Opening May 2 and running through June 5, 2015, the Lake George Arts Project’s Courthouse Gallery will present "Obituarium - End Prose and Portraits", A Collaboration between Robert Gullie and Anthony R. Pezzula. The opening reception takes place on Saturday, May 2, from 4 - 6pm.

Visual artist Robert Gullie and writer Anthony R. Pezzula have a created a cast of whimsical characters in their visual and literary project “Obituarium”. Their collaboration stemmed from a desire to bring to life Gullie’s large collection of Vintage photographs. From these old photographs Gullie created a series of mixed media collage portraits. He then passed them on to Pezzula to memorialize each individual through his writing. Pezzula researched obituaries from the early twentieth century, getting a feel for the death notices of the period. Over the past few months Bob and Tony have also extended the collaboration with a singer/songwriter Jim Gaudet of “Jim Gaudet and the Railroad Boys”. Jim has been transforming these personal stories into songs. At the Courthouse Gallery Gullie’s mixed media collages will be exhibited alongside Pezzula’s written “obituaries”. At 5 pm, during the opening reception on May 2, Jim Gaudet will perform a couple of songs written for some of the characters in “Obituarium”. This event is free and open to the public.

Robert Gullie of Cohoes, NY is an artist who works in the mediums of mixed media collage, hand-tinted photography and the photo intaglio printing process. His work has been included in over eighty exhibitions including over twenty-five solo exhibitions. He is a member of the Oakroom Artists. He is the recipient of numerous awards including a NYFA Arts Residency Project Grant; and was named “Best Photographer” by Metroland Magazine (1997). His work is in the permanent collections of The Kinsey Institute, University at Albany Art Museum, Mohonk Mountain House, Frances KinnearMuseum, Albany Medical College and the historic Mission House in Stockbridge Massachusetts in addition to many private collections. He has been commissioned by the Saratoga Performing Arts Center (2010-2013) to create images for such celebrated arts organizations as The New York City Ballet, Philadelphia Orchestra and MOMIX Botanica. His work has also appeared on the covers of several regional periodicals and has been used as cover art for a number of CDs. You can learn more about him at www.robertgullie.com.

Anthony R. Pezzula of Colonie, NY is a writer of plays and short stories. His short stories have been published in such publications as Midnight Times, Aphelion, Fictionville, River Poets Journal,, Pens on Fire, Battered Suitcase, The Legendary, Litterbox Magazine, The MacGuffin, Pulp Empire and Crimespree Magazine. His short story, Making Friends, was recently adapted into a short film and was screened in a number of film festivals around the country. His plays, which include The Waver, Home Again, The Fifth Inning and Room 12, have been performed around the Capital Region, New York City, Connecticut, New Jersey and Chicago in festivals such as Confetti Fest, The Piney Fork Theater Festival, Circle Theater Players Original One-Act Play Competition, The Tri-State Theatre Festival and the Phoenix Stage Company One Act Play Festival. In 2010 his play, The Waver, was voted audience favorite at the Circle Theater Players Original One-Act Play Competition, and in 2011 he received a Meritorious Achievement in Playwriting award from the Theatre Association of New York State (TANYS) for his one-act play Home Again. You can learn more about him at www.tonypezzula.wordpress.com.

This exhibition is funded in part by The Sherwood Group and the New York State Council on the Arts, a state agency.

Agatha Schmetterling (1861-1925) singer dancer and noted socialite expired Tuesday last in Miami, Florida in her sixty-fourth year. The New Rochelle, NY resident was the daughter of famed entomologists the late Tobias and Anke Schmetterling and was a product of one of their misguided experiments. Miss Schmetterling performed at venues throughout the New York City area as well as at private functions for the social elite. Her generous inheritance allowed her access to befriend many of the rich and powerful and endear herself to them. In the winter she could not resist the urge to migrate south, and became just as popular in South Florida society. It was there, at a beach party bonfire that she wandered too close to the flames suffering mortal wounds. Her wings will be mounted and framed to be displayed at New Rochelle High School where she set many track records that still stand.

