Explore Graveyard Art in Montague on Oct. 3

MONTAGUE, N.J. – On Saturday, Oct. 3, a presentation entitled ”Graveyard Art” will be given by author, longtime historian and departing executive director of the Minisink Valley Historical Society, Peter Osborne. He will speak about and exhibit various styles of “graveyard art” from the 1600s to the present day, with examples of each style as drawn from the region’s cemeteries and graveyards. The program will begin at 9:30 a.m. at the Foster-Armstrong House at 320 River Rd. / CR 521 in Montague, hosted by the Montague Association for Restoration of Community History (MARCH).

After the talk and a refreshment break (by 11 a.m.), the group will proceed to the Minisink Reformed Churchyard.  Mim Carpenter will conduct a tour of that cemetery which was deeded by John Rutherford to the Reformed Dutch Church for use as a burying ground in 1869, and later had additional land donated by the Cole family. Rutherford deeded an acre to the congregation in 1827 to erect a church or house of public worship.

Prior to that time, the congregation’s first church structure and an earlier burial area were located further south along Old Mine Road.

The cemetery association is currently undertaking restoration work. Old stones long fallen over are being located and the cemetery brought back to reflect its former splendor. The Minisink or Montague cemetery served as the Brick House community’s burial site, where many early families are interred. Among those buried here, are historians: William Coulter, amateur genealogist – who published articles 1940-62 in the Wantage Recorder, and Calvin V. Crane, who had compiled a local history collection, now housed at MVHS.  Anyone who has any interest in assisting with the restoration project..please consider attending, or contact Mim Carpenter at (973) 293-7297.

Explore the Creative Process with Marie Liu

HUGUENOT, NY – Marie Liu, who exhibits and teaches art throughout the Tri-state area, will offer a weekend workshop to stimulate creativity on September 12-13 from 10 AM-3 PM at her studio on Hobson Road, off Route 209, in Huguenot, approximately three miles from Port Jervis. Cost for the weekend is $95.00. For more information call Alyta Adams: 845.856.6972 or email: alyta@alytadams.com.

Liu currently offers classes in Drawing, Painting, Color Theory and Exploring the Creative Process at the Borough Hall in Milford (thru PCAC), Cedarwood Art Center and Light Wings Productions in Port Jervis. The idea for “Exploring the Creative Process” emerged from Ms. Liu’s lifelong study of visual art. While attending Rocky Mountain College of Art & Design, she felt compelled to examine the ‘elusive muse’. Later, as a painter and art director at Star Gallery in Middletown NY, she continued questioning her own creative process as well as that of other artists. She developed her unique approach to creativity using information validated by her research.

As a teacher, Liu is eager to share the system she invented with others. Ms. Liu feels the work of the unconscious in art-making is a subject that is rarely addressed or understood, not only drives the artist, but also innovation in fields such as science, medicine, mathematics, etc. The notion that great ideas come fully formed only to the minds of a few geniuses is a myth that Marie Liu wants to eliminate. By demystifying the creative process as she frees the imagination, Marie Liu gives us permission to follow the unconscious steps to evolving an idea. Once we understand that creativity follows a pattern, it frees and empowers us. By nurturing our natural gifts, she demonstrates how to avoid negative beliefs that sabotage artistic efforts. Through lecture and interactive discussion, Ms. Liu outlines the distinct stages, their importance and their interconnection. With fun, simple drawing exercises, the participants reinforce awareness of the process and explore tools of visual language to actualize their ideas.

LightWings Productions, the dream of Rev. Alyta Adams, is in its fledgeling stage. Her intention is to create a learning center offering workshops in art, spirituality, bodywork and esoteric disciplines. Currently housed near Port Jervis, NY, in a peaceful sunny setting ideal for working in- or out-of-doors, Rev. Adams is assembling a roster of professionals and experts in various fields to teach workshops and seminars in the Tri-States region. As an Interfaith Minister and professional artist, she hopes to provide a learning environment that supports personal growth for local residents, while inviting seekers from everywhere to enjoy visiting this most scenic destination while they increase their skills and knowledge.

