In this issue of the Bulletin, I am excited to present a vision years in the making—one that will shape Munson, and our community, for generations to come. Through a strategic plan, campus master plan, community focus groups, and a feasibility study, we have built a foundation that makes this moment possible. The plans you will find in the following pages represent the next chapter of this remarkable organization, and I could not be more pleased to share them with you.
For nearly a century, Munson has embraced our founding family's belief that art has the power to transform lives and strengthen community. That vision—rooted in philanthropy, in people, and in the Mohawk Valley—is central to our mission. Community engagement is not simply something we do, it is who we are.
Now, we stand at a once-in-a-generation moment.
The Munson For All campaign is our opportunity to expand our reach and strengthen Munson's role in the heart of Central New York. The campaign will fund renovations to the Museum of Art that will make Munson more accessible and vibrant than ever before. At the heart of these renovations is an expanded interactive gallery—a reimagined space where thousands of children and families will explore, discover, and find their voice through art. You can read more about this and other plans in the following pages. Together, these improvements will create a destination that draws visitors from near and far and enhances the quality of life for everyone in our region.
A transformed building means little without the people it serves. The Munson For All campaign will also support a Community Engagement Fund, helping Munson extend its reach, bring fresh programs to a broader audience, and create more partnerships. We envision new opportunities for our neighbors across the Mohawk Valley to experience art in ways that are personal, immediate, and lasting.
Munson has thrived because of people like you, our dedicated Members and supporters who believe that art and culture strengthen the region we call home. What we build today belongs to those who come after us. I am personally energized by what lies ahead, and I cannot imagine embarking on this journey without you.
I invite you to be part of something lasting. Join me in the Munson For All campaign. Together, let's ignite wonder and enrich our community through the arts.
With appreciation,
Anna Tobin D’Ambrosio President and CEO
Munson's programs are made possible, in part, by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.
Front cover image: Rendering of the reimagined Art Odyssey experience on the first floor of the Museum of Art.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Munson Arts Festival
Saturday, July 11 to Sunday, July 19 Museum of Art
Calligraphy Café with Rachel Bartunek, Almost Local
Wednesday, July 22, 6 to 8 p.m.
Root Court
$45 Members | $55 General Public
Bus Trip to Ganondagan State Historical Site and Sonnenberg Gardens
Wednesday, July 29, 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
$155 Members | $175 General Public
Cornell Cooperative Extension Presentation
Good Bugs, Bad Bugs . . . and the Complicated Ones
Wednesday, Aug. 5, 11 a.m. to noon
Pribble Room
$10 Members | $15 General Public
Watercolor Stories After-Hours Experience Quilling Café with Sandie Craven-Griffiths, Cats in the Attic Cards
Wednesday, Aug. 5, 6 to 8 p.m.
Root Court
$35 Members | $45 General Public
Lunch & Listen
Fridays, Aug. 7 to 28, noon
Root Court
Free
Watercolor Workshop: Plein Air Sketching and Watercolor Painting with Sue Murphy
Wednesday, Aug. 12, 1 to 4 p.m.
Sculpture Grove
$40 Members | $50 General Public
Munson Book Club: Daytime Session
Whistler
Tuesday, Aug. 18, 11 a.m.
Art Research Library
Free | Registration required
Watercolor Workshop: Stylized Shapes from Nature with Pamela Lynch
Wednesday, Aug. 19, 1 to 4 p.m.
Root Court
$40 Members | $50 General Public
Watercolor Stories After-Hours Experience
Terrarium Workshop: Build Your Own Tiny World with Rachel Stewart, The Plant Stand
Wednesday, Aug. 19, 6 to 8 p.m.
Root Court
$60 Members | $70 General Public
Watercolor Workshop: Surface Pattern Design with Julie Gratien
Wednesday, Aug. 26, 1 to 4 p.m.
Root Court
$40 Members | $50 General Public
Pratt Munson Faculty Exhibition Opening Reception
Friday, Aug. 28, 3 to 5 p.m.
Pratt Munson Gallery Free
ONGOING
Guided Tours: Watercolor Stories: Art of Charles E. Burchfield
Every Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, 1 p.m.
No tours on July 3, 4, and 5.
