This weekend: Open Studios in Cold Spring, NY

Jeri Coppola's open studio at Spire Studios in Beacon, NY last weekend

Artists in and around Cold Spring, NY are opening their studios this weekend.  Check out the list of participating artists/venues and get all the pertinent information at coldspringarts.com. 

Studios are scheduled to be open from 12-6p today and tomorrow.  As part of the events, Collaborative Concepts' Saunder's Farm Project is holding its mid run reception from 1-6 and Concrete Gallery is holding an opening reception for new works by Susan English from 5-8pm.

In past years, many of these artists would have participated in the Beacon Open Studios (held this past weekend) as several one point or another did work in Beacon.  That there are such a number to constitute a sizable presentation in Cold Spring this weekend speaks, in part, to the mini diaspora that occurred recently when the old Beacon High School was sold, fostering uncertainty about the viability/affordability of artists maintaining their studios there. 

Last week's episode of the Dead Hare Radio Hour included a little bit of audio from the Beacon Open Studios.

On the subject of studios, Bad At Sports Episode #311 features (in the second half of the show) an interview with Joe Lanasa who runs the Fulton Street Collective.  Fulton Street Collective is a studio and gallery building in Chicago that houses artist studios leased by individual artists but it also features a membership level, shared studio program.  This "standard" membership of $125 per month entitles the member a small storage area and use of shared studio spaces along with the use of available tables, easels, etc. This shared workspace concept is similar to that enabled at Beahive in Beacon and Kingston, but scaled up a bit for the visual artist.
Something to think about.  And something that I think would be very workable and beneficial in for artists in the Newburgh/ Beacon area.

Beacon Open Studios weekend; some images

The Mill's movie set-like exterior.

The Beacon Open Studios was pretty colossal this weekend.  I was only able to make it to a portion of the spaces.  Here are a few images of what I saw.

 

Above and below:  Stephan Spaccarelli's space at the Mill.

 

 

Above, Greg Slick's studio and below, Sara Corson's  portrait setup, both at the Mill.

 

 

 Alice Vaughn's Hudson River Bindery workspace at Beacon Studios - which is a name I've given up using.  Bulldog is what spills from most folk's lips still.

 

 

Jean-Marc Superville Sovak's stack in the library gallery of the old high school

 

 

Kirsten Kucer's drawings.

 

 

Theresa Gooby's napkin installation above, and her plastic bag works below.

 

 

Thomas Huber's work above and below.

 

 

Richard Bruce's studio.

 

Virtually everywhere I went, I encountered this baby stroller woman, let's call her "Kathy Feighery" and her adorable daughter whom we'll simply refer to as "Tess".  I swear she was intentionally following me.  She did it so well that her arrival in a location actually preceeded mine...very clever.  There was an episode of South Park where Ginger kids (a term I had never heard) run amok, led by the character Cartman.  Obviously, I was starting to get nervous.

Elia Gurna's work in her studio.

 

Outside Stephen Dickens' and Marsha Aliaga's Dirt Floor Studio.

 

Marsha's stair installation above and some of Stephen's paintings below.

 

The next several images are from my own open studio:

 

Below, some of the goodies provided by the Funky Baker.  I'm really trying to pimp her stuff. MMm, its good. These marble topped brownies that a surprisingly rich, Rich cocoa flavor.

 

 

 My now-upstair-neighbor, Marc Schreibman's photos on the front of the house.

 Above:  Elia Gurna's installation on our porch.  Below:  Inside the kitchen, Peter Iannarelli's work appropriated from byproducts of my studio labors.

 

 

 Stephen Dickens and friends krafting sound at the BOS after party at Spire Studios.

 

 Indeed.

Kudos to Theresa Gooby in pulling this off, with the assisstance of BACA, and other helpers.  My impression is that it was very successful over all.  Saturday seemed awash with visitors and Sunday featured a steady stream of people despite the threatening rain. 

A survey is being prepared to collect the feedback from artists which will shape the event next year.  And indeed, there will be an event next year, Theresa's already laying out her approach.

If anyone has any thoughts, any input from the weekend and what they saw, throw down some comments here.

I now have many more artist links to add to the sidebar.

Homecoming: Beacon Open Studios this weekend.

