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THE TRAVELING DECORATORS OF STONEWARE: CELEBRATE THE ERIE CANAL’S BICENTENNIAL WITH LECTURE ON ART, HISTORY, AND STONEWARE AT THE NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM

CATERED RECEPTION TO BE HOSTED BY STONEWARE COLLECTOR AND DONOR ADAM WEITSMAN

Join the New York State Museum for an evening celebrating American Folk Art! Home to the largest stoneware collection in the world, the Museum’s decorated stoneware tells the story of “traveling decorators” and how the Erie Canal helped spread the materials and techniques that shaped this iconic American craft. The program will feature special one-of-a-kind pieces from the New York State Museum’s Weitsman Stoneware Collection, generously donated to the Museum by collector and entrepreneur Adam Weitsman.  

WHEN:
Thursday, May 8, 2025 
Reception at 5:30 P.M., Lecture at 6:30 P.M.
** Mr. Weitsman is available for press interviews prior to the lecture. ** 

WHAT:
Begin the evening with a catered reception hosted by Adam Weitsman and explore the Museum’s ongoing exhibition Art for the People: Decorated Stoneware from the Weitsman Collection, which features 40 uniquely decorated jugs, crocks, pitchers, jars, and water coolers.  

Following the reception, join Dr. John Sladek, Professor Emeritus of Neurology at the University of Colorado, for a discussion about the impressive history of Erie Canal stoneware potteries. The Museum will also showcase special pieces from the Weitsman Stoneware Collection.     

WHERE:
New York State Museum, Huxley Theater 
222 Madison Avenue  
Albany, NY 12230 

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