$5 for ages 13 and up
Art and Yoga
Saturdays | 10:30 a.m.
Museum of Art
Drop-in fee per class: $10 Members | $15 General Public
No class on July 11.
FREE yoga class on July 18 during the Arts Festival. Meet at the Fountain Elms South Lawn.
FILM SERIES
Wednesdays and Fridays | 2 and 7:30 p.m.
$8 Members | $10 General Public | $6 Students
Join us each week for new foreign, independent, and award-winning films. Film selections are announced a week before the first series of the month.
Film tickets and descriptions: munson.art/films
Student tickets: call 315-797-0000
The series is sponsored by M&T Bank and by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Kathy Hochul and the New York State Legislature.
MUSEUM OF ART ON VIEW
Watercolor Stories: Art of Charles E. Burchfield
On view through Sept. 13
Dr. William L. Boyle, Jr. Gallery
Free to Members | $8 General Public
Experience this summer’s must-see exhibition! Featuring vibrant, expressive watercolors from Munson’s collection, Watercolor Stories brings together rarely seen artwork and archival materials from the Burchfield Penney Art Center.
Discover the captivating story of the lifelong friendship that developed between celebrated American painter Charles E. Burchfield and Munson benefactor Edward Wales Root. Beginning in 1929, the two shared a remarkable exchange inspired by art, music, and the beauty of nature.
Lead Sponsors: Andrew Britton and David Grey; Christian and Cheryl Heilmann; and Elizabeth R. Lemieux, Ph.D.
Sponsors: Joseph A. Abraham; Cheryl and Fred Haritatos; Pike Construction Services; Alan Vincent, in memory of Linda Vincent; and Laura and Todd Wetzel MD.
Discover the emotionally powerful work of Holly Heckler in this visually captivating exhibition exploring memory, healing, and resilience. Blending surrealist oil painting with handcrafted elements, Heckler transforms personal experiences of loss and illness into deeply moving works that balance hope, vulnerability, and imagination.
Pratt Munson Faculty Exhibition
On view Aug. 28 through Oct. 2
Opening Reception: Friday, Aug. 28, 3 to 5 p.m.
Free
This multimedia exhibition features artwork by faculty from Pratt Munson College of Art and Design, highlighting their diverse creative practices beyond the classroom.
PRATT MUNSON GALLERY
CURATOR'S CORNER
CATS IN CONFLICT
When dead animals are the subject of a painting, an artist has to work fast. In just 10 hours over the course of two days, John James Audubon painted Munson’s Two Cats Fighting (1826), a vibrant and gory image of feline combat over a dead squirrel. Known for staging deceased animal subjects in lifelike, often peaceful poses, Audubon posed these cats in action. The urgency of their movement deceives the viewer. Like a bowl of fruit, the cats and their meal were painted frozen in place, and Audubon had to work quickly to capture an actively decomposing scene.
Today, Audubon’s Two Cats Fighting may seem stable and eternal, but just like cats, paintings are affected by the natural world. Their condition is subject to change, and after 200 years, Two Cats Fighting is no exception.
Since this work is planned for display soon in the reinstallation of the 19th-century American art galleries, the painting was recently sent to conservators in New York for analysis and treatment of some common condition issues. A web-like pattern known as craquelure had appeared on the surface as the result of the paint or varnish shrinking in response to environmental changes such as fluctuations in temperature and relative humidity. The canvas also shows some spots of paint lifting from its surface. To address these issues, the conservators are cleaning the painting’s surface to remove
MUNSON ON THE MOVE
Munson’s magnificent collection is on the move again! We’re sharing our world-class art with other museums in noted exhibitions around the globe.
ON VIEW IN NEW YORK CITY
Untitled [Little Image Painting] by Lee Krasner
Krasner/Pollock: Past Continuous
On view Sept. 28, 2026 through Jan. 31, 2027
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, N.Y.
ON VIEW IN MADRID, SPAIN
Cardinal, Cardinal! by Salvador Dalí
The Freudian Universe of Dalí
On view Oct. 20, 2026 through Jan. 24, 2027
Museo Nacional Thyssen-Bornemisza, Madrid, Spain
dust and old varnish as well as stabilizing the paint loss and craquelure by applying new varnish. This work will make the colors of the painting brighter and sharper.