Barryville Presents Arts in the Park

Pottery by Kim Lust

Celebrating Local Art, Music, Poetry and Dance

UPPER DELAWARE REGION—The 2nd Annual Barryville Arts in the Park event will soon be here and has expanded to include more opportunities to enjoy the work of local artists and performers. This year’s event will be held on Saturday, August 8, from 11:30 AM to 5:30 PM, rain or shine, at the Gazebo Park at the intersection of Routes 97 and 55 in Barryville, NY.

The free event will feature the works of 20 of the area’s best artists, many from the Barryville Area Arts Association, some of whom will perform their craft on site. Visitors can experience an expanded selection of photography, pottery, metal art, fine woodworking, rustic furniture, fiber art, slate art, sculpture, silver jewelry, sign art, paintings and mixed media.

There will also be entertainment throughout the day, including music by Peter Kolesar and Carmelle and Yolanda. New this year will be poetry by BAAA members and a special guest performance of Traditional Middle Eastern Dance by world-renowned Sabah.

“We are building on the success of last year’s show, with even more artists and performers displaying their talents,” said Pat Shearer, who co-founded Arts in the Park with Ron Coldon in 2008.

“The Barryville Area Arts Association has provided an incredible wealth of talent to draw from,” Shearer added. “We’ve been amazed at the concentration of artists within a several-mile radius of Barryville. We look upon this day as not only one to share our art, but also to celebrate the joy of living in the Upper Delaware Valley.”

“Come spend the day enjoying our artists, eateries, and of course, the beautiful Delaware River!” said Shearer. For more information contact Shearer at 845-557-9952.

Creativity Abounds at the 11th Annual Arts Walk

Story and Photos By Sherry Mohan
Assoc. Editor, Port Jervis News

PORT JERVIS – Dozens of artists, craftsmen, performers and vendors lined the streets of downtown Port Jervis Saturday, July 18 during the 11th annual Arts Walk. Unlike years past when the weather was less than cooperative on Arts Walk day, this time around the skies were blue, the clouds were white and fluffy and the temperatures were mild. It was perfect weather and the streets were filled with hundreds of people strolling, shopping, eating and enjoying the music and entertainment.

According to Arts Walk Chairman Evelyn Kish, “Arts Walk was the vision of the late Dorothea Solomon, who spearheaded a grassroots movement to promote the city’s downtown businesses by showcasing the talents of the increasing number of artists who had settled in this scenic area in recent years.”

Among the more than 100 booths occupying the downtown Front Street and Jersey Avenue area were every type of art from photography to fine oils, hand-thrown pottery to fabric art, and hand-blown glass from the famous Gillinder Glass Works to exquisitely delicate Scherenschnitte cut-paper art and silhouettes. In addition, local art venues including Cedarwood Center for the Arts, UpFront Exhibition Space, Port Java and Café Roxanna showcased the works of more than 40 artists within their galleries. Arts Walk 2009 was sponsored by the Tri-State Chamber of Commerce and the City of Port Jervis with platinum sponsors Delaware & Hudson Canvas and the Port Jervis Council for the Arts.

Several potters also exhibited at the Arts Walk, including Andrew Latini, a 2004 graduate of Port Jervis High School and 2008 graduate of SUNY New Paltz. He exhibited his ceramics which included bowls, mugs and vases in a wide variety of shapes and sizes in his AL Latini Pottery booth. This was his third Arts Walk.

One handmade bowl, which retailed for $38, had a multi-step finish. Latini explained the creation process: “The initial bisque firing solidifies the clay into stone, and creates the rough matte finish. After the application of glazes, the next firing sets the shiny glazes inside the bowl.” Latini typically leaves the outer surface of his bowls bare and then proceeds to use a soda firing, in which a liquid mixture of soda ash is injected into the kiln at 2200 degrees. “This material works its way around the inside of the kiln; it adheres to the pot, creating this rough textured finish.”

Latini prefers to do free design with his glazes. “I like to drip it on and have the glazes react naturally rather than trying to create a forced application.” Adding a little extra glaze and letting it drip down the sides and pool in the bottom of the bowl helps to make vibrant colors. Though Latini’s creations can be used for fruit and flowers, he doesn’t recommend microwaving or dishwashers, which can wear away the finish.

