Expressions of Motherhood on Canvas
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Scarsdale artist Alla Goldburt-Annopolsky will show her work at a solo exhibit at Masterpiece Framing in Harrison from April 25 to May 22. This exhibition of 12 paintings is part of a larger collection of 182 pieces completed over the span of a year as a way for Annopolsky to connect her dual roles as a new mother and a working professional. "Going back to work full-time while still devoting myself to my son, I felt splintered," says Annopolsky. "Each day I collected fragments of thoughts and feelings. Each night I poured them onto canvas. With every painting I felt more whole, with renewed ability to experience love for my family and fulfillment in my work."
There will be a reception for the opening on Saturday April 30th from 6 -8 pm.
Alla came to United States from the former Soviet Union in 1980. She graduated from the Pratt Institute, in Brooklyn, with a Bachelor of Fine Arts. She has been painting all her life, influenced by her late mother, the Russian artist Berta Kuznetsova. Alla's artwork has been shown in numerous galleries, including the Museum of Russian Art in Jersey City. Alla continues to hold a full-time job in IT and paints every chance she gets.
We asked Alla a few questions about herself and her work and here is what she shared:
When did you begin the series of paintings about motherhood that you will exhibit?
AG: I started this series of paintings on January 1, 2002. At that time, as happy as I was in my new role as a mother, I also felt tired and sleep deprived, after going back to work. I no longer had the freedom to paint when I wanted, or as long as I wanted to, obviously. In my studio I was able to find peace, and the sense of accomplishment that I felt after completing a single painting motivated me to continue that painting journey.
-How many children do you have and when do you have time to paint?
AG: I have one son, who is 15 years old. During the time of the Art Marathon, I was painting at night after getting my son to bed. This was my time to invest in myself. Being a working Mom, I couldn't imagine doing anything away from my son during the time he was awake, as the feeling of guilt of being away most of the day was too strong. This nighttime in the studio became my escape. I no longer felt tired, I felt like I was walking on air once I began painting every day.
Now that my son is older, life is still busy but in different ways. I continue to find solace in my studio in the evening after most of the day's challenges are behind me. It continues to be my escape.
-How long have you lived in Scarsdale and what do you like about living here?
AG: My husband and I moved to Scarsdale in 1999.
When we decided to buy a house, Scarsdale was at the top of our list. After coming to Scarsdale for the first time in the fall of 1998 around Halloween time, we fell in love with the area and, specifically, with the first house we saw here, which we purchased! We love the people and the sense of community. Through the years we have made very special connections. We also enjoy the proximity to Manhattan which we visit frequently.
-What are you hoping to convey about motherhood through your paintings?
AG: A mother at peace with herself can give a lot more to her child and to the family. People/mothers find their escape in various areas. I found it in art. Creating art helped me to recharge, and to reconnect with myself. I would like to share my experience with other mothers, those who might be going through challenging periods in their lives and those who have already found balance. I hope to encourage these women to continue to invest in themselves and appreciate art in the process.
Alla's website can be found at www.allaannopolsky.com. She also can be reached at info@allaannopolsky.com.
The Masterpiece Art Gallery hosts shows for local artists and provides framing services for the public. The gallery is located at 243 Halstead Ave., in Harrison, NY. More information can be found at framingmasterpiece.com or by calling 914-835-6686.
Tuition Assistance Availabe from the Scarsdale Foundation
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Students who graduated from Scarsdale High School and/or live in Scarsdale and who have complete their first, second, or third years of college are invited to apply to the Scarsdale Foundation for tuition assistance. For the 2015-2016 academic year, the Foundation awarded $110,000 of need-based grants to students attending private and state-supported colleges.
Applications should be submitted online to the Scarsdale Foundation's website, scarsdalefoundation.org (click on the College Scholarships link). Completed applications must be submitted by Monday, June 6, 2016. Late applications will not be accepted. Please contact Scholarship Committee Chairs Randy Guggenheimer (rguggs@gmail.com) and/or Beverley Sved (bevsved@alum.rpi.edu) with any questions. Please note "Scholarship Inquiry" in the subject of your email.
The Foundation welcomes contributions from the community to augment the funds available for distribution each year. Contributions may also be donated to a specially earmarked Scholarship Fund of the Scarsdale Foundation, with monies to be used for 2016-2017 recipients, enabling the Foundation to carry on the tradition of helping our students in need to pursue a college education. Donations may be made online by visiting the Foundation's website or mailed to the Foundation at P.O. Box 542, Scarsdale, NY 10583.