Conservation treatment is one of the many ways museums care for and preserve their collections. A primary goal of painting conservation is to give works a good life for as long as possible. In treating this painting, Munson will extend the life of Audubon’s Two Cats Fighting, even if the cats (and the poor squirrel) are long gone.
– Shiori
Oki, Henry Luce Foundation Curatorial Fellow
John James Audubon (American, 1785–1851), Two Cats Fighting, 1826. Oil on canvas. 28 x 36 1/4 in. Museum Purchase, 70.66.
Salvador Dalí (Spanish, 1904–1989), Cardinal, Cardinal!, 1934. Tempera and oil on panel. 6 1/4 x 8 3/4 in. Museum Purchase, 54.156.
Come and enjoy a Central New York tradition—Munson’s annual Arts Festival, the area’s longest-running summertime celebration of arts and community! Bring your family and friends for a week packed with creativity, color, and fun!
Kick things off with the Munson Car Show on July 11, then explore the Art Show in the Museum’s Root Court all week long. Don’t miss the Steamrollin’ Print Invitational as 27 artists make large prints with a steamroller along Genesee Street on Thursday. Kids can get creative with hands-on crafts each
DAILY EVENTS
Festival Art Show
Monday to Saturday: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Sunday: noon to 5 p.m.
Root Court
Guided Tours: Watercolor Stories: Art of Charles E. Burchfield
1 p.m. daily
$5 per person with exhibition admission Meet outside the Museum Shop
Meet the Artist Demos
1 to 3 p.m. daily
Museum Shop
ON VIEW
Museum of Art
Watercolor Stories: Art of Charles E. Burchfield
Munson collection, including Thomas Cole’s Voyage of Life
Fountain Elms
Pratt Munson Gallery
Alumni Exhibition: Holly Heckler ’11
FOOD
The Terrace at Munson (back open!)
11 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily
Fountain Elms First Floor
Various food trucks available on select days
day, and adults will enjoy lively evenings filled with outdoor concerts by talented musicians. Don’t forget to mark your calendar for the 16th Annual Oneida County Youth Bureau Sidewalk Chalk Art Competition on July 16. See the full schedule below, and join us to create summer memories.
SATURDAY, JULY 11
Fountain Elms Invitational
The 1960s
9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Fountain Elms Grounds and Sculpture Grove
Community Car Show
9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Munson Parking Lot and Palmer Park
Mohawk Valley Bonsai Club
10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Easton Pribble Room
Nick Carparelli Car Movie Marathon
10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Sinnott Family–Bank of Utica Auditorium
Concert: The Swooners
Yacht Rock Quintet
11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Parking Lot Stage
Meet the Artist: RC Oster
1 to 3 p.m.
Museum Shop
Mohawk Valley Bonsai Club
Demonstration
2 p.m.
Sculpture Grove
Car Show Awards
3 p.m.
Munson Parking Lot Stage
Exhibition Opening Reception
Holly Heckler ’11
4 to 6 p.m.
Pratt Munson Gallery
SUNDAY, JULY 12
Children’s Craft: DIY Sidewalk Chalk Art All Day Front Lawn Tent
Mohawk Valley Bonsai Club
noon to 5 p.m.
Easton Pribble Room
Meet the Artist: Ruth Benoit 1 to 3 p.m. Museum Shop
Mohawk Valley Bonsai Club Demonstration
2 p.m.
Sculpture Grove
MONDAY, JULY 13
Children’s Craft
11 a.m. – Marble Maze
1 p.m. – Cloud Dough Faces Front Lawn Tent
Meet the Artist: Iryna Trociuk 1 to 3 p.m. Museum Shop
TUESDAY, JULY 14
Children’s Craft
11 a.m. – Plant and Pictures Front Lawn Tent
Utica Children's Museum – Mobile Museum
11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Front Lawn Tent
Meet the Artist: Ben Garlington 1 to 3 p.m. Museum Shop
WEDNESDAY, JULY 15
Children’s Craft
11 a.m. – Watercolor Landscape
1 p.m. – Anything but a Paint Brush Front Lawn Tent
Meet the Artists: Mariana Falletti and Andrea Rodriguez
1 to 3 p.m.
