The exhibit opening for “Alice’s Wonderlands: The Art of Alice Hudson” will be among several activities the Chenango County Historical Society will host on Oct. 9 in celebration of Path Through History weekend. This dynamic retrospective celebrates the life of an innovative artist whose work is infused with charm and whimsy. (Submitted photo)

NORWICH – The Chenango County Historical Society (CCHS) will host a special program on Oct. 9, with several activities planned in celebration of Path Through History weekend.

Beginning at 3:30 p.m., the “Alice’s Wonderlands: The Art of Alice Hudson” exhibit will be unveiled. Discover the magic and whimsy of Alice Hudson through this dynamic retrospective on the life of a celebrated local artist whose work is now among the permanent collections at the Mingei International Museum in San Diego, Calif., and the Museum of the City of New York.

This will be the first comprehensive show encompassing all of Hudson’s distinctive styles, including her inspirations and her influence as an arts educator, community member, and innovator.

Generously funded by a grant from the Roger Follett Foundation, “Alice’s Wonderlands: The Art of Alice Hudson” shares the story of an artist ahead of her time. Curated by CCHS Operations Manager Joseph Fryc, this exhibit explores the narrative of an artistic visionary who embraced using found objects and upcycled materials as mediums before this became common practice. As an educator both in and out of the classroom,

Hudson encouraged creativity and self-expression whenever the opportunity arose. Progressively-minded, she sometimes used her art to encourage social change, yet her style remained consistently whimsical regardless of the message. While Hudson’s work can be found in prominent museums outside of the area and is sought after by private collectors, her story has been known to only a handful of people in the region, even though she spent the last third of her life living in the city of Norwich, creating pieces that were influenced by the culture of Chenango County.

“In collaboration with Alice’s daughter, Elizabeth Bronson, and Alice’s art agent, Sydney Waller, we have been given exclusive access to generate content for this unique, once-in-a-lifetime display,” said Fryc. “Alice told stories, created environments, made puppets, crafted sculptures, and infused her work with a sense of whimsy and wonder.”

“We are so grateful for the opportunity to share Alice’s amazing legacy thanks to the generosity of the Follett Foundation,” said Jessica Moquin, CCHS executive director. “Financial investments like this ensure that we are able to continue our mission of preserving and celebrating local cultural heritage.”

Immediately following the exhibit opening, join CCHS for a brief ceremony when the newest members of Chenango’s Heritage “Wall of Honor” will be revealed. The “Wall of Honor” is a meaningful and thoughtful way to recognize someone while supporting the mission of CCHS. A donation is made in honor of a recognized individual, and their name is then displayed on the “Wall of Honor” inside the main entrance of Ward School No. 2. Additional information on each honoree will be featured in an upcoming virtual experience.

Both the exhibit opening and “Wall of Honor” ceremony will be held inside Ward School No. 2, the CCHS flagship facility located at 45 Rexford St., Norwich. Please note that all visitors must follow standard contact-tracing, mask-wearing, and social-distancing guidelines. During Path Through History weekends, special events are held to highlight historically and culturally significant sites, and offer new perspectives on New York state’s heritage. For more information, visit www.ChenangoHistorical.org or call (607) 334-9227, ext. 2.