist - Kathy Garrison


Though it's free to follow, subscribing patrons get the most art.

Select a membership tier. Increase, Decrease, Cancel anytime.
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(Patreon subscriptions are not tax-deductible. Please use my fiscal sponsor's link if you'd like to make a tax deductible contribution.)

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SCHOLARSHIP 
The Amanda Nicole Curcio Scholarship has moved to the Allegany County Area Foundation
This Perpetual Scholarship still "benefits Belfast Central School students who reflect Amanda’s care and concern for others and display a solid academic record, with special consideration given to applicants showing an interest in creative writing and/or intent to pursue this at the college level.
BCS seniors and graduates may apply for the scholarship through ACAF’s regular online application, which will open on November 1.
This scholarship was originally created in 2007 and school-based before being moved to ACAF in Summer of 2022.
https://alleganycountyareafoundation.org/make-a-donation/

Saturday, October 12, 2024

BOFA educational exhibit at September Bicentennial Antique Doll & Toy Show

Featured Details from the Belfast Bicentennial Doll Show Event at the Belfast Town Hall 

In September, working with the Western NY Penn Doll Club  BOFA cosponsored the Antique Toy and Doll Show and Sale. Vintage Finds Treasured Memories displayed and sold antique toys at the show. BOFA members Cecy Curcio, Kathy Garrison, Andrew Struckman, Brenda Sisson, Wende Kenyon, Marie Nix, Leah Burgess, Sharon Beiter, and Dylan Mattina generously contributed to the show and/or helped with setting up. 

Belfast Organization for Artists (BOFA)

presents

The Art of Collecting

by Kathy Garrison 

As with all art, the creation of something can be an inspiration for future creativity in many directions.  The “something” created can take many forms, including acquiring a collection of objects.  Today’s exhibit includes collections of old and new dolls and toys, and even antique tools (see Joe Foley’s collection).  Collections can be started from inherited pieces, from a piece that intrigues the passerby, from interest in a deliberate study or research, from a gift, or possibly, from an example to be studied for creation of other items. 

Toys:

1)    The large toys in this exhibit are a fleet of trucks and tractors from the 1950s.  The 4 children who owned them acquired most of them from their grandfather who was a long distance trucker.  These children are now grandparents themselves.  This is a nostalgia collection and inspires fond memories of the people involved.

2)    The doll houses have examples of ½”, 1:12, and larger scale furniture (scaled to the size of the settings) and fall into 3 categories:

a)    Play inspired by the series of classic books of the small Madeline having various adventures in Paris, France.  The Madeline series is available through the Belfast Public Library.  This house encourages the player to think of further adventures for Madeline.  The Belfast Public Library, through interlibrary loan via the Southern Tier Library System (STLS), found all of the Madeline books for this exhibit.

b)   A very creative set of boxes that become a doll house or 2 doll houses.  Furniture and people are added by the player and can take any form.  This doll house is all about creation of scenes, stories, and anything else the player can think of. 

c)     The dollhouse player does not need walls or a roof to create scenes and stories.  The third setup is a sitting room with appropriately sized dolls to inspire the player.  The setting is defined by a paper square that has a wood floor printed on it.

The Dolls in this exhibit fall into several categories of collecting:

1)    International – some of these dolls were inherited pieces.  They became core pieces in growing collections of travel souvenirs.  Some of the dolls were acquired for costume study purposes and eventually inspired a doll couture business, some of the dolls just appealed to the passerby and were acquired and kept.  This exhibit involves multiple individual collections.

2)    Novelty – This is a miscellaneous collection of folklore and fantasy dolls, toy bears, and other stuffed animals.  Some of these items fall into the comfort category for small children.  Some are designed to lean against a pillow on a bed and wait for bedtime.  Some of the folkloric and fantasy pieces are inspired by literary genres.  There are also several dolls that survived the childhoods of some of the collectors and fall into the nostalgia category!  There are also several example dolls who were immensely popular over the last 60 years and became part of a whole franchise of associated items (alternate clothing, doll houses, cars, stories, movies, and many other play aids.)  One example is from the Barbie franchise (Barbie and Ken) and the other is from the Story Book Dolls series (Cinderella).

3)    Couture and fashion dolls – Some of these dolls were acquired for their costumes.  Some were acquired because they pleased the collector.  Different eras of couture are represented.  Many of these dolls were acquired for display and were not suitable for casual play.  

PICTURES COMING SOON! 

Friday, August 30, 2024

Belfast NY ~ Bicentennial Art Show (2024)



For the Annual Art Show this year, BOFA partnered with the Belfast Historical Society to collect and display historical art work beside the works submitted by local modern creators. We are thankful to the library staff for their continued support in making these works accessible to the community.

