Slowly the artistic world is returning to some sense of normalcy.
After canceling two annual Studio Tours due to the Covid-19 pandemic, RiverArts® decided to go ahead with a one-day no-frills event this upcoming weekend, on Saturday, October 23 from 11-6pm, instead of waiting until the traditional late April date. More than 70 artists from Hastings, Dobbs Ferry, Ardsley, Irvington, and Tarrytown are participating.
You can download the map at https://2021studiotour.riverarts.org and visit studios at your own pace. This is a free event.
Recently I went to the Preview Show at the Hastings Municipal Building of this years abbreviated 2021 RiverArts Artists Studio Tour, this year as a visitor rather than a participant. I decided to take a break this year to figure out my 2022 post-Covid strategy now that I’m living in an apartment. (In 2020 I only got as far as my postcard…) The Hastings show is up through October 24th, while the Dobbs Ferry Library Preview is up through October 29th.
Now let me introduce you to a new face on the Tour.
My walking buddy and fellow realist, Linda Friedlander, decided to participate in the Studio Tour for the first time. She is an accomplished artist, and her striking still life painting greets you on the left as soon as you enter the Hastings Municipal Building.
Lets take a closer took. The details of the fabric and porcelain are so rich, the apples so enticing, and that pierced dish is so exquisitely painted. I would never have that kind of patience!
Linda caught all the subtleties of the glass reflections and cast shadows from the pierced porcelain.
This is the best of contemporary realism. Linda’s fascination with transparency and complex tabletop compositions evoke the work of Janet Fish (who had a fabulous retrospective at DC Moore Gallery in NYC a few years back) – the ultimate compliment to Linda since I love Janet’s work and she’s such an acclaimed artist.
You can see Linda’s work for yourself this Saturday at the Dobbs Ferry Presbyterian Church. She’s number 11 in Dobbs Ferry on the Studio Tour map.
If you can’t make it, you are invited to the Opening Reception of her solo show on November 14th at the same location from November 7 -December 12.
Back to the Hastings Preview Show for a moment. I must point out this epic painting by veteran Studio Tour participant, Madge Scott. It has much more presence in person.
When you come right up to the painting, you see that a section of the dress is a beautiful collage (which I actually missed the first time around until Linda pointed it out to me.)
And then there’s Vicky Youngman’s ceramic piece, Breaking Free, which I was drawn to the last time I saw it, but has since taken on a whole new meaning to me given this brave new world we all live in.
Here’s Vicky on the right with Kara Lenkeit, who is on the Studio Tour Committee.
Below you can see more of the tribe. Thank you to Kristen Javier (on the left below), talented mosaic artist, who posted this photo on Instagram.
I wish I had taken more photos of people like Doug Coe, retired RiverArts Executive Director, not to mention a selfie or two… But wouldn’t you know that I found this ethereal photo of me entering the Hastings Municipal Building on Instagram. There I am, in all black, with my big purse.
It was such a shock to see the front hall empty. In this new world of Covid, the banquet table of delicious food from past years went AWOL, but I was somewhat consoled by outdoor music near the Hudson River.
I’m looking forward to going to the Studio Tour this Saturday – and seeing what Linda and other artists have been up to lately. That’s the value of the Studio Tour. It’s a great opportunity to talk to artists and hear firsthand about their techniques, materials, and how they think about the creative process.
It’s an annual tradition that has been sorely missed. I’m glad RiverArts didn’t wait until the spring to return. Hope you can make it.
