The Wild Center’s Clothesline Installation Travels to Whallonsburg Grange
Open May 3–11, 2025
Essex, N.Y. – The Wild Center is pleased to announce that a portion of The Clothesline: Food, Fiber, Air, and Soil—an installation by artist Brenda Baker—will be on display at the Whallonsburg Grange and Whitcomb’s in Essex, NY, as part of the finish line celebration for the Champlain Area Trails (CATS) Grand Hike on May 10, 2025. The installation will be on display outdoors from May 3 to 11, 2025.
Originally debuted at The Wild Center in the summer of 2024, The Clothesline is an evocative tribute to New York’s agricultural workers, constructed from hundreds of donated pieces of work attire worn by those who sustain the region’s food system. The exhibit brings to life the interconnectedness of food, fiber, air, and soil, inviting viewers to reflect on the labor and environmental factors that underpin agriculture. Farming in the Champlain Valley and the area around Whallonsburg remains central to the economy and landscape, and several local farmers tell their own stories through the clothing they donated.
“We’re thrilled to share The Clothesline with the Champlain Valley community,” said Stephanie Ratcliffe, Executive Director of The Wild Center. “The Grand Hike brings together hundreds of hikers and outdoor enthusiasts, making this the perfect opportunity to engage visitors with the stories of the people who grow our food.”
The Whallonsburg Grange, a historic cultural and community hub, will host the temporary installation of 8 to 10 sections of The Clothesline as part of the Grand Hike’s finale. The event, expected to draw between 200 and 400 attendees from New York and Vermont, will celebrate the hike's completion with festivities, food, and community engagement.
“This collaboration highlights the shared mission of The Wild Center and the Grange to foster a deeper appreciation for the environment, agriculture, and local heritage,” said Mary-Nell Bockman, Grange manager. “We are excited to welcome The Clothesline to our greenspace and gardens and to continue sharing its message through a long-term media display.”
The exhibit will feature accompanying videos to provide further insight into the agricultural workers at the heart of The Clothesline.
This event is presented in partnership with The Wild Center and the Whallonsburg Grange. For more details on The Clothesline and to view the exhibit online, visit wildcenter.org/clothesline. To learn more about the Grand Hike, visit champlainareatrails.com.
The Wild Center's programs are made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.
This project is supported in part by the National Endowment for the Arts.
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