Museum Shop
THURSDAY, JULY 16
16th Annual Oneida County Youth Bureau
Sidewalk Chalk Art Competition
Ages 5–18 | Free
10 a.m. – Registration
10:30 a.m. – Competition
Palmer Park
11th Annual Big Ol’ Steamrollin’ Print Invitational, featuring DJ Thomas D, Big Papi's Coquito Iceys, and Family Craft
10 a.m. till done
Front of the Museum on Genesee Street Rain date: Friday, July 17 (Parking Lot)
Children’s Craft
1 p.m. – Mini Claw Machine
Front Lawn Tent
Meet the Artist: Peter Rashford
1 to 3 p.m.
Museum Shop
Foam Party for Kids
2 p.m.
Front Lawn Tent
A foam cannon will fill the space with fluffy bubbles while fun music and water shooters add to the action. Wear a swimsuit or clothes you don’t mind getting wet!
Free Film
The Bernie Uebelhoer Memorial Hitchcock Film: The Trouble with Harry 2 and 7:30 p.m.
Sinnott Family–Bank of Utica Auditorium
FRIDAY, JULY 17
Plein Air Painting Demo
Chad Smith, Instructor
9 a.m. to noon | Front Lawn Tent
Join instructor Chad Smith for a relaxed plein air painting demo and class, open to all skill levels. Bring your own materials and paint alongside Chad, or simply stop by to watch and enjoy the creative process in action.
Children’s Craft
11 a.m. – Butterfly Suncatchers
1 p.m. – Bird Buddies
Front Lawn Tent
Puppy Parade
1 p.m.
Front Lawn Tent
Second Annual Munson Puppy Parade! All leashed dogs are welcome—bring your own pup or just come enjoy the show. Water stations, treats, and wagging tails guaranteed!
Meet the Artist: Ginny Clapp
1 to 3 p.m.
Museum Shop
DJ Night and Karaoke
With DJ Bizznez and Amos Donnell
6:30 p.m.
Front Lawn Tent and Stage
DJ Bizznez keeps the beats flowing while Amos Donnell hosts open mic karaoke.
Cash bar available
SATURDAY, JULY 18
Outdoor Art and Yoga
10:30 a.m. | Free Fountain Elms South Lawn Wear comfortable clothes, and bring a yoga mat and water.
Rain location: Museum of Art
Children’s Craft
11 a.m. – Light House
1 p.m. – Marble Pets
Front Lawn Tent
Meet the Artist: Mary Murphy
1 to 3 p.m.
Museum Shop
Festival Art Show Awards
5 p.m.
Root Court
Latin Dance Party
7 p.m.
Front Lawn Tent and Stage
Enjoy a welcoming, bilingual atmosphere— and come dressed to dance.
Cash bar available
SUNDAY, JULY 19
Festival Art Show – Last Chance! noon to 5 p.m.
Root Court
Meet the Artist: Jan Rumbutis
1 to 3 p.m.
Museum Shop
SPONSORS
Thank you to all our sponsors who make the Arts Festival possible!
Arts Festival Sponsor
Festival Art Show Sponsor Bank of Utica
Munson Community Car Show and Fountain Elms Invitational
Lead Sponsors
Central Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired, Vehicles for Vision
Steet-Ponte Auto Group
ShipRite Services, Inc.
Associate Sponsors
A&P Master Images
Bartlett Tree Experts
Enjem’s Flooring America
GoNetSpeed
Hill & Markes
JCA of Utica, Inc.
Lupini Construction
March Associates
NovusForm
Speedy Awards & Engraving (in-kind)
Stephen S. Starr Mechanical
Stevener’s Backhoe Service
Steamrollin’ Prints Sponsors
BLICK Art Materials
Oneida County Department of Public Works
S.C.I. Plywood Co.
4 Elements Studios (Big Prints Exhibition)
For more information and the most up-to-date schedule, visit munson.art/arts-festival
MUNSON FOR ALL
The Campaign for the Next Generation
Since opening our doors to the public in 1936, Munson has been woven into the life of this community.