Including photographs, illustrations, paintings, poetry, fiber arts, and Victorian hair art; there is still time to stop in to see these wonderful Little Things at the Belfast Public Library during regular library hours. 




The show will be up until September 4th. Belfast Public Library, 75 Main Street, Belfast, NY 14711

Phone: 585-365-2072 Email: belfast@stls.org

Hours: Monday: 10:00 -1:00, Tuesday: 3:00- 7:00, Wednesday: 10:00- 1:00 & 3:00-7:00, 

Thursday: 3:00- 7:00, Saturday: 10:00-1:00

Belfast Organization for Artists' Events Coordinator, Kathy Garrison reports, "The modern artists in the August show include: Brenda Sisson, Wende Kenyon, Kathy Garrison, Susan Doran, Daniel Fox, Denise Atherton, and Patty Atherton. The Vintage artists include: George Fritz, John Ritson, Gerald Lane, Faith Gleason, Otto Mix, Kathleen O'Dea, S. Mary Norton, and Margaret Coughlin."

An easy to print pdf of Kathy's detailed show guide including behind the scenes information, historical references, and educational content about the artists and their work can be found with this post in the free sheilalynnkart activity feed on Patreon. 

After the exhibit ends, BOFA friends will be able to view photos from the show in the 2024 Album on our facebook page.

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The Belfast Organization for Artists is a charitable project 

of SheilaLynnK Art Studio created in 2009 to unify and uplift the work of local creators.

Patrons make art happen.

Thanks so much for being here!

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If you'd like to send 

Direct Support for Belfast Organization For Artists
BOFA Level A $15
BOFA Level B $35
BOFA Level C $45
100% of your support will benefit the Belfast Organization for Artists

Patreon subscriptions and direct support are not tax deductible.

If you would like to make a Tax-deductible contribution
to this and other future Charitable Art Projects and Events
at SheilaLynnK Art Studio you can find out more about that HERE.

 

Saturday, June 29, 2024

Summer 2024 Belfast Bicentennial

 SUMMER 2024 EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES IN BELFAST, NY

JULY 


Belfast will be celebrating it’s 200th anniversary in August of 2024. Upcoming meetings and events are posted on their facebook group page and in the digital calendar.




AUGUST ~ CALL FOR ARTISTS FOR THE 2024 ANNUAL ART SHOW COMING SOON




"The upcoming Bicentennial Celebration on August 8-11 is a momentous occasion that should not be missed. This historic event marks 200 years since the founding of our town, and it is a time to reflect on our past, celebrate our present, and look forward to the future. The festivities planned for this four-day celebration are sure to be unforgettable, with parades, fireworks, live music, food vendors, craft vendors, historical reenactments, and much more."




Sunday, May 19, 2024

The Scholarship In Memory of Amanda

 


The Amanda Nicole Curcio Scholarship has moved to the Allegany County Area Foundation
This Perpetual Scholarship still "benefits Belfast Central School students who reflect Amanda’s care and concern for others and display a solid academic record, with special consideration given to applicants showing an interest in creative writing and/or intent to pursue this at the college level.
BCS seniors and graduates may apply for the scholarship through ACAF’s regular online application, which will open on November 1.
This scholarship was originally created in 2007 and school-based before being moved to ACAF in Summer of 2022.
If you would like to contribute to the scholarship, simply choose this fund in the drop down menu at the Allegany County Area Foundation donation page here:
https://alleganycountyareafoundation.org/make-a-donation/
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On May 19th, 2007 while many young people her age were attending prom. 

Amanda died. 

We couldn't save her.

In our hearts and on our minds, 

she remains.

October 17, 1989 - May 19, 2007

Never Gone

Yesterday a tear-stained stranger came to me

with a smile pushing through her pain

she said to me,

“I just can’t believe it. Is she really gone?”

At the time I did not have the answer to her question.

As she walked away

another tear-stained stranger came to me

with a smile pushing through his pain.

I was granted a moment of grace.

None of them were strangers

For I witnessed the memories

In each face.

Amanda was there.

It made me think of a grace-filled time

when I was about eight or nine

I would sit in the tall grass on the hill beside my house

watching the day fade away...

waiting for the magic.

Darkness would fall

here and there the silent, fluttering, fire works would begin.

Miniature, pin-point, flashes of light in the darkness

dancing to the crickets’ song...

the fire flies had returned.

Quickly I learned I could not follow it,

or hold it tight in my hand.

I could only sit and watch it flashing freely

over the waves of summer grass.

When I met Amanda I loved her because she was Joe’s.

He anticipated each visit

from her

the way that I had anticipated

the dance of the fireflies.

Each visit a fleeting fire flash

against the darkness of life without her.

At first I loved her simply because she was a part of him.

NEVER to be stifled or contained,

I came to know her for herself...

Full of whit and intelligence,

always ready

to find and announce the humor

of even the most bizarre situations;

she would create moments that would lift those around her...

