I awoke early this morning (maybe 3 or 4 am) to an bewildering diffuse strobing light. Disoriented as I was (and blind as I am), I blinked a couple of times (a la I Dream of Genie), marveling at what I thought was the psychedelic effect of my eyelids. It took a few moments to realize that it was not my eyelids and that the light show emanated from outside. I got up to look. There were fire/rescue vehicles on the street attending to one of the houses across the way. I couldn't discern what was happening and returned to bed thinking how miserable it would be to have an emergency - and to have to respond to an emergency at 3 am on a freezing, rainy night.
To have an such an evening undisturbed is a gift. And oh how many gifts I have been given, through which I've slept.Then, to rise to a crunchy blue sky, with the mid-morning strangely warm after the frigid deluge of Thursday was a stunner.
Getting out and about, I saw the mountain flocked in ice against that blue. At this phenomena, I marvelled. And it was a true phenomena, one not lost on many people. It was too much not to photograph, and those photos are what you're looking at. I'll admit that one gift I don't have is that of the photographer's eye.....well actually, I have been gifted with a photographer, but she's in Boston this weekend, doing me no good in this instance.
That shimmering blanket was presented in full view, as if a gift consciously given. After the sturm und drang the the previous day's weather and having just received news of Audrey Chibbaro's passing, the presence of such a marvellous sight was uncanny and dislodging. If it's not the box that counts, but the thought, then is it not the effect a vision produces within us which holds the significance and not the beholding of the vision.
For all of us, but particularly for those closest to Audrey, this vision of the beauty, backed up against the power of this thing we're all in proffers the most potent and fleeting gift that is awareness.
In a post on the Beacon Art Salon message board, Ronnie Farley passed along the information that there will be a service for Audrey at the Libby Funeral Home, 55 Teller Ave Beacon (845-831-0179) next Friday 12/19 from 7-9pm.
Thanks to Beacon's volunteer firemen for doing the work they do.
Audrey Chibbaro discussing her installation during
the Windows on Main St. walking tour in 2007.
Sadly, news arrived today of the death of Audrey Chibbaro from bone cancer. Audrey was very involved in the activities in the Beacon Arts Salon, taking an active role in realizing the groups events.
My interactions with Audrey focused around our work. I didn't know much about her personal life. To me, she was an ever positive, compassionate and nurturing individual and one who was deeply interested in engaging creatively with all kinds of folk. She participated in a handful of our group critiques that floated between studios.
In 2007, Audrey participated in WOMS, taking over one of the large windows at the Beacon Natural Market, turning it a Potato Eaters carnival complete with her ceramic puppet figurines and many pounds of potatoes which she donated to a food bank after the exhibit. 
Aug-Sept. 2007 The Potato Eaters installed at the Beacon Natural Market.
Stacey Ward Kelley of the Beacon Art Salon forwarded this short bio and statement of Audrey that was included in the group's book Beacon Soul. Audrey Chibbaro studied art in Florence Italy and received an associate’s degree
from the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York. She received her BFA in
studio art from Brooklyn College and has taught art in NYC public schools.
Chibbaro’s media includes porcelain, stoneware, beeswax, antique linen, fur and
wire. Currently Chibbaro has simplified her work to highlight the form, texture,
color and material without the distraction of the figurative element. This new
work is abstract-biomorphic and conjures memories through the texture of the
materials. Chibbaro has shown her work at The Shore Institute of Contemporary
Art, The Boylan Gallery, The Manhattan Graphics Center and is looking forward to
her upcoming solo show at The Garrison Art Center.
The Garrison Art Center exhibit mentioned took place in October and November, and featured Audrey's ceramic works. 
Memtex. courtesy garrisonartcenter.org
Audrey's Artist's Statement: Beacon invites me to look the ground in the eye. The fascination is with the matter that grows from the earth and has fallen from the trees. When it rains and snows the colors change and add a new depth. The Hudson Valley Mountains give texture from a distance and when among them we breathe the scent of everything regenerated.
Two of Audrey's prints are included in Open Space's Limited Run 2 print and zine exhibit that will be opening tomorrow night. Below are images of the prints which will be available for purchase. Thanks to Dan and Kalene for forwarding these images.