We steward and share a renowned collection of art, present incredible performances, and provide outstanding instruction in our studios. We are a gathering place, a creative space, and a source of pride for everyone who calls the Mohawk Valley home. That identity has been built by generations of people who believed that art belongs to everyone and who gave their time, their support, and their passion to make that belief a reality.
Today, our generation of employees, Members, and volunteer leaders champion the legacy established by the Munson, Williams, and Proctor families. We have expanded our art collection and programs, developed the School of Art into one of the finest programs in the country, and held true to the founding family’s primary purpose—to serve the people of our community. Anticipating the needs of future generations, we hope to make vital changes in our storied Museum of Art to enrich our community and encourage a greater number of visitors from near and far. To do this well, we need the support of everyone in our community.
Munson For All: The Campaign for the Next Generation is a $9.5 million initiative to enhance the Museum of Art for the community it serves, from the first-time visitor encountering a great work of art, to the family that makes Saturday visits a cherished tradition, to the student who discovers that a museum is a place where they belong. At its heart, this campaign is about people.
DEEPENING OUR COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Engaging the community is at the heart of Munson’s mission. Through partnerships with dozens of local organizations like The Center, the Mohawk Valley Latino Association, and our African American Community Partners, we work to remove barriers and ensure that everyone has the opportunity to enjoy this community treasure.
Art Alive! Family Days welcome eager crowds during every school break, while Art Story, developed with Thea Bowman House, introduces hundreds of preschoolers to the joy of art each year. Munson’s Education Department serves more than 11,000 children annually through programs that reach local schools. Our annual Arts Festival brings the community together with free performances, an art show, and a week of activities for all ages. This summer, more than 500 children will participate in free art classes in our School of Art, ensuring every child has the opportunity to discover their creative potential.
The Munson For All campaign will establish a dedicated Community Engagement Fund to sustain and expand these vital, free, or low-cost programs for generations to come.
A gift to this fund will benefit every generation that will discover Munson 10, 20, and 50 years from now—the assurance that every visitor, regardless of zip code, income, age, or background, will be genuinely and warmly welcomed.
You can play a vital role in Munson's next chapter.
EVERY ENCOUNTER MATTERS. EVERY VISITOR BELONGS.
Art Odyssey, reimagined
A view into Munson’s new Museum Shop
GALLERY
The Campaign for the Next Generation MUNSONREVITALIZED INTERACTIVE
Art Odyssey, Munson’s interactive gallery for young visitors and the young at heart, has been central to the Museum experience for more than two decades. This campaign will transform it into a vibrant, welcoming space on the Museum’s main floor near the Genesee Street entrance, immediately visible upon arrival in the Root Court. Hands-on activities will now connect directly to works in the nearby galleries, while a reading tree, digital interactives, and traditional art-making—from drawing to crafting—will encourage exploration and creativity. The reimagined Art Odyssey will spark curiosity, nurture creativity, and ensure every child feels a sense of belonging through meaningful encounters with art.
A NEW MUSEUM CAFÉ
Great art deserves unhurried attention. A new coffee bar, complementing The Terrace at Munson, will be opened in the Root Court providing visitors the opportunity to pause and reflect, gather and discuss, or just enjoy refreshments in a stunning setting. It will also serve as a staging area for catered events, allowing the Root Court to become one of the most beautiful event spaces in the Mohawk Valley.
AN EXPANDED MUSEUM SHOP
The Museum Shop and Campus Store will join into one experience on the ground floor of the Museum, with expanded display space and merchandise. A thoughtfully curated inventory of gifts, artist-made objects, and high-end art supplies will offer something for everyone. A new space will highlight the work of local artists and makers, giving regional creativity a showcase it deserves.
IMPROVED FACILITIES
The campaign will also update our 1960s restrooms with modern, ADA-compliant facilities, improved ventilation, and widened doorways. It will create a wellness room, modernize lighting controls, and enhance the air handling system. These investments matter because a true welcome ensures that every person who enters this building feels it was built with them in mind.
THIS IS OUR MOMENT. JOIN US!
Utica is in the midst of a genuine renaissance, and Munson is excited to contribute to its growth. The Munson For All campaign deepens our community engagement, refreshes the visitor experience, and strengthens the creative spirit that has always defined this place and its people.
