Love is in the air

Posted 8/21/12

With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, it’s almost impossible to ignore the candy hearts, couples holding hands, and the plethora of cards lining the walls of every store I enter, so I’m …

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Love is in the air

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With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, it’s almost impossible to ignore the candy hearts, couples holding hands, and the plethora of cards lining the walls of every store I enter, so I’m sticking pretty close to home. Not that I’m bitter (party of one) or anything, but let’s just say that my dog has already received a card or two, while my P.O. box has an echo these days, when I dare to peek inside. I’ve been single for so long that it’s difficult to remember being any other way, but you know what they say about the grass being greener, so I’m fairly sanguine (look it up!) about the impending holiday and Cupid’s annoying little face and pudgy posterior. Someone should put that dude on a diet. IMHO.

That said, the smiling faces that I encountered last Thursday were well worth gazing upon, as Dharma and I rolled into the Delaware Youth Center (www.visitcallicoon.com), having spotted a flyer seeking folks interested in becoming a member of the North American Cultural Laboratory’s (NACL) Stilt Corps. Most of us have spotted the larger-than-life colorful characters strutting their stuff in various parades along Main Street USA over the years, with NACL co-founder Tannis Kowalchuk (www.nacl.org) more often than not leading the pack. Truth be told, I’ve always wondered what it would be like to be 10 feet tall—but I’m not crazy (my mother had me tested!) so I thought it might be fun (and safer) to take some photos of those with braver hearts than mine.

Both my sister and I had stilts when we were kids. While I can’t recall her prowess, my skills weren’t half bad, as I practiced noon and night, ignoring my mother’s warnings about stilting in the house and eventually mastering the stairs—a memory that makes me shudder these days.

“Anyone can do it!” Tannis enthused, addressing the gang, which included some newbies who had also shown interest in the group, which meets weekly and encourages drop-ins. “Let’s warm up!” Following a comprehensive explanation of the process and pre-stilting exercises, I marveled at the instructor’s skills and the bravado of the newcomers who were prepared to “stilt up” and march. Noting that folks had traveled far from home, I asked Milanville’s Miranda Card and Long Eddy’s Raina Bowers what drew them to the class. “We were both excited to learn that there was something to do during the week, mid-winter, in our community,” Miranda told me, while Bowers nodded in agreement. “We just started last week and couldn’t wait to come back,” Raina interjected. “It’s cool!”

Complimenting Adrienne Picciano on her skills, I was stunned to hear that it was also her “first time,” which gave me pause—but still no impetus to rise into the air with the others. Yet. “It’s great exercise,” Picciano said, eventually letting go of teacher Mark Keoppen’s hand and marching on her own. “I’m definitely coming back!” Several others echoed her sentiments, and it was clear to see that Tannis & Co. were more than adept at showing folks how it’s done with patience, guidance and encouragement. I even brought a friend who was up and walking by the end of the night. The NACL is looking to involve an army of stilt-walkers in its newest community project, called “Courage,” and if it’s anything like their powerhouse production of “The Weather Project,” it will be a force to be reckoned with. For more information on how you can be involved, call 845/557-0694. As for me, I’m still up in the air about trying my hand (I mean feet) at it, but haven’t ruled it out.

A neat high note of the week came in the form of the newest art exhibit opening in Narrowsburg (www.artsalliancesite.org), where (lo and behold!) one of my photos had been selected for inclusion in the B Gallery section of the DVAA’s A Gallery installation, titled “About Face.” In a note from gallery director Rocky Pinciotti, the program states that “as the title implies, ‘About Face’ is an exhibition of faces and their complicated expressions,” be it “happiness, sadness, fear, mystery or intensity.” On the flip side, the electronic B Gallery is displaying a complementary exhibit called “Altered Egos” which exemplifies the artists’ deep thought in a new light: the art of the “selfie.” Employing photography, sketching, painting and computer manipulation, “Egos” is as fascinating as “Face” is impressive.

“What a great way to begin the 2016 season,” DVAA Executive Director Elaine Giguere said, addressing the crowd on hand at the opening. “We’re celebrating our 40th year, which wouldn’t have been possible without each and every one of you.” As for my piece being selected for inclusion among so many talented artists? I might have been there alone (well, Dharma was with me) but I’m walking on air. “About Face” is on exhibit through March 26. Who knows? By then, I might be feeling 10 feet tall.

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