November 15, 2025 - January 2, 2026

The Olive Free Library Association is pleased to present its 8th Annual Small Works Show featuring 59 regional Hudson Valley artists displaying 69 works. The exhibition, titled “ANIMALIA” (defined as the Kingdom Animalia, or Metazoa, which includes all animals, i.e. all multicellular organisms that develop from embryos and more specifically could be our companion animals, domestic farm animals, wildlife or creatures from other lands or sea) will be displayed in the Library's Community Gallery, and will run from Saturday, November 15, 2025 through Saturday, January 3, 2026 with an opening reception and concert fundraiser featuring Soul Purpose on Saturday, November 15, from 3 to 5 pm (benefit concert from 3:30 – 4:30 pm). The concert will take place in the main library room. Drinks and snacks will be provided. A $10 donation is suggested.

Janette Kahil and Sandra Scheuer, curators of “ANIMALIA” have, together with other members of the Olive Free Library's Exhibition Committee, put together a lively and varied exhibition of local and regional artworks, all limited to 12'' x 12'', in many different media. The call for art resulted in 161 submissions of which 69 were chosen, offering the community a great way to purchase works by local artists (within a 50-mile radius) at affordable prices, just in time for the holidays!

There will be two fundraising events as part of “ANIMALIA”: The Exhibition Committee members will each be donating one or more of their own works, which will be installed together on one wall in the Community Gallery and will be sold at only $100 each with 100% of the proceeds benefiting the Olive Free Library, a perfect holiday gift! Furthermore, the wonderful funk, soul, and blues band Soul Purpose has again agreed to perform during the Small Works Show's opening reception, raising funds for the Library's exhibitions program. The November 15 combined art opening and concert event will be one of the highlights of the Olive Free Library's holiday season.

Soul Purpose is a dynamic 7-piece band from New York's Hudson Valley, known for their unique blend of New Orleans funk, classic soul, and swinging rhythm & blues. With a powerhouse horn section, driving rhythm, and soaring vocals, the band delivers a high-energy live experience that gets audiences on their feet and keeps them there. Lead singer Sara Espinosa is joined by Dr. Lori Morris, alto and tenor saxophone, percussion, and background vocals; Rich De Crosta, trumpet, flugelhorn, percussion, and background vocals; Cue Gerhards, guitar and vocals; Francis Ralston, bass and background vocals; Jerry Teters, drums; and Micheal Snow, keyboards. More than a band, Soul Purpose is a collective of seasoned musicians with a shared love for the music that moves both body and spirit. A $10 donation is suggested with 100% of the proceeds benefiting the Olive Free Library!

Participating “ANIMALIA” artists: Harriet Adamo, Chrys Alvarado, Tully Anderson, Lucy Aponte, Jeni Ascosi, Dominique Beeh, Katherine Burger, Linda Champanier, Leslie Dent, Collin Douma, Barbara Esmark, Rochelle Farnsworth, Ena Firinn, Angela Gaffney-Smith, Denise Giardullo, Diane Jones Godfrey, Sam Hack, Melissa Harris, Barbara Hirth-Strauss, Janette Kahil, April Kinser, Lisa Kole, Monica Krajcovic, Carol LaMonda, Linda Lau, David Lombardi, Nancy Mahoney, Alan McKnight, Hadass Melamed, Elin Menzies, Wilma Miller, Ann Morris, Grey Ivor Morris, Astrid Nordness, Matt O'Connor, Jacqueline Oster, Andrea Park, Susan Paroubek, Emily Perez, Bryan Perrin, Geraldine Popko, Eileen Power, Cassandra Quackenbush, Elaine Ralston, Joseph Reilly, Elisa Ross Robinson, Sandra Scheuer, John Scribner, Rita Sherry, Janet Siskind, Michelle Seigei Spark, Judy Stanger, Lisa Starger, Cindy Sumerano, Alyssa C. Toohey, Rob Wade, Roni Wilder-Guidi, and Joe Williams.

Exhibition Dates: November 15, 2025 – January 3, 2026
Opening Reception: Saturday, November 15, 2025, 3 – 5 pm
Concert Fundraiser with Soul Purpose: Saturday, November 15, 2025, 3:30 – 4:30 pm