Contact John Murphy, Director of Development, at 315-927-8523 or jdmurphy@munson.art
You are already part of Munson’s story. We invite you to take the next step by supporting this new effort because art unites us and builds our community— now, and for generations to come.
COMMUNITY BUILDING
Munson was founded on the belief that access to the arts is essential to a vibrant community. For generations, we have remained true to that vision by maintaining free admission to the Museum of Art and offering classes, performances, and educational programs at affordable prices. More recently, we have recognized that even modest costs can prevent some individuals and families from participating fully in the cultural life of our region.
Removing barriers to participation, whether real or perceived, is a strategic priority for Munson. Our goal is simple: to make sure that every person feels welcome and has the opportunity to engage with the arts, regardless of background or circumstance. Thanks to the generosity of individual donors, corporations, and foundations, programs such as Art Alive! Family Days and free summer arts classes for children have become important paths to participation for hundreds of families each year.
The impact has been remarkable. Enrollment in Munson’s summer arts programs has grown from 200 students in 2022 to over 500 children today. Attendance at Art Alive! Family Days has also increased dramatically, with recent events drawing standing-room-only audiences and hundreds of participants to hands-on art-making activities throughout the Museum.
Munson’s capacity to offer these free programs is predicated on significant annual support from individual and corporate sponsors. Our current momentum is enabled by the Utica National Foundation, MetLife Foundation, and many individual donors. MetLife recently awarded Munson a two-year grant, securing our ability to continue Art Alive! and expanded summer arts classes free of charge.
“Art is really important for young children. The earlier they're exposed to art, the more they're going to appreciate it for their lifetimes. If you come to Art Alive!, watch the children, and see the looks on their faces, they have so much joy.”
—
Sheila
Cuccaro, Munson For All Campaign Co-Chair
At the same time, Munson For All is creating a new Community Engagement Fund designed to expand our long-term capacity to serve the region. Established through a leadership commitment from campaign chairs Ron and Sheila Cuccaro, the fund will help support new partnerships and broaden community-based programming. This fund will allow Munson to deepen relationships throughout the Mohawk Valley and bring meaningful arts experiences to even more people.
We are deeply grateful to Ron and Sheila, the MetLife Foundation, the Utica National Foundation, and the many individual and corporate supporters who have helped make this work possible. With continued support, Munson can build on this momentum and ensure that the arts remain a powerful force for connection, creativity, and opportunity for generations to come.
To learn more about how you can support Munson’s community programs, contact John Murphy at 315-927-8523 or jdmurphy@munson.art.
COMMUNITY ARTS
FREE ART CLASSES FOR KIDS THIS SUMMER
Thanks to additional funding from our generous sponsors, we have been able to offer free morning and afternoon classes to over 500 kids this summer!
Funding for summer Community Arts classes for kids and teens is generously sponsored by MetLife Foundation. Additional funding has been provided by Sheila and Ron Cuccaro and by the Karam Mandour Fund at the Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties.
ADULT CLASS HIGHLIGHTS
Intro to Digital Illustration
Ashley Peretin | All Levels | 16+
Thursdays, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
July 16 to Aug. 20
Cost: $175, Member: $160
Character Design
Sean Usyk | All Levels | 16+
Wednesdays, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
July 15 to Aug. 19
Cost: $170, Member: $155
MUNSON MUSEUM SHOP
Evoke all the natural beauty of the season with our Burchfieldinspired gifts. Stop in today!
Mini-Course | Bezel-Set Pendant Necklace
Shannon Stockbridge | All Levels | 18+
Wednesdays, 6 to 9 p.m
July 22 to Aug. 5
Cost: $166, Member: $150
Summer Sewing Studio
Niki English | Intermediate–Advanced | 18+
Tuesdays and Thursdays, 6 to 9 p.m.
July 14 to Aug. 6
Cost: $210, Member: $190
SUMMER PROGRAMS
Discover the inspiration behind Burchfield’s art through a series of programs that celebrate nature, creativity, and lifelong learning.
Cornell Cooperative Extension Presentation: Creating a Shade Garden
Linda Sturtevant and Rosanne Loparco, Master Gardener Volunteers
Wednesday, July 22, 11 a.m. to noon
Pribble Room
$10 Members | $15 General Public
Learn how to create a thriving shade garden by choosing the right plants, overcoming common challenges, and designing beautiful small-space landscapes.