Cornelia Miranda (1870-1913), the poisoner, absent a reprieve by the governor was executed at yesterday’s daybreak in her forty-third year. Born in Ithaca, NY Miss Miranda in her tenth year moved to Yonkers, NY where her father was a successful tobacconist. Thrice widowed, Miss Miranda for years was a Colonel in the First Church of Yonkers Army of God where she oversaw sustenance for the destitute at the Church’s Mission. It was in that position that she claimed God spoke to her and told her to bring the poor souls to His Kingdom via arsenic in their meals. In addition to her extensive collection of waxed produce, Miss Miranda was also known to enjoy posing for French postcards fully clothed. She is survived by her father, Nicholas Miranda who intends to claim her cremated ashes and keep them in a humidor at his tobacco shop.

Doyle S Mycroft (1871-1923) of Hudson, NY died Wednesday last in his fifty-second year. A respected and feared maitre d’ at the Hudson Arms, he also took pride in his abilities as an amateur sleuth and often bragged how he could deduce and intuit better than most detectives. His proudest moment occurred in 1918 when he located Mayor Enoch Lake’s cat Pixie which had been missing for several days. For his efforts Mayor Lake awarded him with the keys to the city. Despite that success he was repeatedly rebuffed by Police Chief O’Brien when offering assistance in solving the most perplexing cases. To his credit he never let the rejections prevent him from placing members of the force at the best tables in the Hudson Arms. Death was by fire when he left his magnifying glass in the sun causing papers to ignite while he slept. He left behind a widow and three sons.

Ignatius P. Beachwood (1872-1914) of Malone, NY died yesterday in his forty-second year of apoplexy after being stricken while performing at the Ritz Theatre in that city. Mr. Beachwood, who billed himself as Iggy The Great, was a master illusionist and conflagrator who performed in venues throughout upstate New York. He was famous for his signature illusion, the disappearing peacock, which dazzled many audiences. He was forced to give up the trick when his peacock died after choking on a peach pit. He dedicated each subsequent performance to his beloved peacock. When not performing, Mr. Beachwood was a respected chemistry teacher at Malone Union Free High School. He fathered three children, Harry, Carl and Maria with his wife Matilda and was devoted to their welfare. He loved barbequing and was proud of his collection of antique Bunsen burners. Cremation will follow a memorial service at the Beachwood home Thursday next.

Nogi Slobaniewski (1910-1917), daughter of Polish immigrants, passed unto eternal life Thursday last at St. Casimer’s Clinic and Rehabilitation Center. She suffered unfortunate complications from recent corrective surgery. “She wanted fuller lips,” her father Zbigniew said sadly, “she was such a vain little girl.” According to her parents Nogi was a happy child who had varied interests and talents especially excelling in sporting games. “You couldn’t get anything past her,” her father proudly proclaimed. But her favorite game was Simon Says. “After all,” said her father, “how many children can stand and lift two feet off the ground at the same time?” Her heartbroken parents said they will miss their brown/blue/green eyed darling and her unbelievable hugs. Nogi’s body will be donated to science.

Otis Mahoney (1914-1921). The people of Stillwater, NY were plunged into profound sorrow by the news of the death of young Otis Mahoney in his seventh year. In Otis’ third year the Prince of Darkness claimed him for his own. Despite the best efforts of his parents, Hezekiah and Ophelia, as well as intervention from various Stillwater clergy, Otis remained in the evil one’s grasp. Nevertheless, Otis brought much joy to his parents and to his pet dog, Maggie, who never left his side. His innocence and basic goodness were strong enough to nearly turn the Devil back into the Angel he once was before falling from grace. Otis’ valiant battle against diphtheria was fought so bravely that it is said even the Devil himself shed a tear when Otis expelled his last breath. Otis’ final smile reflected his soul was released from those evil clutches. The morose Prince of Darkness left the area for parts unknown.