The Art of Living.

River Gallery reinvented with country living style

By CHARLIE BUTERBAUGH

NARROWSBURG, NY — One of Youngsville artist James McGinley’s soothing river scenes hangs beside an antique corner cabinet.

A radiant painting by McGinley’s apprentice, Gerry Heydt, is placed between antique Chinese doors. Another by Heydt sits on a pile of bright wool rugs designed by Lava artist Liza Phillips.

Artwork by people living in the scenic Upper Delaware Valley is everywhere in River Gallery. It has been since Barbara Braathen opened her doors at 20 Main Street four years ago. Now, thanks to a partnership that Braathen formed with two collectors who live in Narrowsburg, her assemblage of art has been incorporated with a unique style—and, of course, comfort—of country living.

River Gallery: The Art of Living is born.

The atmosphere created by Barry Becker and Tony Coscia—one that is equally gallery and retail oriented—invites visitors to strike relationships with the artwork as they enjoy walking by antique furniture, Pennsylvania crockery, water buckets and pantry bowls from Roseville, Ohio.

Becker said the underlying message is that art can be a part of people’s lives and needn’t be kept on a pedestal.

Antique Chinese furniture, crafted between 1850 and 1920, makes up a large segment of the inventory. Becker pointed out how the abovementioned doors could be used as decorative borders for a window or as backdrops behind a bed or couch. He described Chinese culture as one “that’s close to the land.”

The antiques, he said, are “ornate, but not over the top.”

The couple has restored a farmhouse on Route 52, which is filled with the antiques they’ve collected during their travels through America, China and Italy. “We have a small house, and it’s filled. If we had a large house, it would be filled,” Becker said.

Other items in the shop include decorative pillows, pashmina and paisley shawls, silk-covered journals and goods for the kitchen like balsamic vinegars and olive oils imported from Tuscany, green and jasmine teas, and pineapple, peach and black bean salsas from Barryville, NY’s River Market.

Becker and Coscia have integrated Braathen’s collection of art into a mix of design and antiques savvy that adds even more enjoyment to this Upper Delaware hamlet.

“We like to mix everything, Asian, American antiques, new and old,” Coscia said.

Gallery shows are still in the mix at River Gallery: The Art of Living, and the art framing business is still going strong.

For more information call 845/252-3230.