Lunch & Listen
Fridays, Aug. 7 to 28, noon
Root Court
Free
Enjoy live performances of music by composers
Charles E. Burchfield admired, paired with readings from his letters to Edward Root. Bring your lunch and enjoy this popular lunchtime series.
Cornell Cooperative Extension Presentation: Good Bugs, Bad Bugs…and the Complicated Ones
Dennis Osborn and Lucas Russell, Master Gardener Volunteers
Wednesday, Aug. 5, 11 a.m. to noon
Pribble Room
$10 Members | $15 General Public
Explore the fascinating world of insects and discover which garden visitors help, harm, or play a more complex role in the ecosystem.
Munson Book Club: Whistler
Daytime session: Tuesday, Aug. 18, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Evening session: Tuesday, Sept. 15, 6 to 8 p.m.
Art Research Library
Free (Registration required)
Join fellow readers for a discussion of Whistler by Ann Patchett, a novel that explores art, love, loss, and human connection.
Visit munson.art/book-club for details.
BUS TRIP TO GANONDAGAN STATE HISTORIC SITE AND SONNENBERG GARDENS
Wednesday, July 29 | 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
$155 Members | $175 General Public
Take a magical botanical tour to western New York! Begin the day at Ganondagan State Historic Site and explore Haudenosaunee contributions to art, culture, and society. Then, visit Sonnenberg Gardens and Mansion State Historic Park, where you’ll enjoy lunch before touring the estate's historic gardens and elegant 19th-century mansion. A tram is available for those with limited mobility. Registration includes transportation, guided tours at both sites, and lunch at the Gardener’s Café.
Please register by July 22. Payment is nonrefundable after this date unless the trip is canceled.
Learn more at munson.art/sonnenberg
WATERCOLOR WORKSHOPS
$40 Members | $50 General Public
Plein Air Sketching and Watercolor
Painting with Sue Murphy
Central New York Watercolor Society
Wednesday, Aug. 12, 1 to 4 p.m.
Sculpture Grove
Learn plein air watercolor techniques inspired by artists like Charles E. Burchfield. Susan W. Murphy will cover blocking, layering, and adding detail. Materials provided; participants may also bring their own. Ages 16+.
Stylized Shapes from Nature with Pamela Lynch
Central New York Watercolor Society
Wednesday, Aug. 19, 1 to 4 p.m.
Root Court
Paint watercolor compositions inspired by birds and nature with artist Pamela Vogan Lynch. Explore ways to incorporate visual symbols of sound into your artwork. Materials provided; participants may also bring their own. Ages 16+.
Surface Pattern Design with Julie Gratien
Wednesday, Aug. 26, 1 to 4 p.m.
Root Court
Inspired by Charles E. Burchfield’s early work as a wallpaper designer, this workshop introduces the basics of creating repeating patterns for wallpaper, textiles, apparel, and more. Materials provided. Ages 12+.
WATERCOLOR STORIES AFTER-HOURS EXPERIENCES
Calligraphy Café with Rachel Bartunek, Almost Local
Wednesday, July 22, 6 to 8 p.m.
$45 Members | $55 General Public
Inspired by the writings of Charles E. Burchfield, discover the meditative art of calligraphy. Learn the basics of beautiful lettering for journals, cards, and signs. All supplies and light refreshments are included.
Quilling Café with Sandie Craven-Griffiths, Cats in the Attic Cards
Wednesday, Aug. 5, 6 to 8 p.m.
$35 Members | $45 General Public
Celebrate the natural forms in Charles E. Burchfield’s work in this beginner-friendly quilling class. Create a handmade gift box, tag, greeting card, or canvas piece to keep or share. All supplies and light refreshments are included.
Terrarium Workshop: Build Your Own Tiny World with Rachel Stewart, The Plant Stand
Wednesday, Aug. 19, 6 to 8 p.m.
$60 Members | $70 General Public
Perfect for beginners and plant lovers alike, learn how to layer materials, arrange plants, and style your finished piece while gaining tips for continued care at home. All supplies are included.
