MHCA Celebrates America 250: Historical and Patriotic Multi-Media Exhibit Launches on July 2nd

GLOVERSVILLE, NY – In a salute to the nation’s birthday, Memorial Hall Cultural & Arts Center Inc. is proud to announce its upcoming multi-media exhibition, “MHCA Celebrates America 250.”

Commemorating America’s semiquincentennial, the showcase will feature original patriotic artwork, rare historical artifacts, local photography, textile masterpieces, and dedicated military tributes. The community is invited to attend the formal opening reception on Thursday, July 2nd, from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM on the third floor of the Historic Schine Memorial Hall, 42 N. Main St., Gloversville.

Aligned with the organization’s mission to inspire creativity and foster cultural enrichment, “MHCA Celebrates America 250” brings together an expansive collection of regional artists and historians, offering visitors a deeply moving, localized perspective on American heritage and identity.

Featured artists and contributors

Don Williams: The prominent local historian will present information and documentation on America’s founding documents alongside insights regarding legendary regional Revolutionary War hero, Nick Stoner.
Jack Horning: Celebrated as a local iconic artist, Horning will display a curation of original patriotic paintings and art.

Bill Trojan: Professional photojournalist whose powerful local patriotic photography will be highlighted throughout the gallery.

Sandra Maceyka: An archival segment of the exhibit curated by Maceyka, sharing historic personal memorabilia focused on Elizabeth Cady Stanton and the women’s suffrage movement.

Tony Ferraro: A respectful salute to regional veterans, presenting a preserved collection of military photography and historical memorabilia.
Kathy Oughton, Tina Reeves, and Mary Jane White: A premier showcase of masterfully crafted patriotic quilts and textile structures.

Artist Tina Reeves, who began her quilting journey just three years ago, has on display two featured pieces. Her work, “The Conversation Quilt: Power-Freedom-Bravery,” incorporates a full transcription of the Declaration of Independence across its reverse side. Reeves will also exhibit “The Flag,” a striking, masterfully executed eight-foot patriotic structure composed entirely of leather. Additionally, artisan Kathy Oughton brings deep historical metaphor to her featured quilt, “Lincoln’s Diploma.” Inspired directly by the geometric patterns of the wartime fences at Gettysburg, Oughton meticulously structured the quilt with the top half rendered in Union blue and the bottom half in Confederate gray, symbolizing a nation fractured yet bound together.

In addition to the physical displays, the exhibition will host a special educational event on Tuesday, July 14th at 6:00 PM in the Memorial Hall screening room. Fulton County Historian Samantha Hall Saladino will present an immersive lecture titled, “Road to Revolution: Exploring the People, Places, and Events of Tryon County.”

Concurrently throughout July, artist Cheryl Bielli will offer interactive patriotic art classes in the third-floor art studio. They are:

• American Eagle Guided Painting — Thursday, July 2, 6-8:30 p.m.
• Lady Liberty Charcoal Workshop — Friday, July 10, 6-8:30 p.m.

Advance registration is required, by calling 518-752-9696

Following the July 2nd opening reception, the third-floor gallery will be open to the public during the following select dates and hours:

• Friday, July 10: 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
• Saturday, July 11: 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
• Sunday, July 12: 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
• Tuesday, July 14: 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM (Lecture at 6:00 PM)

The entrance to the facility is located adjacent to Storto Gloves, where guests can take the elevator directly to the third floor. While admission is free, donations are gratefully accepted to benefit the future cultural and educational programming of the Memorial Hall Cultural & Arts Center.

This exhibition is made possible through generous grant funding provided by the Fulton County 250 Commission, and the New York State (NYS) 250 Commission. The museum space was a project in the $10 million Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) grant program.