Webinars

Ever wondered who lived in the Hudson Valley long before Frederic Church and his family? During this on-site talk, join historian Heather Bruegl to learn more about the Native Nations that called New York State home long before colonization. This program will touch on the Haudenosaunee, the Lenape and the Mohicans and will discuss history and land loss. This lecture is the first in a three-part series of talks at Olana’s Wagon House by Heather Bruegl focusing on topics related to American history, legacies of colonization, and indigenous histories.

Heather Bruegl is a citizen of the Oneida Nation of Wisconsin and first-line descendent of Stockbridge Munsee. She is a graduate of Madonna University in Michigan and holds a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts in U.S. History. Heather consults for a variety of museums and universities and is a frequent lecturer at conferences on topics ranging from intergenerational racism and trauma to the fight for clean water in the Native community. Heather is a public historian, activist, and independent consultant who works with institutions and organizations for Indigenous sovereignty and collective liberation.

October 14, 2023

A walk and discussion about how human hands shape the landscape and how the land transforms us. During this program, Laura Chávez Silverman, founding naturalist of The Outside Institute, guides participants in accessing their curiosity and sense of awe in nature.

Laura Chávez Silverman is the Founding Naturalist of The Outside Institute, where she shares her deep love of Nature. Laura frequently speaks on topics including the psychic and health benefits of engaging with Nature, sustainable foraging and how interconnected systems inspire better living. From 2010-17, Laura wrote “Glutton for Life,” a blog that explored Catskill living, including cooking with seasonal and foraged foods, and gardening.

October 17, 2023

As an artist who was enormously curious and keenly attuned to the issues of his time, it is not surprising that Frederic Edwin Church was interested in photography. This art form revolutionized picture-making in the nineteenth century. Church’s collection of travel photography provides a new perspective on his work as a landscape painter and sheds light on the 19th century philosophical outlook that the world was collectible and, consequently, knowable. During this webinar with independent photo historian Corey Keller, considers how making and collecting photographs offered a medium through which the world could be seen, sorted, and understood in Church’s time. As part of this presentation, Keller will also discuss her recent research on Anna Atkins, one of the earliest female photographers, whose 1840s botanical cyanotypes (blueprints) offer another angle from which to consider the idea of collecting and photographic “specimens.” Corey Keller is an independent curator and historian of photography based in Oakland, California. She recently stepped down as curator of photography and acting head of the Photography Department at SFMOMA, where she was a member of the curatorial team from 2003 to 2021. She is currently at work on a book about Anna Atkins and teaching at the California College of the Arts.

September 15, 2023

During this workshop guided by herbalist, educator and founder of Herban Cura, Antonia Estela Pérez, participants will learn about several medicinal and food plants growing in Olana and how we can build mutually regenerative relationships. During this walk through Olana’s artist-designed landscape, Antonia will discuss basic frameworks for how to begin building relationships with the plants. Participants will turn to the plants to learn some of the stories of the land, how they got there, and the messages the plants have to share with us all about the history of settler colonialism and displacement. Free refreshments will be served following the program.

Antonia Estela Pérez is a Chilean-American clinical herbalist, gardener, educator, community organizer, and founder. Born and raised in New York City, in a first-generation household that nurtured the values and principles of nature appreciation, land stewardship, interdisciplinary education, and social justice. Antonia combines a decade of experience studying and working with plant medicine, with her studies in environmental and urban studies at Bard College, Clinical Herbalism at Arborvitae School of Traditional Herbal Medicine, and learning with herbalists and elders throughout Central and South America. Antonia co-founded Herban Cura, an herbal medicine and education project that centers the knowledge and stories of Indigenous, Black, Queer and Trans communities.

September 9, 2023

Guest curator David Hartt discusses his artistic process and vision for Terraforming: Olana’s Historic Photography Collection Unearthed. Learn more about how Hartt was inspired by Olana’s collection of nearly 2,000 19th century international photographic prints to reflect on the ways in which human culture and activity shape our land.

This program is presented on occasion of the publication of the Terraforming catalog, which explores the politics of landscape, photography and empire.

August 26, 2023

This program was offered in connection with this season’s exhibition, Terraforming: Olana’s Historic Photography Collection Unearthed. Lean into late summer, discover common plant allies at Olana, and learn more about their medicinal benefits and natural wisdom. During this nature walk and workshop, Nkoula Badila, founder of Grow Black Hudson, guided participants through Olana’s landscape, discussing the health benefits of regional species and the ways we can connect with nature through movement and herbal medicine.

Nkoula Badila is the Founder, Grow Black Hudson, a local sustainable farming initiative, is deeply rooted in the histories of inequity related to the black experience with our national food system. A musician and artist, Nkoula is experienced in the performing arts and practices of healing movement. Nkoula has interned at local farms and after graduating high school, she participated in Worldwide Opportunities on Organic Farms (WOOFing), farming in Mexico, Belize, Haiti, and California.