I was struck by a strange sensation shortly after entering the Beacon Open Studios kickoff party/opening reception tonight.  I suddenly had the sense that for the first time in a very long time, I was seeing a whole bunch of familiar faces all together in one place.  This isn't a great accomplishment seeing as I simply don't make it out like I used to, but it was a crazy vibe and it felt different somehow.  I then realized that part of that vibe came from standing in a crowded Van Brunt Gallery of another time.  With the same intense power a familiar scent has to thrust one back into the past, being in that space with a crowd had the effect of taking me back to VBG openings of yore,   What a heavy retro feel and a good one too.  I wasn't the only one; this same feeling was commented on by several of the other old farts I spoke to.  It was refreshing, and I got a little buzzed from it

I've been feeling indifferent to heading out to openings around town over the past year. Not to knock the efforts of any of the joints that are exhibiting in town recently, but I'm just burnt out.  I'm just not feeling it that much anymore.  I've been wondering if time has come to pack up this blog.  I haven't fully resolved that question for myself, but I've begun pulling back and trying to devote more time to offline studio endeavors, and perhaps shift the focus of what I write about here, when I write.  Everything must run its course, and change is mighty fine, even as it makes you pang for what you miss.  I'm loathe to admit my vulnerability for nostalgia, and I'm sure what I felt tonight was unadulterated nostalgia (I'm cringing as I'm writing this), but what I think is great about this is that the group show on the walls in this space and the opening itself teased out that sense of a gathered community which isn't as easy to achieve now as just a couple of years back when this community was much smaller. 

It was pretty cool.  I think I'm ready for Carl to move back into his old space.

Where Carl used to sit.

Anyway, I'm very interested to see how this open studio weekend shapes up.  Theresa Gooby's strategy of splitting the event up over two days definitely has its pros and cons but it's an assertive approach to tackling the specific challenges of such an event, and one that hasn't been tried yet, and I like that.  While this structure could prove problematic for visitors from out of town who will have only a portion of the studios available to them on a single day trip, I respect the benefit of giving resident artists a chance to visit at least some of their neighbors studios.  It's good to give the dancing monkeys a little entertainment for themselves whilst taking a break from mugging for the tourists.   Kudos to Theresa for pulling this together in the manner she has, and also to BACA and the Newburgh Art Supply and ZUZU's for sponsoring the event. Now comes the real test.

Visit the Beacon Open Studios blog for the full overview.  Tomorrow from 10-4 pm, studios on the East end of town will be open, and the West enders will be open on Sunday from 11-4 (Today's Poughkeepsie Journal article had the schedule reversed.)  BOS HQ will be open all weekend long at 460 Main St.

Spire Studios will be hosting the BOS closing party on Sunday beginning at 5pm.  

For those coming into town on Sunday, take note that the Spirit of Beacon Parade will be happening that day (weather allowing) and traffic patterns will be affected on 9D and along Main St. until late afternoon.

Open the door: Open studios at both ends of Dutchess county in September

23 artists in Northern Dutchess County will open their studios to visitors on Labor Day weekend (Sept 5,6) for the 2009 Annual Art Studio Views.  The bulk of the studios are centered in the vicinity around Rhinebeck and Red Hook (there's a map on the event website and a list of participating artists).

If you're an artist in Beacon, and you're considering participating in the Beacon Open Studios on Sept, 26 & 27, you have through Aug. 31 to register for the lowlow price of $20.  After the 31st, the registration fee jumps to $30, but you'll still have until Sept. 10 until registration closes.  I am participating, and if you're on the fence, let me vouch for the potential wonderfulness that participating may just bring....

A BOS Kickoff party will be held on Friday, Sept 25 from 7-10pm at 460 Main St.  (Van Brunt Gallery's old home).  Each participating artist will have a piece in a group show on view during the party.

Beacon Open Studio registration events this weekend.

I signed up earlier in the week to participate in the Beacon Open Studios scheduled to take place on the weekend of Sept 26 and 27.
The plan for the weekend is that the participating studios will be divided into two groups depending on their location in the city and each group of studios will be open on one of the two days.  This scheme will allow artists to checkout other studios and not be chained for two entire days.
Additionally, if artists are interested in participating, but are not interested in making their beds or don't have a studio, arrangements can be arranged for temporary "studio" space at the Beacon Studios.

