By JESSICA GUIDO

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CHERRY VALLEY
This year, 21 sculptures by 18 sculptors will populate the third annual Cherry Valley Artwork Sculpture Trail, which opens at 7 p.m. Friday, July 18, with a reception at the Cherry Valley Museum.
Artist range from locals, to those halfway across the country. One of the sculptures unloaded last week is a one-ton, 18-foot sculpture shipped from Indiana by Gary Wahl, professor at Albion College in Michigan.
“This is the third year doing this, and it has just grown and grown,” said Jane Sapinski, Cherry Valley Artworks director. “It really has grown into quite an amazing show.”
The sculptures, which have been rising around the village in recent days, are made of everything
from wood, to metal, to neon. They can be found hanging from trees, resting on the lawns, and floating on ponds.
Returning artists include Terry Slade, Hartwick College art professor, and one of his students, Dillon Clarke, who sculpted “Tsunami” on the lawn of the former Tryon Inn. Rocky Pinciotti’s sculpture – in front of Cherry Valley Hardware – is a wall with four neon pieces that light up in order. As one goes off, the next one comes on, flashing the words “Lions, Tigers, Bears, Oh My!”
Lorilee Coleman hand-crafted more than 1,000 origami cranes, stringing “Peace Cranes” on trees near Clark’s “Tsunami” in front of the Tryon, where they reflect the sun.
Sapinski noted that it was a great community effort. Manylocals helped out.
Nathan Waterfield, who runs a tree-trimming business, helped Lorilee. Cherry Valley Memorials used one of its loading trucks to help get Wahl’s sculpture into place, and the Cherry Valley Museum was more than greatful to host the trail opening.
Many community members allowed their land to be used for the placement of the sculptures,
and the neon sculptures were created in a building that was donated to Cherry Valley Artworks specifically for the cause.
Cherry Valley Artworks received a grant from the Upper Catskill Council on the Arts that made the sculpture trail possible. The Otsego County Chamber and the Upper Catskill Council on the Arts are doing a county-wide tourist motion called “artQuest.”

Labels: Arts, Cherry Valley, Glimmerglass