Reviewed by David L. Schriber
The fourth annual Windsor Window on the Arts took place on the village green Saturday, Sept. 17. (It was a welcome break from the depressing scenes of devastation from recent flooding. In that regard,Windsor village fared somewhat better this time than five years ago.) The day opened bright and sunny as volunteers paraded puppets from the now-defunct Binghamton First Night around and amidst the various artists, then fastened the puppets to stand sentinel over the relaxed and cheery crowd.
A wide variety of artists attended this juried show, representing the graphic, ceramic, textile, metal, performing and folk arts. Music groups performed in the gazebo for folks seated in folding chairs on the lawn. We liked Dan Burdick’s opening bluegrass and folk rock guitar vocals. Some of our other stops:
Ugandan-born Deo Lutwama’s oil painting celebrated saturated deep primary colors typical of African art. We bought a delicate blown-glass pumpkin from George Kennard, a Corning glass blower and private artisan from Burdett. Photographer and digital artist Michael Musante from Deposit displayed examples of faded, torn or water-soaked photographs he has restored, recovering most of their original content (something probably many folks would find useful after our floods). Owego oil painter Bob Merwin’s paintings fortunately survived the flooding in “the coolest small town in America.” Also from Owego we found Angie Gray, whose hand-cut paper silhouette art we’ve enjoyed previously. Newark Valley weaver Denise Tarbox, dressed in period costume, spun at her wheel. Having experimented with segmented wood turning many years ago, I could appreciate the fine woodcrafts of Endicott’s Richard Nolan. Intricate designs of another kind adorned Mia Sohn’s Ukrainian pysanky eggs.
Two blacksmiths demonstrated their craft, one with a modern gas forge, the other, Nanticoke 40-year veteran blacksmith Gary Hinman, cranked a hand bellows on his charcoal fire, its woody smoke beckoning the curious from across the green. On the north side, aromas from the food court attracted the hungry. A small farmer’s market along Main Street offered produce. Winding our way past the community house’s children’s activities, we found the funky folk art we were hoping to see again this year – Justin and Devan Whitaker’s JunkYard Friends from Horseheads, a whole menagerie of whimsical critters made from recycled tools and metal scrap. We saw lots of new creations, such as Sally the Snail, made from a pump body and a couple of box wrenches. Spinning flowers made from box fan blades were in abundance.
There also were historical presentations, chef demonstrations, and an EPAC dance preview. As last year, this arts festival was well planned and organized. Shuttles were available for those who couldn’t find parking nearby. Security was evident. This year’s expanded complimentary program featured photos and thumbnail biographies of the artists.
The Windsor Window on the Arts showcased a growing variety of local artists as well as some from afar – Susquehanna, Pa.; Rochester, and Clifton Park (near Albany).
This event will be an annual must-visit.
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Judges John Brunnelli and Nancy Ryan chose the following winnters for the juried show at the fourth annual Window on the Arts festival:
Best of show
Bill Walsh and Barb Consentino (wood/mixed media)
Fine arts
First  place: Bill Mutch, Midcoast Photo Service (photography)
Second place: Glenda Blake, Greenboat Designs (oil, colored pencil)
Third place: Felix Eddy (pen amd ink, acrylic)
Fine crafts
First place: Lise Bouvet (fiber art, jewelry)
Second place: Chris Pettingill, CP Studios (clay/ceramics)
Third place: Frank Evangelisti (wood turning)
Honorable mention
Mia Sohn (Pysanky, wax-resist on egg)
Justin Whitaker and Devan Whitaker, Junkyard Friends (metal sculpture)
Laurel Nugent Burgin (blacksmith/potter)