Wistariahurst Museum

May & June Gallery at Wistariahurst  

                 Strike, Dip and Draw:                  

Works by David Poppie

In the past few years artist David Poppie has been working with different series involving matchbooks, colored pencils, and paint stir sticks.  Each has its unique, defining "mark" within the pieces; from the anonymous strike of the used matchbook, the exposed pencil lead of the pencil, to the dipping of the paint stick into reclaimed paint. Each series projects multiple objects being placed together to form a composition. Works by David Poppie are on view at Wistariahurst during the months of May and June.

David Poppie is represented by Pavel Zoubok Gallery in New York and the Richard Levy Gallery inAlbuquerque,New Mexico.  His work has been exhibited nationally and internationally.  He has been reviewed in the New York Times and has been featured in Sculpture Magazine.  He lives and works inEasthampton,Mass. 

Meet David Poppie at his Opening Reception on Friday, May 4 from 6 to 8pm.

Admission to gallery $3
Photo credit to John Polak 

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Saturday, May 19 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. - Ninth Annual Wistariahurst Gardeners' Plant Sale! 

Join the Western Massachusetts Master Gardeners and the Wistariahurst Gardeners at their annual plant sale on the west lawn. The gardeners will be sharing the bounty of their gardens with the gardening public.  All plants will be for sale at $1 each & up. There will be house plants, annuals, perennials, shrubs and trees, along with some heirloom roses, from old-fashioned to hybrids, various daylilies that will bloom all summer, unusual Echinacea coneflowers, and much, much more. We encourage you to bring your own wagons or carts to make carrying purchases more convenient. Master Gardeners will be on hand to conduct soil tests for $1 per sample and will be available to answer your gardening questions. Free

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Viola da Gamba Historic Concert

 Saturday, June 16 at 3 p.m. 

Joseph Maria Antonio is a professional musician who specializes in historical performance. He will perform a concert that is an introduction to the viola da gamba and its versatility. The viola da gamba is a beautiful instrument, developed in the mid-late 15^th century that is about the size of the cello, but with six strings and frets.

Born to a Portugese family in Ludlow,MA, Joseph Maria Antonio’s passion for music led him toSeville,Spain where he studied flamenco guitar. He studied viola da gamba with Maestro Rami Alqhai for several years inSpain and has participated in many musical projects from chamber music to fado, playing inPortugal,Spain,Italy,Finland,Germany and theUnited States.

Joseph Maria Antonio’s performance on June 17 will showcase the multi-faceted abilities of the viola da gamba; sometimes being played like a violin, other times like a cello, a guitar or a lute. Music for the program will range from the mid to the late baroque; compositions written for the viola da gamba and the violoncello, with pieces from the French school (Marais and Forqueray) and German (Abel and Bach) as well as an addition of some fun Celtic pieces. Tickets $10/ $8 students & seniors

Photo credit F. Rodalva

The Story We Weave
Wistariahurst Museum, originally the home of prominent silk manufacturer, William Skinner and his family, has stood as an example of elegance and fine architecture since 1874. The buildings and grounds were owned continually by the Skinner family until 1959, when Katharine Skinner Kilborne, the youngest child of William and Sarah Skinner, and her heirs gave Wistariahurst to the City of Holyoke for cultural and educational purposes.

Today, Wistariahurst Museum reflects the lives and tastes of both generations of the Skinner family. The museum features original leather wall coverings, columns, elaborate woodwork and an interesting tale of how two generations perceived and used the house very differently. The museum's permanent collection includes decorative arts; paintings and prints, textiles and a rich manuscript collection of family and local papers. Wistariahurst Museum offers a wide variety of programs and events including: workshops, concerts, lectures and demonstrations. The museum is also available for private rental and group tours.

House Tours at Wistariahurst Museum
Wistariahurst Museum is dedicated to preserving Holyoke’s history and inspiring an appreciation of history and culture through educational programs, exhibits and special events.  Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Wistariahurst is the former home of William Skinner, a prominent silk manufacturer. The Museum is open for guided tours every Saturday, Sunday and Monday from 12-4 p.m. During these hours, the Carriage House & Gift Shop are also open. Hours for Archive Research: Mon. 9 a.m. - 7 p.m. & Thur. 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. House Tours are $7 per person, $5 Students & Seniors. For more information, call us at 322-5660.

VISIT CREATING HOLYOKE FOR PHOTOGRAPHS AND OTHER RESOURCES

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