Vicki Botta and Angelina Collins have teamed up to showcase their friendship and work together, combining landscapes from the Hudson Valley and northeast and photography pulled from Angelina Collin’s wide body of work.

The opening reception is 6 February, 2-4 pm at the Lycian Theater, the work will be on display through February.

Greenwood Lake Public Library
79 Waterstone Road
Greenwood Lake, NY 10925

Roslyn Fassett will be exhibiting works from “Beyond the Fabric”, a series of oil paintings based on African textile decoration in the lobby of the Newburgh Free Library from Jan. 8 – 29. The patterns cover the images of women beneath, almost as a veil. “It is a question about what do we really see?” said Fassett.

In addition, she will present a free lecture on the “Mysteries of African Textiles” at the Newburgh Library on Tues., Jan. 26 at 7 p.m. Her talk explores the techniques, patterns and designs of traditional African textiles. Fabrics from Ghana, Mali and Nigeria will be discussed. If they have any African fabrics to share, attendees are asked to bring them to the lecture.

Roslyn Fassett, who lives in Pine Island, studied art at Cooper Union and the Brooklyn Museum. She did graduate studies in Non-Western art at CCNY and has taught art history at Suny Purchase and New Paltz. Her interest has enticed her to Mali and Nigeria. To register for the lecture, call 563-3600 or go to www,newburghlibrary.org and click on “Calendar of Events.” The Newburgh Free Library is open Mon.- Thurs., 9 – 9; Fri. and Sat., 9 – 5 and Sun. 1 – 5.

Gallery Warwick
17 River St
Warwick, NY

2 January, 6-9 p

Her live transformations of sand on a back-lit table, shown on a screen projection using a camera above her, is just beautiful.

Her name is Kseniya Simonova, is just 24 years old and while she’s a trained artist, has been drawing in sand for only about a year.  She uses a very expensive volcanic sand from Italy which she found works best for this medium.

Here is her winning live drawing performance:

The story itself does not need a context to follow, but for the Ukraine it was a well known story – the Soviet battle against the Nazi’s during the last World War.  For those in that side of the world, the personal battle between the Soviets and the Nazi’s is referred to as the Great Patriotic War and is considered separate from the wider WWII theater.

She won the top prize for the show and gave the vast majority of her prize money to charity, and in fact entered the contest to help save a young girl suffering from a staphylococcus infection and, she claimed, no doctor in the Ukraine wanted to treat her.  While the young girl died on her way to a hospital in Italy, she started a charity with her mother to work with other children who need similar help.

Her performance drawing honoring the child Nika Fesenko is here:

From their Press Release:

Beacon, New York, December 2, 2009 — Marion Royael Gallery, located at 460 Main Street, Beacon, New York 12508, a full service contemporary art gallery featuring a mix of sculptures, paintings and mixed media works, announces its grand opening. The gallery will be opening on Saturday, December 12th with a reception from 6:00pm-10:00pm. All are welcomed to attend the reception and may RSVP by emailing info@marionroyaelgallery.com.

As an introduction to the Beacon community the opening exhibition will showcase selected works by the owners Barbara A.G. and Steven Paul Riddle as well as notable architectural assemblage artist Gordon Graff.

“With our passion for art and love of the area and its culture, it seems like a natural step to open an art gallery here,” says Barbara Riddle, Co-Owner of the Gallery. “We are excited to bring the very best emerging contemporary artists and share their work with this community. It will truly be a worthwhile experience for any art aficionado.”

Along with the sculptures and paintings, the gallery itself is a work of art with high ceilings, an industrial feel and plenty of room for larger works. The exhibition space is located in the midst of the vibrant artistic community of Beacon, New York which boasts the Dia Beacon, many outstanding fine art galleries, www.beaconarts.org, top notch restaurants and a bevy of interesting and unique boutiques.

The gallery plans to hold future monthly shows featuring established names, as well as the most innovative emerging artists.

Marion Royael Gallery
460 Main St, Beacon NY

Opening Reception 6-10p, 12 December
Please RSVP to the email address above

Miller’s photographs were arranged from south to north and allowed spectators to walk along the river, enjoying the vivid images he managed to create. The images were so striking that if you stood long enough, looking into the landscape, you could picture yourself atop Storm King Mountain or aside the George Washington Bridge.

The first image that caught my eye was that of a rainbow over Bear Mountain. The image brilliantly showcased the light in the lower right quadrant with complete adoration. While there were many distractions, and places for my eyes to wander, I instantly narrowed in on the rainbow and the other elements became secondary.

Another photograph which caught my eye was that of Stockport farm, taken in 2007. The image was that of a sunset and what my mother always considered “sky blue pink.” I’m certain this wasn’t an original phrase but I have always attributed that time of night to her and when I first heard the term. Standing there, it harkened me back to my childhood and brought with it a sense of comfort. It was one of those moments where I was transported back in time; I was on my porch watching the sunset as opposed to standing amidst other museum onlookers.

While the majority of the prints were bright and vibrant, others had a dark appeal. It proved Millers talent, showcasing not only the majesty of the Hudson River but also the gritty underbelly it tends to possess.

