Art show paints a pretty picture for Schoolhouse

MILLERTON — Little by little, the Friends of the Irondale Schoolhouse organization is creeping closer to its goal of moving the schoolhouse from its current location on Route 22 North to the Rail Trail head in downtown Millerton.“We’ve made some very significant progress,” said Ralph Fedele, president of the Friends of the Irondale Schoolhouse.Since the beginning of the year, Friends of the Irondale Schoolhouse has raised more than $12,000 through donations made from local residents and merchants, which is roughly double what was raised throughout 2010.That number will climb even higher in the coming days.Merrill Sindler, an artist who has made his home in Millerton, will hold a retrospective art show to display work from his 60-year career as a painter, costume designer and set designer. He has worked for well-known television shows, ballets and operas.Among the items on display in Sindler’s art show are dozens of pieces from his commissioned and personal work that are being offered for sale.Sindler had pledged to donate a third of the sales to the Friends of the Irondale Schoolhouse.As of Monday, July 25, the art show has made more than $9,000, which will mean a $3,000 donation for the schoolhouse.Fedele is pleased with that early estimate, saying that it was “much better than I thought it would be.”The art show, which is only open on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, will close on Sunday, July 31.Fedele believes there will be a rush to purchase the remaining art during the last weekend, which could potentially mean that the schoolhouse will receive “a very significant donation.” Fedele said he now considers Sindler to be a major benefactor to the project, saying that the artist is “a prime example of a local taking a very sincere interest in helping the schoolhouse.”Fedele is also very thankful for the many others who helped organize the art show and make it as successful as it was for the Irondale Schoolhouse. In particular, Fedele noted Robert Quinlan, who donated the space for the art show, and Henry Klimowicz, who organized and professionally hung the artwork.Fedele said that the Friends of the Irondale Schoolhouse has already raised enough money to purchase the schoolhouse. The organization has already paid a nonrefundable deposit, but it plans to wait to fully buy the building because it has not yet raised enough funds to cover the cost of the move.To cover the total cost of the move, including the transportation, preparing the land for the building and pouring the foundation, the Friends of the Irondale Schoolhouse needs to raise an additional $50,000.Once the schoolhouse is moved, the organization will work on the long-term process of renovating and refurbishing the building to prepare it for its new life as the tourism center for Millerton. The renovations and refurbishings, which include replacing the shingle roof, installing insulation and repairing the plaster, are estimated to cost more than $60,000 which the organization will spread out over time.The organization plans to hold several more fundraisers this year to raise money for the schoolhouse project.

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