There will be two registration parties this weekend.  Tonight, take in happy hour at Max's while you sign up for BOS from 5-7pm, and tomorrow from 10-noon at Zuzu's. 

More information on the event, how to apply, and incentives for making it out to one of this weekend's parties, visit the BOS website link above. 
You can also apply to participate at anytime by downloading the registration form, also available on the website.

Deadline in Ellenville NY: 5 artists working for 5 days in 1place, July 13-18.

Michael Asbill, Sara MacEachen, Kristopher Perry, Susan Ross and Judy Sigunick will be conducting a weeklong open studio of sorts, working together for one week in the ArtsWave Center at 12 Market Street in Ellenville, NY.  Processing Place is the name given to this action by the members of the Deadline Art Group.

Folks are invited to stop in and interact with the artists during the week.  There will be a reception held on July 18 from 4-8pm  during which results of the week's labors will be presented.

Beacon Open Studios registration parties being held tonight and tomorrow eve.

Two parties will be held tonight at Chill beginning at 7pm and tomorrow night at Zuzu's, also at 7pm for artists to register to participate in a Beacon city-wide open studio weekend scheduled for Sept 26-27.

The Registration fee for participating is $20 until August 31.  The fee goes up to $30 after that date until the absolute final day to register on Sept 10.

For more information, visit the Beacon Open Studios blog.

Amanda Means and the forthcoming John Coplans Study Center

A pair of works by John Coplans lean against the wall.
Simultaneous to the party being held by the Starns, Amanda Means held an open house in her space adjacent to the Big Bambu site.
Three of Amanda's color polaroid light bulbs.
Amanda's photograms and works by her late husband John Coplans were on display throughout the space where she's in the process of establishing a study center focusing on his work.

Amanda Means, Ostrich Fern, 2004

Images from Big Bambú party, May 17, 2009

Here are some images from the scene of Sunday's Big Bambú party hosted by Mike and Doug Starn.

When I first saw the work in early December, I was most struck by the contrast of the giant dirty box of the building harboring this living form rising to challenge the cold harshness of the space. But seeing Big Bambú again on Sunday, I was struck by the qualities of the bamboo as it's dried during these months. Like some agent of alchemy, the process of dehydration has transformed that irrepressible living form into an inert building material complying to the nature of its industrial environment.
It's funny that I hadn't thought to consider the process that organic matter would be subjected to in its role as an artwork. As a static work, the difference is startling. But as a work that is intended to move - or be moved, I expect there might be added significance to the work in the transference of that life force from the bamboo itself to the climbers who will affect its progress through the nave of the foundry building as they move over and within the tangled scaffolding like the colonies of organisms that life in and off of the husks of expired trees.

Jaanika Peerna Open Studio and Sale, Dec 7 & 13 noon - 5pm.

For the next two Sundays, Jaanika Peerna is hosting an open studio from noon to 5pm. Jaanika's studio is located at 6 Fiskill Ave in Cold Spring, NY.

Peerna makes drawings and video art. Her “powerfully delicate” abstractions are
born on a sheet of paper placed on a floor. She moves around the paper and then
marks down lines and dots capturing the very moment at hand. No pre-made plans
are in her head, just the immediate markings of the instant. One line tells what
the next should do. In her video work she captures ordinary moments and makes
them magical with simple editing. Come see her work in her studio. Ask questions, start a
conversation and use this opportunity to take home a drawing or two as treats to
yourself or as locally-made holiday presents.
OPEN STUDIO AND HOLIDAY SALE:
December 7th and 13th noon–5pm at 6 Fishkill Avenue, Cold Spring, for more info:
Jaanika[at]highland[dot]com

YoHoHo Open StudiOHs in Yonkers, May 17 &18, 2008.

If your not going to be in Beacon this weekend, there are, of course many other art related things happening up and down the Valley. I've already mentioned Plugged In in Hudson, and Chris Jones' talk and opening at HVCCA in Peekskill. You might even have a reason to head down to Yonkers. YoHo Artist Studios is holding its 5th Annual Open Studios on May 17 & 18. Housed in the Alexander Smith Carpet Mills Building at 578 Nepparhan Ave in Yonkers, YoHo is home to nearly 40 artists, and they have a splashy website where you can get info on the open studios event and the individual artists.