As I was about to leave, I noticed Miller’s name in another museum gallery. Curiosity got the better of me and I wandered into a “then and now” panorama of the Hudson River. The project was a recreation of an 800 print strip that now included the addition of over 3,000 present day photographs. As I snaked through the room, I became the actual river. With present day photos on top, and the 1910 montage below, I was able to stand beneath the Newburgh-Beacon Bridge and span the generations. Needless to say, the exhibit was a pleasant surprise.

World renowned woodcutter, Jozsef Domján, may have international recognition; however, his name is lesser known to his fellow Orange County residents. Born in Budapest in 1907, he had a humble upbringing and a passion for the arts. Shortly after the Hungarian Revolution broke out in 1956, Domján was invited to showcase his work in New York; given both the circumstances and opportunities, he readily accepted. Eventually, with his wife and children, he settled in Tuxedo Park. Here, he established the Domján Studio and where lived until his passing in 1992.

In his early years, and during the Great Depression, Domján toured Europe with the desire to be engulfed by art. Previously, much of his time had been consumed with the work of both an engine fitter and foundry worker. After testing the waters of over 20 different professions, he discovered his passion in the arts. Later, during his European tour, he earned his way by selling a variety of works including both paintings and sketches. Post-depression, he returned to Hungry where he studied seven years at the Budapest Academy of Arts.

Having spent an earlier portion of his life as a painter, Domján created his first woodcut in 1947 by using oil paint as opposed to printer’s ink. The result was stunning. This technique, becoming his signature style, would later set him apart from others within the trade. To create his pieces, Domján applied rich color, layer by layer, and lays claim to having “succeeded in bringing to the world something that had not existed before.” Ultimately, each print became three dimensional and gave the appearance of a painting. His technique has gained him international merit as well as the honor of receiving China’s “Master of the Color Wooodcut” award, a recognition given only once every century.

The inspiration behind many of Domján’s woodcuts, coupled with his love of nature, is derived from Hungary’s brilliant folklore. The intricacy of his design is certainly his prominent element; however, their subtle coloring and abstract images contribute to his unique style. 

For the 59th Anniversary of composer Béla Bartók’s opera, Duke Bluebeard’s Castle, Domján used the opera’s profound imagery to create a series of woodcuts. The work included an ominous castle, coiled snakes, smirking masks, elusive zodiac symbols, and the story’s forbidden key. In doing so, Domján was able to weave traditional folklore components into a fantastic piece of modernized art.

His work is not only expressive of Hungarian folklore but is also heavily influenced by his European travels. Domján, through his woodcuts, has blended elements of nature, history, folk art and legends with a variety of cultural experiences. Within these elements Domján has infused his unique passion and created pieces which will remain timeless.

Domján is now associated with five hundred exhibitions and 130 museums on four continents, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, the Tate in London and Mingei International. All of these facilities house pieces of his work while a museum in Sárospatak, Hungary bears his name.

Through his extraordinary art, fantastic colors and profuse texture, Jozsef Domján has captured a Hungarian essence in such a way that it is universally appreciated.

Joseph’s wife and tireless partner, Evelyn, was not only a major contributor to his work, but also a talented artist in her own right.  After his death, Evelyn continued to live in Tuxedo Park and managed his collection and legacy.  Evelyn passed away 12 July 2009.

Mary Mugele Sealfon painting the Hudson Valley Landscape

Mary is joining a number of key artists in the area.  The work will be on display from 21 November through 20 December.

A flyer for the show is available here.

21-20 December 2009
Opening Reception 21 November 3-5pm

Howland Cultural Center
477 Main St
Beacon NY

Roberta Rosenthal, is an award winning artist, specializing in botanical art. Her art is created with watercolor, gouache, oils or mixed media for paintings, illustrations and designs. Roberta, a native New Yorker, is a graduate of the Fashion Institute of Technology with a degree in Textile Design and is a graduate of the High School of Art & Design in New York City. Roberta studied botanical art at the New York Botanical Garden, oil painting at the Art Students League, Asian brush painting at the Koho School of Sumi-e and privately with modern Chinese master Kou Liang Jui and introduced to C.C. Wang. In 1969 Roberta began her career as a designer for Macy’s and in 1971 at Leo Art Studio. Roberta founded RSR Designs a full service art studio in Manhattan in 1976. Her fine botanical illustrative art has been featured on postage stamps for the Marshall Islands and the Republic of Palau, books including Glory of the Garden and Rebecca’s Garden, Fine Gardening, Kitchen Garden, National Gardening and Horticulture magazines, packaging for Coty, Victoria’s Secret bath products, stationary for Caspari and ArtScroll Printing, giftware for Sven Jensen, ArtKraft Strauss Sign Corporation and licensed images of Disney products for Wendy Gell Jewelry.

We haven’t even gotten to her work at an art instructor at the New York Botanical Gardens.  But honestly, you need to know none of these things when viewing her work – the quality and exceptional detail speaks for itself.

At the New Windsor Gallery through 30 November.

New Windsor Art Gallery
2330 State Route 32, New Windsor, NY

Gallery hours: Mon – Fri 10 am – 6 pm
Saturday 10:30 am – 5 pm