Up the street, Gabor and Anna Ruzsan of Sparrowbush, with their tent situated near the Erie Depot, displayed photography, paintings and completely handmade three and four-legged tractor-seat wooden stools in pine, cherry and tiger maple with hand-rubbed oil and beeswax or milk paint finishes. Ruzsan learned traditional chair-making from woodworker Peter Galbert at Bethel Woods. Ruzsan will next be exhibiting his work at the Festival of Wood at Grey Towers in Milford on Aug. 8-9.

Nina Casamento, of Happy Herbs Soaps in Burlingham, N.Y., presided over a tent filled with natural fragrances and handmade soaps. She kept a bunch of freshly-picked lavender on hand and shared a sprig with anyone who liked it. One of Nina’s specialties was camp and garden soap, an herbal clay soap that comes in a cotton muslin bag that acts as a washcloth; users just lather up, and then hang the bag next to the faucet to dry.

Among the most amusing articles on display were the objects found at Original Mountain Folkart by Terry Hulse of Monticello. A whimsical figure of a dog, flags and other decorative objects were all created using recycled materials. “Mr. Lips,” a large square face, was both startling and humorous. Emblazoned with the motto, “Live Green,” the object was created from old chair backs, door knobs, a sump pump ball and driftwood. The price: only $75. Hulse, laughing, said of his creation, “My granddaughter is terrified of it.”

More Than Art After Dark

By Ryan Balton

MILFORD – Shops in town here stay open late every second Saturday of the month for an event known as Art After Dark. The event gives art appreciators the chance to visit all of the galleries in Milford on one night to see special exhibits and listen to live music.

Local businesses benefit from Art After Dark too.

Said John Longendorfer, owner of the Golden Fish Art & Craft Gallery on Broad Street,

“I believe it helps the whole town. Anything we can do to create interest just helps immensely. We need every last person we can drag into town.”

Longendorfer, a co-founder of Art After Dark, called the idea a “spontaneous thing.” He and two other gallery owners put their heads together six years ago, drawing on monthly events held in Philadelphia and Stroudsburg.

“Immediately, the first month we did it, we noticed a difference,” he said. “Because now you’re creating a town-wide event as opposed to just one gallery having something … It becomes something you can spend an evening doing.”

At the Golden Fish, Longendorfer features a local artist each month, and that artist’s work is put on exhibition for Art After Dark. July’s featured artist, Neil Joyce, paints watercolors of scenes around the tri-state area.

“I paint where I am,” said Joyce, a member of Pike County Arts & Crafts (PCAC).

Joyce said moving into his parents’ old house near Twin Lakes in Shohola after retiring gave him the inspiration and time to start painting again, something he used to do when he was younger.

“You get away from that kind of stuff when you’re trying to make a living,” Joyce said.

Joyce mostly likes painting local scenes. Watercolors of the Pike County Public Library in Milford, Port Jervis from the bridge with Matamoras, Gifford & White at the Mill and Hare Hollow were among Joyce’s paintings on display. 

When spending part of the year on Amelia Island in northeast Florida, Joyce paints his surroundings there, too.

“It’s not as cool as Milford, I’d have to say,” Joyce said about Amelia Island, laughing. “But it’s very similar in that the architecture is historic, just like it is here.”

That architecture is what typically winds up on Joyce’s canvas, but the painter said he might try some natural landscape after visiting Childs Park on Silver Lake Road in Delaware Township.

“That’s part of the pleasure of art,” Joyce said. “Exploring new areas, new subject matters that you haven’t done before.”

In Milford, Joyce has plans to take on scenes of shops along Broad Street and in the Old Lumberyard. He’s already taken photographs of places he’d like to paint in the future.

That includes the building that houses the Golden Fish gallery, Joyce said.

“He says he might paint it red,” Joyce said of the Longendorfer, the owner. “So I said, I can do a painting of it in red and see how you like it.”

Art After Dark has expanded to include not only Golden Fish but also the Blue Stone Gallery, the Artisan Exchange, Highlands Photographic Guild, ARTery and newly opened Good Question Gallery.

