Around Town: View of Skidmore College and the Arts

March 30, 2017

Written by Camille Hord

Skidmore is private, four-year liberal aSkidmore College near Julie & Co.rts college in Saratoga Springs. It was founded by Lucy Scribner in 1903 as a woman’s college and went coed in 1971. Having been born and raised in Saratoga, I remember when Skidmore’s “campus” was Union Avenue, parts of Circular St and Regent St, and as well as a few buildings on Spring St. As kids, we used to like to walk on the wall in front of their Library on the corner of Circular St. and Union Ave., across from the then entrance to Congress Park. I remember when they built the “Pink Palace” on Union Ave. which housed the cafeteria and dorm rooms. Boy, have things changed. For the better, I think. Their campus at the end of North Broadway not only has beautiful buildings but acres of wooded area where students can meditate, hike trails and observe the ecosystems. This year will be especially exciting because Oprah Winfrey will be the speaker at Commencement. One of the girls from Oprah’s girl’s school, will be graduating.

Open to the public, at Skidmore college are:

THE TANG TEACHING MUSEUM AND ART GALLERY

They offer tours, and art exhibits, year round. It is a beautiful place to spend some time.

THE ARTHUR ZANKEL MUSIC CENTER

This venue is host to the Skidmore music Department. It too has public concerts, lectures and hosts many other events.  Having attended musical events there, it is comfortable and has great acoustics.

THE JANET KINGHORN BERNHARD THEATER

This building houses the larger Thrust Theatre and Studio Theatre. The Theater shows a wide variety of events, from the old to the contemporary, from the realistic to the abstract, classical as well as other genres.