Celebrate Mother’s Day and More This May at the Rome Art and Community Center

This May, the Rome Art and Community Center (RACC) invites you to celebrate the women who inspire us with a charming Mother’s Day Tea, followed by a month of unforgettable arts and cultural experiences.

Dinner & a Show: Avec Sentiments
Friday, May 9 | Dinner at 6:00 PM | Concert at 7:00 PM
Join us for a night of live music and fine dining as the Rome Art and Community Center presents Avec Sentiments, a dynamic trio featuring Joe Ferlo, Joe Handy, and Juliane Price. With acoustic guitars, soaring violin melodies, and rich harmonies, their music sets the perfect tone for a spring evening.
Dinner catered by Delta Lake Inn will be served at 6:00 PM, followed by the concert at 7:00 PM.
Ticket Options:
• Dinner + Concert (RACC Members): $45
• Dinner + Concert (Non-Members): $50
• Concert Only: $20
This event is generously sponsored by Kris-Tech Wire Co and The Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties.

Mother’s Day Tea
Saturday, May 10 | 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Celebrate the special women in your life with an afternoon of elegance and tradition at the historic Carpenter House. Guests will enjoy a delightful spread of scones, finger sandwiches, and tea in a warm, welcoming setting. Whether you’re treating your mother, grandmother, daughter, or yourself, the Mother’s Day Tea is the perfect way to honor and share time with those you love.
Seating is limited and reservations are strongly encouraged. $15  per guest.

Sip Into Spring
Saturday, May 31 | 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Celebrate the season at Sip into Spring, RACC’s annual spring fundraiser and artisan fair. Enjoy local foods, handcrafted goods, live music, raffles, and more as you stroll the beautiful grounds and halls of the Carpenter House.

Reservations and tickets for Dinner & a Show and the Mother’s Day Tea must be made in advance. For Sip Into Spring, advance ticket purchases are strongly recommended to guarantee entry.

For tickets and registration, and more information visit romeart.org/home/calendar.

There is something for everyone

FREE FAMILY EVENT – The Easter Egg Hunt & Meet and Greet with the Easter Bunny will take place on Saturday, April 12, from 10:00 AM to noon. The hunt begins promptly at 10:15 AM, and children ages 2 to 7 can participate for free. Families will have the opportunity to meet the Easter Bunny, making for a perfect springtime photo opportunity.

Also on April 12, RACC will host Hop into Spring with Cookie Decorating, led by instructor Kim Ocuto from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM. Participants will decorate their own delicious treats, unleashing their creativity with icing and sprinkles. No experience is needed—just a love for sugar and fun. Registration required.

On Thursday, April 7, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM, guests can take part in the Easter Slate Decoupage and Sip Party. This hands-on workshop will guide attendees in crafting their own decorative slate pieces while enjoying a selection of beverages in a relaxed, social setting. Registration required.

See all RACC’s upcoming events happening in April, including Art & Improv, April 2 and exhibits that celebrate the color yellow – ‘Suddenly Yellow’ opening receptionis Thursday, April 3. MONDAY NIGHT MUSIC continues with 11 Strings (Blues) April 14, Gellar Scholarship Concert, Monday April 21 and Collage Jazz, April 28.

For tickets and registration, and more information visit romeart.org/home/calendar.

Geller Scholarship Concerts is very proud to begin offering its first ‘PREformances’ of the year at the Rome Art and Community Center as part of its ‘Monday Night Music’ series on April 21, at 6:30 PM. Featured will be Brendan Merrick and Jo Ann Geller in a four-hands piano performance, and Merrick’s solo recital.

The duo program includes works by Bizet, Mouret, J.S. Bach, and Dello Joio, with solo piano works by Poulenc, J.S. Bach, Schumann, and Turina.

Brendan Merrick was born in Rome and began studies with Jo Ann Geller at age 5. In tenth grade, he won third place in the B Sharp Music Club competition and in 1992 commenced a piano performance and pedagogy major at Brigham Young University, where he also was awarded a scholarship. While at Rome Free Academy he also played French Horn in Herb Geller’s Wind Ensemble, as well as designing the artwork for its music concert programs.

Jo Ann Krant Geller is a native of Philadelphia where she studied piano at its Conservatory of Music. She is an alumna of the University of Pennsylvania in Musicology with continued piano studies at the Curtis Institute and in Munich, Germany. She presently oversees the Geller Scholarship concert series while maintaining a robust schedule teaching piano and providing concert musical accompaniment.