Fracturing the darkness with them.

I witnessed the joy and excitement as she arrived for each visit.

People , young and not-so-young, filled the house to greet her.

Teenagers in every corner of the house,

laughing, crying, fighting,

making up, hanging out, sleeping....

sometimes using each other as pillows

when there weren’t enough to go around.

They were here for each other...

to celebrate what it is to be on the verge

of everything and the end of nothing.

On weekends and holidays the noise and pranks,

the whipped cream fights and the chocolate syrup wars,

the music and movies, the jokes, the Fear Factor moments,

the funky “teenagers-only” smell in the orange room,

the swimming, the wet towels, the disappearing dish soap,

and the overflowing garbage cans,

the relief of knowing

during the wee hours of the morning

they would not be judged,

the dread of being woken up the next day

to repair the damage...

Through it all I saw them together...

a cluster of flickering hope.

She needed them as much as they needed her.

She cherished the open communication,

the freedom she had to be herself.

I watched her give them strength.

I watched her struggle

to find a way to give enough

attention and care

to everyone who needed it.

She distracted them from their confusion

as they distracted her from her own.

Somehow she always found a way

to be what they needed

without changing who SHE was.

For this

I respected her.

She was so much to so many...

Daughter, sister, grand daughter,

step-daughter, niece, cousin, and FRIEND.

For them

she never hesitated

to share every ounce of her spirit and courage.

For them

she never hesitated

to stand in the dark.

For them

She never hesitated

to show her laughter.

For them

She never hesitated

to open her heart.

It has been my privilege

to be a minor player

in the life of such a generous person...

to witness the fire flies move across the night...

Grace  has shown me

AMANDA WILL REMAIN

the bursting spark of light flashing

through the center of our souls.

TODAY the tear-stained strangers came to me.

With smiles pushing through the pain

they said to me,

“I just can’t believe it. Is she really gone?”

We are granted moments of grace

None of you are strangers

For I witness the memories

In each face.

Look beside you.

Amanda IS there.

~My Eulogy for Amanda 2007

Amanda's Memorial Page 

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, Out of the Darkness Walk

Lifeway Youth Center Belfast New York

Belfast Organization for Artists blog

Sunday, February 11, 2024

2024; New Year In Progress




Happy New Year!

We are midway between Winter and Spring!

WooHoo!

Due to unforeseen circumstances, there will not be a UFO Day in February.

Please join us for Unfinished Objects Days later in the year from 1-4pm on: May 30, Aug 29, Oct 31st.

Bring your own un-finished projects, supplies, and socialize while you work.

No registration required.




IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

The Belfast Organization For Artists participated again in the Belfast Christmas Tree Lighting in the park, December 3, 2023,  with Hometown Hero Honor banners on display in hall. Hot chocolate, cookies and Santa in the park were enjoyed by all who attended.




2024 Bicentennial Calendar Cover
Calendar Created by Kathy Garrison


BELFAST BICENTENNIEL ACTIVITIES

B.O.F.A. events coordinator, Kathy Garrison, an active member of the Belfast Historical Society working to support the 2024 bi-centenniel events reports:

" We are updating our 27 year old Belfast brochure at the Historical Society. We are also getting a second printing on the calendars. We sold all the first printing!

We also have the BOFA, Belfast Lions, and Belfast Historical Society co-sponsored kickoff event on March 15, 2024 @ 7:00 pm in the Belfast Town Hall. The Town Council will read the Proclamation, Craig Braack will talk history, the Belfast Historical Society will carry over a small Belfast history exhibit from our collection for people to look at, all groups are providing snacks and BOFA will provide coffee, hot water, cold water. [...] Wende Kenyon and I are pre-planning

on the May 11 doll and toy show

(Co-sponsors: BOFA, York Penn Doll Club, and Belfast Historical Society).

[...]

Also, the Bicentennial Committee is having 3 more fundraisers: Euchre Tournament (February 10th and March 9th), Beards & Brews, and Irish Road Bowling.

The Bicentennial Committee has set up a digital calendar. More information is available in the Belfast, NY Bicentinnial Facebook Group. "

Get yourself a Belfast, NY Bicentennial Calendar at Belfast Historical , Ace's Country Cupboard , or Harrington's Grocery they're $10 a calendar

Patty Peperato Preston, posted: "Here are several articles about Belfast History written by BCS students in collaboration with the Belfast Historical Society and community members -- this project was conducted in 2015."

ALSO HAPPENING THIS MONTH



For current posts and activities find us on Facebook or Patreon

It's been a long winter... We aren't out of it quite yet.

Thanks for your continued support and encouragement as many posts and projects have been cancelled or put on hold while I recover from a recent injury.

From SheilaLynnK Art Studio

2023 Index4U ~ A year in review