OSWEGO, NY — Visiting retired professor Ann Callaghan Allen made an appearance on campus to educate students in a public lecture on one woman who broke the boundaries of gender expectations. The Gender and Womens’ Studies program director, Professor Joanna Goplen, served as the head of the event, and is hopeful that the message of appreciation for women in history resonates with SUNY Oswego students.

“I think it’s really helpful for students to see examples of women in history who have accomplished things and may not have gotten the credit that they were due,” Professor Goplen said. “The connection to the Oswego community, I think,  is also interesting, so hopefully they’ll pull away some local history as well.”

“The Madame’s Business” follows the true story of Malvina Guimaraes, a businesswoman pressing against the conventional roles of women in society, and the subsequent inventor of the sewing machine. Professor Allen reflected on her research and admires Guimares’ bravery and perseverance.

“I know that people who grew up in Oswego or people who come here for school really aren’t exposed to the history of this city, it’s got a remarkable history, really,” Professor Allen said. “If people can be engaged in the life of Oswego in the nineteenth century, I feel as though I’ve accomplished something.”

Professor Allen’s book is available for purchase locally at Oswego’s River’s End Bookstore and online at riversendbookstore.com.

The Fulton Art Association held their annual photography show last Saturday at the Fulton City Hall community room. This event, which has been held every October since 2013,  showcases various types of photography, drawings, and paintings by local citizens of Fulton. The event was organized by the president of the Fulton Art Association, Kathryn Mihalek.

“I took over in 1999 when they (art association) were coming close to folding, and we revitalized it and enlarged the number of events you could put in.” Kathryn Mihalek said. “We have our annual show every May, the weekend before Memorial Day. We have our high school show in March. This will be the 13th year we’ve done a high school show between Fulton, Phoenix, Hannibal, and Oswego. Then we hold our photography show in October and we may hold a couple more events.”

Besides her work with the Fulton Art Association, Kathryn Mihalek works with the Oswego County Humane Society. She fosters at least 20 rescue cats in her home. Several of those cats went up for adoption at the event.

Jess Bullard, member of the Oswego County Humane society who hosted the cat adoption, said she felt it was a great opportunity to get involved in another community event and to showcase their cats.

The photographers and artists competed in five categories,

– Landscapes

– People

– Buildings,

– Animals

– Objects

The winners were picked by a viewer ballot where spectators voted for their favorite piece.  We got a chance to speak to Jose Ortiz, who won the viewers choice ribbon for his photography piece entitled, “Dapper Dog.”

“He (my dog) is my inspiration behind all that I do.” said Jose Ortiz. “I love black and white photography because I feel that our eyes are so focused on color, yet with black and white, you’re drawn towards the whole image. I feel like taking that concept for the same instance in life. You’re only drawn to what catches your eye but the whole picture is what really counts.”

The Fulton Art Association also provides scholarships for talented high school seniors at various schools from Phoenix to Oswego. To learn more about the Fulton Art Association visit cnyarts.org.