The full concert program includes George Bizet’s “Jeaux D’Enfantes” and two selections from “L’Ariosienne,” Joseph Mouret’s “Rondeau,” Johann Sebastian Bach’s “Siciliano,” “Arioso,” and “Sinfonia No. 4 in D Minor,” Norman Dello Joio’s “Fire Images,” Francis Poulenc’s “Mouvements Perpetuels,” Robert Schumann’s “Papillons,” and Joaquin Turina’s “Mujeres de Sevilla.”  

This Geller PREformance is free with voluntary donations appreciated. All funds raised will benefit the Herb Geller Memorial Scholarships for graduating seniors at VVS and RFA who are pursuing degrees in music. Over the past several years more than $12,000 has gone to deserving students studying for careers in choral or instrumental performance and/or teaching.

Sip Into Spring is Back at the Rome
Art and Community Center
Saturday, May 31

The Rome Art and Community Center (RACC) is excited to host its annual Sip into Spring fundraiser on Saturday, May 31, 2025, from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM. This event celebrates local foods, beverages, and artisan-crafted goods while supporting the Center’s mission to enrich the community through arts and culture.

Enjoy live music, sampling and shopping, all while taking in the scenic grounds and historical Carpenter House. Admission is $10 at the door. Or buy in advance here.

Sip Into Spring Market Vendors Wanted!

Area businesses and artisans are invited to showcase their products at Sip into Spring. $40 vendor fee, with applications and payments due by May 16.

This is a great opportunity for area businesses to connect, gain exposure, and engage with the community while supporting the center’s annual fundraiser.

For more information or to secure your spot as a vendor, please contact Jason Tockey at executivedirector@romeart.org or visit RomeArt.org

RCSD Student Art Show open daily February13-28.

“Along the Curve” Exhibition
Thursday, March 6, 2025, | 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
“Along the Curve” presents an exploration of form, motion, and artistic expression through the use of curves. This dynamic exhibition showcases works that embrace fluidity, movement, and the beauty of curved design in art.

“Along the Curve” Exhibit open daily March 6-28

“Suddenly Yellow” Exhibition
Thursday, April 3, 2025, | 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
A free, open-call, non-juried salon-style exhibition, “Suddenly Yellow” celebrates the vibrancy and symbolism of the color yellow. Artists of all mediums explore and express creativity through this joyful hue.

“Suddenly Yellow” Exhibit open daily April 3-25

All receptions are free and open to the public, offering guests the opportunity to meet the artists and experience their works firsthand. Light refreshments will be provided.

For more information, please contact the Rome Art and Community Center at (315) 336-1040 or email executivedirector@romeart.org.

The Rome Art and Community Center (RACC) is thrilled to announce the return of Collage Jazz, a five-piece ensemble known for their dynamic performances of jazz classics from the swing and big band era. The concerts will take place on the fourth Monday of each month until August starting at 6:30 PM.

The program will feature beloved jazz standards by icons such as Benny Goodman, Duke Ellington, Artie Shaw, Glenn Miller, and selections from the Great American Songbook. Performers include:

• Colleen O’Neil on clarinet
• Rick Compton on flugelhorn
• Joe Ferlo on guitar
• Joe Karwacki on bass
• Patrick O’Neil on drums

“Monday nights at RACC have become the place to be for music,” say the members of Collage Jazz. From January through August, the group will perform on the fourth Monday of each month, delivering a fresh set of tunes at each concert.

In addition to Collage Jazz, RACC will host music every 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Monday through August, featuring a variety of talented artists. When you think Monday, think music at the Rome Art and Community Center!

The concert is open to the public with a suggested donation of $5 per person, which supports the programs and mission of the Rome Art and Community Center. Wine and beer will also be available for purchase by donation.

All concerts will take place at the Rome Art and Community Center, located at 308 W Bloomfield St., Rome, NY. For more information on these events or to learn more about the RACC, visit www.RomeArt.org events or call 315-336-1040.

For more information about Collage Jazz, visit their Facebook page or contact them via email at CollageJazz22@gmail.com.

OPEN HOUSE FEBRUARY 27, 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM

The Rome Art and Community Center is thrilled to continue our highly popular Montessori style educational program for the 2025-2026 school year.

The Owl & The Silver Moon PreK Early Learning Academy

The Owl & The Silver Moon PreK Early Learning Academy is dedicated to nurturing exploration and creativity, offering morning classes from 9 AM to 12 PM. The program is divided into two classes:

• 4-Year-Old Class: Monday through Friday
• 3-Year-Old Class: Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday

Did You Know?
RACC early learning academy emphasizes on the importance of incorporating the arts into education, research shows that integrating the arts positively impacts language development, enhances creativity, and strengthens coordination.

