every August since 2011
Each late August since 2011, Wharton Studio Museum, in partnership with the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, has brought a silent film to the big screen -- and with live musical accompaniment by Cloud Chamber Orchestra -- to beautiful Taughannock Falls State Park. This cinematic event under the night sky has become one of the most popular summer traditions in the region!
every October since 2012
In 2012, City of Ithaca Mayor Svante Myrick proclaimed October in Ithaca as Silent Movie Month, a month-long celebration of silent film and Ithaca’s role in early movie making history produced by Wharton Studio Museum in collaboration with many local organizations. Join WSM each October for screenings, exhibits, and events at Cornell Cinema, Cinemapolis, and many other local venues.
since 2017
WSM's film festival for youth has a new name! Quiet on the Set! Film Festival showcases short, black and white, silent films made by middle and high school students in the Southern Tier. Co-founded in 2016 by then Ithaca High School senior Fiona Okumu, the festival provides a forum for young filmmakers, and those who have never before thought about making a film, to explore the world of visual storytelling. The festival premiered at Cinemapolis in 2017. WSM is grateful to the Roy H. Park School of Communications at Ithaca College for being the Presenting Sponsor of the festival for the past several years and for hosting the Screening & Awards Ceremony in its state-of-the-art Park Auditorium on IC's campus. Due to the pandemic the festival was virtual in 2020 and 2021. 2022 found us back in-person at Cinemapolis with a wonderful slate of submissions. We took a break in 2023 and are back in 2024 with producing partner Story House Ithaca.
every September since 2015
WSM’s joint fundraiser with Friends of Stewart Park takes place each fall in the restored Picnic Pavilion (built in 1896) by the shores of Cayuga Lake in Stewart Park. It’s a wonderful night celebrating the people who love and support the park, and coming together for good food, signature cocktails and live music — not to mention carousel rides! All proceeds benefit Wharton Studio Museum and Friends of Stewart Park revitalization projects in Stewart Park.