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CANANDAIGUA — Elaine Liberio remembers standing near the red barn at Frederick Farms in Phelps, famed sunflowers before her, brush in hand and artistic vision in her head.
The colorful painting spoke of this area of Ontario County, where everyone knew the late farm owner, John Frederick, Liberio said, and seemed to fit perfectly the goal of a joint Ontario County Arts Council and Ontario Pathways project.
Her painting is the first to be seen along the Canandaigua leg of the Ontario Pathways trail as part of a new public art project.
“I think this is awesome,” Liberio said. “It’s fun to be the first one on the trail.”
Hikers accustomed to seeing all sorts of plants and wildlife when they embark on the Ontario Pathways trails can now add works of art to what they see.
Works from Ontario County artists are posted along this leg of the trail, beginning at the Ontario Street kiosk in Canandaigua, and soon to be along the volunteer trails organization’s other legs.
The Ontario County Arts Council and Ontario Pathways sponsored the project, which, as former Arts Council President Judi Cermak said, is an attempt to bring people to see trails they haven’t seen in the past.
“This is a good collaboration of different organizations working together to bring arts to the whole community and unique because it’s outdoors,” Cermak said.
Last fall, artists submitted one image of their artworks for juried selection. The caveat, the paintings and photographs had to represent Ontario County.
No problem there, as works included scenes of sunflowers, a snow-covered Grimes Glen Trail on a sunny winter day in Naples and a brilliant sunrise on Canandaigua Lake, among the more identifiable county landmarks.
Jan Romeiser painted an off-the-beaten path scene, near this kiosk, of a gate opening to a trestle that spans the Canandaigua Outlet.
It’s not the easiest thing to see, Romeiser acknowledged, but she took the work out of finding it by painting it, which can be found near the start of the trail.
How cool is this project, Romeiser said.
“It’s something a little extra for people to enjoy while they’re taking a walk on the pathways,” Romeiser said.
The roughly 18-inch-by-24-inch artworks are displayed on all-weather posters attached to wooden posts crafted by Keith Turner of Canandaigua and installed along the trail by he and his wife, Sue.
“This being part of the community is so important,” said Joyce Kowba, the current president.
There’s more to see
Two other art openings are planned as part of this project.
One will be on County Road 46 near the Pathway Community Church in Hopewell at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 8. The second will be in Stanley at 11 a.m. June 15.
More about Ontario Pathways and Ontario County Arts Council
Ontario Pathways is a 25-mile system in Ontario County. The trail is open year-round from dawn to dusk and is free to use.
The main trail is composed of two “legs” of abandoned railroad corridors: the Canandaigua leg from Canandaigua to Stanley; and the Phelps leg from Stanley through Flint, Seneca Castle, Orleans and ending in Phelps.
For more details, visit ontariopathways.org.
Ontario County Arts Council is a nonprofit organization with a membership of over 200 visual and performing artists and other members of our local communities who appreciate and support culture, art, music and architecture. The organization sponsors and co-sponsors many events, exhibits and workshops, and supports the arts with grants and scholarships.
For more details, visit ocarts.org.
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