Catskill Arts Society

Living large in Livingston Manor

By NANCY DYMOND

LIVINGSTON MANOR, NY — “Our space! We’ve got a gorgeous home!” gushed Catskill Art Society (CAS) director Kathryn Tufano, eyeing the organization’s new facility with pure delight. The budding organization’s new home is indeed gorgeous. An abundance of soft light filters through the floor-to-ceiling facade windows, sweeping onto the bamboo floors of the spacious hall and two gallery spaces in a wide gesture of welcome.

Before its move to the 4,500-square-foot former movie theater in 2006, CAS shared space with the Sullivan County Museum in Hurleyville. With the pottery studio in the basement of the former school building, the gallery on the first floor and their offices and classrooms on the second floor, finding enough space and the right kinds of space for their programs was not a simple endeavor. “In the Hurleyville facility, we were sort of peppered around the space,” Tufano said. “Here, we’re all neatly tied up with a ribbon on one floor.”

Across the hall from Gallery One, the main gallery, where shows change every six weeks, there is a multipurpose room known as Gallery Two that is used for showing films, staging performances, dance classes, other special programming and as an expansion gallery space for larger shows. In the center of the building, visible past the gift shop, is the front desk space available for Tufano and her staff to conduct administrative business. Classroom programming happens in the back of the house where there’s a pottery studio, a painting studio and two smaller studio spaces. There’s also a scenic view from the back windows of the wide and winding Willowemoc Creek.

The new, expansive facility has sparked an attitude of exploration in artistic expression. Where formerly CAS’s emphasis was on the visual arts and sculpture, the organization’s current activities reflect an energy of innovation. “I think we’re willing to take some risks in terms of what we’re doing here,” Tufano said, recalling recent past events like the Sankofa African Drum and Dance Ensemble, artist Glen Church’s night-time video installation called “Metaphors For The Void,” and a recent double-feature comedy film festival that ran for seven weeks. “Getting people in to see what we’re up to is definitely tops on my priority list.”

One of the major ways the CAS interacts with the community is through the art and artisan classes it offers. Classes include instruction in drawing, painting, pottery, acting, writing and more. There are workshops in collage and in painting on silk. CAS has been busy recently helping Livingston Manor prepare for its fifth annual Trout Parade on June 14 ((www.troutparade.com)). The organization formed a committee to oversee an award program for float builders. In addition, Tufano and staffers are helping a group of 11 seven to 19 year olds decorate trout headdresses to wear in the parade. CAS plans to enter a float this year called “Creatures of the Sea.”

Artist Talks, which occur in Gallery Two during the first hour of the Opening Reception of a new exhibition, help to emphasize the CAS mission of “cultivating public interest, participation and enjoyment of the arts.” Although membership in CAS is not necessary to attend the Artist Talks or to enjoy any of the cultural resources offered by the organization, there are benefits to joining. Besides discounts on classes and programs, members have the opportunity to show their artwork and offer it for sale at the November group show. “Last year’s group show was touted as a ‘Holiday Fair,’” said Tufano. “It was a good time for people to shop for the holidays.”

The gallery is open Friday and Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and Sunday from 12:00 noon to 5:00 p.m. Future events include a Gallery Grab Event, a collaborative installation by artists Karen Bell and Nick Forte and the November Group Show. The complete exhibition schedule is available on the CAS website.

CAS special programs and events

May 24–June 22: CAS Silent Auction Benefit.

June 28–August 3: John Lawson.

July 19–August 31: Impressions (unjuried show). See page 10C.

August 9–September 21: Lynn Mayocole and Daina Shobrys.

September 27–November 9: Karen Bell and Nick Forte.

November 15–December 21: CAS Members Show & Holiday Fair.

Contact information

Executive director: Kathryn Tufano.

Catskill Art Society.

P.O. Box 991, 48 Main St.

Livingston Manor, NY 12758.

Phone: 845-436-4227.

Email: info@catskillartsociety.org .

Website: catskillartsociety.org .