Over the past several years, ARTspace located on Main Street in the center of the hamlet of Germantown has become a major scene for artists and art enthusiasts from the community and surrounding towns. Recognizing that there was no outlet for artistic talent between Tivoli and Hudson, the Germantown Economic Development Committee launched ARTspace in November of 2008 with the generous donation of gallery space by Hal Einhorn. The mission of ARTspace is to establish a forum for the many expressions called “art” and to expand the visibility of Germantown as a great place to do business, to live and to visit.
The quantity and quality of artistic talent in Germantown and the surrounding communities was evident in the inaugural show, Local Color, which featured 27 artists just from our community. Subsequent shows have confirmed the abundance and variety of local talent in style and media, including oil, wood, glass, charcoal, watercolor, contemporary, abstract, classic, photography, and graphic design. The gallery is about 1,900 square feet with natural light from high, wide windows facing Main Street. It has been the perfect place for the artists and the hundreds of guests who have visited the gallery.
Among the exhibits showcasing Germantown talent was Don Crews and Family. Don is a beloved author and illustrator of children’s books. Works by Don’s wife, Ann Jonas – a well-known illustrator and author – and works by their daughter Nina were also represented. Don, Ann and Nina invited children from the Germantown school for a private showing and the opportunity to ask questions about the books by the Crews that they had read. ARTspace has presented jazz afternoons and a demonstration of Flamenco dancing. There was an open house on the porch of the “in-progress” renovation of Central House. Well-known animal photographer, Valerie Shaff, presented some of her famous works and shared the show with Ken Cooke’s powerful photos of Africa and Afghanistan. An entire show of photos of Sonny Rollins in concert by Frederic Ohringer was seen. The graduation class of Judy Pfaff at Bard offered Mamihlapinatapai (called the most succinct word) with highly inventive and exuberant works.
Last year, ARTspace became part museum and part staging area as it served as headquarters for the nationally recognized Germantown 300 Anniversary Celebration of the arrival of the German Palatines to this region settling “East Camp”, which is now Germantown. We in Germantown are so proud that ARTspace is developing into the cultural hub that we envisioned with its opening in 2008.
Coming up, the highly anticipated show by Cross River Fine Art: Watercolors, opens on October 15th with a reception from 5-7 p.m. Cross River Fine Art represents 17 watercolorists who live and work in the Hudson River Valley. The paintings, whether still life, botanical or landscape, reflect the beauty and sensibility of the region. These artists have a lasting association with their mentor, Betsy Jacaruso and her Studio and Gallery in Red Hook. The watercolors will be on view until November 5th and open weekends: Fridays 4-7 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays 10 a.m.-4 p.m. ARTspace is located at 212 Main Street in the center of Germantown across from Otto’s Market. The exhibit is free. For additional information contact: artspace@gtel.net.
The Germantown Economic Development Committee wishes to again thank Mr. Hal Einhorn and the artists who have participated in ARTspace events and for sharing their unique styles and talent. The committee is pleased to present this new dimension to Germantown and is especially grateful to the many guests who enjoy the shows.
Banners hang from Main Street telephone poles announcing the Germantown business website; 12526.biz. The website title came from the gallery show ART:12526 (the zip code) and has grown to include more than 100 active and local businesses. 12526 is considered by many to be the Germantown logo. It was designed by photographer Ken Cooke.