All After-Hours programs take place in the Root Court.
Visit munson.art/summer-programs or call 315-797-0000
MUNSON SPRING EVENTS AT A GLANCE
Pratt Munson Commencement
Pratt Munson Community Clean-Up
Patrick Bringley, All the Beauty in the World: The Metropolitan Museum of Art and Me
Glimmerglass Opera: Happy End
Author Patrick Bringley and Munson Staff
Glimmerglass Opera: Happy End
Community Arts Student Exhibition Opening
A Conversation with Mary Murray and Stephen Harrison, Watercolor Stories: Art of Charles E. Burchfield, Members Preview
First Friday Latin Dance Party
Pratt Munson Career Counseling
Watercolor Stories: Art of Charles E. Burchfield, Members Preview
AD–Terrace Reopening (1/2 page)
ARTS FESTIVAL 11TH
ANNIVERSARY
OL' STEAMROLLIN' PRINT INVITATIONAL
Munson's biggest Steamrollin' Prints yet!
Thursday, July 16 | 10 a.m. till done
Front of the Museum on Genesee Street
Rain date: Friday, July 17 — If the rain-date is invoked, it will be held in the Museum of Art parking lot.
Danny Beever
Maeve Browning
Raya Campbell
Ellie Farr
Ben Garlington
George Hendrickson
Christina Hopkins-Rowe
Jed Kimball
Tino Lopez
Organized by Audrey Taylor
Ken Marchione
Kelso Mayo
Joella Meehan
David Mentus
Michael Parks
Josephine Polish
Tim Rand
Alena Revinskaya
Ashley Stagner
Sarah Swann
Monique Swarthout
Seth Sypko
Tony Thompson
Maria Vallese
Jonathan Vaughn
Andrea Vedder
Rainer Wehner
Oliver Zaifnejad
2026 Sponsors: BLICK Art Materials, Oneida County Department of Public Works, S.C.I. Plywood Co, 4 Elements Studios, Inc. (Big Prints Exhibition) BIG PRINTS
On view Aug. 21–28
4 Elements Studio 809 Court St., Utica, N.Y.
Artists Reception: Aug. 21, 6 to 8 p.m. Free and open to the public
THE TERRACE AT MUNSON GRAND RE-OPENING!
We’re excited to welcome back
Patrick O’Connor of Harts Hill Events & Catering, who will oversee the next chapter of the The Terrace at Munson with his signature culinary expertise.
HOURS
Tuesday–Saturday
11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
NEW! Sunday Brunch! noon to 4 p.m.
OPENING JULY 7
Visit munson.art/terrace to view the menu or call 315-797-0000 to make reservations today!
JOIN US FOR ONEIDARESTAURANTCOUNTY WEEK! JULY 7–15
ART RESEARCH LIBRARY
NEW ON THE SHELF
Toward Joy: New Frameworks for American Art
by Stephanie Sparling Williams
Toward Joy offers fresh perspectives that celebrate innovation and diversity in the art world. Through captivating essays and stunning visuals, Williams invites readers to reimagine what art can be. Perfect for anyone eager to engage with the evolving landscape of American creativity, this book is a must-read for art enthusiasts and curious minds alike!
INFORMATION AND HOURS
JULY | AUG 2026
Museum of Art, including Fountain Elms
Tuesday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sunday, noon to 5 p.m.
Performing Arts Tickets
Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Doors open one hour before performances and 30 minutes before films.
Tickets: 315-797-0000, 1-800-754-0797, or munson.art
The Terrace at Munson
Tuesday to Saturday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Sunday, noon to 4 p.m.
Pratt Munson and Community Arts Offices
Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Art Research Library
Monday to Thursday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Munson Members can enjoy library borrowing privileges for books, DVDs, and CDs.
Visit munson.art/library for hours, contact information, and the searchable online catalog.
Saturday, noon to 5 p.m.
The following areas are accessible to the physically challenged: Museum of Art galleries, Fountain Elms, Sinnott Family–Bank of Utica Auditorium, Root Court, Museum Shop, Art Research Library, Performing Arts Office, Pratt Munson Gallery, Studio D, Pottery Studio, the Academic Building, and Student Center.
