On the road again

Posted 8/21/12

Traditionally, Memorial Day is the official kick-off of the “busy season” here in the Upper Delaware River region, but it seems to me that the onslaught of events, parades, concerts, art shows …

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On the road again

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Traditionally, Memorial Day is the official kick-off of the “busy season” here in the Upper Delaware River region, but it seems to me that the onslaught of events, parades, concerts, art shows and the like begins earlier and earlier as folks anxious to open their windows share a desire to get a jump on the good times and make hay while the sun shines. Graduations abound as the proms get underway, and with slight trepidation, I open my email and scour the seemingly endless list of events to attend. Don’t get me wrong—I’m celebrating as well, but I loathe having to pick and choose. While thrilled to be an active member of society, I’m reminded each spring that The River Reporter can be found in a lot of places. Four counties, 60 communities and two states is a lot of ground to cover, and I’m running as fast as I can.

Before traveling too far from home, I decided to stay in Sullivan County and check out the new installation, “Structures” in Narrowsburg at the Delaware Valley Arts Alliance (DVAA, www.artsalliancesite.org), which featured the paintings, drawings and sculpture of Laura Borneman. I was curious as to how Borneman, who has exhibited her work far and wide from Philadelphia to Kalamazoo, chose our neck of the woods. “I discovered this beautiful gallery while attending a friend’s show last year,” she told me during the opening reception, “and knew instantly that I wanted to present my work here.” As always, an artist’s statement informs the uninformed (I mean me), and I turned to the written word to learn more, since Laura was swarmed by well-wishers anxious to get some face-time with her. “By stacking a variety of modalities,” I read, “I am addressing what I believe to be the absurdities of the human condition, and our urgent search for stability in our everyday pursuits.” OK. All I know is that the mini-structures were pretty cool and the shadows cast on the walls of the gallery caught my eye. When I asked if that was intentional, Borneman nodded enthusiastically. “Depending on one’s point of view,” she answered, “the wood pieces can be viewed as being built, or falling apart.” Either way, they’re pretty cool and folks can view her work at the Alliance Gallery through June 6.

Meanwhile, upstairs in the Loft Gallery, a retrospective of Riverfest posters is adorning the walls, covering 25 years of artwork that draws admirers from far and wide every summer who participate in the auction that takes place on Main Street. Culled from the collections of locals willing to leave blank space on their walls, the variety of artwork is astounding, and the techniques employed a dizzying array. There were a few contributors on hand, among them Riverfest poster contributor Hank Schneider, who has participated every year since its inception. “The auction gives the artist a chance to see the value of the work,” he said, “and I love to give my time and talent to the DVAA, because they give so much back to the community. It’s a win/win.”

Back on the road, I traveled a bit far afield to attend the Pine Bush UFO Fair in Orange County in time to see aliens, storm troopers and flying saucers float down the street, while thousands lined the parade route, excited to experience a close encounter of their own. I’m still perusing the photos but will post them ASAP to our Facebook page for everyone to enjoy. Amid the out-of-this-world festivities, I heard cries of, “There’s the Wonder Dog!” and more than one green Martian informed that they read The River Reporter, acknowledging that we reach the outer limits as well.

Making a quick pit-stop at home, I fed the pooch and headed out to a very creative ceremony in Bethel, NY at Cobalt Studios, where the latest graduating class was celebrating the culmination of an intensive two-year program that prepares them to go out into the world of the theatrical scenic artist. Clearly proud of her students, studio founder Rachel Keebler milled about, introduced me to the young adults and chatted with their family members during the pre-ceremony festivities and silent auction of the graduates’ unbelievable (IMHO) large-scale projects that they created during their course of study. “I’m always gratified to see parents support their children,” Keebler said while addressing the crowd, looking around the studio. “Is this artwork?” she asked waving a hand at the stunning pieces adorning the walls. “They’re class projects,” she said, smiling, before the diplomas were handed out. The all-female graduating class reminisced about their years living together while learning from Keebler and her staff (www.cobaltstudios.net), and all agreed that the experience was one that taught them well and will propel their careers into the future. By now, they are all on the road again, prepared to start a new life, while I take a nap and ready myself for whatever comes next.

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