For more information regarding the work of the Foundation, please visit their website, scarsdalefoundation.org.
Leading Ladies: Lots of Laughs at SHS
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This past Friday and Saturday night, the Scarsdale High School Drama Club put on its third and final play for the year, "Leading Ladies," which is written by Ken Ludwig and premiered at The Alley Theatre in 2004.
This gut-busting comedy follows two down-on-their-luck English Shakespearean actors, Jack, played by Egzon Muja, and Leo, played by Dillon Orlando. To try to earn a little money, they perform "Scenes from Shakespeare" on the Moose Lodge circuit in Pennsylvania. When they hear that an old lady, played by Catherine Zhao, in York, P.A. is about to die and leave part of her fortune to her two long lost English nephews, Max and Steve, the actors resolve to pass themselves off as her beloved relatives and get the cash. The trouble is, while on their way to York, they hear from a friend of the woman's family, Audrey, played by Mary Cecil, that the relatives aren't nephews, but nieces!
To their surprise, "Max" is short for "Maxine," and "Steve" for "Stephanie." After a lot of pleading, Leo convinces Jack that they should still pretend to be the old woman's relatives by dressing as the women. Romantic entanglements abound, especially when Leo falls head-over-petticoat in love with the old lady's vivacious niece, Meg, played by Isabella Bailey, despite her engagement to Reverend Wooly, played by Marco Pompa. Leo's and Jack's desperate attempts to keep themselves under cover (and in high heels) had the audience non-stop laughing.
These actors and actresses, along with the other members of the cast, Michael Hoffman, Eliot Huh, Alexa Trujillo, and Eliza Auchincloss, and the Tech Director, Steve Bogardus, and crew, Josh Cohen, Alex Hart, 
Karina Schepis, Nina Zacharia, Ilana Tamir, Jack Baldinger, Patrick Dwyer, and Maddie Hart, worked hard for months, with many time constraints. With the help of the club's advisor, Sarah Robbins, as director and Robby Chappell and Daniella Ashman as assistant directors, they performed what Ashman called, "One of the hardest, but funniest, Drama Club productions of which I've ever been a part."
Sadly, it is too late to see this amazing show, but be on the lookout for details about next year's musical to premiere in late November! (Photos by Jon Thaler -- see more here.)
Scarsdale Boys Compete on Ski Race Team
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Even though the winter was short on snow, it was a busy one for William and Charles Lemerond. Both boys competed on the U10 Mohawk Mountain Alpine Race Team in Connecticut. William, a third grader at Heathcote, joined the team last year. Charles, a first grader at Heathcote, joined the team this year.
Practice began in early December even before snow was on the ground, with the two participating in dry-land training to prepare for the upcoming season. Once snowmaking started, the boys had practice every Saturday and Sunday from 8:30 am until 3:00 pm. Race days were even longer - the boys needed to be at the race hill by 6:30 in the morning to register, gear up and inspect the course.
William and Charles started skiing in earnest when they were three and have never looked back. William enjoys the challenge of mastering steep, narrow terrain and Charles loves going fast and making giant slalom turns. Both boys have developed strong friendships with their teammates.
William had a very successful season, 
placing on the podium in two of five United States Ski and Snowboard Association (USSA) races and winning the year-end USSA Skills Quest competition for which he was awarded a signed photograph of his favorite skier, Ted Ligety. Charles ended the year with his first top ten finish and has high hopes to follow in his big brother's footsteps in the coming years.
Upscale Bookstore to Open in Scarsdale
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Attention book-lovers. It appears the market for the printed word is not dead after all. Just when you were getting used to reading on your digital device, Barnes and Noble has announced plans to open a new prototype bookstore at the site of the former Borders Store in the Lord and Taylor Shopping Center. According to Publisher's Weekly, the store will be "upscale" and include a "five star restaurant."
The concept for the new bookstore makes sense in an area filled with avid readers who often belong to multiple book clubs. Residents are still mourning the loss of Reading, Writing and Wrapping in Scarsdale Village and the closing of Borders Bookstores in Scarsdale and White Plains.
Planned for a 2016 opening, no doubt the store will be well received by locals.
