Quick Details
Join us for our new Arts & Culture Series!
This series takes an in-depth dive into the values, customs, ideas, and creativity that were sparked by the opening of the Erie Canal and the impact this waterway had on the individual and on the collective society of upstate NY and beyond. We will have educational presentations along with hands on art cruises to create a better understanding of what canallers did during long days traveling along the canal.
Through a collaboration with the Erie Canal Museum’s Education Department, we will have presentations given on the following topics starting at 1:30pm on Riverie:
June 19- Pathway of Resistance: The Erie Canal and the Underground Railroad
This constantly evolving talk examines the experience of African-Americans along the Erie Canal Corridor, with a particular focus on the struggle for abolition. While parts of this story are unpleasant, slavery, racism, and resistance are critical to understanding our society today
July 17- The Center of it All: Baseball on the Erie Canal
Discover the Erie Canal’s many connections to the earliest days of professional baseball, told through the stories of some of the game’s biggest stars and others long forgotten.
August 14- Erie Eats: The Erie Canal Foodways Project
Food is the most basic building block of human life. We all need it to survive and thrive. But where does our food come from? How does it get to where we can eat it? Who decides what products will be available to us to eat? The answers to all of these questions, for people in Upstate New York and throughout the United States, were radically transformed by the completion of the Erie Canal in 1825 and continued to change dramatically over the next 200 years as the Canal itself changed.
Sept 11- The Genesee Valley Canal
The Genesee Valley Canal was one of the more audacious canals constructed by New York State following the completion of the Erie Canal. Despite its relatively short lifespan and lack of financial success, it nonetheless had a transformative impact on the Genesee Valley.
October 16- Waterway of Change: Women and the Erie Canal
The Erie Canal revolutionized Upstate New York, bringing new ideas, people, and industries to the region, sparking a firestorm of change. This presentation will cover how the fight for women’s rights grew out of the changes brought about by the Erie Canal and the movement’s dependence on networks that the Canal facilitated.
Fiber Arts Workshops:
A knowledgeable and engaging fiber artist will be on board to guide you through how to make a Wool Applique Penny Rug. Join us to learn how to hand-stitch this wool penny rug. It could be used as a mug rug, a candle mat or whatever you choose. Penny rugs are believed to have started in the 1800s during the Civil War. Penny rugs got their famous name due to crafters using pennies as a template for measuring the top layer of circles. Source: The History of Penny Rugs
Wool, thread, needle and instructions will be provided. While on board the boat, you will learn the basics to get started making this wool penny rug and then take your kit home to complete. Just bring a small pair of scissors to snip threads. All aboard!!
Instructor: Tammy Ruiz
For the fiber arts cruises, tickets are $40 for an Adult ticket with the option of special discounts for seniors, veterans/active military, and students available at time of booking.
*ALL MATERIALS INCLUDED-Please just bring a pair of small scissors for cutting threads*
Wednesdays on Riverie from 3:30-5pm:
July 24*, August 21*, September 4, October 9
*Stay tuned for a raffle opportunity for these dates*
Painting Workshops:
Bobby Padilla from Roc Paint Sip! will be leading this painting workshop. Imagine you are an artist painting with your friends and family. Learn step by step to complete a painting while enjoying a scenic cruise along the canal/river . A truly unique way to enjoy the paint and sip experience.
Roc Paint Sip! on Riverie:
Wednesday, July 10 from 6-7:30pm Pricing from $45 Adult
Friday, August 2 (First Friday) from 3:30-5pm Pricing from $45 Adult
*ALL MATERIALS INCLUDED*
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Jeannine Pelusio from Stony Point Art Studio will guide you through an Intuitive Painting Mini-Workshop. You’ll be surrounded by beautiful views that inspire creativity while being guided through different painting techniques and prompts for self-expression.
Stony Point Art Studio on Riverie:
Wednesday, August 28 from 1:30-3pm Pricing from $45 Adult
Saturday, Sept 28 from 4:30-6:30pm (2 hour cruise) Pricing from $55 Adult
*ALL MATERIALS INCLUDED*
