Historical Society of Early American Decoration
FOLK ART SCHOOL
HSEAD Goes to the MET
May 2nd - May 4th
Sonesta White Plains Downtown
White Plains, New York
Agenda
Friday, May 2, 2025
2:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Registration: Plaza Ballroom Foyer
2:00 p.m.
Exhibition Opens: Plaza Ballroom A&B
6:00 p.m.
Reception: Pleasantville
7:00 pm — Banquet: Pleasantville
Associate Curator of American Decorative Arts, American Wing, Metropolitan Museum of Art
Highlights of the American Wing
10:00 p.m.
Exhibition Closes: Plaza Ballroom A&B
Saturday, May 3, 2025
8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.
Breakfast: Pleasantville
8:00 a.m. - 8:45 a.m.
Registration: Plaza Balroom Foyer
8:45 a.m.
Board Motor Coach: Main Lobby
9:00 a.m.
Exhibition Opens: Plaza Ballroom A&B
9:00 a.m.
Depart for NYC
9:45 a.m.
Arrive at the Met
Visit and Lunch at Liberty
3:50 p.m.
Board Coach for Return Trip
4:00 p.m.
Depart NYC
6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Registration: Plaza Balroom Foyer
6:00 p.m.
Reception: Mix Restaurant
7:00 pm — Banquet: Mix Restaurant
10:00 p.m.
Exhibition Closes: Plaza Ballroom A&B
Sunday, May 4, 2025
8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.
Exhibition Opens: Pleasantville
9:00 a.m.
Exhibition Opens: Plaza Ballroom A&B
Noon
Exhibition Closes: Plaza Ballroom A&B
Noon - 1:00 p.m.
Members collect exhibited Items: Plaza Ballroom A&B
Classes
Reverse Glass Painting & Gilding
Anne Dimock
This class will be for all levels of glass painters. If you have never painted glass, I have a kit you can work on. We will cover all aspects of glass painting from the initial setup to outlining, paint mixes and viscosity, blending, and finishing.
If you have pieces that you started and haven’t finished, let’s get those done. If you’ve hit a snag and need some help to get around it, let me help. If you’ve seen a piece somewhere that you like, I’ll try to get a pattern for you.
I will send a supply list after registrations are complete. The kit fee is $40.
Penny Rugs
Deb Fitts
Penny rugs were a way of using up the remnants of cast off and used woolen clothing that wasn’t large enough to cut into strips for hooking rugs. The term “penny rug” came from the use of coins as templates for various sizes of circles that were cut from the felted wool of hats and clothing. Patterns depicting animals, people, shapes, and florals are also called penny rugs.
Participants in the penny rug workshop will pick one of the kits available. The kits will include everything needed to complete the penny rugs. Fee for a kit will range from $50 to $60 depending on pattern choice.
I will send a supply list once registrations are complete.
Make a Floor Cloth
Karen Graves
In this class we will be creating a very durable floorcloth featuring a primitive scene with a grained or painted border. The finished size of the floorcloth will be 24” by 34” and will be double primed top side and single primed on the bottom.
On Thursday evening, you will learn how to miter the corners and fold under the edges to secure with double-sided carpet tape. Then you will apply a coat of acrylic paint to dry overnight. Items supplied will include floor canvas, carpet tape, acrylic paints, mediums, graining tools, and designs. The materials fee is $60.
I will send out a list of what you should bring with you when class registration is complete.
Simulate Traditional Dutch Earthenware On a Wooden Surface
Parma Jewett
Learn to paint simulated “Blue Delft” on a wooden surface. In this class, you will have a choice of either a wooden plaque or a box to paint . Instructions will include how to mix the correct paint color using acrylic paints, as well as floating and flooding techniques.
There will be two designs for the class and students will be welcome to both designs. Pieces will be ready for painting as well as the tracings. This will save time so you can leave with a finished product.
If I am able to complete a couple of unique pieces this summer, I will be more than willing to share these designs with students, also.
The supply fee is $30. I will send out a list of what you should bring after class registration is complete.
Bronze Powder Stenciling
Polly Bartow
Join Polly Bartow for two small stencil projects designed to introduce you to stenciling or help you brush up your stencil skills. One project is done on tin and the other on wood.
Very simple stencil cutting will all be done in class. In order to focus on skills building, there are no tiny or fussy stencils used in these designs. You will work on perfecting your cutting, shading, beautiful fade offs in the unit-behind-unit stenciling, blending two colors, creating a neat and even band, and color washes. All the basic skills! Go home with a mirror frame ready for varnishing and a one sheet waiter ready for striping and varnish. Lab fee of $50 covers most supplies.
Watercolor Theorems (This Class Is Filled)
Linda Brubaker
Come dive into the beautiful, peaceful and colorful world of Watercolor Theorems. The serene beauty of these paintings will enhance your homes by bringing in the beauty of nature. We will focus on what makes a good watercolor theorem in color, value, and detail. We will also cover fine line work as this can make or break a Theorem.
Suggested Watercolor Theorems include: #35 (below); #128 (shown at far left) #6 (near left) or one of your choosing provided that it is suitable for judging.
We will explore the nuances of these designs and any others selected for the benefit of all participants. Contact me at leb24@windstream.net with any questions.
I will send a supply list after registrations close for the class.
Registration: $350
Hotel Information
Sonesta White Plains Downtown
66 Hale Avenue
White Plains, NY 10601
Room Rates
$209.00 plus tax per night.
Reservation deadline for group rate: March 31st
You may make your hotel reservation now. You may book online using this link or by telephone 1-800-SONESTA (766-3782). Be sure to mention group code G4825HSEAD.
* Does not include taxes and fees.
Room Information
Check-In: 4 pm
Check Out: 11 am
Each room is equipped with a Keurig coffee maker and mini-fridge.
There is a pool and fitness center on the premises.
The hotel offers a free airport shuttle to Westchester County Airport every 30 minutes between the hours of 5am and 12am. Please contact the property at 914-682-0050 to arrange for pickup from the airport.
Hotel parking is $12/day. Valet parking extra.
Registration Information
Or call 1-800-SONESTA (766-3782). If you call in your reservation, make sure that you ask for the Historical Society of Early American Decoration Group rate. Avoid double booking by having a designated member of your party make the room reservations for everyone who will be residing in that room.
Meals
Friday Banquet
Caesar salad, citrus barley salad, baked cod, almond chicken, penne arrabbiata, wild rice, fresh vegetable, rolls, chocolate kahlua cake, pina colada cake and fruit tarts.
Saturday Breakfast
Scrambled eggs, bacon, home fries, assorted pastries, coffee, tea, and juices
Saturday Banquet
Orange and fennel salad with arugula, antipasto salad, couscous, vegetable and white bean soup, paella Valencianna with chicken, shrimp, clams & mussels, grilled beef tenderloin, penne pasta with fontina cream, shallots, arugula & red peppers, fresh vegetable, rolls, NY cheesecake, key lime pie and red velvet cake
Sunday Brunch
Fruit cup, cheddar spinach quiche, home fries, assorted pastries, coffee, tea, and juices