The program is unique in its approach, partnering with parents, focusing on hands-on experiences, and ensuring that learning is child centered. It offers an immersive environment where creativity and imagination lead to lifelong learning.

This program follows the Rome City School District calendar schedule, including days off and snow days.

For more information or to enroll your child, please call 315-336-1040. Enrollment forms and additional materials, such as the application, brochure, and handbook, are available HERE.

The Rome Art and Community Center (RACC) is excited to announce a brand-new Homeschool Art Program starting February 27, 2025, this 10 week program is tailored to engage young students in creative exploration through a dynamic and educational approach to art. Taught by certified K-12 teacher Sybil Preski, this program promises to be an enriching experience for students across multiple grade levels.

The program is divided into three potential levels:

• First Elementary (Grades K-2): Students will explore self-expression, environmental awareness, and the elements of art. Projects will include self-portraits, landscapes, and nature-themed pieces, integrating math skills and environmental science.
• Second Level (Grades 3-6): Building on the foundation of the lower level, students will delve deeper into art history, study famous artists, and create more sophisticated 2-D and 3-D art using various mediums including found objects, oil pastels, and clay.
• Third Level (Grades 7-12): Students will explore the elements of art and principles of design in-depth. They’ll study art styles, artists, and how art can be used for self-expression, storytelling, and influencing culture. A collaborative art project will culminate in a group exhibit.

Each level of the program encourages creativity, collaboration, and cultural exploration, culminating in a group art exhibit. The program is open to home-schooled students and will run for 10 weeks at $195 for the full program, including supplies.

For more information or to register your child, please visit www.romeart.org or contact RACC at 315-336-1040.

The Rome Art and Community Center (RACC) is excited to announce a Call for Art for its upcoming group exhibition, “Suddenly Yellow,” a free, open-call, non-juried, salon-style exhibition celebrating the vibrancy and symbolism of the color yellow. Artists of all mediums are encouraged to explore and express their creativity through this joyful hue.

Submissions will be accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis, with a limit of 4 pieces per artist to ensure a diverse showcase of talent.

• Artwork must be submitted electronically to executivedirector@romeart.org by Friday, March 7, 2025.
• All files should be submitted in JPG format (max. size: 2.5MB per file) and labeled with the title and dimensions, including the frame (e.g., Ghostlylandscape22x36.jpg).
• All works must be ready for display upon delivery (e.g., wired for hanging, properly framed, clean, etc.).

Key Dates:

• Submission Deadline: March 7, 2025
• Artwork Drop-Off: March 24–28
• Exhibition Dates: April 3–25, 2025

Opening Reception

Join us for the Opening Reception for Thursday, April 3, 2025, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM, at the Rome Art and Community Center. This event is free and open to the public, offering an opportunity to meet the artists and enjoy the creative interpretations of yellow.

For questions or more information, please contact the Rome Art and Community Center at (315) 336-1040 or email executivedirector@romeart.org.

The Rome Art and Community Center (RACC) is excited to announce a Call for Art for its upcoming group exhibition, “Along the Curve.” This free, open-call, non-juried, salon-style exhibition invites artists of all mediums to submit work exploring the theme of curves, circles, spirals, and spheres.

Artists are encouraged to creatively interpret the shape and symbolism of circles and curves in their work. Submissions will be accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis, with a maximum of 4 pieces per artist to ensure a diverse representation of talent.

• Artwork must be submitted electronically to executivedirector@romeart.org by Friday, February 7, 2025.
• All files should be submitted in JPG format (max. size: 2.5MB per file) and labeled with the title and dimensions, including the frame (e.g., Ghostlylandscape22x36.jpg).
• All works must be ready for display upon delivery (e.g., wired for hanging, properly framed, clean, etc.).

Key Dates:

• Submission Deadline: February 7, 2025
• Artwork Drop-Off: February 24–28
• Exhibition Dates: March 6–28, 2025

Opening Reception

Join us for the Opening Reception on Thursday, March 6, 2025, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM, at the Rome Art and Community Center. Celebrate the talented artists featured in the “Along the Curve” exhibition and enjoy an evening of art, community, and conversation.

For questions or more information, please contact the Rome Art and Community Center at (315) 336-1040 or email executivedirector@romeart.org.