Martha M. Deming taught art to middle school students in the Holland Patent Central School District for 32 years. So when Mary P. Murphy was seeking someone to help her develop her watercolor skills, it was natural for her to find Deming.

“In the early 2000s, I had exhausted some of the local continuing ed art classes at Munson (in Utica) and attended various art workshops, but I was interested in pursuing my art studies,” Murphy said. Their mutual framer connected the two women, and a lifelong friendship was born.

“I … visited Martha’s studio every week for about six weeks for approximately two hours a session,” Murphy recalled. “After the summer, I’d go once a month or so and get Martha’s critiques on my work. The six weeks were rigorous – sort of a crash BFA – and Martha went over all

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