Grant Aids Schoharie County Arts Project at Golding

Juried Plays Key Role

By Matthew Avitabile

SCHOHARIE — Schoharie County Arts received a significant boost from community benefactor and former Gilboa resident Nick Juried last month. Schoharie County Arts Secretary Laura Gagnon, who also serves as the Librarian at Golding Middle School, requested funding for a pural and teaching residency project at Golding. 

Gagnon wrote about her work with the museum and artist Jay Havens, who is a "Haudenosaunee artist and educator who has worked with the Iroquois museum on many projects." The plan is to develop a mural and residency at Golding to "serve as a teaching element for our staff and students." 

The effort is for a two-week residency for April 2025 in which Havens "would work with our staff and students and create lessons and professional development. Our plan is to create a vinyl mural that incorporates elements of Haundeosaunee history and culture. We plan to feature a longhouse, and clan animals as well as other elements teachers can refer to and use as a teaching tool." 

Gagnon cited support from the Iroquois Museum and Golding leadership.

The Nicholas J. Juried Family Foundation accepted the grant proposal for $14,000, who wrote that he was “pleased” by the response he received.

“I first met Jay years ago when he was painting the murals for the children's floor of the museum and 2 years ago when he installed the wampum exhibit my children and our art teacher's children helped putting the beads on. Jay, Jacqueline Dinge (our art teacher), and I started to talk about collaborations Jay had done and we brainstormed a way to work together,” Gagnon said.

“We worked on planning out a two week teaching residency with me and Jacqueline and professional development for our staff. It will take place in April 2025. Jay will work with our students and create a mural that we will print on vinyl and install in a 60 foot length of hallway,” said Gagnon.

“Nick's support allows for us to implement this special project that will benefit our entire learning community. We are grateful to him for his support and generosity. He is a wonderful supporter of the arts and advocate for the enrichment the arts provide,” said Gagnon.