Linda Hubbard, owner of Riverwinds Art Gallery in Beacon and chairwoman of Art Along The Hudson.
Will Art Along The Hudson give stay-at-homers the encouragement needed to get out and enjoy a little night music or an art walk along one of the world”™s most famous rivers?  Â
At its official kickoff celebration on Thursday evening, May 28, Mayors John Tkazyik of Poughkeepsie, Steve Gold of Beacon and Mary Foster of Peekskill were among elected officials who blended in among painters, actors, sculptors, musicians and creative craftspeople at the Cunneen Hackett Art Center in Poughkeepsie to highlight arts, crafts and restaurants as a means to bring in visitors ”“ including the ones that live right here.Â
Mary Kay Vrba, director of Dutchess County Tourism, was on hand to hear plans for the rotating weekend celebrations scheduled through the height of the tourism season. Vrba, like her mid-Hudson cohort, is hoping Art Along the Hudson will spike “more interest in overnight stays ”“ we”™d like to hold on to them.” Overnights notwithstanding, she said, “I”™m optimistic this is going to be a draw for day trips and weekend vacations.”
Gold says Beacon”™s “Second Saturday” celebrations have become popular, primarily because the city has positioned itself as an art enclave. When its former high school was transformed into workspace for artists, interest piqued, particularly because of its affordability and accessibility to New York City markets.
“We”™ve got a potential buyer for Beacon High School, and they plan to leave it ”˜as is,”™ which means it will continue to be artists”™ studios,” said Gold. “Keeping the old school open and reusing it as artists”™ work space has helped Beacon establish itself as an affordable alternative to New York City prices. What”™s really nice is that the tenants in the building have formed a unique collaboration and really work together to promote the city. It”™s been a great boost for our revitalization efforts.”
Beacon, Catskill, Kingston, New Paltz, Newburgh, Peekskill and Poughkeepsie are the seven venues where art, music and entertainment will be the focal point, bringing several local art societies and stand-alone artists together in one location to showcase talent. And while Newburgh”™s got dibs on the first Saturday of each month ”“ each town gets its own day, so they don”™t compete ”“ the weekend of June 6-7 was slated for all the towns and villages all along the Hudson to enjoy the quadricentennial flotilla that was to journey upriver along with planned complementary events. Newburgh and Beacon made plans to take the opportunity to share by providing regular ferry and trolley trips back and forth throughout.
Chairwoman Linda Hubbard said, “Art Along the Hudson is going all out to promote the opportunity to explore our cities, enjoy our beautiful valley and see what we have to offer.” Hubbard told the packed audience that brochures for the event are being distributed throughout the region and at every Thruway rest area, hoping to lure “staycationers” to the mid-Hudson, where this year”™s loss of the Empire State Games has been an economic blow to the area”™s hotels and restaurants.
Rosemary Nelson greeted guests as they entered Cunneen Hackett Arts Center for the Art Along the Hudson event, playing some jazz standards on her electric organ. A member of the Millbrook Arts Council, she says the group is planning a jazz concert at the Millbrook band shell on July 27. “Most business people in the community are doing all they can to bring people out and encourage them to enjoy the arts,” said Nelson. “I play in a local restaurant, Mojo Grill, where the owners host a music night. The economy”™s been very tough on a lot of people. Hopefully, Art Along the Hudson and all the great events planned for the quad will help bring them out.”
