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'Surely You Jest!'

| 16 Mar 2016 | 01:51
    "The Broken Clown" (2016 by Claudine Luchsinger)
    "The Broken Clown" (2016 by Claudine Luchsinger)
    "The Laughing Jester" (f. 1500) (artist unknown)
    "The Laughing Jester" (f. 1500) (artist unknown)
    "Keying Up the Court Jester" (1875 by William Merritt Chase)
    "Keying Up the Court Jester" (1875 by William Merritt Chase)

SHOHOLA — The art of clowning has existed for thousands of years. A pygmy clown performed as a jester during Egypt's Fifth Dynasty around 2500 B.C. Court jesters have performed in China since 1818 B.C. Throughout history, most cultures have had clowns.

But somehow, fools, jesters, and clowns are the one group that political correctness has left behind. Much maligned and often feared, even their number one constituency, children, seems to have abandoned them.

“Very few children like clowns,” reports the BBC. “They are unfamiliar and come from a different era.”

But the Barryville Area Arts Association is coming to their rescue. The proud tradition of this profession will be on display during April in the “Surely You Jest!” Exhibit sponsored by the Barryville Area Arts Association — just in time for April Fool’s Day.

“I can’t say I’m crazy about clowns myself,” said Ari Mir-Pontier, a member of the association's executive committee. "But I do love our ‘Surely You Jest!’ exhibit, which is a historical perspective of artwork that features clowns, fools, and jesters.”

The exhibit can be seen at the Artists’ Market Community Center, 114 Richardson Avenue, Shohola. A free reception, with music and complimentary refreshments, will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. on Saturday, April 2.

For more information call 914-799-0180 or visit http://artistsmarketcc.com.