May 17-18, 2008: Beacon's unSitely afFair

So the Sitelines Art Fair has been cancelled, but you really had your heart set on making it up to Beacon for the day or for the weekend. What's a body to do? Come what may, come mid-May, we're here for you, and you're welcome. There's plenty of other stuff on tap for the weekend. Here's the shakes on, hopefully most, of what's happening.


View Larger Map>
Here's a map showing what's going on where. Green pins indicate what's happening on Saturday, Red pins represent Sunday.
Saturday May 17th:

Dia:Beacon
10:30am - 2pm Dia:Beacon will be closing at 2pm for its annual benefit.
Two new installations are opening
Kamp Maykr
10:00am-5pm. Welcome to Kamp Maykr, we're hosting a pot luck brunch in the morning and an exhibit of yardwork at 1172 North Ave. Start your day off right, bring a dish, hang out for a while, and build your strength for the adventure ahead. Work on view by the likes of Michael Natiello, Steve Rossi, Kathy Feighery, me. The brunch will run til noon or so, but the artwork will be on view both Sat and Sun 12-5pm. Stay tuned right here for further details
Beekman Banner Project
noon - There will be a ceremony featuring Mayor Steve Gold and Dutchess County Art Council President Benjamin Krevolin to inaugurate a series of banners featuring work of local artists lining Beekman St.
Electric Windows
12:30-through the day. Electric Windows is bringing together 24 artists near and far to create
Artists will be painting through the day while accompanied the entire day by music provided by a range a selection of bands and DJ's. Check the above link for line up and schedule info.
Beacon Studios
1-5pm The many artists of Beacon Studios will be hosting an open house.
In addition, in the building's library gallery, there will be a preview of The Media Church, an installation by a guy named Russell, which will officially be opening on May 31.
Habitat for Artists


1-5pm Habitat for Artists will be celebrating the launch of the studio cum sculpture (or sculpture cum studio) project which has been taking shape in the parking lot of Spire Studios for the last several weeks. Participating artist will be on hand in their temporary digs, working and hanging out.
Donald Kimmel of Flying Swine will doing performance piece at some point in the afternoon.
Spire Studios
6pm - on. Spire Studios will be hosting open studios.

If have some yawing need to hang with an artist, this is the day. I can't say that I'm much good for company, but given the multitude of them roaming about on this day, you're bound to meet one with some charm.
Hermitage
7:30 Allan Kaplan reads from his new book "Like On Of Us."

Next Step
10:30pm - on. The Piggy Bank, Open Space, Burlock, and Break Beats will be bringing us this NonSecondSaturday Edition of Next Step complete with DJ's, dancing, and live painting at the Piggy Bank, 448 Main St. (I still owe Tom Moore $5 from the Next Step of a couple months back. I ain't forgotten ya Tommy.)

And that's just Saturday.
On Sunday:
Dia:Beacon
Dia's got several things going on this day in conjunction with the two sold out performances being presented by the Merce Cunningham Dance Company. There's a family day kicking off at noon that includes a movement based tour of artwork. A selection of items relating to the work of John Cage will be on view. There might be a few other things going on, but I can't quite decipher them, and they may be applicable to members only, like a reception for a Tacita Dean projection based on footage of Merce Cunningham performing.

Electric Windows
The pieces that were created through the day Saturday will be installed in the windows of the Electric Blanket Factory at 1 E. Main St. I don't know what time.

Country Folk @ Zahra's Studio
noon - on. If you simply can't get enough live painting, stop by Zahra's at 496 Main St. and catch the Country Folk crew creating a wall piece that will be part of their June exhibit at the gallery.

Kamp Maykr
12-5pm. Someone will still be hanging out, so stop by and check out what's been done in our yard.

That's what I know at the moment. Check back for updates.

Images from Beacon Open Studios, Dec. 2007

Here are some images from last weekend's open studios. Photos courtesy of Stacy Ward Kelley

Grey Zeien's studio.

Mighty Richard Bruce in his studio.

Rick Price in orange, and Rick Price in green.

Stacey Ward Kelley in her studio.

Thomas Huber in his studio with Jen Bradford and Kathy Feighery.