Friends of Gouverneur Library host successful 30th Annual Arts In The Park

by Rachel Hunter

The artistic talents of more than 90 local artists and artisans were available for purchase on Saturday, June 19 in the Gouverneur Village Park at the 30th Annual Arts In The Park to help the Friends of the Gouverneur Public Library raise funds for the Gouverneur Public Library.

New to the annual tradition this year was the first-ever Decorated Sap Bucket Auction, which raised hundreds of dollars in support of the Gouverneur Public Library.

Faithful readers of the Gouverneur Tribune Press will recall that local business, Artistry at North Country CrossRoads, supplied the sap buckets for local artists to decorate.

Owner Gari Vibber of Gouverneur said that the idea came from a few years ago when a Adirondack “chair”itable event was held. The chairs were built by students at BOCES Career and Technical Education Centers and local artists painted them to benefit local charities. “Over a year ago, I suggested to the Friends of the Library that we do something,” Mrs. Vibber said. “So, I went out and bought the sap buckets and said that North Country CrossRoads will support this, and we would do it with their approval…” It was approved, and then the 2020 Arts In The Park was canceled due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic crisis. Mrs. Vibber told the Gouverneur Tribune Press that the first decorated sap bucket sold at $200 last year after a North Country resident saw the paint job on one that an artist had already completed, and wanted it. The sale was finalized right after the 2020 Arts In The Park was canceled.

With renewed determination and enthusiasm to raise funds for the Friends of the Library to support the Gouverneur Public Library, Artistry at North Country CrossRoads Owner Gari Vibber creatively organized the first-ever Sap Bucket Auction during the 2021 Arts In The Park on Saturday, June 19, 1 p.m. All are encouraged to bid high and bid often to support the Friends of the Library to benefit the Gouverneur Public Library.

Mrs. Vibber gave the Gouverneur community a first-look at the 14 decorated sap buckets to be put on the auction block during a Facebook live video, broadcasted on Saturday, May 29. Excitement started to escalate and art enthusiasts from across the North Country joined the Decorated Sap Bucket Auction on Saturday, June 19, held in the Gouverneur Village Park, either in-person or online through Auctioneer Don Peck’s Facebook pages.

Participating were the following artists: Nancy Holdstock (sugar shack), Jana Seiders (Four Seasons), Mike Armes (Ducks/Goose), 10U Artist Evie (Birdhouse w/ Cat), Franny Knott (Landscape), Faye Ingerson (Pump & Bucket), Rusty Jackson (Hills & Valley), Stacie Jackson (Nighttime Trees), Brenda Maxson (Purple Pansy/Wysteria), Rachel Hunter (Rooster), Mary Beth Hicks (Red, White and Blue Gnome), Chuck Gonio (Wagon/Sugarhouse), Teri Reeder (Fabric), and Diann Risley (Swine). The bids ranged from $10 to $100, as all bidders were encouraged to bid high and often in support of the Gouverneur Public Library. Much gratitude was extended to all who made this special event possible.

Art enthusiasts from all over the North Country arrived during the five-hour Arts In The Park event to check out all the artwork, as well as locally produced and handmade products. Artistry at North Country Crossroads, owned by Gari and Kevin Vibber of Gouverneur, featured more than 70 artists from across northern New York, making it one of the largest and most diverse displays at this year’s Arts In The Park. Mrs. Vibber brought at least one product from each of the local artists, artisans and more featured in her gift shop at 157 W. Main Street, Gouverneur.

Other local artists, artisans, farmers, and more who registered to join the 30th Annual Arts In The Park were as follows: Cole’s Candles, owned by Bambi and Darryl Cole; Kitchen Witches Soap, owned by Cathy Stenfeldt; Blue Lotus Aromatics, owned by Kathy Wilcox; J&A Designs, owned by Joanna Sergel; Sawyer Creek Farm, owned by Sheila Warden; What Knots by Liz, owned by Elizabeth Donaldson; Sewing 4U and More, owned by Becky Dent; Natural Nook, owned by Mary Jo Jackson; Man Cave Art, owned by Chuck Gonio; B. Maxson Art Studio, owned by Brenda Maxson; Jana’s Out on a Limb Creations, owned by Jana Seiders; Diann’s Acrylic Art Works, owned by Diann Risley; Sew Dandy, owned by JoLynn Fiorentino; Craft Sanity, owned by Julie Snyder, Brandy Snyder-Van Ry; Cay Brigham’s Jewelry, owned by Carrie Brigham; Adirondack Carvings, owned by Mike Armes; Linda’s Patchwork-Simply Sweet, owned by Linda Brouty-Baxter; Venditti Vineyards by Dawn DeGroat; Farm Two-Forty, owned by Terri Reeder; and Marble City Handcrafted Goods in Gouverneur, among others.

