By Robert Brune
MARGARETVILLE — This year’s final opening reception at Longyear Gallery hosted a substantial number of participating artists including thirty-three members and forty-five invitees, totaling more than one hundred eclectic works of art. The weekend leading up to Thanksgiving was marked by an unexpected snowstorm that caused widespread power outages throughout the region. This did not deter folks from attending the joyous occasion to celebrate the arts. Listening to each person briefly sharing their storm woes, within seconds they transformed into smiles and cheerful conversation with each other, which was exactly what the community needed.
The purpose of member artists choosing guest artists has at least two vital roles at Longyear Gallery; the intention to share their community gallery space to help inspire the members and guests with innovative ideas, and to attract more members to join the collective at Longyear. For both reasons, it is a fulfilling exhibition that sustains the community throughout the year.
This year’s invited artists include Rebecca Andre, Richard Arnold, Flavia Bacarella, Casey Beal, Holly Cohen, Chris Criswell, Wendy Deutelbaum, Elizabeth Dimon, Eddie Donoghue, Sandy Finkenberg, Lisbeth Firmin, Kathleen Green, Paula Heisen, Aileen Hengeveld, Ann Hoffman, Ben Huberman, Robin Kappy, Ulla Kjarval, Jonas Kyle, Simone Kyle, Richard LaPresti, John MaCeachen, Anthony Manzo, Harry McCarthy, Bea Ortiz, Kari Pagnano, Kevin Palfreyman, Linda Palfreyman, Lynn Preston, Ralph Reed, Joe Reilly, Julia Rubin, Herbert Scott, Ava Seablom, Michelle Sidrane, Amy Silbertkleit, Marilyn Silver, Jan Sosnowitz, GG Stankiewicz, Sara Stone, Sharon Suess, Barbara Taff, Fred Woller, Lynn Woods, and Ricky Zia. The work of these artists varies in style and vision, including a broad range of media, such as Wendy Deutelbaum's photographs with acrylic, Bea Ortiz's acrylic and oil on paper, Eddie Donoghue's India ink on YUPO, Julia Rubin's collages, and Sara Stone's watercolor painting.
Lynn Wood, invited by Alan Powell, is a Kingston-based arts review writer and painter. Wood had an extensive career writing with the Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and Forbes Buyer’s Guide before moving to Kingston thirty years ago. Over the past three decades Wood has been writing for the Kingston area newspapers, Chronogram, Adirondack Life, as well as others. Wood was generous enough to share her thoughts on the Holiday Invitational Exhibition, “The bright colors of many of the artworks, which represented a range of styles, media, and sizes, lent a festive atmosphere, a kind of symphony of hues; I lingered in front of a few, whose unusual compositional elements, skilled application of color, or wildly original conception invited deeper contemplation.” In a discussion with Wood, she says she enjoys painting much more than writing about art these days, though she is proficiently talented at both.
Guest artist Julia Rubin’s ‘Stairs Led to the Sea’ collage appears more as a painting with the pieces placed so carefully together, it flows seamlessly. The collage offers a scene that could be the stage of mythical Greek gods and goddesses, waves crashing dramatically against the walls and steps. Rubin expresses her gratitude for being invited by Lesley Powell. Rubin shares, “Being at the Longyear opening as an artist made me feel like a part of the art community here, even though I live in NYC.”
Eddie Donoghue, who is known in the area as the manager of the1053 Gallery in Fleischmanns, has the unique opportunity to confer with many of the greatest artists the northern Catskills have to offer. Donoghue himself has created a spectacular body of work using India ink on YUPO. His piece, “Sandbox Ballet’ has layers of streaming textures that could be a rain pelted window at night with intermittent light illuminating each random drop. Donoghue garnered well deserved praise from many of the artists attending the opening reception.
Another guest, Ann Hoffman, presented an interpretation of landscapes that is expressionist in style with a flare for playful colors which carries the viewer into an alternative universe while keeping with the mountain and valley settings of her plein air group led by Michelle Sidrane each summer. Sidrane, as well, had two brilliantly colored pastel landscapes in the show that lit up the room.
This exhibition is a testament to the exceptional talent of both the members of gallery and their guests. The Longyear Gallery has opened its doors and wall space to share the stage through the holidays. This spirit of giving represents the great northern Catskills at its best.
This exhibition goes through January 5. For more information, see www.longyeargallery.org and on Instagram @LongyearGallery
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