COOPERSTOWN, N.Y. - On September 30 and October 1, the Fenimore Art Museum in Cooperstown, New York will host its first annual Americana Symposium, "Inspired Traditions." This new event will feature distinguished scholars who will present their research on a variety of topics represented by the Jane Katcher Collection of Americana - one of the finest, privately held folk art collections in the country - as well as the folk art collection of the Fenimore Art Museum.

This year's presenters include Robin Jaffee Frank, David A. Schorsch, Robert Shaw, and other folk art and Americana specialists including Jane Katcher, Dr. Paul S. D'Ambrosio (President and CEO of the New York State Historical Association / Fenimore Art Museum and The Farmers' Museum), Eva Fognell (Curator of The Eugene and Clare Thaw Collection of American Indian Art), Richard Miller, and Robert Wilkins.

The symposium will coincide with the opening of the Fenimore Art Museum's fall exhibitions - Inspired Traditions: Selections from Jane Katcher Collection of Americana and Unfolding Stories: Culture and Tradition in American Quilts. Both exhibitions run through December 31, 2011.

A new book, "Expressions of Innocence and Eloquence, Selections from the Jane Katcher Collection of Americana, Vol. II" will also be released at that time.

The symposium schedule includes a welcome reception and attendee dinner on Friday, September 30. On Saturday, October 1, there will be morning and afternoon speaker sessions with a buffet lunch at noon. Attendees will also have time to explore the Fenimore Art Museum and The Farmers' Museum. Fee: $75 ($65 New York State Historical Association members). For a complete schedule or to registeronline, visit FeninmoreArtMuseum.org/symposium or call (607) 547-1453.


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Symposium Schedule:

Friday, September 30
• 5:30pm Welcome reception
• 7:00pm Conference attendee dinner ($35 with cash bar)

Saturday, October 1
• 9:00am-11:45am Speaker sessions:
• Richard Miller, "Two Weathervanes by J. Howard & Co."
• Eva Fognell, "It is Perfect in Itself": Dat So La Lee's Baskets
• Paul D'Ambrosio, "Reform and Redemption: Pieter Vanderlyn's Portrait of Annetje Kool"
• David A. Schorsch, "Father and Son: The painted furniture of George Robert Lawton, Senior and Junior"

• 12:00pm-2:00pm Lunch ($17.50 buffet or on your own)
• Time to explore Fenimore Art Museum and The Farmers' Museum

• 2:00pm-4:45pm Speaker sessions:
• Robert Shaw, "Jewish-American Folk Art: Between Two Worlds"
• Robert Wilkins, "Innovation and Sophistication in Shaker Design"
• Robin Jaffee Frank, Small Portraits to "Cheer the Lonely Heart"
• Jane Katcher, Closing Remarks