Art Walk Kingston – largest open studio tour in the Mid-Hudson region!

By Linda Marston-Reid
Linda Marston-Reid is an artist, writer, and executive director of Arts Mid-Hudson.

The 3rd Annual Art Walk Kingston open studio weekend returns Saturday, September 22 and Sunday, September 23, noon until 5:00 pm each day, and with over 130 artists’ work on exhibit, it is the largest open studio in the Hudson River Valley. The weekend opens with a special preview exhibit of select artworks at ARTBAR on Friday, September 21, 5:00-9:00 pm. The public art reception will give visitors an opportunity to see the wide variety of artwork and meet artists participating in this year’s event.

“This is an incredible event that features the diverse artists, performers, arts-based businesses and organizations who are contributing to and sustaining Kingston’s growth and creative renaissance,” said City of Kingston Mayor Steve Noble, “I encourage everyone to join me for a weekend full of beauty, creativity and community!”

Visitors can see participating artist studios located in the historic Kingston warehouses, such as Angela Rose Voulgarelis at Ferrovia Studios, painter Charlotte Tusch and performance artist Zelda at the Lace Mill, and the Shirt Factory features the Kingston Ceramics Studio, painter Leslie Bender, and Hudson Valley Silverworks featuring jewelry and silver works by a collective of five artisans.

The tour meanders through the City of Kingston including studios and art galleries in the Rondout, Midtown, and Uptown. Each of the three neighborhoods of Kingston are walkable and parking lots are indicated on the maps. Online and print maps will guide visitors to the studios and merchants open with Art Walk Kingston special offerings.

Using the map, visitors can locate the art studios located at artists’ homes such as sculptors Dennis O’Connor and Millicent Young, mixed media artist Patti Gibbons and ceramicist, Susan Whelan. Other studios include public art sculptor, Hans van Meeuwen’s studio, where visitors can see his large scale works in process.

Galleries participating include the gallery space at Hudson Valley LGBTQ, Uncanny Gallery, featuring dolls and figurative art in the Uptown area; Midtown Kingston features Atwater Gallery, Rezny Studio Gallery, Kingston Pop Museum, The Idea Garden, ARTBAR gallery, and Village Coffee exhibits, a series of photos created by young artists from India and Cameroon presented by Kingston nonprofit, The Project Solution. One Mile Gallery opens for the first time during Art Walk Kingston, joined by The Storefront Gallery, and ASK, all located in the Rondout area.

One of the unique aspects of Art Walk Kingston are the experiential events throughout the weekend. For instance, Zelda’s Interactive Art Happening (adults only) will begin Saturday at 7:0 p.m. at the Lace Mill, and feature live percussion, black-light body painting, dancing and more. Participants are encouraged to bring something to share – a poem, stories, dances, instruments, food or drinks and a camera to document the event.

There is a wine tasting at Kingston Wine Co. on Saturday, between 1:00-3:00 p.m. Rough Draft offers Bagels & Books, inviting Art Walk visitors to stop in for fresh bagels beginning 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, or throughout the weekend for drinks while browsing through the curated selection of art books chosen just for Art Walk.

The Idea Garden offers an interactive project making an upcycled photo coaster tile for all ages. Participants are encouraged to bring a 4” x 4” image to add to the tile.

 

Event details:

Friday, September 21: Art Walk Kingston preview exhibit at ARTBAR Gallery, featuring artists from the tour. 674 Broadway, Kingston. Opening Friday, 6:00-9:00 p.m. The self-guided tour is free and open to the public.

Art Walk Kingston runs Saturday, September 22, noon-5:00 p.m. and Sunday, September 23, noon-5:00 p.m.
Online map: artwalkkingston.com

Print maps are available at Catskill Arts, 328 Wall Street; Rough Draft bar & books, 82 John Street; Storefront Gallery, 93 Broadway; ARTBAR Gallery, 674 Broadway; the Idea Garden, 346 Broadway.