Nearly four decades after his passing, a beloved Naples artist and educator known for his stunning landscape paintings of the Bristol Hills and Naples area will be celebrated in an exclusive exhibition featuring dozens of his original works. The show will open with a complimentary lecture exploring his life and artistic legacy.
Ira Randall has achieved legendary status in the local community, according to Naples historian Kenton Poole, who dedicated months to researching Randall's career and curating the exhibition with artwork borrowed from private collectors. Poole will inaugurate the exhibition with a presentation at 7 p.m. on September 18 at the Bristol Hills Historical Society's Grange Hall, located at 6457 State Route 64 in Bristol Springs. Both the Naples Historical Society and the Bristol Hills Historical Society are jointly sponsoring his lecture and the accompanying exhibition.
The remarkable scope of history that Randall witnessed during his lifetime makes him truly extraordinary, Poole explained. He plans to use Randall's life story, spanning from 1903 to 1986, as a lens through which to examine daily life in Naples and the Bristol Hills during the early and mid-20th century. Randall dedicated 30 years to teaching in Naples schools while pursuing his passion as a self-taught artist.
Hundreds of Randall's paintings from his remarkably productive career now adorn homes throughout the Finger Lakes region. Through conversations with Randall's family members, friends, and fellow collectors of his artwork, Poole secured permission to display dozens of the artist's paintings in this special exhibition. Randall created his artwork using the en plein air technique, meaning he painted outdoors directly at the location, typically completing each piece in a single day, which explains why hundreds of his paintings exist today.
During his later years, Randall served as the art director at the Woodcraftery Shops in Wayland, where he expanded his artistic repertoire to include creating decorative bowls and baskets. This role allowed him to continue his creative work while sharing his expertise with others in the community.
The Randall exhibition will open from 6 to 9 p.m. on September 18, with Poole's lecture scheduled for 7 p.m. The exhibition will continue from 5 to 8 p.m. on September 19, followed by weekend viewing hours from 10 a.m. to noon and 3 to 6 p.m. on September 20-21. While Poole's lecture and portions of the exhibition will take place in the Grange's second-floor auditorium, which lacks handicapped accessibility, some paintings from the exhibition will be displayed on the accessible first floor to ensure all visitors can enjoy Randall's work.
The Naples Historical Society works to foster interest in the local history of Naples and surrounding areas by maintaining and displaying historical collections and exhibits while providing educational programs to the community. The organization preserves, maintains, and operates the Morgan Hook and Ladder Building as its primary venue for exhibitions and educational activities. Additional information about their work and upcoming events can be found on their website at naplesnyhistoricalsociety.org, their Facebook page at facebook.com/naplesnyhistory, and their Instagram feed naples_ny_historical_society.
The Bristol Hills Historical Society focuses on preserving and teaching the history of Bristol and South Bristol towns, as well as the broader Bristol Hills region. Established in 2020 through the merger of the Bristol and South Bristol historical societies, the organization maintains two of the area's most distinctive historic buildings: the 1923 Grange Hall in Bristol Springs and the 1846 Methodist Episcopal Church in Bristol Center. Visitors can learn more about their upcoming history presentations and events through their website at bristolhillshistory.org, Facebook page at facebook.com/bhhistorical, and Instagram feed bristolhillshistory.