The 30th Annual Arts In Park also featured a free book distribution by the Gouverneur Teachers Association. The books, for ages Pre-Kindergarten through High School, were made available through the New York State United Teacher’s First Book Program. Much gratitude was extended to Gouverneur Teachers Association for their work in making the distribution possible.

Food vendor, Cotton Candy N More, also received high compliments from all those in attendance.

The Friends of the Gouverneur Public Library also held a book sale at the Gouverneur Village Park, featuring relatively new books of various genres for the Gouverneur and North Country community to enjoy. An information booth was also established so local residents could join the Friends of the Gouverneur Library Association. Cost is $5 for a single membership, $10 for family membership. All donations are welcome, and additional donations are gratefully accepted.

The Friends of the Gouverneur Library was organized in April of 1989 to assist and support the endeavors of the library board through the efforts of Marjorie Smith, then a library trustee. Funds were raised during the first year through membership dues, the first annual book sale and sale of Christmas cards and stationery. With a vision for a major fundraiser in sight, the Friends of the Gouverneur Library organized and hosted the first Arts in the Park on September 26, 1990 through the great volunteer efforts of Rosemary Morrow, Jan Peters and Mary Smith. The goal was for local, unknown artists to be recognized and represented at the first-ever Arts In The Park event. And local artists answered the call gladly. Applications were received from wood carvers, decoy carvers, pen and ink artists, spinner and weavers, hand quilters, stuffed animal crafter and basket weavers… just to name a few. There was to be only handmade items at Arts In the Park, and the Gouverneur community flocked to the Gouverneur Village Park to purchase the best in the local products from talented artists and artisans.

The Annual Arts In The Park has changed over the years, but its tradition of promoting the excellent products by local artists, artisans, farmers, and more is one that has continued throughout the Arts In The Park’s 30-year existence. And, with the support of the North Country community, all the proceeds raised at Arts In The Park each year by the Friends of the Gouverneur Library go to support the Gouverneur Public Library.

As Friends of the Gouverneur Public Library Anne Audet told the Gouverneur Tribune Press: The Friends of the Gouverneur Public Library is one of many Friends of Libraries groups, which are organized as non-profit, charitable groups that are formed to support the libraries in their communities. The groups are separate from the libraries they support and made up of volunteers. The local Friends of the Library group works closely with library management to promote and raise awareness of the Gouverneur Public Library within the Gouverneur community.

President Audet said that libraries need additional financial support beyond funds provide by local government and state grants. While the Gouverneur Public Library receives generous funding from the Town of Gouverneur, Village of Gouverneur and the Town of Fowler, it also conducts fundraisers in order to further assist the Gouverneur Public Library.

The Friends of the Gouverneur Public Library does many things, including public support of libraries, advocacy and spreading information about library services, provide resources and financial support.

Through major fundraisers like Arts in the Park, the Friends are able to further assist the Gouverneur Public Library. With the funds raised at past fundraisers, the Friends have been able to distribute the funds needed to purchase some wish-list items needed at the local library (as requested by library management), including the following: the book drop-off bin located at the library’s entrance, a large screen monitor for the library loft, and a shelving cart to help assist in the re-shelving of books.

One of the goals that the Friends of the Gouverneur Public Library have this year is to continue their membership drive. For more information on how to join, call 315-287-0191.

The Friends of the Gouverneur Public Library is always seeking new members, including those who are interested in helping coordinate the Annual Arts In The Park event along with other fundraisers for the Gouverneur Public Library. For more information, contact any Friends of the Library member or call the Gouverneur Public Library at 315-287-0191.