ARTS & CULTURE

The pride Oswegonians have for their community is found most evident in its on-going support of art and culture in the area. There is something for everyone- music, theatre, dance, art galleries, museums, and much, much more. SUNY Oswego offers opportunities for students and the community to experience a wide range of artistic mediums. Tyler Art Gallery offers many travelings, local and student exhibitions each year that spotlight a number of social issues, pop culture, history, and many diverse subjects. Tyler Hall also houses the university's theatre department which sponsors major stage productions in Waterman Theatre and experimental productions in Lab Theatre.

SUNY Oswego Music Department gives students a chance to utilize their talents in Jazz, Classical, String, and voice. The Oswego College/Community Orchestra and Oswego Festival Chorus combine the talents of students and community members to perform during the Oswego State semester.

At the high school level, the Richard M. Faust Theatre of the Performing Arts, located at the Oswego High School, hosts over 200 school and community events. Included are Drama Club productions, the annual musical, seasonal concerts for all grades, touring state productions and dance shows featuring local dance academies.

Many organizations support cultural and artistic development in the Oswego area as well. The Oswego City Library hosts many activities throughout the year for all ages. The Oswego Historical society collects, maintains and preserves artifacts relating to the history of Oswego. The heritage Foundation of Oswego Inc. serves to enhance, protect and preserve historically significant architecture in the Oswego area. Arts and Culture of Oswego County provides support for much of the cultural and artistic development in the county. The Art Association of Oswego serves to further art appreciation, art education and to encourage local artists in Oswego County. The Chamber is working to enhance Oswego's beauty through the Oswego Historical Mural Project. The project has currently completed 5 murals and it will produce more than 25 additional murals that depict our rich history over the next several years.

The history of Oswego is the main contributor to the diverse museums and historic buildings in the area. At the mouth of the Oswego River, the H. Lee White Marine Museum features a variety of articles that depict Oswego's precious maritime heritage. IN addition, the museum complex serves as home to the LT-5 tugboat NASH, which is a historic landmark that served in the 1944 invasion of Normandy, and Derrick Boat No. 8, the last steam-powered vessel on the Barge Canal.

The Richardson-Bates House Museum is the home of the Oswego County Historical Society and has been preserved to its original state, including period furnishings intact. Fort Ontario, a New York State Historical Site, was built by the British and was the scene of battles fought between the British and the French as early as 1755. Today, Fort Ontario, now restored to its 1867-1872 appearance, has recreated the period and lives of soldiers and civilians through costumes, open-hearth cooking, and historical reenactments.

Summer activities kick off with the Independence Celebration, with a spectacular parade marching down Bridge Street in early July. The parade has been run for nearly 40 years, and includes floats, bands, horses, and more! It is broadcast on Time Warner Cable throughout Central and Northern New York the day of the parade and several times later. The weekend also features a colorful fireworks display over the water. Oswego is also home to Harborfest, a four-day long festival, held each year in July. Known as "Central New York's largest family reunion" it was named as one of the "Top 100 events in North America" by the American Bus Association. Harborfest offers live, free performances in several city parks, high quality arts and crafts, delicious food, a re-created tall ship battle, and other family orientated events.all topped off by a magnificent Grucci fireworks display over Oswego Harbor. The increasingly popular Taste of Oswego, coordinated by the Chamber, takes place in late August. It tickles attendees' taste buds by offering samples of the finest food from local restaurants, bakeries, and food establishments. Enjoying great food, live music and children's entertainment while taking in the view of the beautiful Oswego River behind the Best Western Captain's Quarters Hotel, the event is fun for the whole family and a great way to taste the dishes that Oswego offers.

Summertime also brings the Concert in the Park series under the stars in Brietbeck Park and next to the magnificent view of the sunsets on Lake Ontario. Fun isn't limited to spring and summer in Oswego. The Great Pumpkin Festival in October brings participants from throughout the country for the "greatest" pumpkin contest. Area artists, craftspeople and food vendors round out the family-oriented event.

Convenient proximity to many other cities in the northern U.S. and Canada allow Oswego to open its vast artistic and cultural wealth to many who enjoy the many museums, galleries, theatre and dance programs, architecture and culture in Oswego, New York.