Fairy Tales

Opens July 11, 2026

The Olive Free Library Association is pleased to present its ninth annual juried summer group exhibition, this year titled Fairy Tales. The show, installed in the Olive Library's spacious Community Gallery, runs from July 11 to September 5, with an opening reception on Saturday, July 11, from 3 to 5 pm, and a storytelling event on Saturday, August 22, from 2 to 4 pm. This year's juror is Jaime Ransome, a Hudson Valley curator, educator, and consultant. The group show will include paintings, photographs, illustrations, sculpture, and mixed media work that explore the whimsical world of fairy tales, myths, folktales, urban legends, and storytelling. Works that feature narrative elements were given special consideration.

The show's call for art resulted in an amazing number of artist submissions, 182 artworks by 68 artists of which 42 works, covering all styles and media, and focusing on the theme of the exhibition, were chosen by Jaime Ransome, offering the community a great way to view and purchase works by Hudson Valley artists.

Fairy Tales' participating artists are: Harriet Forman Barrett, Daniella Cargen, Donna Castelluccio, Linda Champanier, Mary Chang, Monica d. Church, John Cornell, John Cote, Morgan Ericson, Denise Giardullo, Cam Greaves, Sara Harris, Laura Helfant, Walter Kreutzer, Pam Krimsky, Elinor Levy, Lisa Marinaccio-Chason, Elin Menzies, Karen Merritt, Astrid Nordness, Jacqueline Oster, Marina Ostrovska, Bryan Perrin, jenny Q, Elaine Ralston, Sandra Scheuer, Michelle Seigei Spark, Cass Vincent, Rosanne Walsh, and Lizzy Watts.

About Jaime Ransome:
Jaime Ransome is a Hudson Valley–based curator, artist consultant, and art history educator whose practice is grounded in curatorial activism, collaboration, and adaptability. Working primarily through fine arts exhibitions, Ransome develops immersive, community-driven projects that bridge historical art movements with contemporary social and political themes. Over the past decade, she has curated exhibitions across galleries and public spaces, championing emerging and mid-career artists and cultivating ephemeral communities through programming, artist talks, and public engagement. Now working as an independent curator through J.Ransome Curation, her work is guided by an ethos of partnership, challenging conventional gallery structures while remaining responsive to artists, spaces, and audiences.

At the opening reception, one artist will be awarded a $100 prize for Best in Show, and there will also be two Honorable Mentions, all three artworks selected by Jaime Ransome.

The Olive Free Library has created a platform to show and sell the art of regional artists, both established and emerging. This provides art enthusiasts a way to view, appreciate, and purchase local and regional artworks. The rural town of Olive does not have a cultural center, so the library converted its spacious, light community room into a gallery space. The response from both artists and the community has been overwhelmingly positive.

Fairy Tales, ninth annual juried summer group show
Exhibition Dates: July 11 – September 5, 2026
Opening Reception: July 11, 2026, 3 – 5 pm
Storytelling: August 22, 2026, 2 – 4 pm