EMERGING ENTREPRENEURS

Arts to advance with
Main Street progress

By CHARLIE BUTERBAUGH

	TRR photo by Charlie Buterbaugh Jerry Horn will open Jerico Gallery. (Click for larger image)

NARROWSBURG, NY — If autumn ever suggested a lull in Narrowsburg’s season of arts, leisure, tourism and trade on Main Street, this year promises something different for local residents.

When Laura and Nick Santana’s renovation of the Arlington Hotel nears completion in late fall or early winter, Jerry Horn will open an art gallery in the new floor space across the courtyard from the main building at Main and Bridge Streets.

Horn possesses the kind of zeal needed among patrons of an expanding arts community; his Jerico Gallery will exhibit works primarily by local Upper Delaware artists.

“We have wonderful artists like Margot Spoerri, Frank Holmes and Charles Blanchard, and the town needs to go further to create more outlets for their and others’ work,” he said. “People will be able to spend the entire day in town, walking through the galleries, taking in scenes inspired by the river valley.”

After a visit to Narrowsburg with some friends three years ago, Horn decided to rearrange his time—then mostly occupied by his travel and marketing firm—so that he could stay as much as possible by the river. He bought some land in the southern corner of the Town of Tusten and eventually moved from Los Angeles.

“I want to spend the rest of my life here, now that I’ve found something I’m truly excited about,” he said.

He has studied the Hudson River School painters, Renaissance art and other periods, and his favorite subject remains river scenes depicted in sublime, often abstract paintings. Jerico Gallery will tend to avoid exhibits of modern art.

	TRR photo by Charlie Buterbaugh Jerry’s dog Luca loves art as well. (Click for larger image)

A tour of his home reveals an extensive personal collection of paintings by river valley notables, including James McGinley’s moving water pieces, works from Margot Spoerri’s “Trees” series, Bobbie Alees “Ten Mile River” and Roland Knight’s “Afternoon Float.”

Chris Holden’s photograph, “Tollhouse,” hangs in his study and a hand-woven rug by Charles Blanchard drapes over a railing.

David Pruitt stayed at Horn’s house for a few weeks and rendered the falls beside his home in “Bear at the Falls,” an abstract impression of a bear with layers of paint and digital imagery.

In Jerico Gallery, Horn plans to feature monthly exhibits with only a few artists’ work displayed simultaneously. Oil and watercolor paintings, sculpture and pottery will be worked into a cycle that tirelessly strives to discover new Upper Delaware artists, he said.

Comfortable seating will invite people to linger and enjoy the art, and Saturday and Sunday afternoons at the gallery will be flavored with wine and cheeses.

He wants to make local art accessible, so in addition to original pieces, he will sell Giclee prints, high resolution digital scans printed with archival quality inks.

“I want to present a simple, non-obstructive space with a focus on the artwork,” he said.

About the renovation of the Arlington Hotel on Main Street, Horn said, “It is going to rejuvenate and have a dramatic effect on the wonderful work Narrowsburg businesses are already doing.”