I sing the body eclectic

What do flying saucers, fine art and poetry have in common? Why, the Catskills, of course! Nowhere else on Earth can such an eclectic melange of events be found on any given weekend. From Narrowsburg, NY to Wurtsboro, NY, with a pit stop in Callicoon, NY, I found myself immersed in culture, with an emphasis on “body, mind and spirit” this week as I traversed the countryside, in search of enlightenment...

Personally, I am a big fan of fine art that depicts scenes of landscape, nature and wildlife, so I was delighted to find that River Gallery - The Art of Living in Narrowsburg is currently displaying the work of James McGinley. McGinley’s work can be found in many public and private collections, including those at AT&T, Bell Telephone Labs, Warner Lambert, Mutual Benefit Insurance and the Essex Fells Corporation, to name but a few.

Painting since the age of three, his impressive resume spans decades of study and work, both here and abroad, with an emphasis on studies of “bedazzling color, light and mass, defined in gliding brushstrokes that dance over the surface and into pictorial space.” Currently residing in the Delaware River area, McGinley has developed a whole series of “Western” paintings and a “Winter Woods” series, drawing his inspiration from the beauty of the countryside he now calls home.

The River Gallery continues to impress with its wide array of fine art and stunning home furnishings. McGinley’s paintings are available at the gallery through the end of the month and are (in my humble opinion), well worth a look.

I’ve been meaning to swing by the new Crystals and Well Being Center ( thecrystalscenter.com ) and was intrigued to find that they were offering a UFO mini-conference this past week. Never one to ignore an alien abduction, I snaked my way through the woods and joined the group, led by UFO researcher William Wiand, Ph.D. Interesting, thought provoking and stimulating, these workshops are scheduled once a month for all interested in the phenomenon.

The complex, located at 116 Sullivan Street in Wurtsboro, is beautiful. Housed in an old church, the center is filled with beautiful natural crystals and all things metaphysical. Offering a wide variety of workshops, from meditation to psychic readings with a bit of Wicca thrown in for good measure, the center offers a little “something for everyone” and also houses a unique gift shop for the discerning holiday shopper. Their motto, “Making inspiration and happiness affordable,” shines through as one peruses the exotic and beautiful treasures from around the world.

An all-day open house is scheduled for this coming Sunday, November 15, where one can sign up for workshops on dowsing, women’s circle groups, Tarot readings and the like. As far as I know, I was not abducted by Martians on my way home, but there is always hope for next time!

Romanian poet Peter Sragher graced the Hudson Valley this past week with readings of his work at the Liberty Free Theatre, along with teacher/poet and performer Hillary Keel. Mr. Sragher’s appearance was organized by the Romanian Writer’s Council and Keel is a recent transplant to upstate New York via Vienna, Austria.

Emphasising the influence of water as a thematic construct, the artists shared their love of nature and the seasons as they read their own work, alongside a piece by Allen Ginsberg that still resonates with the audience—proving that Ginsberg’s work is still universal and timely, 50 years after being written.

The theatre will be presenting an encore reading of Rilla Askew’s new play, “By The Time We Got to Woodstock” as a benefit/fundraiser for The Sullivan County Human Rights Commission for one performance only on Saturday, November 21 at 7:30 p.m. For reservations and information, contact the theatre at www.libertyfreetheatre.org or call 845/292-3788. I saw this show during the summer and loved it. A wonderful evening for an inspiring cause—what could be more wholesome or natural?

Last but not least, a drive-by at Callicoon Fine Arts ( callicoonfinearts.com ) in Callicoon provided a brief respite in my (always) hectic tour of the Upper Delaware River region. The exhibit, which showcases the work of 20 German artists, runs through December 20. According to the literature, “The artworks deploy a variety of conceptual approaches in styles, the dominant mode being abstract painting.” Not necessarily my particular cup of tea, but I always welcome challenging my own ideas of what makes an artist tick.

All in all, an action-packed week, with a bit of “something for everyone”—another fine example of the variety of happenings here in the Upper Delaware Valley. With the holidays fast approaching, I am tingling with excitement over what is in store for us all, here in the mountains. Never a dull moment—with no rest in sight, I continue to marvel at the colorful, fascinating world of the Catskills. Truly a bountiful and beautiful world it is.

For Jonathan Fox’s blog visit workingwithoutanet.blogspot.com .