Insider Perspective

By Paul Banks, Interpretive Program Assistant There is no greater insider at Olana than Frederic Church himself. The collection at Olana contains not only a great number of his works of art, but a great number of works from his pen as well. We have letters, journals, diaries, cancelled checks and ledgers all in...Read More

Mark Prezorski, Senior Vice President & Creative Director, The Olana Partnership Every summer at Olana, things turn more yellow. In June, the park-like meadow between Olana’s upper main house and the lake below comes alive with yellow coreopsis flowers. This summer, things were more yellow than usual at Olana. Penetrable by Jesús Rafael...Read More

by Mark Prezorski, Senior Vice President & Creative Director In October 2017, Laurie Olin received the Frederic Church award. This was the first time a landscape architect had accepted this award, and The Olana Partnership was honored to highlight Laurie Olin’s vast accomplishments in the world of landscape architecture and the design of public parks....Read More

In October 2017, Dr. Linda S. Ferber received the Frederic Church Award for her significant contribution to the world of American art. The Olana Partnership was honored to highlight Dr. Ferber’s vast accomplishments over several decades. Dr. Ferber is Senior Art Historian and Museum Director Emerita at the New-York Historical Society. From 2005 until the...Read More

Written by A. Hufnagel, Director of Education The Olana Partnership’s Education Department spent January and February in research, planning, partner building, fundraising, reading, and training mode. We also use the winter months to review and evaluate last year’s programs, our systems that support the public events, and resources and staff capacity. What emerges from looking...Read More

Holly Kelly, Membership and Volunteer Coordinator, The Olana Partnership Imagine Olana without volunteers. If you tried to book a tour, you would find far fewer options- over 4,000 people would be disappointed this year and unable to view the inside of the main house and collections. Imagine Olana in the past without volunteers. Who would...Read More

An excerpt by Lynne Zacek Bassett, “Costume & Custom” Exhibition Co-Curator Frederic, while expressing great admiration for the landscape, was conflicted about the native Middle Eastern people. While he considered the Bedouins “picturesque,” he also repeatedly described them in his diary and letters as dirty, savage, lazy, and dangerous. Beyond the meat, milk, and...Read More

Photo: © bSchneck By Sean Sawyer, Washburn and Susan Oberwager President, The Olana Partnership As you ponder the impact that your charitable giving can have this season, I hope you will consider making an end-of-year gift to The Olana Partnership. Individual donations, including Annual Fund and membership, make up 15% of our $1.5...Read More

Colección Patricia Phelps de Cisneros & Olana in dialogue in the exhibition OVERLOOK By Dr. Katherine Manthorne, Professor of Art History, Graduate Center, City University of New York Click here to read the full article.

By Sean E. Sawyer, Ph.D., Washburn and Susan Oberwager President From May through October this year Olana will witness a confrontation between two of our country's most prominent artists; one, Frederic Church, who achieved fame 150 years ago, and another, Teresita Fernández, who is reaching it today. This has come about through a collaboration between...Read More

By Amy Hufnagel, Director of Education The complex challenges facing cultural organizations today require an ability (and willingness) to be contemporary in intention and action (even when historic) and mindful of every opportunity to delight visitors. I aspire to SuperMuseum qualities (as defined by Aimee Chang, Director of Engagement at the UC Berkeley Art Museum)....Read More

Olana’s original guides and hosts Mary Ann Bikes, Alice Gold, Kay Sterns, Ruby Funk, Ruth Karmer and Mary Mazzacano in the Court Hall, c. 1960s, Olana Collection By Daphne Mayer, Membership and Volunteer Coordinator In this 50th anniversary year of Olana opening to the public as a NY State Historic Site, I would...Read More