And it doesn’t just happen in the summer. It happens 12 months a year.

“Sometimes in February we have three people show up, but we do it anyhow,” Longendorfer said.

The monthly tradition is good news for artists like Joyce, and art connoisseurs alike, looking for something to do in the tri-state area.

“I paint and I play golf. Golf is a lot of fun when you’re playing well, but when you’re not it’s not fun,” said Joyce. “Same with painting.”

 

On the Net:

ARTery: http://www.arteryonline.com/

Artisan Exchange: http://www.theartisanexchange.com/

Blue Stone Gallery: http://www.bluestonegallerymilford.com/

Golden Fish Art & Craft Gallery: http://www.goldenfishgallery.com/

Good Question Gallery: http://www.goodquestiongallery.com

Highlands Photographic Guild: http://www.highlandsphotoguild.com/

Pike County Arts & Crafts: http://pikecountyartsandcrafts.org/

Around Town: There’s more than art at the Arts Walk

PORT JERVIS – More than 100 fine and graphic artists are planning to line the downtown streets of historic Port Jervis with works in a wide variety of media during Saturday’s 11th Annual Arts Walk.  

The festival attracts visitors from near and far who come not only to view and purchase art, but also to enjoy the day’s other attractions. The sounds of jazz, big band and other live musical entertainment will fill the air throughout the day. Whimsical stilt-walkers will meander along the streets, dance troupes in dazzling costumes will perform for the crowds and food vendors, restaurants, cafés and eateries will offer menu choices ranging from coffee and snacks to full dinners.

This year’s event is chaired by Evelyn Kish, owner of Cedarwood Center for the Arts on Fowler Street and is sponsored by the Tri-State Chamber of Commerce, the City of Port Jervis and the Port Jervis Council for the Arts.

Festival hours are 11 a.m.-6 p.m., weather permitting. The rain date is Sunday, July 19. For more information call Kish at 856-2307 or the Chamber of Commerce at 856-6694.

 

European fireworks to light up Tri-State Family Festival

PORT JERVIS – A huge fireworks display will be the highlight of the Tri-State Family Festival, running July 22-26 at 120 Route 6 and 209, right behind the Best Western Inn in Matamoras.

The Tri-State Chamber of Commerce is hosting the festival. Chamber Executive Director Gary Linton said, “We will be presenting a family festival that will encompass and benefit the entire tri-state area and will benefit local organizations and businesses, promote tourism, as well as providing a safe, secure and a fun family time close to home.”

Musical entertainment will be provided by an assortment of bands including the hot new country band, Summerville; Jay Roth; Cutting Edge; Final Drave; Insanity and U4EA.

According to Linton, the European fireworks are “spectacular and not the same as the usual Japanese variety commonly used.” They will be launched after dark on Saturday, July 25.

Festival week will unfold as follows:

Wed., July 22: Carnival only; open from 5-11 p.m.

Thu., July 23: Midway, amusements, entertainment; Pay One Price rides, open 5-11 p.m.

Fri., July 24:  Midway, amusements, entertainment; open 5-11 p.m.

Sat., July 25:  Midway, amusements, entertainment; open 3-11 p.m.; fireworks display after dark.

Sun., July 26: Pay One Price rides, open 12-6 p.m.

Admission to the festival is $2, ages 11 and under admitted free and there are no parking fees. For more information call the Chamber at 845-856-6694.

 

‘System of Care’ plans meeting for challenged youth and families

PORT JERVIS – Orange County’s System of Care is coming to Port Jervis July 23. System of Care is a new way for youth with social, emotional and behavioral challenges and their families to work with community agencies, and public and private organizations to improve the way services and supports are accessed and provided.

OCSC seeks to share information, answer questions, and most importantly ask for participation in decision-making from the youth and families the participating organizations serve.

Youth, their families and caregivers are invited to attend the meeting from 6-8:30 p.m. Thu., July 23 at the First Assembly of God Church, 13 Route 6, Port Jervis.

For more information or to request child care or transportation to the meeting, call Angela Henze at 845-342-2400 ext. 269.