An artful eye

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Here in the Upper Delaware River Valley, we can behold many galleries full of beautiful one-of-a-kind paintings, sculptures and other media of amazing artistic talent. The river valley is blessed with talented artisans from all over the world, and they display their collections in some of the most beautiful galleries I have seen.

Narrowsburg’s Main Street is adorned with several of these galleries, as well as antique and gift shops and restaurants. It is mix of art and culture. There I found three galleries displaying some of the most creative local art that this area has to offer.

The Delaware Valley Arts Alliance (DVAA), an art council for Sullivan County, features the works of different artisans throughout the year in their galleries. Each artist’s work is celebrated with an opening, and the ever-changing variety of art includes painting, pottery and all kinds of mixed media.

The main gallery is white space, filled with light and white walls that set off the art perfectly. The artists’ work is kept on a display for several weeks after the opening. The DVAA also displays artwork in the hallways and in the second-floor gallery space.

The DVAA Signature Gifts gift shop is filled with brilliant examples of pottery, jewelry, metalwork, statuary and painting. All the work here is by local artisans as well. It is a perfect place to find a one-of-a-kind piece for yourself—or to give as a gift. For more information call the DVAA at 845/252-7576.

Across the street is the Margo Spoerri Gallery. Margo, the artist and proprietor of the gallery, is legally blind—something one would never guess from her vivid and striking work. One would never imagine that someone who cannot legally see could produce visual imagery of this caliber.

Upon stepping into her studio and gallery, one instantly becomes enveloped with impressions of flowers and trees. Most of Spoerri’s paintings give us a window on her own imaginative, whimsical landscapes of meadow or forest.

The gallery provides the opportunity not only to view Spoerri’s breathtaking original art pieces, but to purchase one to take home with you. For more information call 845/252-6568.

Five doors up the street is The River Gallery. The River Gallery features the original artwork of local artists as well, and contains an extraordinary array of different talents to view all at once, a variety of stunning items that are on display in every nook and cranny.

Asian influences are a strong theme here. The gallery includes silk pillows, arts, decorations and Asian antiques. Tables are set with brightly colored Chinese plates and chopsticks.

Americana antique furniture in all shapes and sizes is another one of the gallery’s assets. The country furnishings are charming and timeless.

Paintings galore fill the walls. Landscape pieces predominated when I last visited, along with a selection of abstract pieces.

The River Gallery also includes affordable gifts and locally made salsas. For more information call 845/252-3230.

Art is an amazing thing. One person will love what someone else doesn’t, but in the river valley everyone can find something they will appreciate. It seems as though new galleries are opening up in every local town. They carry the work of people who live next door to you and produce objects of great beauty and passion. Shopping locally and buying local artists’ work helps keep the area thriving and artfully yours.