Hudson Valley Art & Wine Pairing Project Opens in Albany
Published:
Hudson Valley Art and Wine “Pairing Project”
to Open with a Celebration in Albany
Final exhibition of winery-inspired art by local artists opens on
Wednesday, October 5, 2011 from 5–7 P.M. at the Albany Heritage Area Visitors Center with complimentary wine and food tastings
(ALBANY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2011)—Art and wine enthusiasts are welcome to attend the opening of Hudson Valley Art & Wine – A Grand Celebration at the Albany Heritage Area Visitors Center, 25 Quackenbush Square (corner of Broadway and Clinton Ave.) at 5–7 P.M. on Wednesday, October 5, 2011. R.S.V.P. required to accvb@albany.org by October 3, 2011.
On view will be 18 local artists’ works inspired by twelve of the region’s wineries, including Hudson-Chatham Winery in Ghent and Brookview Station Winery in Castleton-on-Hudson, whose wines will be featured at the event. Paired food tastings will be presented by Classé Catering of Albany and R & G Cheeses of Cohoes. The event is open to the public.
The Art & Wine pairing project is part of Hudson Valley Wine Magazine’s year-long celebration to create awareness of the art, wine and cultural experiences that have a deep-rooted history in the Hudson Valley region. The pairing of local artists and wineries has produced an exhibit of inspiring works that capture the spirit of the local vineyards, wineries, and the winemaking process. The exhibit includes oil landscapes, abstract acrylics, still life, photography and mixed media sculpture including pieces made from barrel staves used in making wine.
"The idea of the Art and Wine pairing project is to educate people about the Hudson Valley’s rich history of art and viticulture, and to promote local artists and winemakers to new audiences," states Robert Bedford, Executive Editor of Hudson Valley Wine Magazine. "So in keeping with the flow of the Hudson River, we started with the premiere of the exhibit in Westchester – the gateway to the Hudson Valley – and are concluding it in New York State’s Capital region, piqueing the public’s interest all along the way."
"This exhibit showcases the beauty of our region, while educating the public on the rich heritage of winemaking in the Hudson Valley," states Michele Vennard, President/CEO of the Albany County Convention and Visitors Bureau. "Visitors to the Albany Heritage Area Visitors Center will be able to enjoy this showcase through December, allowing them to savor the intricacies of the artwork and the process by which it was created."
For landscape artist Judy Reynolds, who hails from Kinderhook, being paired with Brookview Station Winery was an educational experience in making wine from fruits other than grapes. She captured the vistas of the distant Helderberg mountains and Goold Orchard’s apple trees in pastel on a crisp fall day last year, working quickly in plein air despite high winds. Goold Orchard, home to Brookview Station Winery, celebrates their 100th harvest this year, and produces the apples and pears that are the basis of their award-winning wines.
Photographer Ann Gabriele of Catskill captured the essence of Hudson-Chatham Winery in a minimal and delicate Polaroid process, focusing on the tension between the fleeting and enduring beauty at the vineyard over the seasons. Hudson artist and gallery owner Joan Damiani also captured the mood at Hudson-Chatham. "I took many photographs, capturing seasons, light, weather, people, fruit and events. The most satisfying aspect was seeing the Hudson-Chatham vineyard in its many moods, the commitment during the wine production phase and finally, the enthusiasm of the winemakers who love and treasure this land."
The traveling exhibit of over 35 works by 18 artists was shown at several Hudson Valley art galleries over the summer, with opening celebrations that included wine tastings by the region’s wineries. Galleries included M Gallery in Catskill, (the town known as the birthplace of American Art); and Hudson Valley Gallery on the waterfront in Cornwall-on-Hudson. The Albany Heritage Area Visitors Center marks the fourth and northernmost stop for the exhibit. The exhibit will remain on view at the Visitors Center until January, 2012.
All art is for sale and signed limited edition prints of some pieces are also available.
For more information about the Hudson Valley Art & Wine – A Grand Celebration, please visit HudsonValleyArtandWine.com
