Georgia O’Keeffe Week 2026
July 13th-17th, 2026
Join us as we celebrate Georgia’s time as a young artist here at Wiawaka. We are a unique and honored location here on Lake George that can provide proof of her early days on Lake George.
In 1899, Katrina and Spencer Trask initiated plans to transform their Saratoga Springs home, Yaddo, into an artist retreat after their deaths. It would be 27 years before the first artists arrived at Yaddo in 1926, but in 1908, Spencer welcomed a group of students from the Art Students League in New York City to a new artist residency on Lake George. Katrina Trask named this Lake George artist retreat “Amitola” after a chief in Indian legend who first painted a rainbow in the sky. Amitola encompassed the then- new dormitory called “Wakonda”, neighboring Stockwell Cottage (now privately owned), the boathouse and the dock (at that time, Wiawaka had its own larger boathouse and dock slightly to the south). Georgia O’Keeffe arrived from New York City in June of 1908 as one of Amitola’s first artist guests and stayed in Wakonda. This was her first experience of beautiful Lake George, later to play a large role in her life and art. In honor of her stay we have put together a week filled with programs all about Georgia. Register early as this week is very popular. Stop by the Front Desk if you are interested in seeing Wakonda where Georgia stayed with other students from New York City’s Art Students League, the historical marker, signage and the sitting room dedicated to Georgia’s stay here at Wiawaka.
Workshops, Lectures and Tours During O’Keeffe Week 2026 Below
Georgia O'Keeffe Portrayed by Claire Nolan
July 14th, 2026
7:00pm-8:30pm
Presenter: Claire Nolan
Just the lecture is $20, get dinner and the lecture for just $40.
Claire Nolan is an educator and a storyteller. She has combined those two passions in her portrayals of important historical figures from US and world history. What are First Person Portrayals of Historic Characters? What can you expect during a performance? During a “first person” performance, the actor takes on the role of the historical figure. She dresses in period costume and may portray herself as a person who has no idea how things have changed since her historical period.
During her presentation Claire also hopes to provide a springboard for discussion of the historical character and her time and place. Claire’s repertoire includes Mary Harris (Mother) Jones, Rachel Carson, Georgia O’Keeffe and Marie Curie. She welcomes suggestions for other important women from history to add to her repertoire. Claire’s portrayals are especially appropriate for Middle School, High School and Adult audiences.
Watercolor Workshop with Diane Swanson: Architecture in the Landscape
July 14th, 2026
10:00am-12:00pm
Cost of the workshop is $55
Striking a balance between controlling the medium of watercolor while allowing the paint to do what it wants to do is key to having a satisfying watercolor painting experience. Watercolor artist Diane Swanson will offer a few ways and techniques to help participants work towards that balance in a relaxed easy setting.
Participants will practice watercolor technique demonstrated by the instructor to learn some of the magic of the medium, then will apply these techniques in creating their own watercolor painting inspired by Wiawaka’s varied architectural elements harmoniously set in nature. Diane will work with each artist through the process, with tips on how to handle composition, color and brushwork.
All abilities welcome, all materials supplied, but participants are welcome to bring their favorite brushes if they have them.
Georgia O’Keeffe Presentation by Doreen Kelly
A personal presentation of Georgia's life in New Mexico with Doreen Kelly
July 15th 2025
4:00pm-5:30pm
This is a free presentation.
To sign up for this tour please call the front desk at 518-668-9690.
Painting with Patrice
“Calla Lily” by Georgia O'Keeffe
July 16th, 2026
2:00pm-4:00pm
Instructor: Patrice Jarvis-Weber
Cost of the workshop is $50, this includes material fees.
"Calla Lily Turned Away" was created by Georgia O'Keeffe in 1923. The ethereal setting of this lily has smooth flowing lines of white and green with subtle shading and highlighting. Come paint this O'Keeffe flower with me and bring home your own version of this piece.
Patrice has been part of the Adirondack art community for over 25 years. She studied art and art history and has worked as a photographer, calligrapher, sign painter, and a teaching artist. She was part of the staff at Lower Adirondack Regional Arts Council, later organized community art events, and was a board member of the Lake George Arts Project. Throughout her career she has taught art to all ages. Presently Patrice is the teaching artist at the World Awareness Children’s Museum in Glens Falls. Many of her 2-hour classes are inspired by the art of the masters.
Georgia O'Keeffe: Her Art and Her Home
July 16th, 2026
7:00pm-8:30pm
Presenter: Kate Dudding
Just the lecture is $20, get dinner and the lecture for just $40.
Come listen to award winning storyteller Kate Dudding share three stories about Georgia O'Keeffe:
Did you ever wonder why Georgia O’Keeffe painted those huge flowers and the bones in the desert? Kate shows 25 photographs of Georgia’s paintings while sharing Georgia’s own words about them – a virtual tour by the artist herself.
From Clifton Park, NY, Kate Dudding specializes in true stories about people who made a difference. She has told stories at many venues in the Northeastern US. Many of her five CDS have received national storytelling awards. In 2010, she won the story slam (competition) at the National Storytelling Conference in Los Angeles. Visit her web site www.KateDudding.com to watch her tell some of her stories.
